HF4665

Purpose

This bill changes how people prove they live in their Minnesota precinct when registering to vote on Election Day. It reduces the number of proof-of-residence oaths a voter may sign on Election Day from eight to two, with an exception for employees of certain residential facilities.

Main Provisions

• Election Day Registration process: Eligible voters can register in person at the polling place for their precinct, complete a registration application, take an oath, and provide proof of residence.
• Ways to prove residence (options):
  • A driver’s license or Minnesota identification card.
  • Any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification.
  • A current student fee statement showing the student’s address in the precinct, together with a picture ID.
  • A voter who is already registered in the precinct, or an employee of a residential facility in the precinct, who vouches for a resident by signing an oath that they personally know the individual is a resident of the precinct.
• Vouching limits and rules:
  • A voter who has been vouched for on Election Day may not sign a proof-of-residence oath for anyone else that day.
  • An election judge may not sign a proof-of-residence oath for someone unless the judge personally knows that the person is a resident of the precinct.
  • A voter registered in the precinct may sign up to two proof-of-residence oaths on any Election Day. The limit does not apply to employees of a residential facility.
• Forms and record-keeping:
  • The secretary of state must provide a form to record the number of people for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths, including spaces for the maximum number, the voter’s printed name, signature, phone number, and address, plus a statement for each oath.
  • The oath must be attached to the voter registration application.
• Guidance and administration:
  • The secretary of state must publish guidance for residential facilities and their employees about the vouching process and requirements.
• Definitions:
  • “Residential facility” includes a range of housing and care facilities (e.g., transitional housing, supervised living facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, veterans homes, certain DHS-licensed residences, shelters for the homeless or for battered women, residential programs, and related housing-support services).
• Tribal provisions:
  • For tribal members, residence proof can be shown with a tribal government ID that includes name, address, signature, and picture, or with a tribal ID plus one document listed in the rules.
• Local election oversight:
  • A county school district or municipality may require that an election judge responsible for Election Day registration initial each completed registration application.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Reduces the number of allowable Election Day proof-of-residence oaths from eight to two (with exceptions for residential facility employees).
• Expands and clarifies who may vouch for residency (including residential facilities and tribal provisions).
• Creates a formal, standardized oath recording process and required forms.
• Adds defined categories of “residential facilities” for the purposes of vouching.
• Requires formal guidance from the Secretary of State to facilities and employees.
• Allows local jurisdictions to require judges to initial each registration application.

How This Might Affect Voters

• For most voters, Election Day registration will require demonstrating residency using one of a defined set of proofs and, if using a vouching method, will be more tightly limited in how many times they can vouch for others.
• People in certain residential facilities or using facility staff as a verifier may have clearer pathways, while it may be more challenging for others to register if they lack standard IDs or other approved documents.
• Tribal members have explicit allowances for using tribal IDs to prove residency.

Relevant Terms - Election Day registration - Proof of residence oath - Vouching - Residential facility - Election judge - Precinct - Polling place - Secretary of State - Minnesota Rules 8200.9939 - Driver’s license - Minnesota identification card - Student fee statement - Tribal government ID - Voter registration application - Oath form - Initialing registration applications - Transitional housing - Nursing home - Assisted living facility - Veterans home - Housing-support residence - Shelter for homeless or battered women - Residential facility employee - Documentation and verification requirements