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HF2600 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Voter registration provisions modified for individuals in jail, secretary of state required to make grants to sheriffs, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF2724

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to modify voter registration provisions for individuals in jail. It also directs the Minnesota Secretary of State to provide grants to county sheriffs to support this initiative.

Main Provisions

  • Grants to Sheriffs: The Secretary of State will allocate grants to county sheriffs based on the number of jail beds. This funding is intended to help implement voter registration and assistance plans for those in jail.

  • Election Day Registration: The bill outlines new methods for verifying residency for election-day voter registration, specifically for individuals living in residential facilities or jail. It allows eligible voters in jail to use their jail intake address for voter registration purposes.

  • Voter Assistance in Jails: Sheriffs are required to develop plans to educate and assist eligible voters in jail, including providing information on registering to vote and voting by mail. Jail voting coordinators will be designated to facilitate this process.

  • Absentee Voting: Jail staff must permit eligible inmates who wish to vote absentee to contact the county auditor during normal business hours to request voting assistance.

  • Post-Election Reporting: After each general election, sheriffs must report to the Secretary of State on the number of jailed individuals who attempted to vote and the outcomes of those efforts. The Secretary of State will include these statistics in a report to the legislature.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill introduces specific protocols for enabling voter registration and absentee voting for eligible inmates in county jails.
  • It mandates regular reporting by sheriffs on jail voting activities and outcomes, with financial oversight through grants aimed at supporting voter access in jails.

Relevant Terms

  • Voter registration
  • Absentee voting
  • Jail voting coordinator
  • Sheriffs grants
  • Election day registration
  • Residential facilities
  • Voting assistance

Bill text versions

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New methods for jail inmates to prove residence using intake form address."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends election day registration proof of residence requirements for individuals, including those in residential facilities under section 201.061, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates requirements for proving residence to accommodate new voter ID measures."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "201.061",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Sheriffs must report efforts to facilitate voting for those in jail."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the requirements for postelection reports related to absentee voting under section 203B.28.",
      "modified": [
        "Includes new statistical categories in postelection reports to the legislature."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.28",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requires sheriffs to develop a voting plan for eligible voters in jail.",
        "Designation of jail voting coordinator."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments to section 387.11 require the sheriff to coordinate jail voting efforts.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the role of the sheriff in voter facilitation within county jails."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "387.11",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

Sponsors