Summary of the Minnesota Elections Integrity Act

With Republicans in control of the Senate and DFLers in control of the House we aren’t likely to see many voting rights and/or elections bills pass this legislative session. However, that won’t stop both parties from introducing them as a way of signaling what their visions are for Minnesota elections. Legislators-turned-candidates can also use proposed bills on the campaign trail this fall.

Recently, House Minority Leader Rep. Kurt Daudt (R) authored the Minnesota Elections Integrity Act (H.F. 2732). It proposes sweeping changes to our elections. Most notable is a Voter I.D. requirement and provisional balloting, both which passed the Senate in the 2021 legislative session.

To obtain a Voter I.D. applicants would be required to show proof of citizenship, proof of a Social Security number, proof of a current address, and photo I.D. A new I.D. would be required any time a voter moves to a new address. It’s worth remembering Voter I.D. was voted down by Minnesota voters in 2012 on the ballot as a constitutional amendment.

Provisional ballots are ballots that are marked, but not counted, that are cast by a voter who is not registered or who’s registration status is challenged at the polls. For the ballot to be counted the voter must appear at their elections office the week following the election to prove he or she is eligible to vote. Provisional ballots would mean an end to Minnesota’s same day voter registration. It’s worth noting that Minnesota is exempt by federal law to require provisional ballots because the same day registration system already works so well.

The bill adds challenges to absentee voting as well, including requiring proof of identity, and a witness or notary public. It also limits the number of absentee ballot drop sites and funding for elections administration. In addition to being a significant burden on voters and being methods of voter suppression seen in other states, this changes also significantly increase the burdens and costs for election administration for election officials as well.

Daudt’s Minnesota Elections Integrity Act is consistent will bills being proposed and passed in state governments across the country, despite there being no evidence of voter fraud in recent elections. The bill is co-authored by 29 of his colleagues, indicating wide-spread party support. Though we know H.F.2732 will not pass, we need to keep a close watch on these local threats to our democracy.