This legislation will align Minnesota's voter registration and voting procedures with increasingly common national practices regarding voter ID requirements. It aims to bolster the integrity of elections by ensuring that all voters provide proper identification, potentially eliminating fraud concerns that have become prominent in national dialogues. While the bill includes funding for public education campaigns regarding these new requirements, opponents argue that it may disenfranchise vulnerable populations who may struggle to meet these new identification requirements. The effective date for many provisions in the bill is June 1, 2024, allowing time for adjustments.
Summary
SF970, known as the Minnesota Elections Integrity Act, introduces significant changes to the state's electoral processes, focusing primarily on voter identification and absentee voting regulations. The bill mandates the requirement for photo ID both to register to vote and to vote, establishing a new voter identification card. It introduces provisions for provisional ballots and sets stricter regulations on who can assist voters in polling places and how absentee voting is conducted, including restrictions on compensatory measures in relation to absentee voting. Furthermore, it prohibits local governments and educational districts from accepting certain contributions for election-related expenses.
Contention
Opposition to SF970 centers around concerns that requiring identification may pose barriers to voting, particularly for low-income individuals, the elderly, and communities of color. Critics argue that while the bill seeks to address the integrity of elections, it could inadvertently suppress turnout by making it more difficult for some groups to participate in elections. Proponents defend the bill by citing the importance of ensuring that all votes cast are legitimate, asserting that these measures are necessary to maintain public confidence in electoral outcomes.
Similar To
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote; voter ID card created; provisional ballots established; compensation methods prohibited; identification of individuals acting as agent for absentee voter or providing assistance to voter required; counties, municipalities, and school districts prohibited from accepting contributions; absentee voting requirements amended; and money appropriated.
Elections integrity act established requiring photo ID to register and to vote, ID cards and provisional ballots established, and criminal penalties increased.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote, voter ID card created, provisional ballots established, ID of individuals acting as an agent for an absentee voter required, ID of individuals providing assistance at a polling place required, criminal penalties increased, and money appropriated.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote; voter ID card created; provisional ballots established; compensation methods prohibited; identification of individuals acting as agent for absentee voter or providing assistance to voter required; counties, municipalities, and school districts prohibited from accepting contributions; absentee voting requirements amended; and money appropriated.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote; voter ID card created; provisional ballots established; compensation methods prohibited; identification of individuals acting as agent for absentee voter or providing assistance to voter required; counties, municipalities, and school districts prohibited from accepting contributions; absentee voting requirements amended; and money appropriated.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote; voter ID card created; provisional ballots established; compensation methods prohibited; identification of individuals acting as agent for absentee voter or providing assistance to voter required; counties, municipalities, and school districts prohibited from accepting contributions; absentee voting requirements amended; and money appropriated.