Minneslate Logo

HF1494 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Voters who register on election day required to cast provisional ballots, and conforming changes made.

Related bill: SF2698

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes changes to Minnesota's election laws, particularly concerning voter registration and ballot procedures. Here are the key provisions:

  1. Provisional Ballots for Same-Day Voter Registration: The bill mandates that voters who register on Election Day must cast provisional ballots instead of regular ballots. These provisional ballots will be counted only after election officials verify the voter's eligibility.

  2. Changes to Voter Registration Procedures: The bill modifies several sections of Minnesota law to align with the new requirement for provisional ballots for Election Day registrants. It includes updating the process for handling incomplete voter registration applications and requiring additional verification steps.

  3. Election Security Enhancements: The bill introduces new procedures to verify voter eligibility through the use of identification cards, including tribal identification cards, and updates electronic roster technologies to improve accuracy in voter registration.

  4. Revised Deadlines for Election Canvassing: The deadlines for canvassing election results at both the county and state levels are extended to allow additional time for processing provisional ballots.

  5. Public Awareness Campaign: The bill directs the Secretary of State to conduct a public awareness campaign encouraging voter registration before Election Day to minimize the number of provisional ballots.

  6. Repealing Certain Existing Laws: The bill repeals provisions related to student voter registration lists and other registration-related statutes that are inconsistent with the new requirements.

Overall, the bill aims to tighten voter registration and election procedures by requiring Election Day registrants to vote provisionally and enhancing post-election verification processes.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes tribal ID cards as acceptable identification."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Part of the bill that clarifies the documents accepted for proving residence at the polling station.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.07"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Method for verifying documents for election day registration."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to the election day registration process under section 201.061.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies procedures for absentee ballot and election day registration."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.061"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions for registration through absentee ballots."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Changes to absentee ballot eligibility and procedures.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the processes involving witnessing and handling absentee ballots."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Alternative procedure for early voting."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adjustments in early voting provisions.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes to the process of how voters can opt for early voting."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.081"
  }
]

Sponsors