1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to elections; requiring photo ID to register to vote and to vote; creating a
1.3 voter identification card; establishing provisional ballots; requiring identification
1.4 of individuals acting as an agent for an absentee voter; requiring identification of
1.5 individuals providing assistance to a voter in a polling place; prohibiting certain
1.6 activities related to voter registration and absentee voting; increasing criminal
1.7 penalties; requiring reports; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.8 2024, sections 5B.06; 13.6905, by adding a subdivision; 142A.412, subdivision
1.9 1; 144.226, by adding subdivisions; 171.06, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a
1.10 subdivision; 171.061, subdivisions 1, 3, 4; 171.07, subdivisions 1a, 4, 14, by adding
1.11 a subdivision; 171.071, subdivisions 1, 2; 171.10, subdivision 1; 171.11; 171.12,
1.12 subdivision 3c; 171.121; 171.14; 201.022, subdivision 1; 201.061, subdivisions
1.13 1, 1a, 3; 201.071, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 201.091, subdivision 9; 201.121, subdivision
1.14 1; 201.13, subdivision 3; 201.14; 201.145, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5; 201.161,
1.15 subdivision 3; 201.221, subdivision 3; 201.225, subdivision 2; 203B.04,
1.16 subdivisions 1, 4; 203B.065; 203B.07, subdivision 3; 203B.08, subdivision 1;
1.17 203B.121, subdivision 2; 203B.17, subdivision 2; 203B.19; 203B.21, subdivision
1.18 3; 203B.24, subdivision 1; 203B.30, subdivision 2; 204B.45, subdivision 2;
1.19 204B.46; 204C.08, subdivision 1d; 204C.10; 204C.15, subdivision 1; 204C.32;
1.20 204C.33, subdivision 1; 204C.37; 205.065, subdivision 5; 205.185, subdivision
1.21 3; 205A.03, subdivision 4; 205A.10, subdivision 3; 211B.07; 211B.13, subdivision
1.22 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 200; 201; 204C;
1.23 357; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 7.
1.24BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.25 ARTICLE 1
1.26 MINNESOTA ELECTIONS INTEGRITY ACT
1.27 Section 1. TITLE.
1.28 This act shall be known as the "Minnesota Elections Integrity Act."
1Article 1 Section 1.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 1527NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: EICHORN, Mathews and Draheim)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading02/17/2025
Referred to Elections 2.1 ARTICLE 2
2.2 VOTER ID
2.3 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5B.06, is amended to read:
2.4 5B.06 VOTING BY PROGRAM PARTICIPANT; ABSENTEE BALLOT.
2.5 Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a program participant who is otherwise eligible
2.6to vote may vote pursuant to this section and may register with the secretary of state as a
2.7permanent absentee voter. Notwithstanding section 203B.04, subdivision 5, the secretary
2.8of state is not required to send an absentee ballot application prior to each election to a
2.9program participant registered as a permanent absentee voter under this section. As soon
2.10as practicable before each election, the secretary of state shall determine the precinct in
2.11which the residential address of a program participant is located. Upon making a precinct
2.12determination, the secretary of state shall either (1) request from and receive from the county
2.13auditor or other election official the ballot for that precinct and mail the absentee ballot to
2.14the program participant, or (2) using the Minnesota statewide voter registration system,
2.15prepare the program participant's ballot for that precinct and mail the absentee ballot to the
2.16program participant. The secretary of state shall include with each mailed absentee ballot
2.17all corresponding materials for absentee balloting as required by Minnesota law. The program
2.18participant shall complete the ballot and return it to the secretary of state, who shall review
2.19the ballot in the manner provided by section 203B.121, subdivision 2. If the ballot and ballot
2.20materials comply with the requirements of that section, the ballot must be certified by the
2.21secretary of state as the ballot of a program participant, and must be forwarded to the
2.22appropriate electoral jurisdiction for tabulation along with all other ballots. The name and
2.23address of a program participant must not be listed in the statewide voter registration system.
2.24 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 13.6905, is amended by adding a subdivision to
2.25read:
2.26 Subd. 39.Voter identification card.Applicant data related to a voter identification
2.27card is governed by section 171.06, subdivision 3c.
2.28 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
2.29 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 142A.412, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.30 Subdivision 1.Creation of trust fund.A children's trust fund for the prevention of child
2.31abuse is established as an account in the state treasury. The commissioner of management
2.32and budget shall credit to the trust fund all amounts received under sections 142A.415 and
2Article 2 Sec. 3.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 3.1144.226, subdivision subdivisions 3 and 10, paragraph (c), and shall ensure that trust fund
3.2money is invested under section 11A.25. All money earned by the trust fund must be credited
3.3to the trust fund. The trust fund earns its proportionate share of the total annual state
3.4investment income.
3.5 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
3.6 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.226, is amended by adding a subdivision to
3.7read:
3.8 Subd. 9.Documents required for voter identification card.(a) Notwithstanding
3.9provisions to the contrary in this section, no fee or surcharge shall be charged by the state
3.10registrar or local issuance office for a certified vital record if the applicant attests that the
3.11record is needed to obtain a voter identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07,
3.12subdivision 3c.
3.13 (b) The state registrar and local issuance offices shall report annually to the commissioner
3.14of management and budget the number of records requested and the number of records
3.15issued under this subdivision for which no fee or surcharge was charged.
3.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
3.17 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.226, is amended by adding a subdivision to
3.18read:
3.19 Subd. 10.Appropriations and transfers.(a) An amount equal to the total number of
3.20records requested and reported to the commissioner of management and budget under
3.21subdivision 9, paragraph (b), for the previous fiscal year times the amount of the surcharge
3.22under subdivision 3, paragraph (b), is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
3.23of health for the administration of this section.
3.24 (b) An amount equal to the total number of records requested and reported to the
3.25commissioner of management and budget under subdivision 9, paragraph (b), for the previous
3.26fiscal year times the amount of the surcharge under subdivision 4, is transferred from the
3.27general fund to the state government special revenue fund. This amount is appropriated
3.28from the state government special revenue fund to the commissioner of health for the
3.29administration of this section.
3.30 (c) An amount equal to the total number of records issued and reported to the
3.31commissioner of management and budget under subdivision 9, paragraph (b), for the previous
3.32fiscal year times the amount of the surcharge under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), is transferred
3Article 2 Sec. 5.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 4.1from the general fund to the account for the children's trust fund for the prevention of child
4.2abuse established under section 142A.412.
4.3 (d) An amount equal to the number of records requested and reported to the commissioner
4.4of management and budget by the state registrar under subdivision 9, paragraph (b), for the
4.5previous fiscal year times the amount of the fee under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), is
4.6transferred from the general fund to the state government special revenue fund. This amount
4.7is appropriated from the state government special revenue fund to the commissioner of
4.8health for the administration of this section.
4.9 (e) The commissioner of health must transmit payment of $9 to a local issuance office
4.10for each certified vital record requested for no charge under subdivision 9, paragraph (a).
4.11An amount equal to the number of records requested and reported to the commissioner of
4.12management and budget by local issuance offices under subdivision 9, paragraph (b), for
4.13the previous fiscal year times the amount of the fee under subdivision 1, paragraph (b), is
4.14appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of health to make payments under
4.15this paragraph.
4.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
4.17 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.18 Subdivision 1.Application format and requirements.Every application for a Minnesota
4.19identification card, including an enhanced identification card, or; for a driver's license,
4.20including an instruction permit, a provisional license, a noncompliant driver's license, a
4.21REAL ID driver's license, and an enhanced driver's license; or for a voter identification
4.22card, must be made in a format approved by the department. Every application must be
4.23accompanied by payment of the proper fee except for an application for a voter identification
4.24card issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c. All applicants must sign the
4.25application and declare, under penalty of perjury, that the information and documentation
4.26presented in the application is true and correct. All applications requiring evidence of legal
4.27presence in the United States or United States citizenship must be signed in the presence
4.28of the person authorized to accept the application, or the signature on the application may
4.29be verified by a notary public.
4.30 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
4.31 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.32 Subd. 2.Fees.(a) The fees for a license and Minnesota identification card are as follows:
4Article 2 Sec. 7.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN A-$46.75B-$38.75C-$31.75D-$27.75
5.1REAL ID Compliant or
5.2Noncompliant Classified
5.3Driver's License
A-$26.75B-$38.75C-$31.75D-$27.75
5.4REAL ID Compliant or
5.5Noncompliant Classified
5.6Under-21 D.L.
A-$61.75B-$53.75C-$46.75D-$42.755.7Enhanced Driver's License
$11.25
5.8REAL ID Compliant or
5.9Noncompliant Instruction
5.10Permit
$26.25
5.11Enhanced Instruction
5.12Permit
$8.50
5.13Commercial Learner's
5.14Permit
$14.25
5.15REAL ID Compliant or
5.16Noncompliant Provisional
5.17License
$29.25
5.18Enhanced Provisional
5.19License
$12.75
5.20Duplicate REAL ID
5.21Compliant or Noncompliant
5.22License or duplicate REAL
5.23ID Compliant or
5.24Noncompliant
5.25identification card
$27.75
5.26Enhanced Duplicate
5.27License or enhanced
5.28duplicate identification card
$17.25
5.29REAL ID Compliant or
5.30Noncompliant Minnesota
5.31identification card or REAL
5.32ID Compliant or
5.33Noncompliant Under-21
5.34Minnesota identification
5.35card, other than duplicate,
5.36except as otherwise
5.37provided in section 171.07,
5.38subdivisions 3 and 3a
$32.25
5.39Enhanced Minnesota
5.40identification card
5.41 (b) In addition to each fee required in paragraph (a), the commissioner must collect a
5.42surcharge of $2.25. Surcharges collected under this paragraph must be credited to the driver
5.43and vehicle services technology account under section 299A.705.
5.44 (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), an individual who holds a provisional license and
5.45has a driving record free of (1) convictions for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33,
5.46169A.35, sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, or section 171.177, (2) convictions for crash-related
5.47moving violations, and (3) convictions for moving violations that are not crash related, has
5Article 2 Sec. 7.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 6.1a $3.50 credit toward the fee for any classified under-21 driver's license. "Moving violation"
6.2has the meaning given it in section 171.04, subdivision 1.
6.3 (d) In addition to the driver's license fee required under paragraph (a), the commissioner
6.4must collect an additional $4 processing fee from each new applicant or individual renewing
6.5a license with a school bus endorsement to cover the costs for processing an applicant's
6.6initial and biennial physical examination certificate. The department must not charge these
6.7applicants any other fee to receive or renew the endorsement.
6.8 (e) In addition to the fee required under paragraph (a), a driver's license agent may charge
6.9and retain a filing fee as provided under section 171.061, subdivision 4.
6.10 (f) In addition to the fee required under paragraph (a), the commissioner must charge a
6.11filing fee at the same amount as a driver's license agent under section 171.061, subdivision
6.124. Revenue collected under this paragraph must be deposited in the driver and vehicle
6.13services operating account under section 299A.705.
6.14 (g) An application for a Minnesota identification card, instruction permit, provisional
6.15license, or driver's license, including an application for renewal, must contain a provision
6.16that allows the applicant to add to the fee under paragraph (a), a $2 donation for the purposes
6.17of public information and education on anatomical gifts under section 171.075.
6.18 (h) The commissioner or driver's license agent must not collect any fee or surcharge for
6.19a voter identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c, or for a duplicate
6.20voter identification card under section 171.11, subdivision 2.
6.21 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
6.22 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to
6.23read:
6.24 Subd. 3c.Application for voter identification card.(a) An application for a voter
6.25identification card, including a renewal or duplicate card, must:
6.26 (1) state the applicant's full legal name, date of birth, sex, residence address, and (i) last
6.27four digits of the applicant's Social Security number, or (ii) certification that the applicant
6.28has not been assigned a Social Security number;
6.29 (2) provide a description of the applicant in the same manner as required on an application
6.30for a Minnesota driver's license;
6.31 (3) state the length of residence at the applicant's current address;
6Article 2 Sec. 8.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 7.1 (4) include a space where the applicant must attest that the applicant does not have any
7.2document sufficient to prove identity and residence as provided in section 200.035; and
7.3 (5) be accompanied by the following documents:
7.4 (i) proof of the applicant's United States citizenship by presenting a document included
7.5in Minnesota Rules, part 7410.0400, subpart 1, item D;
7.6 (ii) proof of name, date of birth, and identity as provided in Minnesota Rules, part
7.77410.0400; and
7.8 (iii) proof of a residence address in Minnesota as provided in Minnesota Rules, part
7.97410.0410, subpart 4a.
7.10 (b) Applicant data, submitted pursuant to this subdivision, is private data on individuals,
7.11as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.
7.12 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
7.13 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
7.14 Subd. 4.Fee; equipment.(a) The agent may charge and retain a filing fee for each
7.15application as follows:
16.00$New application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or
7.17 enhanced driver's license or identification card
7.16 (1)
11.00$Renewal application for a noncompliant, REAL ID-compliant, or
7.19 enhanced driver's license or identification card
7.18 (2)
0.00$Voter identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07,
7.21 subdivision 3c
7.20 (3)
7.22 Except as provided in paragraph (c), the fee must cover all expenses involved in receiving,
7.23accepting, or forwarding to the department the applications and fees required under sections
7.24171.02, subdivision 3; 171.06, subdivisions 2 and 2a; and 171.07, subdivisions 3 and 3a.
7.25 (b) The statutory fees and the filing fees imposed under paragraph (a) may be paid by
7.26credit card or debit card. The driver's license agent may collect a convenience fee on the
7.27statutory fees and filing fees not greater than the cost of processing a credit card or debit
7.28card transaction. The convenience fee must be used to pay the cost of processing credit card
7.29and debit card transactions. The commissioner must adopt rules to administer this paragraph
7.30using the exempt procedures of section 14.386, except that section 14.386, paragraph (b),
7.31does not apply.
7Article 2 Sec. 9.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 8.1 (c) The department must maintain the photo identification and vision examination
8.2equipment for all agents. All photo identification and vision examination equipment must
8.3be compatible with standards established by the department.
8.4 (d) A filing fee retained by the agent employed by a county board must be paid into the
8.5county treasury and credited to the general revenue fund of the county. An agent who is not
8.6an employee of the county must retain the filing fee in lieu of county employment or salary
8.7and is considered an independent contractor for pension purposes, coverage under the
8.8Minnesota State Retirement System, or membership in the Public Employees Retirement
8.9Association.
8.10 (e) Before the end of the first working day following the final day of the reporting period
8.11established by the department, the agent must forward to the department all applications
8.12and fees collected during the reporting period except as provided in paragraph (d).
8.13 (f) The commissioner must transmit payment to the agent of $8 for each application for
8.14a voter identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c. An agent
8.15employed by a county board must remit the payments to the county under paragraph (d).
8.16All other agents may retain the payments.
8.17 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
8.18 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to
8.19read:
8.20 Subd. 3c.Voter identification cards.(a) A voter identification card must be issued to
8.21a qualifying applicant who, on the election day next occurring after the date of issuance,
8.22will meet the voter eligibility requirements of the Minnesota Constitution and Minnesota
8.23Statutes, and who does not possess any of the documents sufficient to prove identity and
8.24residence as provided in section 200.035.
8.25 (b) A voter identification card must bear a distinguishing number assigned to the
8.26applicant, the applicant's full name and date of birth, the applicant's address of residence or
8.27designated address under section 5B.05, a description of the applicant in the same manner
8.28as provided on a Minnesota driver's license, the date of the card's expiration, and the usual
8.29signature of the applicant. The card must bear a colored photograph or an electronically
8.30produced image of the applicant, or, for an applicant who has affirmed a religious objection
8.31under section 171.071, subdivision 1, the card must bear the words "Valid without
8.32photograph."
8Article 2 Sec. 10.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 9.1 (c) A voter identification card is not valid identification for any purpose other than
9.2proving identity and residence for voting purposes.
9.3 (d) A voter identification card must be of a different color scheme than a Minnesota
9.4driver's license or state identification card, but must incorporate the same information and
9.5security features as provided in subdivision 9.
9.6 (e) Each voter identification card must be plainly marked: "Voter Identification Card.
9.7Valid Identification Only for Voting."
9.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
9.9 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
9.10 Subd. 4.Identification card expiration.(a) Except as otherwise provided in this
9.11subdivision, the expiration date of a Minnesota identification card or voter identification
9.12card is the birthday of the applicant in the fourth year following the date of issuance of the
9.13card.
9.14 (b) For an applicant age 65 or older:
9.15 (1) the expiration date of a Minnesota identification card or voter identification card is
9.16the birthday of the applicant in the eighth year following the date of issuance of the card;
9.17or
9.18 (2) a noncompliant identification card is valid for the lifetime of the applicant.
9.19 (c) For the purposes of paragraph (b), "Minnesota identification card" does not include
9.20an enhanced identification card issued to an applicant age 65 or older.
9.21 (d) The expiration date for an Under-21 identification card is the cardholder's 21st
9.22birthday. The commissioner shall issue an identification card to a holder of an Under-21
9.23identification card who applies for the card, pays the required fee, and presents proof of
9.24identity and age, unless the commissioner determines that the applicant is not qualified for
9.25the identification card.
9.26 (e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d), the expiration date for an identification card
9.27issued to a person with temporary lawful status is the last day of the person's legal stay in
9.28the United States, or one year after issuance if the last day of the person's legal stay is not
9.29identified.
9.30 (f) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d), a voter identification card issued pursuant to
9.31section 171.07, subdivision 3c, to a person then or subsequently serving outside Minnesota
9.32in active military service, as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5, in any branch or unit
9Article 2 Sec. 11.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 10.1of the armed forces of the United States, or the person's spouse, continues in full force and
10.2effect without requirement for renewal until the later of the date one year following the
10.3service member's separation or discharge from active military service, or until the cardholder's
10.4birthday in the fourth full year following the person's most recent card renewal.
10.5 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
10.6 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.11, is amended to read:
10.7 171.11 DUPLICATE LICENSE; CHANGE OF DOMICILE OR NAME.
10.8 Subdivision 1.Duplicate driver's license.When any person, after applying for or
10.9receiving a driver's license, shall change permanent domicile from the address named in
10.10such application or in the license issued to the person, or shall change a name by marriage
10.11or otherwise, such person shall, within 30 days thereafter, apply for a duplicate driver's
10.12license upon a form furnished by the department and pay the required fee. The application
10.13or duplicate license shall show both the licensee's old address and new address or the former
10.14name and new name as the case may be.
10.15 Subd. 2.Duplicate voter identification card.A voter identification cardholder who
10.16changes a residence address or name from the address or name stated on the card must not
10.17present the card for voting purposes but must apply for a duplicate voter identification card
10.18upon a form furnished by the department. The application for a duplicate voter identification
10.19card must show the cardholder's former address and current address, along with length of
10.20residence at the current address, and the cardholder's former name and current name, as
10.21applicable.
10.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
10.23Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.14, is amended to read:
10.24 171.14 CANCELLATION.
10.25 Subdivision 1.Cancellation of driver's license.(a) The commissioner may cancel any
10.26driver's license upon determination that (1) the licensee was not entitled to the issuance of
10.27the license, (2) the licensee failed to give the required or correct information in the
10.28application, (3) the licensee committed any fraud or deceit in making the application, or (4)
10.29the person, at the time of the cancellation, would not have been entitled to receive a license
10.30under section 171.04.
10Article 2 Sec. 13.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 11.1 (b) The commissioner shall cancel the driver's license of a person described in paragraph
11.2(a), clause (3), for 60 days or until the required or correct information has been provided,
11.3whichever is longer.
11.4 Subd. 2.Cancellation of voter identification card.(a) The commissioner must cancel
11.5any voter identification card issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c, upon
11.6determination that the cardholder:
11.7 (1) was not entitled to the issuance of the card;
11.8 (2) failed to give the required or correct information in the application;
11.9 (3) committed any fraud or deceit in making the application; or
11.10 (4) at the time of the cancellation, would not have been entitled to receive a voter
11.11identification card under section 171.07, subdivision 3c.
11.12 (b) The commissioner must cancel the voter identification card issued pursuant to section
11.13171.07, subdivision 3c, of a person described in paragraph (a) until the person completes
11.14the application process under section 171.07, subdivision 3c, and complies in all respects
11.15with the requirements of the commissioner.
11.16 (c) The commissioner must immediately notify the holder of a voter identification card
11.17issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c, of a cancellation of the card. Notification
11.18must be by mail and addressed to the cardholder's last known address.
11.19 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
11.20Sec. 14. [200.035] DOCUMENTATION OF IDENTITY AND RESIDENCE.
11.21 (a) The following are sufficient proof of identity and residence for purposes of election
11.22day voter registration under section 201.061, subdivision 3; absentee voting under sections
11.23203B.04, 203B.07, and 203B.08; early voting under section 203B.30; photo identification
11.24requirements under section 204C.10; and for determining whether to count a provisional
11.25ballot under section 204C.135, subdivision 2:
11.26 (1) an unexpired driver's license, state identification card, or voter identification card
11.27issued to the voter by the Department of Public Safety that contains the voter's photograph
11.28and current address of residence in the precinct;
11.29 (2) a valid United States military identification card issued to the voter by the Department
11.30of Defense that contains the voter's photograph and current address of residence in the
11.31precinct;
11Article 2 Sec. 14.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 12.1 (3) an unexpired identification card issued to the voter by the tribal government of a
12.2tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs that contains a photograph of the voter,
12.3the voter's current address of residence in the precinct, and any other items of data required
12.4to be contained on a Minnesota identification card, as provided in section 171.07, subdivision
12.53c, paragraphs (a) and (b);
12.6 (4) an original receipt for a new, renewed, or duplicate driver's license, state identification
12.7card, or voter identification card issued to the voter under section 171.07 that contains the
12.8voter's photograph and current address of residence in the precinct. If the receipt does not
12.9include a photograph, one of the following documents that contains a photograph of the
12.10voter must be provided:
12.11 (i) a driver's license, identification card, or voter identification card that is expired or
12.12does not contain the voter's current address of residence, issued to the voter by the state of
12.13Minnesota or any other state of the United States as defined in section 645.44, subdivision
12.1411;
12.15 (ii) a United States passport, issued to the voter;
12.16 (iii) an identification card issued by a branch, department, agency, entity, or subdivision
12.17of Minnesota or the federal government;
12.18 (iv) an identification card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution with a campus
12.19located within Minnesota, if a list of students from that institution has been prepared under
12.20section 135A.17, and certified to the county auditor in the manner provided in rules of the
12.21secretary of state; or
12.22 (v) an identification card issued to the voter by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
12.23by the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
12.24 (5) one of the following documents issued to the voter that includes a photograph but
12.25not the voter's current address of residence in the precinct:
12.26 (i) a United States passport;
12.27 (ii) an identification card issued to the voter by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
12.28by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or
12.29 (iii) a valid United States military identification card;
12.30along with one of the following documents that contains the voter's name and current address
12.31of residence in the precinct:
12.32 (i) a home utility services bill issued within the past 12 months;
12Article 2 Sec. 14.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 13.1 (ii) a home utility services hook-up work order issued within the past 12 months;
13.2 (iii) United States bank or financial information issued within the past 12 months, with
13.3account numbers redacted, including a bank account statement, a credit card or debit card
13.4statement, a brokerage account statement, or a money market account statement;
13.5 (iv) a certified transcript from a United States high school, if issued within the past 180
13.6days;
13.7 (v) a certified transcript from a Minnesota college or university if issued within the past
13.8180 days;
13.9 (vi) an employment pay stub issued within the past 12 months that lists the employer's
13.10name and address;
13.11 (vii) a Minnesota unemployment insurance benefit statement issued within the past 12
13.12months;
13.13 (viii) a statement from an assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G, a nursing
13.14home licensed under chapter 144A, or a boarding care facility licensed under sections 144.50
13.15to 144.56, that was issued within the past 12 months;
13.16 (ix) a current policy or card for health, automobile, homeowner's, or renter's insurance;
13.17 (x) a federal or state income tax return or statement for the most recent tax filing year;
13.18 (xi) a Minnesota property tax statement for the current or prior calendar year or a proposed
13.19Minnesota property tax notice for the current year that shows the applicant's principal
13.20residential address both on the mailing portion and the portion stating what property is being
13.21taxed;
13.22 (xii) a Minnesota vehicle certificate of title;
13.23 (xiii) a filed property deed or title for current residence;
13.24 (xiv) a Supplemental Security Income award statement issued within the past 12 months;
13.25 (xv) mortgage documents for the applicant's principal residence;
13.26 (xvi) a residential lease agreement for the applicant's principal residence issued within
13.27the past 12 months;
13.28 (xvii) an unexpired Minnesota professional license;
13.29 (xviii) an unexpired Selective Service card;
13.30 (xix) military orders that are still in effect at the time of application;
13Article 2 Sec. 14.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 14.1 (xx) a cellular phone bill issued no more than 12 months before the application; or
14.2 (xxi) a valid license issued pursuant to the game and fish laws;
14.3 (6) if the voter is a student, a driver's license, identification card, or voter identification
14.4card issued by Minnesota or any other state of the United States as defined in section 645.44,
14.5subdivision 11, that contains a photograph of the voter but does not contain the voter's
14.6current address of residence, along with a current student fee statement that contains the
14.7student's valid address of residence in the precinct; or
14.8 (7) if the voter maintains residence in a residential facility located in the precinct, a
14.9driver's license or identification card issued to the voter by the Department of Public Safety
14.10that contains the voter's photograph along with a certification of residence in the facility,
14.11signed by the facility administrator on a form prescribed by the secretary of state.
14.12 (b) The documents specified in paragraph (a) are the only documents that may be accepted
14.13to prove identity and residence. Identification issued by counties, home rule charter or
14.14statutory cities, towns, or school districts are not acceptable to prove identity or residence
14.15unless explicitly authorized by paragraph (a).
14.16 (c) As used in this section, "residential facility" means transitional housing as defined
14.17in section 256K.48, subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner
14.18of health under section 144.50, subdivision 6; a swing bed in a hospital licensed by the
14.19commissioner of health under sections 144.50 to 144.56; a certified boarding care home
14.20licensed by the commissioner of health under sections 144.50 to 144.56; a nursing home as
14.21defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5; an assisted living facility licensed by the
14.22commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a boarding and lodging establishment with
14.23special services registered under section 157.17; a setting in which home and
14.24community-based services licensed under chapter 245D are provided; a veterans home
14.25operated by the commissioner of veterans affairs under chapter 198; a residence licensed
14.26by the commissioner of human services under chapter 245A to provide a residential program
14.27as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for persons with a
14.28developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services under section
14.29252.28; an establishment providing housing support as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision
14.3010a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; or a
14.31supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary
14.32living accommodations for the homeless.
14Article 2 Sec. 14.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 15.1 Sec. 15. [201.017] VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARD ACCOUNT.
15.2 (a) A voter identification card account is established in the special revenue fund. Money
15.3in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of public safety for:
15.4 (1) reimbursing individuals for the costs of obtaining documents under paragraph (b);
15.5 (2) making payments to driver's license agents under section 171.061, subdivision 4,
15.6paragraph (f); and
15.7 (3) providing voter identification cards to individuals qualifying under section 171.07,
15.8subdivision 3c.
15.9Money in the account does not cancel and is available until spent.
15.10 (b) The commissioner of public safety shall reimburse individuals for any fees required
15.11to secure an official document or certified copy from any federal, state, or local government,
15.12or from a court in any jurisdiction for the purpose of obtaining a voter identification card
15.13issued pursuant to section 171.07, subdivision 3c. In order to receive reimbursement, an
15.14applicant for a voter identification card must complete a reimbursement form approved by
15.15the commissioner of public safety, along with documentation of the applicant's reimbursable
15.16expenditure. The commissioner must mail payment for the reimbursable amount to an
15.17eligible applicant at the address listed on the voter identification card.
15.18 (c) The amount available to the commissioner of public safety under paragraph (a),
15.19clause (3), shall not exceed the actual cost of providing voter identification cards, not to
15.20exceed $21.50 for each card issued.
15.21 (d) The commissioner of public safety shall report to the committee members of the
15.22legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections on the total expenditures from the
15.23account by county by January 31 of each year.
15.24 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
15.25Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.26 Subd. 3.Election day registration.(a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register
15.27on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the
15.28individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in
15.29the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of identity and residence.
15.30An individual may prove identity and residence for purposes of registering by: presenting
15.31documentation as permitted by section 200.035. If an individual is unable to prove identity
15Article 2 Sec. 16.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 16.1and residence, the individual may complete a voter registration application and cast a
16.2provisional ballot as provided in section 204C.135.
16.3 (b) The election judge must keep separate all voter registration applications completed
16.4by individuals unable to prove identity and residence. These voter registration applications
16.5must be processed immediately in the manner described in section 201.121, subdivision 1.
16.6 (1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to
16.7section 171.07;
16.8 (2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
16.9 (3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address
16.10in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or
16.11 (4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee employed
16.12by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching for a resident in the
16.13facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the voter or employee
16.14personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who has been
16.15vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any other
16.16individual on that election day. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may sign
16.17up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply to
16.18an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state shall
16.19provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for whom
16.20a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space for the
16.21maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For
16.22each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the individual: (i) is
16.23registered to vote in the precinct or is an employee of a residential facility in the precinct,
16.24(ii) personally knows that the voter is a resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the
16.25statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature,
16.26telephone number, and address.
16.27 The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be
16.28attached to the voter registration application.
16.29 (b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees
16.30currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The
16.31operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than
16.3220 days before each election for use in election day registration.
16Article 2 Sec. 16.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 17.1 (c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48,
17.2subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under
17.3section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision
17.45; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a
17.5veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under
17.6chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a
17.7residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for
17.8persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services
17.9under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section
17.10256I.03, subdivision 10a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37,
17.11subdivision 4; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to
17.12provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider
17.13operates a residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or
17.14a facility where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section
17.15245A.02, subdivision 6c.
17.16 (d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of
17.17registering by:
17.18 (1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
17.19by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
17.20name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
17.21 (2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
17.22by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
17.23name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents
17.24listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
17.25 (e) (c) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge
17.26responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.
17.27Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.221, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
17.28 Subd. 3.Procedures for polling place rosters.The secretary of state shall prescribe
17.29the form of paper polling place rosters that include the voter's name, address, date of birth,
17.30school district number, and space for the voter's signature. An electronic roster and the voter
17.31signature certificate together must include the same information as a paper polling place
17.32roster. The address listed on the polling place roster must be the voter's address of residence,
17.33unless the voter has requested that the address printed on the roster be the voter's mailing
17.34address because the voter is a judge or a law enforcement or corrections officer, or the voter
17Article 2 Sec. 17.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 18.1participates in the Safe at Home program as provided in chapter 5B. The secretary of state
18.2may prescribe additional election-related information to be placed on the polling place
18.3rosters on an experimental basis for one state primary and general election cycle; the same
18.4information may not be placed on the polling place roster for a second state primary and
18.5general election cycle unless specified in this subdivision. The polling place roster must be
18.6used to indicate whether the voter has voted in a given election. The secretary of state shall
18.7prescribe procedures for transporting the polling place rosters to the election judges for use
18.8on election day. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form for a county or municipality
18.9to request the date of birth from currently registered voters. The county or municipality
18.10shall not request the date of birth from currently registered voters by any communication
18.11other than the prescribed form and the form must clearly indicate that a currently registered
18.12voter does not lose registration status by failing to provide the date of birth. In accordance
18.13with section 204B.40, the county auditor shall retain the prescribed polling place rosters
18.14used on the date of election for 22 months following the election.
18.15Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
18.16 Subdivision 1.Application procedures.(a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision
18.172 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, an application for absentee ballots for any election
18.18may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that election. The
18.19county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the
18.20secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of each
18.21even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to
18.22auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
18.23shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile
18.24device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:
18.25 (1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
18.26 (2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the
18.27applicant maintains residence.
18.28 (b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through
18.29a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose.
18.30Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary of state must require applicants using the
18.31website to submit the applicant's email address and verifiable Minnesota driver's license
18.32number, Minnesota state identification card number, voter identification card number, or
18.33the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number. This paragraph does not apply
18.34to a town election held in March.
18Article 2 Sec. 18.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 19.1 (c) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph may only be transmitted
19.2to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the application
19.3information matches the information in a government database associated with the applicant's
19.4driver's license number, state identification card number, voter identification card number,
19.5or Social Security number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications
19.6for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate
19.7law enforcement agency for investigation.
19.8 (d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the
19.9applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth,
19.10and at least one of the following:
19.11 (1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
19.12 (2) Minnesota state identification card number;
19.13 (3) voter identification card number;
19.14 (3) (4) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
19.15 (4) (5) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
19.16 (e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained
19.17on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and
19.18that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
19.19 (f) Prior to approval, the county auditor or municipal clerk must verify that the Minnesota
19.20driver's license number, state identification card number, voter identification card number,
19.21or the last four digits of the Social Security number submitted by an applicant is valid and
19.22assigned to that applicant. If a driver's license, identification card number, voter identification
19.23card number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number is invalid or not assigned
19.24to the applicant, the county auditor or municipal clerk must reject the application.
19.25 (f) (g) An applicant's full date of birth,; an applicant's Minnesota driver's license or, state
19.26identification, or voter identification card number,; and the last four digits of the applicant's
19.27Social Security number must not be made available for public inspection. An application
19.28may be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device.
19.29An application mailed or returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on
19.30behalf of a voter by a person other than the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned
19.31in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by
19.32the voter and no later than six days before the election.
19Article 2 Sec. 18.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 20.1 (g) (h) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision
20.25 to automatically receive an absentee ballot.
20.3 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
20.4 Subd. 4.Registration at time of application.An eligible voter who is not registered
20.5to vote but who is otherwise eligible to vote by absentee ballot may register by including a
20.6completed voter registration application with the absentee ballot. The individual shall present
20.7proof of identity and residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3 200.035, to
20.8the individual who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots or execute an affidavit
20.9described in section 203B.08, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). A military voter, as defined in
20.10section 203B.01, may register in this manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to
20.11203B.15, or may register pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
20.12Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
20.13 Subd. 3.Eligibility certificate.(a) A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot
20.14shall be printed on the back of the signature envelope. The certificate shall contain space
20.15for the voter's Minnesota driver's license number, state identification number, voter
20.16identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, or
20.17to indicate that the voter does not have one of these numbers. The space must be designed
20.18to ensure that the voter provides the same type of identification as provided on the voter's
20.19absentee ballot application for purposes of comparison. The certificate must also contain a
20.20statement to be signed and sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the
20.21requirements established by law for voting by absentee ballot and.
20.22 (b) The certificate must include a space for a statement an oath signed by a person who
20.23is at least 18 years of age on or before the day of the election and a citizen of the United
20.24States or by a notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths witness stating
20.25that:
20.26 (1) the unmarked ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked the witness;
20.27 (2) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's the witness's presence without showing
20.28how they were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter
20.29directed another individual to mark them; and
20.30 (3) if the voter was not previously registered, the voter has provided shown to the witness
20.31proof of identity and residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3. 200.035 or
20.32executed an affidavit described in section 203B.08, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). If the voter
20Article 2 Sec. 20.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 21.1presented documentation of proof of identity and residence, the witness must also indicate
21.2the document or documents presented to prove identity and residence; and
21.3 (4) the witness is registered to vote in Minnesota, is a notary public, or is an individual
21.4authorized to administer oaths. The witness must include the witness's driver's license
21.5number, identification card number, voter identification card number, the last four digits of
21.6the applicant's Social Security number, or a statement that the witness does not have any of
21.7these numbers.
21.8 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.9 Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter.(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee
21.10ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions
21.11for casting the absentee ballots.
21.12 (b) The voter must present proof of identity and residence as described in section 200.035
21.13to the individual who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots or execute an affidavit
21.14described in paragraph (c). If the voter presented documentation of proof of identity and
21.15residence, the witness must record the type of document that was presented on the witness
21.16certificate described in section 203B.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).
21.17 (c) If the voter attempted to procure proof of identity and residence to satisfy the
21.18requirements of section 200.035 but was unable to do so, the voter may execute a sworn
21.19affidavit, under the penalty of perjury, that states:
21.20 (1) the voter completing the affidavit is the voter that marked the ballot;
21.21 (2) the voter is eligible to vote, has not voted previously in the same election, and meets
21.22the criteria for registering to vote in the precinct where the voter is voting;
21.23 (3) the voter attempted to procure proof of identity and residence but was unable to do
21.24so, and provide an explanation of the reason that the voter was unable to procure the
21.25necessary proof; and
21.26 (4) that the information on the affidavit is true and accurate.
21.27The affidavit must be signed in the presence of the witness.
21.28 (d) The return envelope containing marked ballots may be mailed as provided in the
21.29directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left with the county auditor or municipal
21.30clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, or may be left in a drop box as
21.31provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the return envelope must be submitted
21.32to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on election day.
21Article 2 Sec. 21.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 22.1 (b) (e) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot
22.2return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope
22.3in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters
22.4in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return
22.5envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope
22.6to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.
22.7 Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
22.8 Subd. 2.Duties of ballot board; absentee ballots.(a) The members of the ballot board
22.9shall take possession of all signature envelopes delivered to them in accordance with section
22.10203B.08. Upon receipt from the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk,
22.11two or more members of the ballot board shall examine each signature envelope and shall
22.12mark it accepted or rejected in the manner provided in this subdivision. Election judges
22.13performing the duties in this section must be of different major political parties, unless they
22.14are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075, subdivision 4, or section 205A.10,
22.15subdivision 2.
22.16 (b) The members of the ballot board shall mark the signature envelope "Accepted" and
22.17initial or sign the signature envelope below the word "Accepted" if a majority of the members
22.18of the ballot board examining the envelope are satisfied that:
22.19 (1) the voter's name and address on the signature envelope are the same as the information
22.20provided on the absentee ballot application or voter record;
22.21 (2) the voter signed the certification on the envelope;
22.22 (3) the voter's Minnesota driver's license, state identification number, voter identification
22.23card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number are the same as a
22.24number on the voter's absentee ballot application or voter record. If the number does not
22.25match, the election judges must compare the signature provided by the applicant to determine
22.26whether the ballots were returned by the same person to whom they were transmitted;
22.27 (4) the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a properly
22.28completed voter registration application in the signature envelope;
22.29 (5) the portion of the certificate completed by a witness as required by section 203B.07,
22.30subdivision 3, paragraph (b), is completed and the document or documents listed that were
22.31used to prove identity and residence are documents authorized by section 200.035;
22.32 (5) (6) the certificate has been completed as prescribed in the directions for casting an
22.33absentee ballot; and
22Article 2 Sec. 22.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 23.1 (6) (7) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or, if it is after
23.2the close of business on the 19th day before the election, as provided by section 203B.081.
23.3 The signature envelope from accepted ballots must be preserved and returned to the
23.4county auditor.
23.5 (c)(1) If a majority of the members of the ballot board examining a signature envelope
23.6find that an absentee voter has failed to meet one of the requirements provided in paragraph
23.7(b), they shall mark the signature envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the word
23.8"Rejected," list the reason for the rejection on the envelope, and return it to the county
23.9auditor. There is no other reason for rejecting an absentee ballot beyond those permitted by
23.10this section. Failure to place the ballot within the ballot envelope before placing it in the
23.11outer white envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee ballot.
23.12 (2) If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the envelope
23.13must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board shall provide the voter with
23.14a replacement absentee ballot and signature envelope in place of the rejected ballot.
23.15 (3) If an envelope is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain
23.16sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter to
23.17notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected by the method or methods of
23.18communication provided by the voter on the voter's application for an absentee ballot or
23.19voter registration. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
23.20 (d) The official in charge of the absentee ballot board must mail the voter a written notice
23.21of absentee ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. If the official
23.22determines that the voter has otherwise cast a ballot in the election, no notice is required.
23.23If an absentee ballot arrives after the deadline for submission provided by this chapter, the
23.24notice must be provided between six to ten weeks after receipt of the ballot. A notice of
23.25absentee ballot rejection must contain the following information:
23.26 (1) the date on which the absentee ballot was rejected or, if the ballot was received after
23.27the required deadline for submission, the date on which the ballot was received;
23.28 (2) the reason for rejection; and
23.29 (3) the name of the appropriate election official to whom the voter may direct further
23.30questions, along with appropriate contact information.
23.31 (e) An absentee ballot signature envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or
23.32subject to further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.
23Article 2 Sec. 22.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 24.1 Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
24.2 Subd. 2.Voting procedure.(a) When a voter appears in an early voting polling place,
24.3the voter must: (1) state the voter's name, address, and, if requested, the voter's date of birth
24.4to the early voting official; and (2) present proof of identity and residence as described in
24.5section 200.035. The early voting official must confirm that the voter's registration is current
24.6in the statewide voter registration system and that the voter has not already cast a ballot in
24.7the election. If the voter's status is challenged, the voter may resolve the challenge as provided
24.8in section 204C.12. An individual who is not registered to vote or whose name or address
24.9has changed must register in the manner provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3. A voter
24.10who has already cast a ballot in the election must not be provided with a ballot. A voter
24.11who does not present proof of identity and residence as required by section 200.035 must
24.12not be allowed to sign the certificate in paragraph (b) but must be allowed to cast a
24.13provisional ballot as provided in section 204C.135.
24.14 (b) Each voter must sign the certification provided in section 204C.10. The signature of
24.15an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence
24.16of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. After the voter signs the certification,
24.17two early voting officials must initial the ballot and issue it to the voter. The voter must
24.18immediately retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to
24.19mark the ballot. The voter must not take a ballot from the polling place. If the voter spoils
24.20the ballot, the voter may return it to the early voting official in exchange for a new ballot.
24.21After completing the ballot, the voter must deposit the ballot into the ballot counter and
24.22ballot box. The early voting official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the
24.23manner provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.
24.24Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
24.25 Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day.Mail balloting must be conducted
24.26as provided in this section and Minnesota Rules, part 8210.3000. Notice of the election and
24.27the special mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more
24.28than 46 days nor later than 14 days before a regularly scheduled election and not more than
24.2930 days nor later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by
24.30nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No
24.31later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots
24.32to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before
24.33the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for
24.34ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided,
24Article 2 Sec. 24.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 25.1must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or
25.2in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The voter must present proof of identity and
25.3residence to the voter's witness in the same manner required by section 203B.08, subdivision
25.41, paragraphs (b) and (c). In addition to the information required by Minnesota Rules, part
25.58210.3000, the signature envelope must include the witness oath prescribed by section
25.6203B.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (b). The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot board to
25.7examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected"
25.8within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, or within five
25.9days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board may consist
25.10of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training in the
25.11processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major political
25.12party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different major
25.13political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,
25.14subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before
25.15the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk shall
25.16provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot.
25.17If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain sealed
25.18and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by telephone
25.19or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official must
25.20document the attempts made to contact the voter.
25.21 If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
25.22indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
25.23on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"
25.24may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision
25.255, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
25.26 In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit
25.27and counting of ballots apply.
25.28 The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as
25.29one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the
25.30close of voting on election day.
25.31 The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter
25.32maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be
25.33counted.
25Article 2 Sec. 24.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 26.1 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.46, is amended to read:
26.2 204B.46 MAIL ELECTIONS; QUESTIONS.
26.3 A county, municipality, or school district submitting questions to the voters at a special
26.4election may conduct an election by mail with no polling place other than the office of the
26.5auditor or clerk. No offices may be voted on at a mail election, except in overlapping school
26.6and municipal jurisdictions, where a mail election may include an office when one of the
26.7jurisdictions also has a question on the ballot. Mail balloting must be conducted as provided
26.8in this section and Minnesota Rules, part 8210.3000. Notice of the election must be given
26.9to the county auditor at least 84 days prior to the election. This notice shall also fulfill the
26.10requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 8210.3000. The special mail ballot procedures must
26.11be posted at least six weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 nor later than 14 days
26.12prior to the election, the auditor or clerk shall mail ballots by nonforwardable mail to all
26.13voters registered in the county, municipality, or school district. No later than 14 days before
26.14the election, the auditor or clerk must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters
26.15who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election.
26.16Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots pursuant
26.17to chapter 203B. The voter must present proof of identity and residence to the voter's witness
26.18in the same manner required by section 203B.08, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c). In
26.19addition to the information required by Minnesota Rules, part 8210.3000, the signature
26.20envelope must include the witness oath prescribed by section 203B.07, subdivision 3,
26.21paragraph (b). The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot board to examine the mail and
26.22absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "Accepted" or "Rejected" within three days
26.23of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, or within five days of receipt if
26.24there are more than 14 days before election day. The board may consist of deputy county
26.25auditors, deputy municipal clerks, or deputy school district clerks who have received training
26.26in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major
26.27political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different
26.28major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,
26.29subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before
26.30the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk must
26.31provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot.
26.32If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain sealed
26.33and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by telephone
26.34or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official must
26.35document the attempts made to contact the voter.
26Article 2 Sec. 25.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 27.1 If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
27.2indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
27.3on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"
27.4may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision
27.55, initialed by the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate ballot box.
27.6 In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit
27.7and counting of ballots apply.
27.8 The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as
27.9one vote total. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before the close of voting
27.10on election day.
27.11Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:
27.12 Subd. 1d.Voter's Bill of Rights.The county auditor shall prepare and provide to each
27.13polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set forth
27.14in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall
27.15post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill of Rights
27.16is as follows:
27.17 "VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS
27.18 For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:
27.19 (1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal,
27.20or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation
27.21time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot,
27.22and return to work.
27.23 (2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right
27.24to vote.
27.25 (3) If you can provide the required proof of identity and residence, you have the right
27.26to register to vote and to vote on election day.
27.27 (4) If you cannot provide the required proof of identity and residence, you have the right
27.28to register to vote and cast a provisional ballot.
27.29 (4) (5) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your
27.30identity with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.
27.31 (5) (6) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.
27Article 2 Sec. 26.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 28.1 (6) (7) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person
28.2of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.
28.3 (7) (8) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into
28.4the voting booth with you.
28.5 (8) (9) You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of
28.6a felony offense.
28.7 (9) (10) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court
28.8order revokes your right to vote.
28.9 (10) (11) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence
28.10your vote.
28.11 (11) (12) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the
28.12right to receive a replacement ballot and vote.
28.13 (12) (13) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are
28.14dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.
28.15 (13) (14) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.
28.16 (14) (15) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting
28.17booth with you."
28.18Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.10, is amended to read:
28.19 204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE;
28.20VOTER RECEIPT.
28.21 (a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature
28.22certificate which states that the individual:
28.23 (1) is at least 18 years old;
28.24 (2) is a citizen of the United States;
28.25 (3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;
28.26 (4) maintains residence at the address shown;
28.27 (5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to
28.28vote;
28.29 (6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;
28Article 2 Sec. 27.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 29.1 (7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual
29.2is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;
29.3 (8) is registered; and
29.4 (9) has not already voted in the election.
29.5 The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information
29.6is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than
29.7$10,000, or both."
29.8 (b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I
29.9am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to
29.10vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a).
29.11The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.
29.12 (c) A judge may, Before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, a
29.13judge must: (1) require the voter to present proof of identity and residence as described in
29.14section 200.035; and (2) confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth. An applicant
29.15who does not present proof of identity and residence as required by section 200.035 must
29.16not sign the polling place roster or a voter signature certificate, but must be allowed to cast
29.17a provisional ballot as provided in section 204C.135.
29.18 (d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give
29.19the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in
29.20charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to
29.21the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of
29.22filing an election contest.
29.23 (e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, an election judge
29.24must ensure that the challenge is concealed or hidden from the view of any voter other than
29.25the voter whose status is challenged.
29.26Sec. 28. [204C.135] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS; PROOF OF IDENTITY AND
29.27RESIDENCE.
29.28 Subdivision 1.Casting of provisional ballots.(a) A voter who is unable to provide
29.29proper proof of identity and residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3, or
29.30204C.10, is entitled to cast a provisional ballot in the manner provided by this section.
29.31 (b) A voter seeking to vote a provisional ballot under this section must complete a
29.32provisional signature envelope and sign a provisional ballot roster or voter signature
29Article 2 Sec. 28.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 30.1certificate for a provisional ballot. The envelope must contain a space for the voter to list
30.2the voter's name, address of residence, date of birth, and any other information prescribed
30.3by the secretary of state. The voter must also swear or affirm, in writing, that the voter is
30.4eligible to vote, has not voted previously in the same election, and meets the criteria for
30.5registering to vote in the precinct in which the voter appears. Once the voter has completed
30.6the provisional signature envelope, the voter must be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.
30.7The provisional ballot must be the same as the official ballot available in the precinct on
30.8election day. A completed provisional ballot must be sealed in a ballot envelope. The ballot
30.9envelope must be sealed inside the voter's provisional signature envelope and deposited by
30.10the voter in a secure, sealed, provisional ballot box. Completed provisional ballots must not
30.11be combined with other voted ballots in the polling place.
30.12 (c) An election judge must inform the voter on the process to follow to prove residence
30.13and identity during the seven days following the election. The election judge must inform
30.14the voter of the location of the county auditor or municipal clerk responsible for accepting
30.15or rejecting provisional ballots and the hours the auditor or clerk is open for business during
30.16the week following the election.
30.17 (d) The form of the ballot and provisional signature envelopes must be prescribed by
30.18the secretary of state. The provisional signature envelope must be a color other than that
30.19provided for absentee ballot envelopes. The envelope must be prominently labeled
30.20"Provisional Signature Envelope."
30.21 (e) Provisional ballots and related documentation must be delivered to and securely
30.22maintained by the county auditor or municipal clerk in the same manner as required for
30.23other election materials under sections 204C.27 to 204C.28.
30.24 Subd. 2.Accepting or rejecting provisional ballots.(a) In order for the provisional
30.25ballot to be counted, a voter who casts a provisional ballot in the polling place must
30.26personally appear before the county auditor or municipal clerk no later than seven calendar
30.27days following the election to prove that the voter's provisional ballot should be counted.
30.28The county auditor's office and the city clerk's office must be open for approving provisional
30.29ballots on the Saturday following the election for the hours prescribed in section 203B.085.
30.30 (b) The county auditor or municipal clerk must accept a provisional ballot if:
30.31 (1) the statewide voter registration system indicates that the voter is registered and is
30.32eligible to vote or, if challenged, the county auditor or municipal clerk does not, based upon
30.33available records and any documentation presented by the voter, conclude that the voter is
30.34ineligible;
30Article 2 Sec. 28.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 31.1 (2) the voter presents proof of identity and residence in the precinct in the manner
31.2permitted by section 200.035 or executes an affidavit described in paragraph (c); and
31.3 (3) the data on the identity and residence document presented by the voter matches the
31.4data provided by the voter on the provisional signature envelope.
31.5 (c) A voter that attempted to procure proof of identity and residence to satisfy the
31.6requirements of section 200.035 but was unable to do so, may execute a sworn affidavit,
31.7under the penalty of perjury, that states:
31.8 (1) the voter is the same voter who cast the provisional ballot;
31.9 (2) the voter is eligible to vote, has not voted previously in the same election, and meets
31.10the criteria for registering to vote in the precinct where the voter cast the provisional ballot;
31.11 (3) the voter attempted to procure proof of identity and residence but was unable to do
31.12so, and provide an explanation of the reason that the voter was unable to procure the
31.13necessary proof; and
31.14 (4) that the information on the affidavit is true and accurate.
31.15The affidavit must be signed in the presence of the county auditor or municipal clerk.
31.16 (d) If a voter registered on election day without proper proof of identity and residence
31.17and the voter registration application that was completed on election day has not yet been
31.18processed at the time the voter appears to prove identity and residence, the voter must be
31.19allowed to provide proof of identity and residence in the manner described by this section.
31.20If the criteria in paragraph (b) are satisfied except that the voter is not yet registered, the
31.21county auditor or municipal clerk must set the ballot aside until the voter registration
31.22application is processed. Once the voter registration application is processed, if the voter is
31.23registered to vote, the ballot must be accepted as provided in paragraph (e). If a voter is not
31.24registered to vote, the ballot must be rejected.
31.25 (e) If the voter's ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must remove
31.26the ballot from the provisional ballot box, mark the provisional signature envelope "accepted,"
31.27and initial or sign the provisional signature envelope below the word "accepted." All accepted
31.28provisional signature envelopes must be kept together in a secure location. Provisional
31.29signature envelopes must only be opened as provided in subdivision 3.
31.30 (f) A county auditor or municipal clerk must not accept or count a provisional ballot if
31.31the voter does not appear before the county auditor or municipal clerk within seven calendar
31.32days following the election or if the voter does not satisfy the requirements of paragraph
31.33(a).
31Article 2 Sec. 28.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 32.1 (g) The county auditor or municipal clerk must notify, in writing, any voter who cast a
32.2provisional ballot and who does not appear within seven calendar days of the election that
32.3the voter's provisional ballot was not counted because of the voter's failure to appear before
32.4the county auditor or municipal clerk within the time permitted by law to determine whether
32.5the provisional ballot should be counted.
32.6 Subd. 3.Provisional ballots; reconciliation; counting.(a) At the close of business for
32.7the county auditor's or municipal clerk's office on the seventh day after the election, but
32.8prior to counting any provisional ballots in the final vote totals from a precinct, the county
32.9auditor or municipal clerk must determine whether the number of signatures appearing on
32.10the provisional ballot roster or number of voter signature certificates for provisional ballots
32.11from that precinct is equal to the number of provisional ballots submitted by voters in the
32.12precinct on election day. If there are excess ballots, ballots must be randomly withdrawn
32.13from the accepted provisional signature envelopes in the manner required by section 204C.20,
32.14subdivision 2. Any discrepancy must be resolved before the provisional ballots from the
32.15precinct may be counted.
32.16 (b) After the ballots are reconciled pursuant to paragraph (a), the county auditor or
32.17municipal clerk must open the accepted provisional signature envelopes and deposit them
32.18in the appropriate ballot box. The accepted and deposited provisional ballots must be included
32.19in the final certified results from the precinct.
32.20Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.32, is amended to read:
32.21 204C.32 CANVASS OF STATE PRIMARIES.
32.22 Subdivision 1.County canvass.The county canvassing board shall meet at the county
32.23auditor's office on either the second or third the eighth day following the state primary.
32.24After taking the oath of office, the canvassing board shall publicly canvass the election
32.25returns delivered to the county auditor. The board shall complete the canvass by the third
32.26eighth day following the state primary and shall promptly prepare and file with the county
32.27auditor a report that states:
32.28 (a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county, and in each precinct;
32.29 (b) the number of individuals registering to vote on election day and the number of
32.30individuals registered before election day in each precinct;
32.31 (c) for each major political party, the names of the candidates running for each partisan
32.32office and the number of votes received by each candidate in the county and in each precinct;
32.33 (d) the names of the candidates of each major political party who are nominated; and
32Article 2 Sec. 29.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 33.1 (e) the number of votes received by each of the candidates for nonpartisan office in each
33.2precinct in the county and the names of the candidates nominated for nonpartisan office.
33.3 Upon completion of the canvass, the county auditor shall mail or deliver a notice of
33.4nomination to each nominee for county office voted for only in that county. The county
33.5auditor shall transmit one of the certified copies of the county canvassing board report for
33.6state and federal offices to the secretary of state by express mail or similar service
33.7immediately upon conclusion of the county canvass. The secretary of state shall mail a
33.8notice of nomination to each nominee for state or federal office.
33.9 Subd. 2.State canvass.The State Canvassing Board shall meet at a public meeting
33.10space located in the Capitol complex area seven 14 days after the state primary to canvass
33.11the certified copies of the county canvassing board reports received from the county auditors.
33.12Immediately after the canvassing board declares the results, the secretary of state shall
33.13certify the names of the nominees to the county auditors. The secretary of state shall mail
33.14to each nominee a notice of nomination.
33.15Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
33.16 Subdivision 1.County canvass.The county canvassing board shall meet at the county
33.17auditor's office between the third and eighth and 14th days following the state general
33.18election. After taking the oath of office, the board shall promptly and publicly canvass the
33.19general election returns delivered to the county auditor. Upon completion of the canvass,
33.20the board shall promptly prepare and file with the county auditor a report which states:
33.21 (a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county and in each precinct;
33.22 (b) the number of individuals registering to vote on election day and the number of
33.23individuals registered before election day in each precinct;
33.24 (c) the names of the candidates for each office and the number of votes received by each
33.25candidate in the county and in each precinct;
33.26 (d) the number of votes counted for and against a proposed change of county lines or
33.27county seat; and
33.28 (e) the number of votes counted for and against a constitutional amendment or other
33.29question in the county and in each precinct.
33.30 The result of write-in votes cast on the general election ballots must be compiled by the
33.31county auditor before the county canvass, except that write-in votes for a candidate for
33.32federal, state, or county office must not be counted unless the candidate has timely filed a
33Article 2 Sec. 30.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 34.1request under section 204B.09, subdivision 3. The county auditor shall arrange for each
34.2municipality to provide an adequate number of election judges to perform this duty or the
34.3county auditor may appoint additional election judges for this purpose. The county auditor
34.4may open the envelopes or containers in which the voted ballots have been sealed in order
34.5to count and record the write-in votes and must reseal the voted ballots at the conclusion of
34.6this process. The county auditor must prepare a separate report of votes received by precinct
34.7for write-in candidates for federal, state, and county offices who have requested under
34.8section 204B.09 that votes for those candidates be tallied.
34.9 Upon completion of the canvass, the county canvassing board shall declare the candidate
34.10duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each county and state office voted
34.11for only within the county. The county auditor shall transmit a certified copy of the county
34.12canvassing board report for state and federal offices to the secretary of state by messenger,
34.13express mail, or similar service immediately upon conclusion of the county canvass.
34.14Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.37, is amended to read:
34.15 204C.37 COUNTY CANVASS; RETURN OF REPORTS TO SECRETARY OF
34.16STATE.
34.17 A copy of the report required by sections 204C.32, subdivision 1, and 204C.33,
34.18subdivision 1, shall be certified under the official seal of the county auditor. The copy shall
34.19be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the secretary of state, with the county auditor's
34.20name and official address and the words "Election Returns" endorsed on the envelope. The
34.21copy of the canvassing board report must be sent by express mail or delivered to the secretary
34.22of state. If the copy is not received by the secretary of state within ten days following the
34.23applicable election a primary election, or within 15 days following a general election, the
34.24secretary of state shall immediately notify the county auditor, who shall deliver another
34.25copy to the secretary of state by special messenger.
34.26Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.065, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
34.27 Subd. 5.Results.The municipal primary shall be conducted and the returns made in the
34.28manner provided for the state primary so far as practicable. The canvass may be conducted
34.29on either the second or third day after the primary.
34.30 The governing body of the municipality shall canvass the returns on the eighth day after
34.31the primary, and the two candidates for each office who receive the highest number of votes,
34.32or a number of candidates equal to twice the number of individuals to be elected to the
34.33office, who receive the highest number of votes, shall be the nominees for the office named.
34Article 2 Sec. 32.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 35.1Their names shall be certified to the municipal clerk who shall place them on the municipal
35.2general election ballot without partisan designation and without payment of an additional
35.3fee.
35.4 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.185, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
35.5 Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.(a) Between
35.6the third eighth and tenth 14th days after an election, the governing body of a city conducting
35.7any election including a special municipal election, or the governing body of a town
35.8conducting the general election in November shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the
35.9returns, and declare the results of the election. The governing body of a town conducting
35.10the general election in March shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the returns, and
35.11declare the results of the election within two days on the eighth day after an election.
35.12 (b) After the time for contesting elections has passed, the municipal clerk shall issue a
35.13certificate of election to each successful candidate. In case of a contest, the certificate shall
35.14not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court.
35.15 (c) In case of a tie vote, the canvassing board having jurisdiction over the municipality
35.16shall determine the result by lot. The clerk of the canvassing board shall certify the results
35.17of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots
35.18and the returns of the election.
35.19Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
35.20 Subd. 4.Results.(a) The school district primary must be conducted and the returns
35.21made in the manner provided for the state primary as far as practicable. If the primary is
35.22conducted:
35.23 (1) only within that school district, a canvass may be conducted on either the second or
35.24third day after the primary; or
35.25 (2) in conjunction with the state primary, the canvass must be conducted on the third
35.26day after the primary, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b).
35.27 On the eighth day after the primary, the school board of the school district shall canvass
35.28the returns, and the two candidates for each specified school board position who receive
35.29the highest number of votes, or a number of candidates equal to twice the number of
35.30individuals to be elected to at-large school board positions who receive the highest number
35.31of votes, are the nominees for the office named. Their names must be certified to the school
35Article 2 Sec. 34.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 36.1district clerk who shall place them on the school district general election ballot without
36.2partisan designation and without payment of an additional fee.
36.3 (b) Following a school district primary as described in paragraph (a), clause (2), a canvass
36.4may be conducted on the second day after the primary if the county auditor of each county
36.5in which the school district is located agrees to administratively review the school district's
36.6primary voting statistics for accuracy and completeness within a time that permits the canvass
36.7to be conducted on that day.
36.8 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
36.9 Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.Between the
36.10third eighth and tenth 14th days after a school district election other than a recount of a
36.11special election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59, the school board
36.12shall canvass the returns and declare the results of the election. After the time for contesting
36.13elections has passed, the school district clerk shall issue a certificate of election to each
36.14successful candidate. If there is a contest, the certificate of election to that office must not
36.15be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court. If there
36.16is a tie vote, the school board shall determine the result by lot. The clerk shall deliver the
36.17certificate of election to the successful candidate by personal service or certified mail. The
36.18successful candidate shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk
36.19within 30 days of the date of mailing or personal service. A person who fails to qualify prior
36.20to the time specified shall be deemed to have refused to serve, but that filing may be made
36.21at any time before action to fill the vacancy has been taken. The school district clerk shall
36.22certify the results of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final
36.23custodian of the ballots and the returns of the election.
36.24 A school district canvassing board shall perform the duties of the school board according
36.25to the requirements of this subdivision for a recount of a special election conducted under
36.26section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59.
36.27Sec. 36. [357.43] DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VOTER IDENTIFICATION
36.28CARD.
36.29 Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, no fee shall be charged by the courts
36.30for a certified copy of a court order, decree, record, or other document if the applicant attests
36.31that the record is needed to obtain a voter identification card issued pursuant to section
36.32171.07, subdivision 3c.
36.33 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
36Article 2 Sec. 36.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 37.1 Sec. 37. PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
37.2 The secretary of state must contract with a vendor for the production and implementation
37.3of a statewide public educational campaign related to the voter identification requirements
37.4of this article. The campaign must inform voters of the requirements for identification when
37.5voting, methods of securing sufficient identification, including securing a free voter
37.6identification card if necessary, and the process for provisional balloting for voters unable
37.7to meet the identification requirements on election day. The secretary of state may consult
37.8with the vendor in coordinating material related to the campaign, but the secretary, the
37.9secretary's staff, and any other documents or materials promoting the Office of the Secretary
37.10of State may not appear visually or audibly in any advertising or promotional items
37.11disseminated by the vendor as part of the public education campaign.
37.12 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
37.13Sec. 38. PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
37.14 (a) By January 15, 2026, the secretary of state must report to the chairs and ranking
37.15minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections on proposed
37.16legislation to amend matters currently contained in administrative rules as necessary to
37.17implement this act. To the greatest extent practical, this proposed legislation must propose
37.18codifying into law matters that otherwise would be adopted through the administrative
37.19rulemaking process.
37.20 (b) To the extent that codifying matters into law is not practical, the proposed legislation
37.21must direct, by law, specific changes to be made in administrative rules so that no
37.22interpretation of the law by the secretary of state would be necessary, and use of the good
37.23cause rulemaking exemption in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, would be appropriate
37.24if the legislature authorizes use of this process.
37.25 (c) Nothing in this section grants rulemaking authority to the secretary of state.
37.26 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
37.27Sec. 39. VOTER IDENTIFICATION CARD TRAINING FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE
37.28AGENTS.
37.29 The commissioner of public safety must provide training for driver's license agents on
37.30the process for issuing voter identification cards.
37.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
37Article 2 Sec. 39.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 38.1 Sec. 40. APPROPRIATIONS.
38.2 (a) $608,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary
38.3of state for programming changes to the statewide voter registration system necessary to
38.4implement the requirements of this act. This is a onetime appropriation.
38.5 (b) $1,360,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary
38.6of state for the public education campaign required under section 37. This is a onetime
38.7appropriation and is available until June 30, 2029.
38.8 (c) $17,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,694,000 in fiscal year 2027 are transferred from
38.9the general fund to the voter identification card account established under Minnesota Statutes,
38.10section 201.017, paragraph (a). The base for this transfer is $3,388,000 in fiscal year 2028
38.11and each year thereafter.
38.12 (d) $204,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the commissioner
38.13of public safety for the programming costs in the driver's license system necessary to
38.14implement this act and for the training for driver's license agents required by section 39.
38.15 (e) $141,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $88,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from
38.16the driver and vehicle services operating account in the special revenue fund to the
38.17commissioner of public safety for implementing the requirements of this act. This includes
38.18the cost of design of the voter identification card and staff necessary to process and issue
38.19reimbursements required under Minnesota Statutes, section 201.017, paragraph (b). The
38.20base for this appropriation is $78,000 in fiscal year 2028 and each year thereafter.
38.21 (f) $233,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
38.22of health to provide birth records at no cost to applicants under Minnesota Statutes, section
38.23144.226, subdivision 9, paragraph (a). This is a onetime appropriation and is available until
38.24June 30, 2027.
38.25 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
38.26Sec. 41. REPEALER.
38.27 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 7, is repealed.
38.28Sec. 42. EFFECTIVE DATE.
38.29 Except where otherwise provided, this article is effective on June 1, 2027.
38Article 2 Sec. 42.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 39.1 ARTICLE 3
39.2 ABSENTEE VOTING
39.3 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
39.4 Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter.(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee
39.5ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions
39.6for casting the absentee ballots. The return envelope containing marked ballots may be
39.7mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left with the
39.8county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, or may
39.9be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the return
39.10envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on election
39.11day.
39.12 (b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot
39.13return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope
39.14in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters
39.15in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return
39.16envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope
39.17to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.
39.18Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
39.19 Subdivision 1.Physical assistance in marking ballots.A voter who claims a need for
39.20assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot may
39.21obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political parties.
39.22The election judges shall mark the ballots as directed by the voter and in as secret a manner
39.23as circumstances permit. A voter in need of assistance may alternatively obtain the assistance
39.24of any individual the voter chooses. Only the following persons may not provide assistance
39.25to a voter: the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of
39.26the voter's union. The person who assists the voter shall, unaccompanied by an election
39.27judge, retire with that voter to a booth and mark the ballot as directed by the voter. Before
39.28the ballots are deposited, the voter may show them privately to an election judge to ascertain
39.29that they are marked as the voter directed. An election judge or other individual assisting a
39.30voter shall not in any manner request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade or induce
39.31the voter to vote for any particular political party or candidate. The election judges or other
39.32individuals who assist the voter shall not reveal to anyone the name of any candidate for
39.33whom the voter has voted or anything that took place while assisting the voter. Before
39.34permitting an individual to assist a voter, an election judge must document the individual's
39Article 3 Sec. 2.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 40.1name, address, and telephone number and must require the individual to sign a statement
40.2certifying compliance with this subdivision. An individual who assists a voter in a manner
40.3not authorized by this section is guilty of a felony.
40.4 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.07, is amended to read:
40.5 211B.07 UNDUE INFLUENCE ON VOTERS PROHIBITED.
40.6 A person may not directly or indirectly use or threaten force, coercion, violence, restraint,
40.7damage, harm, loss, including loss of employment or economic reprisal, undue influence,
40.8or temporal or spiritual injury against an individual to compel the individual to register to
40.9vote, to apply for an absentee ballot, or to vote for or against a candidate or ballot question.
40.10Abduction, duress, or fraud may not be used to obstruct or prevent the free exercise of the
40.11right to vote of a voter at a primary or election, or compel an individual to register to vote,
40.12or compel a voter to apply for an absentee ballot or vote at a primary or election. Violation
40.13of this section is a gross misdemeanor felony.
40.14Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.15 Subdivision 1.Bribery, advancing money, and treating prohibited.A person who
40.16willfully, directly or indirectly, advances, pays, gives, promises, or lends any money, food,
40.17liquor, clothing, entertainment, or other thing of monetary value, or who offers, promises,
40.18or endeavors to obtain any money, position, appointment, employment, or other valuable
40.19consideration, to or for a person, in order to induce a voter an individual to do any of the
40.20following: (1) to register to vote, (2) to refrain from voting, or (3) to vote in a particular
40.21way, or (4) to apply for an absentee ballot at an election, is guilty of a felony. This section
40.22does not prevent a candidate from stating publicly preference for or support of another
40.23candidate to be voted for at the same primary or election. Refreshments of food or
40.24nonalcoholic beverages having a value up to $5 consumed on the premises at a private
40.25gathering or public meeting are not prohibited under this section.
40.26 ARTICLE 4
40.27 CONFORMING CHANGES
40.28Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.29 Subdivision 1.Definitions.For purposes of this section:
40.30 (1) "applicant" means an individual applying for a driver's license, provisional license,
40.31restricted license, duplicate license, instruction permit, Minnesota identification card, voter
40.32identification card, or motorized bicycle operator's permit; and
40Article 4 Section 1.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 41.1 (2) "application" refers to an application for a driver's license, provisional license,
41.2restricted license, duplicate license, instruction permit, Minnesota identification card, voter
41.3identification card, or motorized bicycle operator's permit.
41.4 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
41.5 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
41.6 Subd. 3.Application.An applicant may file an application with an agent. The agent
41.7shall receive and accept applications in accordance with the laws and rules of the Department
41.8of Public Safety for a noncompliant driver's license or identification card; an enhanced
41.9driver's license or identification card; a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification
41.10card; restricted license; duplicate license; instruction permit; voter identification card; or
41.11motorized bicycle operator's permit. Application records must be maintained at the office
41.12of the agent in a manner that complies with sections 13.05, subdivision 5, and 13.055. As
41.13an alternative to paper copy storage, an agent may retain records and documents in a secure
41.14electronic medium that complies with the security requirements under the United States
41.15Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Policy 5.4
41.16or any successor policy, provided 60 days have elapsed since the transaction and subject to
41.17standards established by the commissioner. The agent is responsible for all costs associated
41.18with the conversion to electronic records and maintenance of the electronic storage medium,
41.19including the destruction of existing paper records after conversion to the electronic format.
41.20All queries and responses in the secure electronic medium, and all actions in which data
41.21are entered, updated, accessed, or shared or disseminated by the agent must be contained
41.22in a data audit trail. Data contained in the audit trail are public to the extent the data are not
41.23otherwise classified under this section.
41.24 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
41.25Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
41.26 Subd. 1a.Filing photograph or image; data classification.The department shall file,
41.27or contract to file, all photographs or electronically produced images obtained in the process
41.28of issuing drivers' licenses or, Minnesota identification cards, or voter identification cards.
41.29The photographs or electronically produced images shall be private data pursuant to section
41.3013.02, subdivision 12. Notwithstanding section 13.04, subdivision 3, the department shall
41.31not be required to provide copies of photographs or electronically produced images to data
41.32subjects. The use of the files is restricted:
41.33 (1) to the issuance and control of drivers' licenses and voter identification cards;
41Article 4 Sec. 3.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 42.1 (2) to criminal justice agencies, as defined in section 299C.46, subdivision 2, for the
42.2investigation and prosecution of crimes, service of process, enforcement of no contact
42.3orders, location of missing persons, investigation and preparation of cases for criminal,
42.4juvenile, and traffic court, location of individuals required to register under section 243.166
42.5or 243.167, and supervision of offenders;
42.6 (3) to public defenders, as defined in section 611.272, for the investigation and preparation
42.7of cases for criminal, juvenile, and traffic courts;
42.8 (4) to child support enforcement purposes under section 518A.83; and
42.9 (5) to a county medical examiner or coroner as required by section 390.005 as necessary
42.10to fulfill the duties under sections 390.11 and 390.25.
42.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
42.12Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.07, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
42.13 Subd. 14.Use of Social Security number.An applicant's Social Security number must
42.14not be displayed, encrypted, or encoded on the driver's license or, Minnesota identification
42.15card, or voter identification card or included in a magnetic strip or bar code used to store
42.16data on the license or Minnesota identification card. The Social Security number must not
42.17be used as a Minnesota driver's license or identification number.
42.18 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
42.19Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
42.20 Subdivision 1.Religious objection.Notwithstanding the provisions of section 171.07,
42.21the commissioner of public safety may adopt rules to permit identification on a driver's
42.22license or, Minnesota identification card, or voter identification card in lieu of a photograph
42.23or electronically produced image where the commissioner finds that the licensee has religious
42.24objections to the use of a photograph or electronically produced image.
42.25 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
42.26Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
42.27 Subd. 2.Certain head wear permitted.If an accident involving a head injury, serious
42.28illness, or treatment of the illness has resulted in hair loss by an applicant for a driver's
42.29license or, identification card, or voter identification card, the commissioner shall permit
42.30the applicant to wear a hat or similar head wear in the photograph or electronically produced
42Article 4 Sec. 6.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 43.1image. The hat or head wear must be of an appropriate size and type to allow identification
43.2of the holder of the license or card and must not obscure the holder's face.
43.3 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
43.4 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.5 Subdivision 1.Duplicate license.In the event that an instruction permit, provisional
43.6license, or driver's license, or voter identification card issued under the provisions of this
43.7chapter is lost or destroyed, or becomes illegible, the person to whom the same was issued
43.8shall obtain a duplicate thereof, furnishing proof satisfactory to the department that such
43.9permit or license has been lost or destroyed or has become illegible, and make payment of
43.10the required fee.
43.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
43.12Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.12, subdivision 3c, is amended to read:
43.13 Subd. 3c.Record retention; birth certificates.(a) If the procedures established by the
43.14commissioner for driver's license or, Minnesota identification card, or voter identification
43.15card records include retention of a physical copy or digital image of a birth certificate, the
43.16commissioner must:
43.17 (1) notify a driver's license or identification card applicant of the retention procedure;
43.18and
43.19 (2) allow the applicant, licensee, or identification cardholder to designate that the
43.20applicant, licensee, or identification cardholder's birth certificate physical copy or digital
43.21image must not be retained.
43.22 (b) The commissioner must not retain a birth certificate if directed by an applicant,
43.23licensee, or identification cardholder under paragraph (a), clause (2), but must record and
43.24retain data on the birth certificate required under Code of Federal Regulations, title 6, section
43.2537.31(c).
43.26 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
43.27Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 171.121, is amended to read:
43.28 171.121 USE OF ANOTHER'S RESIDENCE ADDRESS.
43.29 A person may notify the commissioner in writing to the effect that the person (1) is the
43.30owner of a residence, and (2) does not consent to have that residence address identified on
43Article 4 Sec. 9.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 44.1any driver's license or, identification card, voter identification card, or driving record of the
44.2department as the residence address or permanent mailing address of any person named in
44.3the notice. The notice may not name a spouse of the notifying person. Upon receiving the
44.4notice the commissioner shall not issue any license or, identification card, or voter
44.5identification card under this chapter, or accept an application for a license or, identification
44.6card, or voter identification card under this chapter, that lists the residence address identified
44.7in the notice as the residence address or permanent mailing address of any person named
44.8in the notice.
44.9 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective June 1, 2026.
44.10Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.022, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.11 Subdivision 1.Establishment.The secretary of state shall maintain a statewide voter
44.12registration system to facilitate voter registration and to provide a central database containing
44.13voter registration information from around the state. The system must be accessible to the
44.14county auditor of each county in the state. The system must also:
44.15 (1) provide for voters to submit their voter registration applications to any county auditor,
44.16the secretary of state, or the Department of Public Safety;
44.17 (2) provide for the definition, establishment, and maintenance of a central database for
44.18all voter registration information;
44.19 (3) provide for entering data into the statewide registration system;
44.20 (4) provide for electronic transfer of completed voter registration applications from the
44.21Department of Public Safety to the secretary of state or the county auditor;
44.22 (5) assign a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the state;
44.23 (6) provide for the acceptance of the Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota state
44.24identification number, voter identification card number, and last four digits of the Social
44.25Security number for each voter record;
44.26 (7) coordinate with other agency databases within the state;
44.27 (8) allow county auditors and the secretary of state to add or modify information in the
44.28system to provide for accurate and up-to-date records;
44.29 (9) allow county auditors, municipal and school district clerks, and the secretary of state
44.30to have electronic access to the statewide registration system for review and search
44.31capabilities;
44Article 4 Sec. 10.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 45.1 (10) provide security and protection of all information in the statewide registration
45.2system and ensure that unauthorized access is not allowed;
45.3 (11) provide access to municipal clerks to use the system;
45.4 (12) provide a system for each county to identify the precinct to which a voter should
45.5be assigned for voting purposes;
45.6 (13) provide daily reports accessible by county auditors on the driver's license numbers,
45.7state identification numbers, voter identification card numbers, or last four digits of the
45.8Social Security numbers submitted on voter registration applications that have been verified
45.9as accurate by the secretary of state;
45.10 (14) provide reports on the number of absentee ballots transmitted to and returned and
45.11cast by voters under section 203B.16; and
45.12 (15) provide reports necessary for early voting.
45.13 The appropriate state or local official shall provide security measures to prevent
45.14unauthorized access to the computerized list established under section 201.021.
45.15Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
45.16 Subdivision 1.Prior to election day.(a) At any time except during the 20 days
45.17immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual
45.18who will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to vote in the
45.19precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a voter registration application
45.20as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1. A completed application may be submitted:
45.21 (1) in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the Secretary of State's
45.22Office; or
45.23 (2) electronically through a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of
45.24state for this purpose, if the applicant has an email address and provides the applicant's
45.25verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota state identification card number,
45.26voter identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security
45.27number.
45.28 (b) A registration that is received in person or by mail no later than 5:00 p.m. on the
45.2921st day preceding any election, or a registration received electronically through the secretary
45.30of state's secure website no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election,
45.31shall be accepted. An improperly addressed or delivered registration application shall be
45.32forwarded within two working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county where
45Article 4 Sec. 11.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 46.1the voter maintains residence. A state or local agency or an individual that accepts completed
46.2voter registration applications from a voter must submit the completed applications to the
46.3secretary of state or the appropriate county auditor within ten calendar days after the
46.4applications are dated by the voter.
46.5 (c) An application submitted electronically under paragraph (a), clause (2), may only
46.6be transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the
46.7application information matches the information in a government database associated with
46.8the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, voter identification
46.9card number, or Social Security number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable
46.10voter registration applications submitted electronically for evidence of suspicious activity
46.11and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement agency for
46.12investigation.
46.13 (d) An individual may not electronically submit a voter registration application on behalf
46.14of any other individual, except that the secretary of state may provide features on the secure
46.15website established under paragraph (a), clause (2), that allow third parties to connect
46.16application programming interfaces that facilitate an individual's submission of voter
46.17registration information while interacting with the third party.
46.18 (e) For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration
46.19application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the
46.20United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.
46.21Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
46.22 Subd. 1a.Incomplete registration by mail.If the county auditor determines that a voter
46.23who has submitted a voter registration application by mail has not previously voted in this
46.24state for a federal office and has also not presented a document authorized for election day
46.25registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the auditor, and the county auditor is unable
46.26to verify the voter's driver's license, state identification, voter identification card, or last
46.27four digits of the voter's Social Security number as provided by the voter on the voter
46.28registration application, then the county auditor must notify the voter that the registration
46.29is incomplete and to complete registration by using one of the following methods:
46.30 (1) presenting to the auditor more than 20 days before the election a document authorized
46.31for election day registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3;
46.32 (2) registering in person before or on election day;
46Article 4 Sec. 12.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 47.1 (3) if voting by absentee ballot or by mail, following election day registration procedures
47.2for absentee voters as described in section 203B.04, subdivision 4; or
47.3 (4) providing proof of residence by any of the methods authorized for election day
47.4registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3.
47.5 Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
47.6 Subdivision 1.Form.Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must
47.7contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration
47.8application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name,
47.9middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's
47.10previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence;
47.11voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid
47.12Minnesota driver's license number or, Minnesota state identification number, voter
47.13identification card number, or, if the voter has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license
47.14or, Minnesota state identification, or voter identification card, the last four digits of the
47.15voter's Social Security number; a box to indicate a voter's preference to join the permanent
47.16absentee voter list; and voter's signature. The paper registration application must provide a
47.17space for a voter to provide a physical description of the location of their residence, if the
47.18voter resides in an area lacking a specific physical address. The description must be sufficient
47.19for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the voter. The description may
47.20include the closest cross street or the nearest address to the described location that is identified
47.21on a precinct map, and directions from that cross street or address to the described location,
47.22including but not limited to the cardinal direction and approximate distance to the location.
47.23The paper registration application may include the voter's email address, if provided by the
47.24voter. The electronic voter registration application must include the voter's email address.
47.25The registration application may include the voter's interest in serving as an election judge,
47.26if indicated by the voter. The application must also contain the following certification of
47.27voter eligibility:
47.28 "I certify that I:
47.29 (1) am at least 16 years old and understand that I must be at least 18 years old to be
47.30eligible to vote;
47.31 (2) am a citizen of the United States;
47.32 (3) will have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding
47.33election day;
47Article 4 Sec. 13.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 48.1 (4) maintain residence at the address or location given on the registration form;
48.2 (5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my right
48.3to vote;
48.4 (6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
48.5 (7) am not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense; and
48.6 (8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information is a
48.7felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than
48.8$10,000, or both."
48.9 The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following questions:
48.10 "(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
48.11 "(2) Are you at least 16 years old and will you be at least 18 years old on or before the
48.12day of the election in which you intend to vote?"
48.13 And the instruction:
48.14 "If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
48.15 The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility
48.16must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter
48.17registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted
48.18as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not
48.19deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
48.20 An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in
48.21Minnesota or to change information on an existing registration.
48.22Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
48.23 Subd. 2.Instructions.(a) A registration application shall be accompanied by instructions
48.24specifying the manner and method of registration, the qualifications for voting, the penalties
48.25for false registration, and the availability of registration and voting assistance for elderly
48.26and disabled individuals and residents of health care facilities and hospitals.
48.27 (b) The instructions must indicate that the voter must provide a valid Minnesota driver's
48.28license or identification card number, voter identification card, or the last four digits of the
48.29voter's Social Security number, unless the voter has not been issued one of those numbers.
48.30 (c) If, prior to election day, a person requests the instructions in Braille, audio format,
48.31or in a version printed in 16-point bold type with 24-point leading, the county auditor shall
48Article 4 Sec. 14.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 49.1provide them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille and audio
49.2copies and make them available.
49.3 Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
49.4 Subd. 3.Deficient registration.No voter registration application is deficient if it contains
49.5the voter's name,; address or; location of residence,; date of birth,; current and valid
49.6Minnesota driver's license number or, Minnesota state identification number, or voter
49.7identification card number, or, if the voter has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license
49.8or, Minnesota state identification number, or voter identification card number, the last four
49.9digits of the voter's Social Security number, if the voter has been issued a Social Security
49.10number,; prior registration, if any,; and signature. The absence of a zip code number does
49.11not cause the registration to be deficient. Failure to check a box on an application form that
49.12a voter has certified to be true does not cause the registration to be deficient. The election
49.13judges shall request an individual to correct a voter registration application if it is deficient
49.14or illegible. No eligible voter may be prevented from voting unless the voter's registration
49.15application is deficient or the voter is duly and successfully challenged in accordance with
49.16section 201.195 or 204C.12.
49.17 A voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, is not deficient for
49.18lack of date of birth. The county or municipality may attempt to obtain the date of birth for
49.19a voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, by a request to the voter
49.20at any time except at the polling place. Failure by the voter to comply with this request does
49.21not make the registration deficient.
49.22 A voter registration application accepted before January 1, 2004, is not deficient for lack
49.23of a valid Minnesota driver's license or state identification number or the last four digits of
49.24a Social Security number. A voter registration application submitted by a voter who does
49.25not have a Minnesota driver's license or state identification number, or a Social Security
49.26number, is not deficient for lack of any of these numbers.
49.27 A voter registration application submitted electronically through the website of the
49.28secretary of state prior to April 30, 2014, is not invalid as a result of its electronic submission.
49.29Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.091, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
49.30 Subd. 9.Restricted data.A list provided for public inspection or purchase, or in response
49.31to a law enforcement inquiry, must not include a voter's date of birth or any part of a voter's
49.32Social Security number, driver's license number, identification card number, voter
49.33identification card number, military identification card number, or passport number.
49Article 4 Sec. 16.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 50.1 Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
50.2 Subdivision 1.Entry of registration information.(a) At the time a voter registration
50.3application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections
50.4201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall enter the information contained on it into the
50.5statewide registration system. Voter registration applications completed before election day
50.6must be entered into the statewide registration system within ten days after they have been
50.7submitted to the county auditor. Voter registration applications completed on election day
50.8must be entered into the statewide registration system within 42 days after the election,
50.9unless the county auditor notifies the secretary of state before the deadline has expired that
50.10the deadline will not be met. Upon receipt of a notification under this paragraph, the secretary
50.11of state must extend the deadline for that county auditor by an additional 28 days. The
50.12secretary of state may waive a county's obligations under this paragraph if, on good cause
50.13shown, the county demonstrates its permanent inability to comply.
50.14The secretary of state must post data on each county's compliance with this paragraph on
50.15the secretary of state's website including, as applicable, the date each county fully complied
50.16or the deadline by which a county's compliance must be complete.
50.17 (b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may
50.18electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor
50.19as soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into the statewide
50.20registration system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration application to the
50.21county auditor.
50.22 (c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered information from a voter
50.23registration application into the statewide registration system, the secretary of state shall
50.24compare the voter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state identification
50.25number, voter identification card number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number
50.26with the same information contained in the Department of Public Safety database.
50.27 (d) The secretary of state shall provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly basis
50.28that includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have been
50.29compared with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and cannot
50.30be verified as provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those voters who
50.31have submitted a voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a federal
50.32election in this state.
50.33 (e) The county auditor shall compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor and
50.34the secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration
50Article 4 Sec. 17.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 51.1application and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database
51.2relate to the same person.
51.3 (f) The county auditor shall send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter whose
51.4name appears on the list and change the voter's status to "challenged." A voter who receives
51.5a notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide the information
51.6required to clear the challenge at least 21 days before the next election or at the polling
51.7place on election day.
51.8 Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
51.9 Subd. 3.Use of change of address system.(a) At least once each month the secretary
51.10of state shall obtain a list of individuals registered to vote in this state who have filed with
51.11the United States Postal Service a change of their permanent address. The secretary of state
51.12may also periodically obtain a list of individuals with driver's licenses or, state identification
51.13cards, or voter identification cards to identify those who are registered to vote who have
51.14applied to the Department of Public Safety for a replacement driver's license or, state
51.15identification card, or voter identification card with a different address, and a list of
51.16individuals for whom the Department of Public Safety received notification of a driver's
51.17license or, state identification card, or voter identification card cancellation due to a change
51.18of residency out of state. However, the secretary of state shall not load data derived from
51.19these lists into the statewide voter registration system within the 47 days before the state
51.20primary or 47 days before a November general election.
51.21 (b) If the address is changed to another address in this state, the secretary of state shall
51.22locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, if possible. If the secretary of
51.23state is able to locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, the secretary must
51.24transmit the information about the changed address by electronic means to the county auditor
51.25of the county in which the new address is located. For addresses for which the secretary of
51.26state is unable to determine the precinct, the secretary may forward information to the
51.27appropriate county auditors for individual review. If the voter has not voted or submitted a
51.28voter registration application since the address change, upon receipt of the information, the
51.29county auditor shall update the voter's address in the statewide voter registration system.
51.30The county auditor shall mail to the voter a notice stating the voter's name, address, precinct,
51.31and polling place, unless the voter's record is challenged due to a felony conviction,
51.32noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a court's revocation of voting rights of
51.33individuals under guardianship, in which case the auditor must not mail the notice. The
51.34notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address has been changed and that the
51Article 4 Sec. 18.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 52.1voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days if the new address is not the voter's
52.2address of residence. The notice must state that it must be returned if it is not deliverable
52.3to the voter at the named address.
52.4 (c) If the change of permanent address is to an address outside this state, the secretary
52.5of state shall notify by electronic means the auditor of the county where the voter formerly
52.6maintained residence that the voter has moved to another state. If the voter has not voted
52.7or submitted a voter registration application since the address change, the county auditor
52.8shall promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice advising the voter that
52.9the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system will be changed to "inactive"
52.10unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the voter is retaining the
52.11former address as the voter's address of residence, except that if the voter's record is
52.12challenged due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a
52.13court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, the auditor must not
52.14mail the notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall change
52.15the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter registration system.
52.16 (d) If, in order to maintain voter registration records, the secretary of state enters an
52.17agreement to share information or data with an organization governed exclusively by a
52.18group of states, the secretary must first determine that the data security protocols are sufficient
52.19to safeguard the information or data shared. If required by such an agreement, the secretary
52.20of state may share the following data from the statewide voter registration system and data
52.21released to the secretary of state under section 171.12, subdivision 7a:
52.22 (1) name;
52.23 (2) date of birth;
52.24 (3) address;
52.25 (4) driver's license or, state identification card number, or voter identification number;
52.26 (5) the last four digits of an individual's Social Security number; and
52.27 (6) the date that an individual's record was last updated.
52.28If the secretary of state enters into such an agreement, the secretary and county auditors
52.29must process changes to voter records based upon that data in accordance with this section.
52.30Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when data is shared with the secretary of
52.31state by another state, the secretary of state must maintain the same data classification that
52.32the data had while it was in the possession of the state providing the data.
52Article 4 Sec. 18.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 53.1 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.14, is amended to read:
53.2 201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT CHANGES
53.3OF NAMES.
53.4 The state court administrator shall regularly report by electronic means to the secretary
53.5of state the name, address, and, if available, driver's license or, state identification card
53.6number, or voter identification card number of each individual, 18 years of age or over,
53.7whose name was changed since the last report, by marriage, divorce, or any order or decree
53.8of the court. The secretary of state shall determine if any of the persons in the report are
53.9registered to vote under their previous name and shall prepare a list of those registrants for
53.10each county auditor. Upon receipt of the list, the county auditor shall make the change in
53.11the voter's record and mail to the voter the notice of registration required by section 201.121,
53.12subdivision 2. A notice must not be mailed if the voter's record is challenged due to a felony
53.13conviction, lack of United States citizenship, legal incompetence, or court-ordered revocation
53.14of voting rights of persons under guardianship.
53.15Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.145, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
53.16 Subd. 2.State court administrator report.(a) The state court administrator must report
53.17on individuals 17 years of age or older who are under a guardianship in which a court order
53.18revokes the ward's right to vote or where the court has found the individual to be legally
53.19incompetent to vote.
53.20 (b) The state court administrator must report on individuals transferred to the jurisdiction
53.21of the court who meet a condition specified in paragraph (a).
53.22 (c) Each report required under this subdivision must include the following information
53.23for each individual in the report: name, address, date of birth, and, if available, last four
53.24digits of the Social Security number and driver's license or, state identification card number,
53.25or voter identification card number.
53.26 (d) No later than seven calendar days after receiving a report under this subdivision, the
53.27secretary of state must determine if a person identified under paragraphs (a) and (b) is
53.28registered to vote and must prepare a list of those registrants for the county auditor. No later
53.29than seven calendar days after receiving the list from the secretary of state, the county auditor
53.30must challenge the status on the record in the statewide voter registration system of each
53.31individual named in the list.
53Article 4 Sec. 20.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 54.1 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.145, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
54.2 Subd. 3.Commissioner of corrections report.(a) The commissioner of corrections
54.3must report on individuals 16 years of age or older who are currently incarcerated for felony
54.4sentences under the commissioner's jurisdiction.
54.5 (b) Each report under this subdivision must include the following information for each
54.6individual: name, address or last known residential address that is not a correctional facility,
54.7and date of birth. If available, each report must also include the individual's: corrections'
54.8state identification number,; last four digits of the Social Security number,; driver's license
54.9or, state identification card number, or voter identification card number; and most recent
54.10date of incarceration.
54.11 (c) No later than seven calendar days after receiving a report under this subdivision, the
54.12secretary of state must determine if any data newly indicates that a person identified under
54.13paragraph (a) is registered to vote and must prepare a list of those registrants for the county
54.14auditor. No later than seven calendar days after receiving the list from the secretary of state,
54.15the county auditor must challenge the status on the record in the statewide voter registration
54.16system of each individual named in the list.
54.17 (d) The county auditor must identify an individual who voted while incarcerated for a
54.18felony sentence. The county auditor must immediately send notice to the county attorney.
54.19The notice must include the name of the individual and any other identifying information
54.20as well as the evidence that shows the individual voted during the period of incarceration.
54.21Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.145, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
54.22 Subd. 4.Reports; restoration of right to vote.(a) The state court administrator must
54.23report on each individual whose guardianship was modified to restore the ward's right to
54.24vote or whose guardianship was terminated by order of the court under section 524.5-317
54.25after being ineligible to vote for any of the reasons specified in subdivision 2, paragraph
54.26(a).
54.27 (b) The commissioner of corrections must report on individuals who were incarcerated
54.28for a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction and have been released from
54.29incarceration.
54.30 (c) Each report under this subdivision must include the following information for each
54.31individual: name, address, date of birth, and, if available, the last four digits of the Social
54.32Security number. For the report required by paragraph (b), the report must also include the
54.33individual's, if available: corrections' state identification number,; driver's license or, state
54Article 4 Sec. 22.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 55.1identification card number, or voter identification card number; date of incarceration,; county
55.2in which the conviction occurred,; and date of discharge.
55.3 (d) No later than seven calendar days after receiving a report under this subdivision, the
55.4secretary of state must determine if a person identified under paragraph (a) is registered to
55.5vote and must prepare a list of those registrants for the county auditor. No later than seven
55.6calendar days after receiving a report under this subdivision, the secretary of state must
55.7determine if any data newly indicates that a person identified under paragraph (b) is registered
55.8to vote and must prepare a list of those registrants for the county auditor. No later than seven
55.9calendar days after receiving the list from the secretary of state, the county auditor must
55.10remove the challenge status on the record in the statewide voter registration system of each
55.11individual named in the list.
55.12Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.145, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
55.13 Subd. 5.Commissioner of public safety report.(a) The commissioner of public safety
55.14must report on individuals identified by department data as having temporary lawful status
55.15in the United States.
55.16 (b) The report under this section must include the following information for each
55.17individual: name,; address,; date of birth,; driver's license or, state identification card number,
55.18or voter identification card number; and, if available, last four digits of the Social Security
55.19number.
55.20 (c) No later than seven calendar days after receiving a report under this subdivision, the
55.21secretary of state must determine if any data newly indicates that a person identified under
55.22paragraph (a) is registered to vote and prepare a list of those voters for the county auditor.
55.23Within seven calendar days of receiving the list from the secretary of state, the county
55.24auditor must challenge the status on the record in the statewide voter registration system of
55.25each individual named in the list.
55.26 (d) The county auditor must also immediately send notice to the county attorney of each
55.27individual identified in paragraph (c). The notice must include the name of the individual
55.28and any other identifying information as well as the evidence that shows the individual
55.29registered to vote or voted and is not a citizen.
55.30Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
55.31 Subd. 3.Department of Public Safety.(a) The commissioner of public safety, in
55.32consultation with the secretary of state, must change the applications for an original,
55Article 4 Sec. 24.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 56.1duplicate, or change of address driver's license or, identification card, or voter identification
56.2card so that any forms where applicants may provide documentation of United States
56.3citizenship contain spaces for all information required to register to vote, as prescribed by
56.4the secretary of state. Unless the applicant has provided an address other than the applicant's
56.5address of residence under section 171.12, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), the commissioner
56.6must transmit the information daily by electronic means to the secretary of state. Pursuant
56.7to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the computerized driver's
56.8license record containing the voter's name, address, date of birth, citizenship, driver's license
56.9number or state identification number, county, and city or town must be made available for
56.10access by the secretary of state and interaction with the statewide voter registration system.
56.11The commissioner must submit data to the secretary of state identifying the total number
56.12of individuals that completed qualifying transactions under this section and the total number
56.13of individuals whose records were ultimately transferred for registration. At a minimum,
56.14the commissioner must submit the data to the secretary of state on the same day each month.
56.15The secretary of state must publish a monthly report of this data.
56.16 (b) An applicant's information must not be transmitted to the secretary of state under
56.17this section unless the applicant provides documentation of United States citizenship or
56.18records maintained by the Department of Public Safety indicate that the applicant provided
56.19documentation demonstrating United States citizenship as part of a previous license or
56.20identification card transaction. If the applicant does not provide or has not previously
56.21provided documentation of United States citizenship, the commissioner must provide
56.22information during the transaction regarding voter registration and eligibility criteria. If the
56.23applicant provides documentation during the transaction indicating that the applicant is not
56.24a United States citizen, the applicant's information must not be transmitted to the secretary
56.25of state and the applicant must not be offered a voter registration opportunity.
56.26 (c) No applicant may be registered to vote under this subdivision until:
56.27 (1) the commissioner of public safety has certified that the department's systems have
56.28been tested and can accurately provide the required data and accurately exclude from
56.29transmission data on individuals who have not provided documentary evidence of United
56.30States citizenship; and
56.31 (2) the secretary of state has certified that the system for automatic registration of those
56.32applicants has been tested and is capable of properly determining whether an applicant is
56.33eligible to submit a voter registration application.
56Article 4 Sec. 24.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 57.1The department's systems must be tested and accurately provide the necessary data no later
57.2than December 1, 2023.
57.3 (d) For purposes of this section, "driver's license" includes any instruction permit,
57.4provisional license, limited license, restricted license, or operator's permit issuable by the
57.5commissioner of public safety under chapter 171.
57.6 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
57.7 Subd. 2.Technology requirements.An electronic roster must:
57.8 (1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file
57.9format prescribed by the secretary of state;
57.10 (2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
57.11 (3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license
57.12or, identification card, or voter identification card to locate a voter record or populate a
57.13voter registration application that would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The
57.14printed registration application can be a printed form, a label printed with voter information
57.15to be affixed to a preprinted form, a combination of a form and label, or an electronic record
57.16that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling place;
57.17 (4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's
57.18license or, identification card, or voter identification card;
57.19 (5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned
57.20driver's license or, identification card, or voter identification card that is otherwise required
57.21to be collected from the voter or an election judge;
57.22 (6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates
57.23that the voter is not eligible to vote;
57.24 (7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has
57.25already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the
57.26voter maintains residence in a different precinct;
57.27 (8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when
57.28a voter's record is challenged;
57.29 (9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address
57.30of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10,
57.31and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be
57.32a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an
57Article 4 Sec. 25.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 58.1electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion
58.2at the polling place;
58.3 (10) contain only preregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain preregistered
58.4voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being utilized for absentee or
58.5early voting under chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section
58.6204B.45, subdivision 2a;
58.7 (11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose
58.8of updating absentee ballot records;
58.9 (12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the
58.10Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information
58.11Technology Services;
58.12 (13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and
58.13 (14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration
58.14of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
58.15Electronic rosters used only for election day registration do not need to comply with clauses
58.16(1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters used only for preregistered voter processing do not need
58.17to comply with clauses (4) and (5).
58.18Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.065, is amended to read:
58.19 203B.065 USING THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
58.20 Upon accepting an application for a state primary or state general election, the county
58.21auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system the voter's
58.22name,; date of birth,; address of residence in Minnesota,; mailing address,; Minnesota driver's
58.23license or, state identification or voter identification card number, or the last four digits of
58.24the voter's Social Security number, if provided by the voter. Upon acceptance of an absentee
58.25ballot application of a voter who is registered to vote at an address different from the
58.26residential address certified on the absentee ballot application, the voter registration record
58.27with the previous address shall be challenged. Once the absentee ballot has been transmitted
58.28to the voter, the method of transmission and the date of transmission must be recorded.
58.29 Upon receipt of a returned absentee ballot for a state primary or state general election,
58.30the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system
58.31that the voter has returned the ballot.
58Article 4 Sec. 26.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 59.1 Upon receipt of notice that the ballot board has accepted or rejected the absentee ballot
59.2for a state primary or state general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall
59.3record in the statewide voter registration system whether the ballot was accepted or rejected,
59.4and if rejected, the reason for rejection. If a replacement ballot is transmitted to the voter,
59.5the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record this in the statewide voter registration
59.6system.
59.7 The labels provided for envelopes used for transmitting an absentee ballot to and from
59.8an applicant for an absentee ballot for a state primary or state general election must contain
59.9bar codes generated by the statewide voter registration system to facilitate the recording
59.10required under this section. A county auditor or municipal clerk entering information into
59.11the statewide voter registration system under this section must include the information
59.12provided on the bar code label whenever information is entered into the system.
59.13Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
59.14 Subd. 2.Required information.(a) An application shall be accepted if it contains the
59.15following information stated under oath:
59.16 (1) the voter's name, birthdate, and present address of residence in Minnesota, or former
59.17address of residence or parent's former address of residence in Minnesota if the voter is
59.18living permanently outside the United States;
59.19 (2) a statement indicating that the voter is in the military, or is the spouse or dependent
59.20of an individual serving in the military, or is temporarily outside the territorial limits of the
59.21United States, or is living permanently outside the territorial limits of the United States and
59.22voting under federal law;
59.23 (3) a statement that the voter expects to be absent from the precinct at the time of the
59.24election;
59.25 (4) the address to which absentee ballots are to be mailed;
59.26 (5) the voter's signature or the signature and relationship of the individual authorized to
59.27apply on the voter's behalf;
59.28 (6) the voter's passport number, Minnesota driver's license or, state identification card
59.29or voter identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security
59.30number; if the voter does not have access to any of these documents, the voter or other
59.31individual requesting absentee ballots may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of the
59.32application under penalty of perjury; and
59Article 4 Sec. 27.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 60.1 (7) the voter's email address, if the application was submitted electronically through the
60.2secure website maintained by the secretary of state.
60.3 (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (6), an application submitted through the
60.4secretary of state's website must include the voter's verifiable Minnesota driver's license
60.5number, Minnesota state identification card number, voter identification card number, or
60.6the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, and may only be transmitted to
60.7the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the application
60.8information matches the information in a government database associated with the applicant's
60.9driver's license number, state identification card number, voter identification card number,
60.10or Social Security number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications
60.11for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate
60.12law enforcement agency for investigation.
60.13Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.19, is amended to read:
60.14 203B.19 RECORDING APPLICATIONS.
60.15 Upon accepting an application, the county auditor shall record in the statewide registration
60.16system the voter's name,; address of present or former residence in Minnesota,; mailing
60.17address,; school district number,; passport number, Minnesota driver's license number or,
60.18state identification card number, voter identification card number, or the last four digits of
60.19the voter's Social Security number,; and whether the voter is in the military or the spouse
60.20or dependent of an individual serving in the military, is a voter temporarily outside the
60.21territorial limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside the territorial limits
60.22of the United States and voting under federal law. The county auditor shall retain the record
60.23for six years. A voter whose name is recorded as provided in this section shall not be required
60.24to register under any other provision of law in order to vote under sections 203B.16 to
60.25203B.27. Persons from whom applications are not accepted must be notified by the county
60.26auditor and provided with the reasons for the rejection.
60.27 No later than 60 days after the general election, the county auditor shall report to the
60.28secretary of state the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to and the combined
60.29number of absentee ballots returned and cast by absent voters described in section 203B.16.
60.30The secretary of state may require the information be reported by category under section
60.31203B.16 or by precinct.
60.32 No later than 90 days after the general election, the secretary of state shall report to the
60.33federal Election Assistance Commission the number of absentee ballots transmitted to voters
60.34under section 203B.16.
60Article 4 Sec. 28.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 61.1 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
61.2 Subd. 3.Back of signature envelope.On the back of the signature envelope a certificate
61.3shall appear with space for:
61.4 (1) the voter's address of present or former residence in Minnesota;
61.5 (2) the voter's current email address, if the voter has one;
61.6 (3) a statement indicating the category described in section 203B.16 to which the voter
61.7belongs;
61.8 (4) a statement that the voter has not cast and will not cast another absentee ballot in the
61.9same election or elections;
61.10 (5) a statement that the voter personally marked the ballots without showing them to
61.11anyone, or if physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed another individual to
61.12mark them; and
61.13 (6) the same voter's passport number, Minnesota driver's license or, state identification
61.14card or voter identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security
61.15number as provided on the absentee ballot application; if the voter does not have access to
61.16any of these documents, the voter may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of the
61.17certificate under penalty of perjury.
61.18 The certificate shall also contain a signed oath in the form required by section 705 of
61.19the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252, which must read:
61.20 "I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that:
61.21 I am a member of the uniformed services or merchant marine on active duty or an eligible
61.22spouse or dependent of such a member; a United States citizen temporarily residing outside
61.23the United States; or other United States citizen residing outside the United States; and I
61.24am a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the election),
61.25and I am eligible to vote in the requested jurisdiction; I have not been convicted of a felony,
61.26or other disqualifying offense, or been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or, if so, my voting
61.27rights have been reinstated; and I am not registering, requesting a ballot, or voting in any
61.28other jurisdiction in the United States except the jurisdiction cited in this voting form. In
61.29voting, I have marked and sealed my ballot in private and have not allowed any person to
61.30observe the marking of the ballot, except for those authorized to assist voters under state or
61.31federal law. I have not been influenced.
61Article 4 Sec. 29.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 62.1 The information on this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge.
62.2I understand that a material misstatement of fact in completion of this document may
62.3constitute grounds for a conviction for perjury."
62.4 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
62.5 Subdivision 1.Check of voter eligibility; proper execution of certificate.Upon receipt
62.6of an absentee ballot returned as provided in sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, the election
62.7judges shall compare the voter's name with the names recorded under section 203B.19 in
62.8the statewide registration system to insure that the ballot is from a voter eligible to cast an
62.9absentee ballot under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27. The election judges shall mark the
62.10signature envelope "Accepted" and initial or sign the signature envelope below the word
62.11"Accepted" if the election judges are satisfied that:
62.12 (1) the voter's name and address on the signature envelope appears in substantially the
62.13same form as on the application records provided to the election judges by the county auditor;
62.14 (2) the voter has signed the federal oath prescribed pursuant to section 705(b)(2) of the
62.15Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252;
62.16 (3) the voter has set forth the same voter's passport number, or; Minnesota driver's license
62.17or, state identification card or voter identification card number, or the last four digits of the
62.18voter's Social Security number as submitted on the application, if the voter has one of these
62.19documents;
62.20 (4) the voter is not known to have died; and
62.21 (5) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or by absentee ballot.
62.22 If the identification number described in clause (3) does not match the number as
62.23submitted on the application, the election judges must make a reasonable effort to satisfy
62.24themselves through other information provided by the applicant, or by an individual
62.25authorized to apply on behalf of the voter, that the ballots were returned by the same person
62.26to whom the ballots were transmitted.
62.27 An absentee ballot cast pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 may only be rejected
62.28for the lack of one of clauses (1) to (5). In particular, failure to place the ballot within the
62.29ballot envelope before placing it in the signature envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee
62.30ballot.
62.31 Election judges must note the reason for rejection on the back of the envelope in the
62.32space provided for that purpose.
62Article 4 Sec. 30.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN 63.1 Failure to return unused ballots shall not invalidate a marked ballot, but a ballot shall
63.2not be counted if the certificate on the signature envelope is not properly executed. In all
63.3other respects the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit and counting
63.4of ballots shall apply. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the counting of the
63.5absentee ballot of a deceased voter does not invalidate the election.
63.6 Sec. 31. EFFECTIVE DATE.
63.7 Except where otherwise provided, this article is effective June 1, 2027.
63Article 4 Sec. 31.
25-01121 as introduced02/06/25 REVISOR JFK/LN Page.Ln 1.25MINNESOTA ELECTIONS INTEGRITY ACT...................................ARTICLE 1
Page.Ln 2.1VOTER ID..............................................................................................ARTICLE 2
Page.Ln 39.1ABSENTEE VOTING...........................................................................ARTICLE 3
Page.Ln 40.26CONFORMING CHANGES.................................................................ARTICLE 4
1
APPENDIX
Article locations for 25-01121 201.061 REGISTRATION ON OR BEFORE ELECTION DAY.
Subd. 7.Record of attempted registrations.The election judge responsible for election day
registration shall attempt to keep a record of the number of individuals who attempt to register on
election day but who cannot provide proof of residence as required by this section. The record shall
be forwarded to the county auditor with the election returns for that precinct.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 25-01121