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SF2724 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Voter registration provisions modification for individuals in jail

Related bill: HF2600

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to adjust voter registration procedures for individuals in jail and to mandate the secretary of state to provide grants to county sheriffs. The goal is to facilitate voting access and participation for those incarcerated, particularly on election days.

Main Provisions

  • Grants to Sheriffs: The bill requires the Minnesota Secretary of State to provide grants to county sheriffs. These grants are intended to support the implementation of plans that facilitate voting access for eligible voters in jail. The allocation of funds is based on the number of jail beds under a sheriff's authority.

  • Election Day Registration: The bill modifies existing voter registration requirements to ease the process for individuals in jail. Among other forms of identification, eligible voters in jail can use the address from their intake form to prove residence when registering to vote on election day.

  • Sheriff Responsibilities: Each sheriff is required to create a plan in coordination with the county auditor to offer voter education, registration assistance, and mail voting opportunities to eligible voters in jail. This includes designating a staff member as a voting coordinator and ensuring inmates have phone access to request absentee ballots.

  • Reporting Requirements: Sheriffs must report biennially to the Secretary of State on the efforts and outcomes of facilitating voting for inmates. The Secretary of State is also required to include information about these efforts in statistical reports concerning absentee voting.

  • Funding: An appropriation of $2,500,000 is allocated for fiscal year 2027 to support these initiatives, with specific funding bases outlined for future fiscal years.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Voter Registration Process: Expands the documents acceptable for proving residency for voter registration, specifically including jail intake forms for those incarcerated.
  • Role of Sheriffs and Jail Staff: Establishes new responsibilities for sheriffs and jail staff related to voter education and facilitating absentee voting for jailed individuals.

Relevant Terms

voter registration, election day registration, absentee voting, mailing voting, county jail, voter education, grants, Secretary of State, sheriff responsibilities, Minnesota elections

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provision allowing jail intake forms to be used for voter registration proof of residence."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment of election day registration rules under section 201.061, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifications on how election judges handle voter registration forms."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.061"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for sheriffs to report on voting facilitation in jails."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Post-election report requirements for absentee voting statistics according to section 203B.28.",
      "modified": [
        "Details on absentee voting statistics organization by county."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.28"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for a jail voting coordinator and voter education plan."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendment to section 387.11 regarding county jail responsibilities.",
      "modified": [
        "Responsibilities of sheriffs in facilitating voting for eligible voters in jail."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "387.11"
  }
]

Sponsors