I'll have to say I haven't sent a paper copy to the state registrar (Paul Hronjak) in years. I've been filing both my paperwork and map in PDF form since the late 90's. Since in most cases I produce the map on the computer that has made the most sense to me and keeps the qualify of the map high. Paul has instructed me on things each map needs (city, state, where's north, how do you do you find the course if you're not from there). I still have to send him a check the old fashioned way.
I don't see it being realistic that everyone send straight to the national registrar, but I certainly see it being practical to have everyone send to the state registrar for vetting electronically. The map and paperwork should follow a naming convention so when it's forwarded from the state to national it's not a housekeeping nightmare. The state registrars would be the gatekeepers in that area and if they don't the I'd see the national registrar just informing them they need to resubmit.
My suggestion would be this. Measurer submits paperwork to state registrar for review. Registrar reviews said paperwork and informs the measurer of the source number, or alternatively corrections. Once review is approved, the measurer puts the course number on the maps and names that map and associated paperwork with the course number. The state registrar forwards the electronic copies to the national registrar for filing and adding to the database. If the measurer cannot submit electronically the state registrar does it, if neither can it's done the same way it is now.
Workload is not all dumped on national, still the same checks and balances as before.