HF5045

Purpose

Explain the bill’s aim to reform how voting works in Minnesota by introducing a photo ID requirement for registering and voting, creating a voter identification framework (SAVE Minnesota Act), requiring proof of citizenship to vote, and making related changes to voting administration and statutory law.

Main Provisions

• Photo ID requirements
  • Requires photo identification to register to vote and to cast a vote.
• SAVE Minnesota Act
  • Establishes a framework tied to the act that reinforces or adds rules about voter identification and participation.
• Proof of citizenship
  • Requires proof of citizenship to vote, reinforcing eligibility standards.
• Voter identification card
  • Creates a voter identification card and sets rules for using and managing data related to the card.
• Provisional ballots
  • Establishes or clarifies provisional ballots as part of the voting process.
• Driver’s license changes
  • Modifies driver’s license-related requirements in connection with voting or identification.
• Administrative provisions and funding
  • Includes reporting requirements and appropriations to support new or updated voting provisions.
• Broad statutory amendments
  • Proposes amendments to numerous Minnesota statutes to implement these changes (covering multiple chapters and sections).
• Program participant absentee voting
  • Adds a process for “program participants” to vote absentee under a defined system, including:
  • The Secretary of State determines the participant’s precinct for ballot mailing.
  • Ballots may be mailed from the appropriate authority or prepared via the statewide voter registration system.
  • Absentee ballots and related materials must be sent, returned, and certified under existing law.
  • The participant’s name and address must not appear in the statewide voter registration system.
• Voter identification card data
  • Applicant data for the voter identification card is governed by a specific section, signaling privacy or data handling rules.

How It Changes Voting Process

• Access and eligibility
  • Adds stricter ID requirements to register and vote; ties voting access to proof of citizenship and a designated voter ID.
• Absentee and program-participant voting
  • Creates a special pathway for program participants to vote by absentee ballot, with specific procedures for mailing, certification, and tabulation.
  • Insulates program participant ballots from appearing in the public statewide voter registration listing.
• Administrative flow
  • Places responsibilities on the Secretary of State and election officials to determine precincts, prepare or obtain ballots, and ensure proper handling and certification of ballots.
• Data and privacy
  • Places limits on listing names/addresses in the statewide system for program participants and governs voter ID card data under a designated subdivision.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a mandatory photo ID requirement for registration and voting, altering existing voter eligibility processes.
• Creates or formalizes a voter identification card and related data protections.
• Establishes a SAVE Minnesota Act framework, including proof-of-citizenship requirements.
• Creates new or revised procedures for provisional ballots and for driver’s license interactions with voting.
• Adds a large set of amendments across multiple Minnesota Statutes to implement these changes.
• Introduces a formal program-participant absentee voting pathway with distinct privacy considerations (not listing participant details in the statewide system).

Summary Notes

• The bill centers on tightening ID and citizenship requirements for voting and adds new structures (Voter Identification Card, SAVE Minnesota Act) to support those requirements.
• It expands how absentee ballots can be issued to “program participants” and imposes privacy protections by limiting public visibility of participant information.
• It includes funding and reporting elements and makes broad amendments to many statutory sections.

Relevant Terms

• photo ID
• voter identification card
• SAVE Minnesota Act
• proof of citizenship
• provisional ballots
• absentee ballot
• permanent absentee voter (in context of the program participant provision)
• program participant
• statewide voter registration system (SVRS)
• precinct determination
• driver’s license requirements
• certification of ballots
• data/privacy (voter ID card data)