Monroe County requires traceable markings on voter‑registration drive submissions to deter fraud

The Monroe County Board of Elections on Feb. 4 approved a new voter registration‑drive policy that requires organizers who collect registrations to mark forms so the election office can trace where stacks originated.

Sarah, a voter-registration official, told the board the proposal followed problems last year when the office received batches of dubious registrations shortly before a deadline. “This would help with if somebody’s out getting voter registrations and they bring us a stack in like this. We’re requiring them to have like a sticker or some kind of mark on the form so we can trace it back to an individual if there’s issues,” she said. She said counties are using simple labels or stickers at the bottom of forms; the office suggested marked stickers or other identifiers that indicate which group collected the forms.

Board members asked whether markings would be a QR code on forms and how the rule would apply to door‑to‑door canvassing where a single form may be submitted. Staff said the policy addresses bulk-drive submissions (stacks) that are difficult to trace, and that canvassers who submit an individual registration can note a collector name or otherwise be traceable. Staff also said they will keep envelopes if forms are mailed in. The board discussed and confirmed that staff may not alter a registrant’s form (for example, adding missing Social Security digits is not allowed) and outlined a practice of contacting the registrant rather than editing a form.

A motion to approve the voter registration‑drive policy passed by voice vote. Staff announced petition packet pickup dates and other administrative items before the board adjourned.