Purpose

• Modernize and clarify election administration in Minnesota, with a focus on absentee voting processes, timelines, and the use of the statewide voter registration system. The bill aims to tighten security, specify responsibilities for local officials, and adjust how and when ballots are delivered and tracked. It also includes funding for these changes and updates to the statutory framework.

Key changes to how elections are run

• Responsibility for administering certain election provisions shifts to designated clerks.

  • Full-time clerks of cities or towns can administer sections 203B.04–203B.15 and 203B.30 if designated by the county auditor or if the clerk notifies the county auditor of the intention to administer.
  • For cities in more than one county, a clerk may administer only if designated by each county auditor or if the clerk provides notice to each auditor.
  • Clerks must have technical capacity to access the statewide voter registration system (SIVRS) securely; the secretary of state will define required hardware, software, security, and access controls, and clerks must receive approved training before administering these provisions.
  • County auditors must notify the secretary of state about municipal clerks who will administer these provisions and what duties they will perform.

• Use of the statewide voter registration system (SIVRS) is formalized for election administration.

  • The system is used to verify and record voter information, ballot transmission, and ballot acceptance/rejection events.
  • Clerks must implement security prerequisites and training before using the system; training must be approved by the secretary of state.

• Funding is included to support these changes (appropriations) and related administrative updates.

Absentee voting timelines and procedures

• Absentee ballots are mailed to voters on the permanent absentee ballot list on a set timeline:
  • At least 46 days before each regularly scheduled primary and general election, and each special primary and special election.
  • At least 30 days before a town general election held in March.
• For certain elections, ballots must be mailed as soon as practicable in response to special elections.
• If an absentee ballot is requested, delivery options include:
  • Mailing the ballot to the voter (with options to use a commercial shipper at the voter’s expense if shipped by mail).
  • Delivering the ballot in person to the voter.
  • Delivering ballots to an approved designated agent to assist voters who have difficulty getting to the polls due to health or disability, or who reside in certain facilities (health care facilities, assisted living, residential programs, shelters, etc.).
• If an applicant’s request does not specify the election, ballots sent are limited to the next election after receipt of the application.
• Only one set of ballots may be mailed, shipped, or delivered to an applicant per election, with certain exceptions for replacement ballots if a ballot is spoiled or lost.

Corrections and inmate voting

• The plan includes a process related to inmates and corrections:
  • The Department of Corrections must provide a list of state adult correctional facilities to the secretary of state.
  • Applications for absentee ballots that list an address at one of these facilities must not be accepted, and no ballot may be provided to that applicant.
  • A copy of such an application must be promptly shared with the county attorney.
  • The Department of Corrections must implement procedures to ensure that absentee ballots issued under this chapter are not received by or mailed to offenders in state adult correctional facilities.

Recordkeeping and tracking in the statewide system

• When processing absentee ballots and related actions, certain events must be recorded in SIVRS:
  • Accepting an absentee ballot application for a state primary/general election; recording voter identifying information (name, date of birth, residence address, mailing address, driver’s license/state ID, or last four digits of SSN if provided).
  • If a voter is registered at a different address than the one certified on the absentee ballot application, the previous address must be challenged in the system.
  • After an absentee ballot is transmitted, the transmission method and date must be recorded.
  • When the ballot board accepts or rejects an absentee ballot, the outcome and, if rejected, the reason must be recorded.
  • If a replacement ballot is sent, this must be recorded.
  • Ballot envelopes must have bar codes generated by SIVRS to facilitate these records; bar code data must be included in any data entered into the system.
• The requirements for these tracking and barcoding provisions do not apply to town elections held in March, though the system may still be used to administer absentee voting for those elections.

Other technical and codification changes

• The bill includes coding changes for a new law under Minnesota Statutes chapter 204D.
• It repeals Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 5.31.1.10 as part of updating the framework.

Practical impact and main takeaway

• Local election offices (county auditors and municipal/full-time clerks) gain clearer authority and responsibilities for administering absentee voting, including access to and training for the statewide voter registration system.
• Absentee voting processes become more standardized and tracked, with specific timelines, delivery options, and enhanced recordkeeping requirements.
• There are explicit protections and procedures regarding voting by people in correctional facilities.
• The bill introduces technical measures (like barcodes) to improve accuracy and auditing of absentee voting data.
• Some March town elections are exempt from certain requirements, but the system may still be used for those elections.

Relevant terms

• absentee ballots, permanent absentee ballot list, statewide voter registration system (SIVRS), county auditor, municipal clerk, full-time clerk, ballot board, special primary, special election, primary election, general election, delivery methods, mail, in-person delivery, designated agent, incapacitating health, disabled, health care facility, assisted living facility, residential program for adults, shelter for battered women, Department of Corrections, state adult correctional facilities, replacement ballot, bar codes, transmittal envelope, elections administration, security prerequisites, access controls, training, funding (appropriations), codification in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204D.