SF2492

Purpose of the Bill

The bill addresses the handling and classification of data within Minnesota's statewide voter registration system. It aims to make certain voter information private while ensuring that some data remains accessible under specific conditions.

Main Provisions

• Data Privacy: The bill classifies certain voter information as private. This includes a voter's date of birth, driver's license number, identification card number, military ID, passport number, and partial Social Security numbers.
• Political Party Data: Information about voters who select a political party during presidential primaries is kept private, although this data is provided to the chair of each major political party.
• Public Information Lists: County auditors are required to maintain public information lists with certain voter details like name, address, year of birth, and voting history, but not the political party choice from primaries.
• Safety Measures: Registered voters can request to have their information withheld from public lists for safety reasons.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the category of private data, further shielding sensitive voter information from public access.
• Modifies what information can be included in public voter lists, expressly excluding primary party selections.
• Enhances protections for voters' safety by allowing individuals to request withholding of their information.
• Requires written statements from those requesting data, affirming its use strictly relates to elections, political activities, or law enforcement.

Relevant Terms

classifying data, statewide voter registration system, private data, public information list, presidential nomination primary, political party list, voter safety, data requests, data protection.