Bill > HF1496

This bill modifies Minnesota's absentee ballot application process by adding additional voter verification requirements. Specifically, the bill mandates that when an absentee ballot application is submitted electronically, applicants must provide their email address and either a Minnesota driver's license number, state identification card number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. The secretary of state must verify the application information against government databases and review any unverifiable applications for suspicious activity, potentially forwarding such applications to law enforcement. For permanent absentee voters, the bill requires the secretary of state to validate each voter's information against government databases 60-75 days before primary and general elections. If a permanent absentee voter cannot be verified, their status will be changed to "challenged" and they will be notified that they have been removed from the permanent absentee voter list. The goal of these changes appears to be enhancing election security and preventing potential voter fraud by implementing more rigorous identity verification processes for absentee ballot applications and ongoing absentee voter status.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1496&ssn=0&y=2025