Purpose

This bill aims to strengthen the process for getting an absentee ballot by requiring voter verification before the mailing of an absentee ballot. It tightens how absentee ballot applications are submitted, verified, and processed to reduce potential mistakes or fraud, while protecting sensitive personal information.

Main Provisions

• Absentee ballot applications timing and format

  • An application for an absentee ballot can be submitted at any time, but not less than one day before the election.
  • County auditors must provide standardized forms, and the Secretary of State must make these forms available to auditors by January 1 of even-numbered years.
  • Applications must be in writing and can be submitted in person, by electronic fax, email, or mail to the county auditor or the applicable municipal clerk (and school district if relevant).
  • Applications may also be submitted electronically through a secure website run by the Secretary of State.

• Required electronic submission details

  • If using the online website, applicants must provide an email address and verifiable Minnesota driver’s license number or Minnesota state ID number, and the last four digits of the applicant’s Social Security number.
  • If the applicant does not have both a driver’s license and a state ID, they must provide one and certify they do not have the other.
  • Town elections held in March are exempt from this specific requirement.

• Verification before processing

  • An electronic submission can only be processed if the Secretary of State has verified that the information matches data in a government database linked to the driver’s license number, state ID number, or Social Security number.
  • Unverifiable applications must be reviewed for suspicious activity and may be referred to a law enforcement agency for investigation.

• Approval criteria

  • To approve, the application must be timely, signed and dated, include the applicant’s name, residence, mailing address, and date of birth, and include at least one of: driver’s license number, state ID number, last four digits of SSN, or a voluntary statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
  • The application must include an oath stating the information is accurate, that the applicant is applying on their own behalf, and that they sign under penalty of perjury.

• Verification workflow for processing

  • If an application meets the above criteria but has not yet been verified, it must be electronically submitted to the Secretary of State to verify the information against the government databases.
  • The Secretary of State must maintain a secure website for this purpose and review unverifiable applications for suspicious activity, forwarding any suspicious cases to law enforcement.

• Privacy protections

  • The applicant’s full date of birth, driver’s license or state ID number, and the last four digits of the SSN must not be publicly available.

• Delivery handling and timing

  • An application submitted by someone other than the voter (for mailing or in-person return) must be deposited within ten days after the voter dated the form and no later than six days before the election.

• Automatic absentee ballot option

  • An application may include a request to automatically receive an absentee ballot.
  • The form cannot be preprinted to force the applicant to opt out of being assigned to a permanent absentee voter list (i.e., it must not coercively push someone onto the permanent list).

• Town elections

  • The provisions described above do not apply to town elections held in March.

How It Changes Minnesota Law

• This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 203B.04 subdivision 5 and Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 203B.04 subdivision 1.1.5, adding new procedures for applying for absentee ballots, verification, and privacy protections, and clarifying timetables and responsibilities for counties, municipalities, and the Secretary of State.

Privacy, Security, and Verification

• Emphasizes data security by requiring verification against government databases and maintaining a secure SOS website for verification.
• Limits public access to highly sensitive personal information (full date of birth, driver’s license/state ID numbers, and SSN last four digits).
• Adds oversight to identify and flag suspicious activity and involve law enforcement when appropriate.

Process and Deadlines

• Applications must be timely submitted, with clear deadlines tied to the election date (at least one day before the election; certain steps happen after the date of the application).
• Specific timelines govern when a voter’s helper or another person can submit the application on behalf of the voter (with defined windows for submission).

Automatic Absentee Ballots and Permanent List

• Provides a pathway to automatically receive absentee ballots, while ensuring the applicant cannot be forced into a permanent absentee voter list (no preprinted opt-out pressure).

Relevant Terms - absentee ballot - absentee ballot application - voter verification - county auditor - secretary of state - secure website - Minnesota drivers license number - Minnesota state identification card number - last four digits of Social Security number - oath - penalty of perjury - government database - verification - suspicious activity - law enforcement - electronic submission / electronic fax - in-person / mail submission - town election (March) - permanent absentee voter list - opt out - automatic absentee ballot