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HF1496 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Voter verification required before mail delivery of an absentee ballot.

Related bill: SF2695

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes amendments to Minnesota's election laws to require voter verification before mailing absentee ballots. The key changes include:

  1. Voter Verification Requirement:

    • When an absentee ballot application is submitted electronically, it must include the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number, state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
    • The Secretary of State must verify this information against a government database before the application is processed.
    • If an application cannot be verified, it must be reviewed for suspicious activity and possibly forwarded to law enforcement.

  2. Expanded Verification for Permanent Absentee Voters:

    • Permanent absentee voters (who automatically receive absentee ballots for each election) must have their information validated by the Secretary of State at least 60 days before each primary and general election.
    • If a voter's information cannot be verified, their absentee voter status will be changed to "challenged," and they will be notified of their removal from the permanent absentee list.

  3. Public Access Restrictions:

    • A voter's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license number, state ID number, and the last four digits of their Social Security number cannot be made available for public inspection.

  4. Jurisdiction Exemptions:

    • These verification requirements do not apply to voters in jurisdictions that conduct elections entirely by mail.

The bill aims to enhance election security by ensuring that absentee ballots are only delivered to verified voters.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 26, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
March 11, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 13, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to lay on the table
March 13, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion prevailed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows electronic submissions of absentee ballot applications via a secure website."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends absentee ballot application procedures under section 203B.04, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes verification process for electronic applications."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New requirement for the secretary of state to validate permanent absentee voter information before elections."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies permanent absentee voter status procedures under section 203B.04, subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Procedures for changing a voter's status to challenged if verification fails."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

Failed

Sponsors