SF4078

Purpose

• This bill aims to change who can preregister to vote and to standardize voter registration forms. The core idea is to allow younger Minnesotans (16–17 years old) who meet all voting eligibility requirements to preregister or be automatically registered, while also updating how registration information is collected and used.

Main Provisions

• Preregistration age change:

  • Individuals who are under 18 but at least 16 or 17 years old (depending on the exact drafting) and who meet all eligibility requirements may submit a voter registration application or be automatically registered at their Minnesota residence.
  • Automatic registration may occur under a referenced section (201.161) at the address where the voter maintains residence.
  • Even with preregistration, these individuals must still meet all other voting requirements to actually vote (e.g., age on election day).

• When registration can occur:

  • A person may register or update a registration before the 20th day before an election, on the day of an election (under existing rules), or when submitting an absentee ballot.

• Required content and format of registration forms:

  • Both paper and electronic voter registration forms must collect the same essential information.
  • Required information includes: current name, any previous name, current address, previous address, date of birth, city/county, phone number (if provided), date of registration, and either a Minnesota driver’s license number or Minnesota state ID number, or, if none, the last four digits of the Social Security number, plus the voter’s signature.
  • For those with no physical address, a space to describe the residence location (to identify the correct precinct) is required on paper forms. The description may use nearby cross streets or nearest address and directions to the location.
  • The form may include an email address (both paper and electronic).
  • The form may include a field about interest in serving as an election judge.

• Eligibility certification:

  • The registration form must include a certification with statements that the voter is a United States citizen, at least 16–17 years old (and will be 18 by the election day) and will meet all requirements to vote, has resided in Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election, will maintain residency at the given address, is not under court-ordered guardianship restricting voting, has not been found legally incompetent to vote, is not currently incarcerated for a felony, and understands that giving false information is a felony with penalties.
  • The form provides yes/no questions for citizenship and age eligibility; if the user answers no to either, the form is not to be completed.
  • The forms must be approved by the Secretary of State. National Voter Registration Act forms (and the Federal Post Card Application form) must be accepted as valid if not deficient and if the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.

• Transition to the new forms:

  • A completed registration form submitted before the act’s effective date is not considered deficient.
  • Starting on the act’s effective date, election officials must not print, copy, or publicly distribute a blank registration form that lacks the required modifications.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands preregistration eligibility to 16–17-year-olds who meet all other voting requirements.
• Introduces a standardized, comprehensive set of registration fields for both paper and electronic forms, including a detailed residency description option for those without a fixed address.
• Adds a formal eligibility certification with specific attestations and penalties for false information.
• Requires Secretary of State approval of registration forms and ensures acceptance of federal registration formats (NVRA forms and FPCA).
• Establishes a clear transition rule to move away from older forms once the new requirements are in effect, while preserving validity for registrations submitted before that date.

Transition and Administration

• The bill provides for automatic registration pathways under a referenced section, linking preregistration to broader state registration processes.
• It maintains existing methods of registration timing (before the 20th day, on election day, or with absentee ballots) but now includes younger preregistrants within those pathways.
• It requires the Secretary of State’s approval for the new forms and alignment with federal forms to ensure consistency across systems.

Effects on Voters

• Younger residents (16–17) who meet all voting eligibility factors could preregister, expanding the pool of potential voters and integrating them into the registration system earlier.
• All voters will interact with standardized forms, making it easier to understand what information is required and to ensure accuracy.
• The act emphasizes the importance of truthful information and educates voters about the penalties for false statements.

Implementation Considerations

• Election offices must implement the new forms and ensure staff are trained to handle the updated certification language and residency descriptions.
• The state must maintain compatibility with federal forms (NVRA/FPCA) while enforcing the new state-specific requirements.
• The transition rule preserves the validity of earlier registrations filed before the effective date, reducing disruption.

Relevant Terms - preregistration - voter registration - automatic registration - 16-17 years old - eligibility to vote - residency (20 days) - United States citizen - Minnesota driver’s license number - Minnesota state identification number - last four digits of Social Security number - registration form (paper and electronic) - certification of voter eligibility - not under court-ordered guardianship - legally incompetent to vote - incarcerated for a felony - false information (felony) - National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) - Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) - polling place roster - absentee ballot - election judge - Secretary of State (form approval) - automatic registration (section 201.161) - effective date of the act