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SF3069 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Absentee voting provisions modification

Related bill: HF2474

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify existing provisions related to absentee voting in Minnesota. It focuses on the administration of absentee voting by city and town clerks, ensuring secure and efficient processes for managing absentee ballots and voting systems.

Main Provisions

  • Clerk Administration: The bill outlines conditions under which full-time city or town clerks can administer absentee voting provisions. This can occur if the county auditor designates them or they notify the county auditor of their intention.
  • Intercounty Cities: If a city spans multiple counties, the city clerk must be designated by each county auditor or notify them to administer absentee voting properly.
  • Technical and Security Standards: Clerks must have the technical capability to secure access to the statewide voter registration system, meeting specific hardware, software, and security requirements set by the secretary of state.
  • Training: Clerks are required to undergo approved training on the voter registration system to ensure they can administer absentee voting effectively. They cannot use the system until training is completed.
  • Notification Requirements: County auditors must inform the secretary of state about municipal clerks administering these duties, indicating their responsibilities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill introduces specific requirements for clerks regarding the technical capacity and training necessary to access and manage the statewide voter registration system.
  • It involves additional coordination between county auditors and the secretary of state to enhance the administration and security of absentee voting processes.

Relevant Terms

absentee voting, city and town clerks, county auditor, statewide voter registration system, technical capacity, security controls, training, secretary of state.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Training requirements for city clerks on the statewide voter registration system."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifies the administration of absentee voting provisions by city or town clerks.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification of responsibilities and notification requirements to county auditors."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Adjustments to the administration of absentee ballot board operations by city or town clerks.",
      "modified": [
        "Details of the administration processes under absentee ballot boards."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.121",
    "subdivision": "subdivisions 4 and 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Secretary of state requirements for security and access controls."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amends the training and technical prerequisites for the use of the statewide voter registration system.",
      "modified": [
        "Technical prerequisites and training conditions for clerks accessing the system."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.30",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  }
]

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