Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the voting eligibility criteria in Minnesota, allowing certain individuals under the age of 18 to participate in primary elections and presidential nomination primaries.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility Expansion: The bill allows individuals who are not yet 18 years old, but who fulfill all other voting eligibility requirements, to vote in primary elections. This is specifically for the purpose of nominating candidates who will appear on the ballot in the subsequent general election, as long as they will be 18 by the time of the general election.

• Ballot Restrictions: For these underage voters, the ballot they receive will be designed exclusively for selecting candidates. They will not be able to vote on any other questions or propositions that might be on the ballot.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The existing law requires all voters to be at least 18 years old on the day of any election. This bill introduces an exception, enabling those who will be 18 by the general election to vote in the primaries preceding it.

Relevant Terms

voter eligibility, primary election, underage voting, general election, candidate nomination, Minnesota voting laws