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HF986 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Statewide voter registration system data classified.

Related bill: SF649

AI Generated Summary

This bill focuses on managing how voter registration data is handled in Minnesota, particularly detailing what information is public or private, and how it can be accessed and used. Here are the key points and changes proposed in the bill:

  1. Classification of Data:

    • Public Data: General voter data like name, address, year of birth, and voting history are public.
    • Private Data: Sensitive information like dates of birth, driver’s license numbers, ID card numbers, military ID numbers, passport numbers, and Social Security numbers are classified as private.

  2. Protection for Voters:

    • Voters can request their names be withheld from public lists for safety reasons, making their information private.
    • Data related to the political party chosen in a presidential primary is private but can be shared with major political party leaders.

  3. Use Restrictions:

    • Public voter data must not be used for purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement.
    • It is illegal to publish this data on the internet or sell it. The information can only be used for election-related activities within the acquiring organization and must not be misused.

  4. Access Control:

    • Anyone requesting access to public voter lists must provide a written statement confirming the data won’t be used for non-approved purposes.

  5. Repeals:

    • Some previous statutes concerning how voter registration data can be used and published are repealed to streamline data privacy controls.

This legislation aims to safeguard voter privacy while maintaining necessary transparency and use for election-related activities, striking a balance between public information needs and individual data protection.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 16, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Adds a new subdivision regarding registered voter lists governed by section 201.022 subdivision 4."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section is amended to classify data in the statewide voter registration system.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13.607"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subdivision specifying public and private data classifications."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifications are made to the classification of data in the statewide voter registration system.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "201.022"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subdivision about requests for data."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Subdivision 9 is repealed."
      ],
      "summary": "This section is amended to describe public information lists and access rules.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies data handling for presidential nomination primary political party lists."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.091"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definitions related to public and private data on individuals are referenced.",
      "modified": [
        "Referenced for defining private data in multiple amendments."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.02"
  }
]

Sponsors