HF3721

Purpose

To update and expand how Minnesota handles voter registration for students at postsecondary institutions and for students in school districts. The goal is to increase student participation in elections by providing more information, easier access to registration and absentee ballot options, and a dedicated campus-focused coordination role.

Key Provisions

• Forms and information distribution (Subdiv. 1, a and b)

  • Postsecondary institutions that enroll students who receive state or federal financial aid must provide Minnesota voter registration forms and information on how to register and request/submit absentee ballots to students studying in the other 49 states (and in-state) each fall and spring. In-state election years, this must happen at least 15 days before the state general election deadline.
  • Electronic forms or messages must be devoted exclusively to voter registration when provided electronically.
  • All school districts must offer paper or electronic voter registration applications every May and September to eligible students who are registered in the district. Districts aren’t required to provide forms to students in certain postsecondary options or students who live in the district but don’t attend a district school. A district satisfies the obligation if it provides a registration form to a student once.

• Form content and distribution (Subdiv. 1, c)

  • Registration forms must have spaces for the information required by state rules. Institutions and districts may request forms from the secretary of state.
  • Institutions should work with campus student government to determine effective ways to distribute forms and to support election day registration. Districts must inform students that completing a registration form is not a district requirement.

• Reporting requirements (Subdiv. 1, d and e)

  • Institutions must report to the secretary of state by November 30 each year about how and when forms were distributed and the campus voter engagement plan.
  • The secretary of state must report to relevant legislative chairs by February 1 each year, highlighting best practices and innovative methods that worked well to register students.

• Student voter registration process (Subdiv. 2)

  • A copy of every completed voter registration form must be sent to the county auditor where the student resides or to the secretary of state as soon as possible, and no later than 21 days before the general election.

• Voter information resources (Subdiv. 3)

  • Institutions must maintain a webpage with resources to help students determine how they are eligible to vote, including:
  • registration and voting requirements, deadlines, residency rules, acceptable proofs of residency for same-day registration (as applicable), and absentee voting options.
  • deadlines for requesting and submitting absentee ballots and options for early, in-person, and election-day voting.
  • resources for students registered in another state to apply for absentee ballots in that state.
  • contact information for campus vote coordinators and the campus voter engagement plan.
  • Institutions must also provide a registration form and an absentee ballot request form applicable to a student’s home state upon request.
  • Institutions enrolling students receiving aid must designate a campus vote coordinator (staff person) who:
  • ensures compliance with these requirements, and
  • works with the campus student association to develop a voter engagement plan that includes goals, activities, resources, and the responsible people or departments.

Effects on Existing Law

• Expands and formalizes how postsecondary institutions and school districts support student voting.
• Introduces a formal campus-wide role (campus vote coordinator) to oversee compliance and engagement.
• Requires regular reporting to the secretary of state and to lawmakers, along with dissemination of best practices.
• Creates explicit online voter information resources and ensures access to registration and absentee ballot forms for students, including those studying in another state.

Implementation Timeline and Key Dates

• 15 days before the state general election: registration information must be provided for in-state election years.
• November 30: annual report from postsecondary institutions on implementation.
• February 1: secretary of state report to legislative chairs on implementation and best practices.
• 21 days before the general election: deadline for forwarding completed voter registration forms.

Accessibility and Outreach

• Webpages with detailed voting information, residency rules, and absentee voting options.
• Clear disclosure that completing a voter registration form is not required by the school district.
• Outreach plans and campus engagement efforts developed with input from campus student organizations.

Outcome

The bill strengthens student access to voting by ensuring campuses actively distribute registration and absentee information, maintain up-to-date resources, designate a campus vote coordinator, and report on what works to boost student participation.

Relevant Terms - voter registration form - absentee ballot - campus vote coordinator - voter engagement plan - postsecondary institution - school district - residency requirements - same-day registration - election deadlines - state general election - secretary of state - county auditor - campus student government - home state - reporting requirements - voter information webpage - election resources - registration deadline - eligibility to vote - absentee voting options - outreach and engagement