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SF2695 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Voter verification requirement before mail delivery of an absentee ballot

Related bill: HF1496

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to enhance the security of the absentee voting process in Minnesota by introducing stricter verification procedures before absentee ballots are mailed to voters.

Main Provisions

  • Voter Verification Before Mailing Ballots: Before an absentee ballot is mailed, applicant information must be verified against a government database using identifiers like a driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security number.

  • Electronic Application Submission: Voters can submit absentee ballot applications electronically via a secure website maintained by the secretary of state. This process requires the submission of identifiable information such as the applicant's email address and drivers license or Social Security number.

  • Permanent Absentee Voter Status: Voters can apply to automatically receive absentee ballots for every election. However, their status will be periodically verified to ensure they are still eligible. If verification fails, the voter's status is changed to "challenged," and they are notified.

  • Data Protection: Personal information such as date of birth, driver's license number, or Social Security number is protected from public inspection.

  • Law Enforcement Notification: Applications with unverifiable details are to be reviewed for suspicious activity and may be forwarded to law enforcement for investigation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill adds a requirement for verifying voter information against government databases before mailing ballots, which was not mandated under the former law.

  • The law now mandates direct action if an absentee voter cannot be verified, changing their status to "challenged" and notifying them of the change, thereby tightening control over the absentee voting process.

Relevant Terms

  • Absentee ballot
  • Voter verification
  • Permanent absentee voter status
  • Secure website
  • Government database
  • Law enforcement investigation
  • Challenged voter status

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A secure website for electronic submission of absentee ballot applications."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies procedures related to absentee ballot applications under Minnesota Statutes 203B.04, subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Requires verification against government databases before processing applications."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Permanent absentee voters will be automatically provided an absentee ballot for each eligible election."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill modifies rules for permanent absentee voter status under Minnesota Statutes 203B.04, subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Validation process for permanent absentee voters against government databases."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "203B.04",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section relates to elections entirely conducted by mail.",
      "modified": [
        "Narrative references elections by mail, but no specific text change provided."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.45",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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