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SF4053

Require the secretary of state to provide voter and election data to an agency or department of the federal government
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)

Related bill: HF4037

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

To require the secretary of state to provide to a federal government agency or department any data relating to voters and elections in Minnesota, upon request, and to override certain privacy or data-protection laws in order to do so.

Main provisions

  • The secretary of state must, upon request, provide to any agency or department of the federal government any data that relates to voters and elections in Minnesota.
  • If requested under this section, the secretary of state must provide all data in Minnesota’s statewide voter registration system.
  • The secretary must fulfill the request no later than the earlier of:
    • 180 calendar days after the request, or
    • 90 days before the next regularly scheduled election.

Data scope and definitions

  • Data subject to transmission includes data in the statewide voter registration system and any data related to voters and elections in Minnesota.
  • The term “voters” for this section includes, but is not limited to:
    • Individuals who attempted to register but were not ultimately registered to vote,
    • Individuals whose voter registration is not current,
    • Individuals who registered to vote but never voted.

Notwithstanding and legal effect

  • This provision operates “notwithstanding” Minnesota laws, meaning it can override other laws (such as privacy or data-protection statutes) to allow the data sharing with the federal government.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expanded federal access to Minnesota voter and election data, including data on individuals who never completed registration or who did not vote.
  • Raises questions about voter privacy, data security, and how the data may be used by federal agencies.
  • Significantly broadens the scope of data sharing beyond active, current voters.

Relevant Terms - secretary of state - data - voters and elections - statewide voter registration system - data upon request - agency or department of the federal government - notwithstanding - 180 calendar days - 90th day prior to the next regularly scheduled election - next regularly scheduled election - individuals who attempted to register but were not ultimately registered - individuals whose voter registration is not current - individuals who registered to vote but never voted - data sharing - privacy and data-protection laws

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 02, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 02, 2026SenateActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires the secretary of state to provide to an agency or department of the federal government any data that relates to voters and elections in this state."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Provision within Section 200.39 Access to Voter and Election Data requiring sharing of voter/election data with a federal agency upon request.",
      "modified": [
        "Adds a data-sharing requirement with federal entities beyond existing data-sharing limitations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "200.39",
    "subdivision": "a"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Defines voters to include individuals who attempted to register but were not ultimately registered, individuals whose voter registration is not current, and individuals who registered to vote but never voted."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Definitional expansion under Section 200.39 clarifying who is considered a voter for purposes of this section.",
      "modified": [
        "Broadens the scope of the voter definition within Section 200.39."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "200.39",
    "subdivision": "b"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill's reference to 'Notwithstanding chapter 13' points to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (chapter 13).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "13",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill's reference to 'Notwithstanding chapter 201' points to another existing Minnesota Statute (chapter 201).",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "201",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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