HF2428

HF2428 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Various laws related to election administration modified, absentee voting requirements and procedures modified, timelines modified, notice with absentee ballot applications and sample ballots required, and filing period for certain local offices modified.

Related bill: SF2232

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill seeks to make several modifications to the administration of elections in Minnesota. Its aim is to improve the procedures related to absentee voting, filing for candidacy in local elections, and managing election timelines.

Main Provisions

Absentee Voting:
- Alters the requirements and timeline for submitting absentee ballot applications.
- Allows applications to be submitted electronically and requires specific identification information for verification purposes.
- Enables emergency response providers and voters with disabilities to request electronic transmission of ballots.
- Sets stipulations for the marking and return of absentee ballots by election officials.
Election Day Procedures:
- Details the use of electronic rosters, which must now meet certain security and functionality standards.
- Provides guidelines for election judges, particularly in delivering and processing ballots.
Candidacy Filings:
- Modifies the time period for filing affidavits of candidacy for local elections.
- Adjusts requirements for filing to become a write-in candidate.
Combined Polling Places:
- Codifies when and how combined polling places can operate, especially in emergency situations.
- Clarifies procedures for voting and results reporting at combined polling locations.
Ballot Board Duties:
- Specifies training requirements and tasks for members of the absentee ballot board, such as handling and counting absentee ballots.
Notification Requirements:
- Mandates notices to be sent with absentee ballots and stipulates conditions for sample ballots distributed by non-government entities.

Significant Changes

The bill standardizes and extends the timelines for absentee voting and candidacy filing processes.
It introduces electronic methods for submitting absentee ballots, specifically for those with disabilities or in emergency services.
Measures for enhanced security and verification in the use of electronic voter registration systems are defined.
Filing deadlines and procedures are adjusted to better align with election schedules, ensuring clarity and accountability.

Relevant Terms

Absentee Voting
Electronic Rosters
Ballot Board
Emergency Response Providers
Polling Places
Write-In Candidates
Election Judges
Candidacy Filing

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 16, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Elections Finance and Government Operations

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New technology requirements such as allowing data export and immediate alerting for ineligible voters."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies requirements for electronic rosters used during elections under section 201.225 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Modification of manual entry and scanning procedures for voter registration data."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.225",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allowance for applications to be submitted electronically through a secure website.",
        "Requirements for verifiable documentation numbers (e.g., driver's license, state ID)."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The legislation revises the absentee ballot application procedure under section 203B.04 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes the deadline for receiving absentee ballot applications from the day before the election to seven days before."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Optional delivery to a shelter for battered women or assisted living facilities."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Amendments to delivery procedures for absentee ballots, under section 203B.11 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Instructions on delivery method changes if a health care professional deems it necessary."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.11",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for adequate training of ballot board members on absentee ballot processes."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Updates to the structure and responsibilities of absentee ballot boards are included under section 203B.121 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on composition and duties not requiring party balance for certain elections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.121",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This change involves duties concerning absentee ballots, described under section 203B.23 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Mandates a process for replacing spoiled ballots by providing replacements to voters earlier."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.23",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Facilities electronic transmission of voting materials to eligible emergency response providers during emergencies."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "New provisions included for emergency response providers' absentee balloting under section 203B.29 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "203B.29",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provisions to provide electronic ballots in accessible formats for voters with print disabilities."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Accommodation requirements for voters with disabilities are addressed in section 203B.29 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "203B.29",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Phonetic spelling or default pronunciation requirements for candidates' names."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill amends rules for affidavits of candidacy under section 204B.06 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "204B.06",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Creation of additional options for establishing combined polling places in emergencies."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill updates conditions for combining polling places under section 204B.14 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarification on notifying the secretary of state and the procedures involved."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.14",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "Modifications to election supplies duties can be observed in section 204B.28 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustment in timelines for completing election materials and notifying clerks."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  }
]