Bill > HF598

This bill eliminates the use of absentee ballot drop boxes in Minnesota by amending existing election laws. Specifically, the bill removes the previous provisions that allowed county auditors and municipal clerks to provide secure drop boxes for voters to deposit absentee ballots outside of regular office hours. The legislation modifies the current law to require that absentee ballots must be either mailed or personally delivered directly to the county auditor or municipal clerk's office during business hours. The bill repeals the entire section of law (Minnesota Statutes section 203B.082) that previously outlined detailed security standards for drop boxes, such as 24-hour video surveillance, secure attachment to structures, and daily ballot collection. Additionally, the bill prohibits election officials from providing any type of receptacle where voters or their agents can deposit absentee ballot envelopes. This change effectively means that voters must now either mail their absentee ballots or hand them directly to election officials in person, potentially making the absentee voting process less convenient for some voters.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0598&ssn=0&y=2025