SF2697

SF2697 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Certain voting provisions modification

Related bill: HF1800

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This legislative bill aims to revise and update various election-related procedures and regulations in Minnesota. It focuses on enhancing the efficiency and security of the voting process by making changes to candidate filing, voter registration, polling place management, and absentee voting, among other aspects.

Main Provisions

Election Judge Party Affiliation: Classifies party affiliations of election judges for transparency.
Election Day Registration: Provides guidelines on how individuals can register to vote on election day, including acceptable forms of identification and the role of vouching for residence.
Electronic Rosters: Allows counties, municipalities, and school districts to use electronic rosters for elections, setting conditions for their implementation and operation.
Absentee Voting: Sets timelines for mailing absentee ballots and establishes procedures to ensure offenders in adult correctional facilities do not receive absentee ballots.
Candidate Filing Requirements: Requires candidates to provide contact information and, optionally, a private address, alongside stipulations for verifying residency.

Significant Changes

Voter Registration Verification: Updates the process for cleaning voter lists to ensure only eligible voters are maintained, involving verification with the Social Security Administration.
Reporting of Name Changes and Citizenship Status: Mandates regular reporting from court administrators to the Secretary of State to update voter records for individuals who have changed names or revealed non-citizenship when summoned for jury duty.
Residential Facility Guidelines: Formalizes the process for employees of residential facilities who vouch for residents during voter registration.
Criminal Penalties: Introduces penalties for providing false information in affidavits of candidacy.

Relevant Terms

election judge, voter registration, absentee voting, electronic roster, proof of residence, party affiliation, candidate filing, vouching process, Help America Vote Act, address privacy, criminal penalties.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
March 19, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Elections

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A new subsection clarifying disbursement rules."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminates previous requirement for municipal matching funds."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies pension fund eligibility for volunteer firefighters under section 353G.06.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts pension payment schedule from annual to quarterly."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "353G.06"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The section refers to presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card as proof of residence for election day registration.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.07"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This citation refers to party balance requirements in the appointment of absentee ballot board members who are election judges.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "204B.19"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The section refers to supervised living facilities licensed by the commissioner of health as part of the definition of residential facilities.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144.50"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section defines nursing homes in the context of residential facilities for voter registration purposes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144A.01"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section defines residential programs under the context of voter registration and vouching processes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "245A.02"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section defines housing support settings authorized to provide proof of residence for voting registration purposes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256I.03"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section includes shelters for battered women as part of the definition of residential facilities relevant to voter registration.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "611A.37"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section details residential treatment programs as part of the definition of residential facilities for voting purposes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "245.462"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section pertains to determining a candidate's address of residence for election filing purposes.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "200.031"
  }
]