ST. PAUL — A Minnesota panel that led a pilot project around an electronic voter verification process is urging the Legislature to authorize a more extensive study this fall.

The Electronic Roster Task Force was finalizing a report and proposed legislation today. The recommendations seek a broader examination of the effectiveness and expense of a higher-tech alternative to the paper sign-in process at polling places. The panel asks the state to pick up costs.

The review would occur at more sites and in a busier environment than the 2013 pilot. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie said a regular turnout election would offer a better handle of the costs versus benefits.

Advocates of e-poll books argue they can guard against voter fraud, cut wait times and reduce errors from data now entered manually.