For decades, presidents have used autopens to keep up with the relentless stream of paperwork that crosses their desk. But it’s not just a matter of saving them from hand cramps. When the president is traveling, time-sensitive documents – such as bills to keep the government open – need a signature right away, and it’s not always feasible to fly the original documents to wherever the president is.
Still, the use of the autopen has long raised questions, because it opens up the possibility that anyone with access to the device could exercise presidential power, without a clear written record ...