SF4143

Purpose

The bill aims to curb how non-government entities send absentee ballot materials. It seeks to prevent nongovernment groups from mailing prefilled absentee ballot applications and to ensure clear disclosures and safeguards that voters can recognize as non-government communications. The changes are designed to reduce the chance of confusion or manipulation and to make sure voters understand when materials are not official government communications.

Main Provisions

• Scope and applicability

  • Applies to any person or entity that mails an absentee ballot application or a sample ballot to anyone in Minnesota.
  • Excludes units of government and their employees when performing official election duties.

• Required disclosures and labeling

  • The mailing must include the statement: “This mailing is not an official election communication from a unit of government.”
  • If a sample ballot is included, it must also say: “This is a sample ballot not an official ballot. You cannot cast the enclosed sample ballot.”
  • These statements must be printed in a typeface and format that are clearly visible when the mail is opened.
  • The mailer must include the mailer’s name and street address in the return address on the mailing envelope.

• Absentee ballot application fields

  • If an absentee ballot application is included, the space on the application to indicate the applicant’s preference to join the permanent absentee voter list must be left blank.
  • The blank field may only be filled in by the applicant.
  • The law allows the mailer to highlight the required fields on the application.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a prohibition and strict disclosure requirements for nongovernment entities mailing absentee ballot-related materials.
• Establishes mandatory visibility of non-government origin and non-official status for mailed materials.
• Requires return-address information from the sender on such mailings.
• Ensures that fields related to joining the permanent absentee voter list are not prefilled by the sender and can only be completed by the voter.
• Maintains an exception for government units/employees acting in official capacities.

Relevant Terms - absentee ballot application - sample ballot - not an official election communication - permanent absentee voter list - return address - typeface and format clearly visible - government (unit of government) exemption - prefilled absentee ballot applications - nongovernment entity - official ballot/not official ballot - applicant (voter) completion of fields