SF4080 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Election judges assisting a voter outside of a polling place handling only one voted ballot at a time requirement provision
Related bill: HF3587
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
To improve accessibility for voters who cannot enter a polling place by updating how election judges assist them outside the polling place, and to limit handling to one ballot at a time.
Main Provisions
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 204C.15 subdivision 2 to cover assistance outside the polling place.
- Outside the polling place: An individual who is unable to enter a polling place where paper ballots or an electronic voting system are used may register or update the voter's registration and vote without leaving a motor vehicle.
- Two election judges who are members of different major political parties must assist the voter to register or update a registration as applicable, complete a voter's certificate, and provide the necessary ballots.
- The voter may request additional assistance in marking ballots as provided in subdivision 1.14.
- Election judges providing assistance under this subdivision may only handle one voted ballot at a time.
What this bill seeks to change
- Creates a formal process for voters who cannot physically enter a polling place to receive registration and voting assistance outside the polling place.
- Ensures that two judges from different major parties oversee the process to promote impartiality.
- Limits handling to a single voted ballot at a time to reduce potential confusion or errors.
Implications and practical effect
- Voters with mobility or access challenges can participate without leaving a vehicle.
- The process requires bipartisan election judge participation and adds a clear limit on ballot handling at one time.
- Existing procedures for “marking ballots” and obtaining ballots are extended to apply to this outside-the-polling-place context.
Key terms from the bill (as they appear in the text)
- outside the polling place
- registering or updating a registration
- vote without leaving a motor vehicle
- two election judges
- members of different major political parties
- assist / assistance
- complete a voters certificate
- provide the necessary ballots
- one voted ballot at a time
- voting system (paper ballots or electronic voting system)
- subdivision 2
- subdivision 1.14
Relevant Terms - outside the polling place - two election judges - different major political parties - register or update registration - voter's certificate - ballots - one voted ballot at a time - vote without leaving a motor vehicle - Minnesota Statutes 204C.15 - subdivision 2 - subdivision 1.14
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 04, 2026 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 04, 2026 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Elections |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requires two election judges from different major parties to assist outside the polling place.",
"Allows registration or updating a voter's registration and voting from outside the polling place, including from a motor vehicle.",
"Requires election judges to complete the voter's certificate and provide the necessary ballots.",
"Allows the voter to request additional assistance in marking ballots.",
"Election judges providing assistance under this subdivision may only handle one voted ballot at a time."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 204C.15, subdivision 2, to permit and govern election judges assisting a voter outside the polling place when the voter cannot enter. It requires two election judges who are members of different major political parties to assist the voter, to register or update registration and to complete a voter's certificate, and to provide the necessary ballots. It also allows the voter to request additional assistance and restricts election judges to handling only one voted ballot at a time.",
"modified": [
"Amends the outside-the-polling-place assistance provisions of subdivision 2 to define and regulate how assistance is provided when a voter cannot enter a polling place."
]
},
"citation": "204C.15",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee