HF1619

This Minnesota bill proposes an amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.171, aimed at improving access to voter history in a timelier manner. The key changes include:

1. Faster Posting of Voting History:

   • Currently, county auditors must post voting history within six weeks after each election.
     
   • The amendment reduces this timeframe to ten days, ensuring quicker access to voter participation records.

2. Voter List Maintenance:

   • The Secretary of State will continue to review voter registration records annually.
     
   • Registrants who have not voted in the past four years will be marked as inactive but will not be removed unless they are ineligible or not registered.
     
   • The maintenance process must ensure the accuracy of voter rolls by eliminating duplicate names.

3. Inactive Voter Notification:

   • A report of all voters moved to inactive status must be sent to county auditors.
     
   • Inactive voters must re-register before voting again in any election.

4. Treatment of Absentee and Mail Ballots:

   • Late or rejected absentee/mail ballots will count toward keeping a voter's registration active.
     
   • However, they will not be included in public voter history records.

This bill aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in election processes while maintaining accurate voter registration records.