SF649

Senate File No. 649 is a bill introduced in Minnesota that aims to change how voter information is managed and protected in the statewide voter registration system. Here are the key points of this bill, simplified:

1. Data Privacy and Accessibility:

   • Most data in the statewide voter registration system is considered public, including names, addresses, and voting histories.
   • However, certain personal information such as voters' birth dates, driver's license numbers, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive identifying details are classified as private.

2. Protection of Private Information:

   • Information about voters' party choices during presidential primary elections is private.
   • Voters can request for their names to be withheld from public lists if they believe that revealing their identity could endanger their safety or that of their family.

3. Usage Restrictions:

   • Individuals or entities accessing this voter data must declare in writing that the data will not be used for non-electoral, non-political, or non-law enforcement purposes.
   • The data cannot be posted online or sold, and it should only be used for elections, political activities, or law enforcement inquiries.

4. Handling and Distribution:

   • The secretary of state must provide political parties with information on voters who chose their party during the presidential primaries, maintaining voter privacy in other respects.
   • Rules are established for how public information lists should be handled, ensuring no modifications or improper use.

5. Repeals:

   • The bill also proposes the repeal of certain subdivisions related to the voter registration system that may be outdated or redundant due to this update.

Essentially, this bill seeks to update and clarify the rules surrounding the storage, accessibility, and use of voter data in Minnesota, emphasizing voter privacy and the responsible use of this information by various stakeholders.