Election Policy Changes

Most Significant Election Changes - 2023

Felon Voting Rights

Summary:  An individual who is ineligible to vote because of a felony conviction has the civil right to vote restored during any period when the individual is not incarcerated for the offense. If the individual is later incarcerated for the offense, the individual's civil right to vote is lost only during that period of incarceration.  This includes those in a work-release program.

Effective Date:  June 1, 2023

Pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds

Summary:  An individual who is under the age of 18, but who is at least 16 years of age and meets all requirements for eligibility to vote, except for age, may submit a voter registration application or be automatically registered at the address in which the voter maintains residence. This does not entitle an individual to appear on a polling place roster or cast a ballot at an election if the individual does not meet all eligibility requirements for voting, including age.

Effective Date:  June 1, 2023

Permanent Absentee Voter List

Summary:  An eligible voter may apply to their county elections office or municipal clerk to automatically receive an absentee ballot before each election. (Does not apply to jurisdictions conducting elections by mail.) Absentee ballots will be sent to voters on the permanent absentee voter list at least 46 days before each regularly scheduled primary and general election, and each primary and special election; as soon as practicable for a special election; and at least 30 days before a town general election.

Effective Date:  June 1, 2024

Automatic Voter Registration

Summary:  An individual will be registered to vote if they are eligible to vote under MN statute and properly complete and submit an application through an approved state process, with proof of United States citizenship.  Voters will be sent a card to allow them to opt-out of registering to vote.

AVR will initially only apply to interactions with Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) when applying for a new or renewed Minnesota driver's license or identification card. Interactions with start agencies such MinnesotaCare or medical assistance require additional governmental approvals and funding before they can be implemented. 

AVR will apply to pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds once it is implemented for driver’s licenses.  Participation by other parts of state government will be determined at a later date.

Effective Date: Now implemented with the Department of Vehicle Services (DVS). To be determined based on agency specific plans.

Direct Balloting (In Person Absentee Voting)

The period during which voters may submit completed absentee ballots directly to a ballot reader changed from 7 days to 18 days before Election Day.  Election offices may also start separating ballots from ballot envelopes beginning 18 days before Election Day, rather than 7 days.

Early Voting

Summary:  Changes from conducting absentee voting until the day before Election Day, where voters may directly deposit ballots in a ballot scanner starting 7 days before Election Day, to allowing early voting starting 18 days before election without the need to complete an absentee ballot.  This also allows beginning to count absentee ballots 18 days before Election Day, and mandates specific hours for early voting locations, including weekend hours.

Effective date:  January 1, 2024

Voter Intimidation

Summary: 

1. A person may not directly or indirectly use or threaten force, coercion, violence, restraint, damage, harm, or loss, including loss of employment or economic reprisal against any person with the intent to compel that person to register or abstain from registering to vote, vote or abstain from voting, or vote for or against a candidate or ballot question; or with the intent to impede that person's efforts to encourage another to cast a ballot or assist another in registering to vote, traveling to a polling place, casting a ballot, or participating in any other aspect of the election process.

2. No person may, within 60 days of an election, cause information to be transmitted by any means that the person (1) intends to impede or prevent another person from exercising the right to vote; and (2) knows to be materially false.

3. No person may intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person in casting a ballot or registering to vote.

Effective Date:  June 15, 2023

Intimidation and Interference with Election Officials

Summary:

1. A person may not directly or indirectly use or threaten force,​ coercion, violence, restraint, damage, harm, or loss, against another with the intent to influence an election official in the​ performance their duties. 

2. A person may not intentionally hinder, interfere with, or prevent an election official's performance of a duty related to election administration.​

3. A person may not intentionally and physically obstruct an election official's access to or egress from a polling place, meeting of a canvassing board, place where ballots and elections equipment are located or stored, or any other place where election officials perform a duty related to election administration.​

4. A person may not access without​ authorization, tamper with, or facilitate unauthorized access to or tampering with an electronic​ voting system, electromechanical voting equipment, or an election night reporting system​ before, during, or after any election. This includes sharing passwords, tampering with ballot boxes, tampering with the voter registration system, registration list or polling place roster.

5. A​ person may not knowingly and without consent make publicly available, including but not​ limited to through the Internet, personal information about an election official or an election official's family or household member if:​ (1) the dissemination poses an imminent and serious threat to the official's safety or the​ safety of an official's family or household member; and​ (2) the person making the information publicly available knows or reasonably should​ know of any imminent and serious threat.

An “election official” is defined as a member of a canvassing board, the county auditor or municipal clerk charged with duties relating to elections, a member of a ballot board, an election judge, an election judge trainee, or any other individual assigned by a state entity or county or municipal government to perform official duties related to elections.

Effective date:  June 15, 2023

Foreign Language Sample Ballots and Multilingual Election Judges

Summary: 

1. If three percent or more of the residents in a given census tract speak English “less than very well”, or if interested citizens or organizations provide information that gives sufficient reason to believe a need exists, at least two copies of the translated voting instructions and sample ballot must be provided to each precinct in that district during any regular or special state or local election conducted in that district.

2. If 20 percent or more of the population of a census tract speak English “less than very well”, or if interested citizens or organizations provide information that gives sufficient reason to believe a need exists, at least four copies of the translated voting instructions and sample ballot must be provided to each precinct in that district during any regular or special state or local election conducted in that district. In these precincts, the county auditor or municipal clerk must appoint at least one interpreter to translate in a specified language if ten or more registered voters in the precinct file a request for interpretive services for that language with the secretary of state or county auditor at least 30 days prior to the date of the election.

Effective Date:  Effective July 1, 2023 for elections conducted after January 1, 2024.

National Popular Vote Compact

Summary:  Minnesota will join the National Popular Vote Compact by requiring that if the “Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote” governs the appointment of presidential electors, the State Canvassing Board shall declare duly elected the candidates for presidential electors and alternates identified in accordance with the provisions of that agreement.  This will only apply if the members of the NPV compact constitute at least 270 electoral votes.

MN State Voting Rights Act

Summary: This MN VRA establishes elements of Article II of the 1965 federal Voting Rights Act in Minnesota law with respect to voter suppression and vote dilution, and provides in state law for the right of individuals or groups to take action to claim a violation of the MN VRA.  The Act provides specific requirements to be addressed to identify voter suppression or vote dilution; provides for a pre-suit notice to quickly identify and address potential voting rights claims that require timely resolution; and provides a means to establish wards in a statutory city without creating a city charter both in response to a voting rights act claim or by the actin of voters or city councils.

Effective Date: Effective the day following final enactment

Ending “Prison Gerrymandering”

Summary: Legislation requires incarcerated persons be counted for state and local redistricting at their last known address before being incarcerated.  Individuals incarcerated in Minnesota whose last known address was outside of MN, will be counted as part of the state-wide population and will not be counted for the purposes of state or local redistricting in Minnesota.

Effective Date: January 1, 2030

Campus Voting Locations

Summary: When requested by a postsecondary institution or the student government organization of a postsecondary institution, county auditors or municipal clerks are required to must establish an​ additional temporary polling place for the state general election or the odd-year city general​ election for at least one day at a location agreed upon by the institution and the county​ auditor or municipal clerk.  The request must be made before May 31 in the year it is requested and only applies to institutions that provide on-campus housing for at least 100 students.  The legislation provides for reimbursement to counties and cities for the additional cost of these polling places, and set aside $200,000 in 2025, and $40,000 per year starting in 2026 to reimburse local governments if required.

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Voter Registration using description of residence

Summary: Paper voter registration forms are required to allow individuals to provide a description of their residence if they do not have a specific physical address.  The​ description must be sufficient for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the​ voter.

Effective date: June 1, 2024

Student voting Update

Clarified requirements for use of student housing lists to establish proof of residence for post-secondary students.

Effective date: June 1, 2024

Pre-Registration Update

Summary: Modified the requirements for voter registration opportunities in public schools to require that paper and electronic voter registration applications must be provided each May and September to all students that are eligible to register to vote (16 and over).

Effective date: Effective upon enactment

Language minority districts and translated ballot materials

Summary: The requirements established in 2023 were modified to require 1) designation of language minority districts by January 1 of each year, and the list of these districts to be published on the OSS website, and 2) if more than one foreign language is the primary language in more than 3 percent of the district, translated materials must be provided in the most common foreign language and for any other language which is used by more than 3 percent of a census tract in the district.

Effective date: June 1, 2024

On-line absentee ballot applications

Summary: OSS is required to offer the ability to apply on-line for an absentee ballot for all local elections, with the exception of township elections held in March.

Effective date: Effective September 1, 2025 for elections held on November 4, 2025

Protection of Voter Public Information lists: 

Summary: Enacted limitations on the sharing or distribution of registered voter public information lists to prevent sale, distribution or posting on the internet outside the recipient’s organization. (Effective upon enactment)

Prohibitions on Deep Fakes influencing elections and disclosure of personal information

Summary: Additional restrictions were establish on use of deep fake materials during elections and disclosure of personal information about public officials.

Effective date: July 1, 2024

State and Local Lobbying

Summary: Requires a study to be conducted by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to make recommendations to the legislature on definitions of the terms "lobbyist," "local official," "public​ official," and "official action of a political subdivision" for purposes of Minnesota Statutes.  There was significant concern about the role of corporate executives and “experts” employed by companies or lobbyists who may exercise influence on state and local decision-makers.

Effective date: Study due January 15, 2025

Election Canvass, recounts, and certification of presidential electors

Summary: Timelines for performance of the state-wide election canvass, recounts, and selection of electors were changed to comply with the federal Electoral County Act. (Effective upon enactment)

OSS identification of deceased voters

Summary: Requires the secretary of state to notify county auditors of any reported as deceased by the Social Security Department or vital records so the county auditor can update the statewide voter registration system. (This was previously optional.)  (Effective upon enactment)

Census and Redistricting

Summary: The statute established in 2023 to require census worker access to multi-unit housing during census years was changed to remove the date limitation.  This change was required because access is required outside of that period for the American Community Survey (ACS) and to validate census results. (Effective upon enactment)

Election Finance

Summary: the Elections Omnibus billtransferred funds from the Voting Equipment Grant Account to voting operations, technology, and election resources account in order to provide additional flexibility for local election officials.  The bill provides base funding for voting operations, technology, and election resources of $3,000,000 per year going forward.  The bill also provided funds for outreach and education relating​ to the restoration of the right to vote of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Funding Authorization

Summary:  Provided matching funds and authorized release of all federal HAVA funds authorized to date for MN.  The requirement for legislative authorization for HAVA funds to be appropriated to the Secretary of State’s office has been removed.  Going forwards, funds authorized by the federal government for election improvements will be appropriated to the Secretary of State’s office without a requirement for prior authorization by the legislature.

Effective Date: Effective the day following final enactment

Time off from Work to Vote

Summary:  Employers are required to allow people to take time off from work for the time necessary to vote in person when in person voting is allowed before Election Day as well as on Election Day. Employers may not require an employee to take vacation or any other type of paid leave in order to vote.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Assistance to Voters

Summary:  The requirement to limit physical assistance in marking ballots to no more than 3 individuals is removed.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Temporary Polling Places

Summary: 

1. A county auditor or municipal clerk may designate additional polling places with scheduled days and hours that differ from those required by statute. These must be identified at least 47 days before the election.

2. At the request of an Indian Tribe with a reservation in the county, the county auditor must establish an additional polling place for at least one day on the Indian reservation.

Effective date:  June 1, 2023

Voting Hours before an Election

Summary:  Minimum voting hours before election day including evenings (until 7PM the Tuesday before election day) and weekend (Saturdays) are established for county and local election offices (city or township clerks administering elections). 

Effective date:  June 1, 2023

Absentee Ballot delivery to Assisted Living and Battered Women Shelters

Summary:  At the discretion of county or local election officials, assisted living facilities and shelters for battered women may receive same support from county election offices for delivery of absentee ballots by election judges as health care facilities and veterans homes.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

State Canvassing Board Approve Candidates with Highest Vote Total

Summary:  The state Canvassing Board is required to declare the candidates duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each federal office and for each state office voted on in more than one county.

Effective Date: July 1, 2023

Secretary of State Voting Study established

Summary:  Requires that the Secretary of State conduct a study of issues related to voter engagement, education, and improvements to the election system, which can include but is not limited to assessing ranked choice voting.  The bill states a number of constituencies and stakeholders to be consulted in performance of the study, as well as a requirement for public input and community engagement.

Effective date:  Final report due by June 30, 2025

Return of Absentee Ballots

Summary:  Absentee ballots must be submitted to the county election office by 8:00 PM on election day rather than 3:00 PM).  This also applies to agent delivery of ballots from assisted living facilities or from voters with medical issues.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Compensation for collecting Absentee Ballot Applications

Summary:  No one may be paid to collect or solicit absentee ballot applications based on a variable rate or based on number of ballot applications.

Effective date:  Following enactment

Additional Proofs of Residence for Students

Summary:  Students at postsecondary educational institutions can establish residence for Election Day registration by presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a postsecondary educational institution in Minnesota if the voter's name student identification number, and address within the precinct appear on a current residential housing list certified by the institution and presented to the county auditor.​ (Codifies an existing administrative practice.)

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Providing Voter Registration Forms to Students

Summary: Postsecondary schools are required to provide voter registration forms to all students each spring and fall.  All secondary schools are required to make voter registration forms available to all student each May and September.  All secondary and postsecondary schools are required to report to the secretary of state each November the status of implementing requirements to distribute voter registration forms to students.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Voter Information at Postsecondary Institutions

Summary:  There are now requirements for postsecondary institutions to provide voter information for students including 1) establishment of a campus vote coordinator and 2) creation of a website with information about elections and voting.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Soliciting near Polling Places

Summary:  Prohibition on soliciting near polling places was expanded to prohibit trying to induce or persuade a voter to vote for, or refrain from voting for, a candidate or ballot question. 

The bill also specifically prohibits wearing, exhibiting, or distributing any item that displays:​

1. The name, likeness, logo, or slogan of a candidate who appears on the ballot;​

2. The number, title, subject, slogan, or logo of a ballot question that appears on the​ 219.22 ballot; or​

3. The name, logo, or slogan of a political party represented by a candidate on the ballot.

Effective date:  June 15, 2023

Order of Partisan Candidates in the Ballot

The order of names of major party candidates for partisan offices in state-wide elections will be rotated rather than be listed in order of the major party receiving least votes to the major party receiving the most votes. Names of candidates nominated by petition rather than through a major party convention will be listed after the major party candidates.

Effective date:  December 1, 2023

Major Party Status

Summary:  Changes the criteria for defining a political party as a “major party” to include filing with the state of Minnesota as a political party and receiving at least 8% of votes for a statewide office, as well as other changes. 

Effective date:  After enactment for elections held in 2024.

Access to Multi-unit housing by candidates and campaigns

Summary:  Multi-unit residential facilities will be required by statute to allow candidates and campaign volunteers to knock on residents’ individual unit doors at multi-unit residential facilities (apartment house, dormitory, nursing home, or manufactured home park) to speak with residents.  The statute previously only required allowing candidates and campaigns to leave materials at doors or in a designated central location.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Electronic signature on Election Day Registration and Voter Oath

Summary:  Counties may choose to have voters sign their voter registration and voter oath either electronically on an e-pollbook or on a paper certificate. If counties choose to use electronic signatures, the e-signed certificates must be printed at the time of the transaction in the polling place.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Provisions related to Candidate Filing and Contact Information

Summary:  Candidates are now required to provide the candidate’s or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess an electronic mail address. An affidavit must also state the candidate's address of residence.  The candidate’s address may be withheld as “private data” if the candidate has a reasonable fear with regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's family.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Use of electronic voting systems by counties

Summary:  Once a county has adopted an electronic voting system, approved by the secretary of state, it must continue to use an electronic voting system.  (A county cannot return to hand counting or mechanical tallying of ballots.)

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Ability to Connect Third-party systems to Secretary of State website

The secretary of state may allow modification of the state voter registration system to enable third parties to connect to the state voter registration system to submit voter registration information through a third party application.

Effective date:  July 1, 2023

Transition to New Voter Registration Applications (forms)

Summary:  A completed voter registration application submitted by a voter is not deficient for purposes of registering that voter if the application form was printed or provided to the voter prior to the June 1, 2023.  Beginning June 1, 2023, an election official must not print, copy, or publicly distribute a blank voter registration application that does not include the required modification.

Effective Date:  Currently effective