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HF1235 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Statewide voter registration system data classified.

Related bill: SF2492

AI Generated Summary

This bill addresses the classification and accessibility of voter registration data in Minnesota. Key provisions include:

  • The classification of most statewide voter registration system data as public, except for private information such as a voter's date of birth, driver's license number, identification card numbers, passport number, and Social Security number.
  • Information on voters who participated in the presidential nomination primary and their selected political party is classified as private data, but the Secretary of State must provide this information to the chairs of major political parties.
  • A process for voters to request that their names be withheld from public records if disclosure could threaten their or their family's safety.
  • Restrictions on the use of public voter registration data, requiring individuals or entities requesting such data to certify that it will only be used for election-related purposes, political activities, or law enforcement.
  • A prohibition on publishing public voter data on the Internet or selling/accessing it for unauthorized purposes, unless expressly permitted by the data subject.
  • A repeal of certain existing provisions in Minnesota law that previously governed these data classifications and disclosures.

The bill aims to balance transparency in elections with the protection of sensitive voter information.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 19, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
February 19, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Expansion of private data classification to include presidential primary political party list information."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references section 13.02, subdivision 12 to define the classification of private data regarding registered voters and presidential nomination primary voting.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification of what constitutes private data under elections-related statutes."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.02",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 12"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Complete repeal of section 13.607, subdivision 6, which previously governed public access to certain voter data."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill indicates the repeal of section 13.607, subdivision 6.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.607",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of exceptions and definitions for private data on the statewide voter registration system."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Defines the public and private data status within the statewide voter registration system.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification and specification of data elements considered private in the voter registration system."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.022",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifications on the composition and access to the public information list."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the public information list managed by county auditors.",
      "modified": [
        "Rules regarding maintaining privacy for information on presidential nomination primary participation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.091",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  }
]

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