SF 4006
1st Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 04/08/2026 10:12 a.m.
1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10
2.11
2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.32 2.33 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22
3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 3.28 3.29 3.30 3.31 3.32 3.33 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20
4.21 4.22
4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.29 4.30 4.31 4.32 4.33 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11
5.12 5.13 5.14
5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 5.26 5.27
5.28 5.29 5.30
6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11
6.12
6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23
6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29
6.30 6.31 6.32 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15
7.16
7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 7.29 7.30 7.31 7.32 7.33 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5
8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22
8.23 8.24
8.25 8.26 8.27 8.28 8.29 8.30
8.31
9.1 9.2
A bill for an act
relating to elections; making various changes related to election administration;
modifying provisions related to absentee voting; modifying timelines; making
technical and clarifying changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections
203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.06, subdivision 3; 203B.065; 204B.27, subdivision
2; 204C.26, subdivisions 2, 4; 205.185, subdivision 3; 205A.10, subdivision 3;
Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 203B.30, subdivisions 2, 3; 375.20;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5.31.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1.
Generally.
new text begin (a) new text end The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer
the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if:
(1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them; or
(2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to administer
them.
The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the
administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121new text begin and the municipality must
determine whether the municipality's office will be designated to administer voting under
section 203B.081 starting on the 46th day before the election or the 18th day before the
electionnew text end .
new text begin (b) new text end A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the
provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has been designated
by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county auditors that the
city will administer absentee voting.
new text begin (c)new text end A clerk may only administer the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and
203B.30 if the clerk has technical capacity to access the statewide voter registration system
in the secure manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state must identify
hardware, software, security, or other technical prerequisites necessary to ensure the security,
access controls, and performance of the statewide voter registration system. A clerk must
receive training approved by the secretary of state on the use of the statewide voter
registration system before administering this section. A clerk may not use the statewide
voter registration system until the clerk has received the required training. The county auditor
must notify the secretary of state of any deleted text begin municipaldeleted text end clerk who will be administering the
provisions of this section and the duties that the clerk will administer.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Delivery of ballots.
(a) The county auditor, municipal clerk, school district
clerk, or full-time clerk of any city or town administering an election pursuant to section
203B.05, shall mail absentee ballots to voters on the permanent absentee ballot list pursuant
to section 203B.04, subdivision 5, on the following timelines:
(1) except as otherwise provided by this section, at least 46 days before each regularly
scheduled primary and general election and each special primary and special election;
(2) as soon as practicable for a special election held pursuant to section 204D.19,
subdivisions 2 and 3; and
(3) at least 30 days before a town general election held in March.
(b) The commissioner of corrections must provide the secretary of state with a list of
the names and mailing addresses of state adult correctional facilities. An application for an
absentee ballot that provides an address included on the list provided by the commissioner
of corrections must not be accepted and an absentee ballot must not be provided to the
applicant. The county auditor or municipal clerk must promptly transmit a copy of the
application to the county attorney. The Department of Corrections must implement procedures
to ensure that absentee ballots issued under this chapter are not received or mailed by
offenders incarcerated at state adult correctional facilities.
(c) If an application for absentee ballots is accepted at a time when absentee ballots are
not yet available for distribution, the county auditor, or municipal clerk accepting the
application shall file it and as soon as absentee ballots are available for distribution shall
mail them to the address specified in the application. If an application for absentee ballots
is accepted when absentee ballots are available for distribution, the county auditor or
municipal clerk accepting the application shall promptly:
(1) mail the ballots to the voter whose signature appears on the application if the
application is submitted by mail and does not request commercial shipping under clause
(2);
(2) ship the ballots to the voter using a commercial shipper requested by the voter at the
voter's expense;
(3) deliver the absentee ballots directly to the voter if the application is submitted in
person; or
(4) deliver the absentee ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope to an agent who has been
designated to bring the ballots, as provided in section 203B.11, subdivision 4deleted text begin , to a voter
who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or
who is disabled, or who is a patient in a health care facility, a resident of an assisted living
facility licensed under chapter 144G, a participant in a residential program for adults licensed
under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a resident of a shelter for battered women as
defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4deleted text end .
(d) If an application does not indicate the election for which absentee ballots are sought,
the county auditor or municipal clerk shall mail or deliver only the ballots for the next
election occurring after receipt of the application. Only one set of ballots may be mailed,
shipped, or delivered to an applicant for any election, except as provided in section 203B.121,
subdivision 2, or when a replacement ballot has been requested by the voter for a ballot that
has been spoiled or lost in transit.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.065, is amended to read:
203B.065 USING THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Applicability. new text end
new text begin
A clerk administering absentee ballots pursuant to this
section must meet the requirements of section 203B.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
new text end
new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Use of the statewide voter registration system. new text end
new text begin (a) new text end Upon accepting an
application for a deleted text begin statedeleted text end primary or deleted text begin statedeleted text end general election, the county auditor or municipal
clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system the voter's name, date of birth,
address of residence in Minnesota, mailing address, Minnesota driver's license or state
identification number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, if provided
by the voter. Upon acceptance of an absentee ballot application of a voter who is registered
to vote at an address different from the residential address certified on the absentee ballot
application, the voter registration record with the previous address shall be challenged. Once
the absentee ballot has been transmitted to the voter, the method of transmission and the
date of transmission must be recorded.
new text begin (b) new text end Upon receipt of a returned absentee ballot for a deleted text begin statedeleted text end primary or deleted text begin statedeleted text end general election,
the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system
that the voter has returned the ballot.
new text begin (c) new text end Upon receipt of notice that the ballot board has accepted or rejected the absentee
ballot for a deleted text begin statedeleted text end primary or deleted text begin statedeleted text end general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk
shall record in the statewide voter registration system whether the ballot was accepted or
rejected, and if rejected, the reason for rejection. If a replacement ballot is transmitted to
the voter, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record this in the statewide voter
registration system.
new text begin (d) new text end The labels provided for envelopes used for transmitting an absentee ballot to and
from an applicant for an absentee ballot for a deleted text begin statedeleted text end primary or deleted text begin statedeleted text end general election must
contain bar codes generated by the statewide voter registration system to facilitate the
recording required under this section. A county auditor or municipal clerk entering
information into the statewide voter registration system under this section must include the
information provided on the bar code label whenever information is entered into the system.
new text begin
(e) A town clerk may, but is not required to, use the statewide voter registration system
as provided in this section for a town election held in March.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
Subdivision 1 is effective the day following final enactment.
Subdivision 2 is effective September 1, 2027.
new text end
Sec. 4.
Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 203B.30, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:
Subd. 2.
Voting procedure.
(a) When a voter appears in an early voting polling place,
the voter must state the voter's name, address, and, if requested, the voter's date of birth to
the early voting official. The early voting official must confirm that the voter's registration
is current in the statewide voter registration system and that the voter has not already cast
a ballot in the election. If the voter's status is challenged, the voter may resolve the challenge
as provided in section 204C.12. An individual who is not registered to vote must register
and a voter whose name or address has changed must update the voter's registration in the
manner provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3. A voter who has already cast a ballot
in the election must not be provided with a ballot.
(b) Each voter must sign the certification provided in section 204C.10. The signature of
an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence
of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. After the voter signs the certification,
two early voting officials must initial the ballot and issue it to the voter. new text begin The early voting
official must maintain a printed copy of the voter certificate. new text end The voter must immediately
retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to mark the ballot.
The voter must not take a ballot from the polling place. If the voter spoils the ballot, the
voter may return it to the early voting official in exchange for a new ballot. After completing
the ballot, the voter must deposit the ballot into the ballot counter and ballot box. The early
voting official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the manner provided in
section 203B.121, subdivision 3.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of
the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the
revisor of statutes receives the certification.
new text end
Sec. 5.
Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 203B.30, subdivision 3, is amended
to read:
Subd. 3.
Processing of ballots.
Each day when early voting occurs, the early voting
officials must:
(1) remove and secure ballots cast, noting the date, voting location, and number of ballots
cast;
(2) without inspecting the ballots, new text begin using the procedures in section 204C.20, subdivisions
1 to 4, new text end ensure that the number of ballots removed from the ballot box is equal to the number
of voter certificates that were signed by voters in subdivision 2, paragraph (b); and
(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots new text begin and signed voter certificates new text end present in
that location at the end of the day.
The ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election day following
the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of
the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the
revisor of statutes receives the certification.
new text end
Sec. 6.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.27, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2.
Election law and instructions.
The secretary of state shall prepare and publish
a volume containing all state general laws relating to elections. The attorney general shall
provide annotations to the secretary of state for this volume. On or before deleted text begin August 1 of every
odd-numbereddeleted text end new text begin July 15 of eachnew text end year the secretary of state shall deleted text begin furnish to the county auditors
and municipal clerks enough copies of this volume so that each county auditor and municipal
clerk will have at least one copy. On or before July 1 of every even-numbered year, the
secretary of state shalldeleted text end prepare and make an electronic copy new text begin of this volume new text end available on the
office's website. The secretary of state may prepare and transmit to the county auditors and
municipal clerks detailed written instructions for complying with election laws relating to
the conduct of elections, conduct of voter registration and voting procedures.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 7.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2.
Summary statements; contents.
new text begin (a) new text end The blank summary statement forms
furnished to each precinct shall identify the precinct, ward number if any, city, school district
if applicable, or town, date, and kind of election and, under appropriate headings identifying
deleted text begin each color ballotdeleted text end , shall contain spaces for the election judges to enter the information required
by section 204C.24, subdivision 1.
new text begin (b) new text end Each blank summary statement form shall also contain a certificate to be signed by
the election judges stating that the national flag was displayed on a suitable staff during
voting hours; that all of the ballots cast were properly piled, checked, and counted; and that
the numbers entered by the election judges on the summary statements correctly show the
number of votes cast for each candidate and for and against each question.
Sec. 8.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.26, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4.
Envelopes for counted ballots.
Each official responsible for printing ballots
shall also furnish envelopes to contain those ballots after they have been counted. The
envelopes shall be made of heavy paper, printed or marked to distinguish deleted text begin the color ofdeleted text end the
ballots to be contained in them. They shall be of convenient size to hold the ballots and
shall be furnished at the same time and in the same manner as the ballots.
Sec. 9.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.185, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.
(a) Between
the third and deleted text begin tenthdeleted text end new text begin 14thnew text end days after an election, the governing body of a city conducting any
election including a special municipal election, or the governing body of a town conducting
the general election in November shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the returns, and
declare new text begin the candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each
municipal office and new text end the results of deleted text begin the electiondeleted text end new text begin any ballot questionsnew text end . The governing body
of a town conducting the general election in March shall act as the canvassing board, canvass
the returns, and declare new text begin the candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes
for each town office and new text end the results of deleted text begin the electiondeleted text end new text begin any ballot questionnew text end within two days after
an election.
(b) After the time for contesting elections has passed, the municipal clerk shall issue a
certificate of election to each successful candidate. In case of a contest, the certificate shall
not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court.
(c) In case of a tie vote, the canvassing board having jurisdiction over the municipality
shall determine the result by lot. The clerk of the canvassing board shall certify the results
of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots
and the returns of the election.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective August 1, 2026.
new text end
Sec. 10.
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.
Between the
third and deleted text begin tenthdeleted text end new text begin 14thnew text end days after a school district election deleted text begin other than a recount of a special
election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59deleted text end , the school board shall
canvass the returns and declare new text begin the candidate duly elected who received the highest number
of votes for each school district office and new text end the results of deleted text begin the electiondeleted text end new text begin any ballot questionnew text end .
new text begin The recounted results of a referendum conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or
475.59 must be certified by the canvassing board. new text end After the time for contesting elections
has passed, the school district clerk shall issue a certificate of election to each successful
candidate. If there is a contest, the certificate of election to that office must not be issued
until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court. If there is a tie
vote, the school board shall determine the result by lot. The clerk shall deliver the certificate
of election to the successful candidate by personal service or certified mail. The successful
candidate shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days
of the date of mailing or personal service. A person who fails to qualify prior to the time
specified shall be deemed to have refused to serve, but that filing may be made at any time
before action to fill the vacancy has been taken. The school district clerk shall certify the
results of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the
ballots and the returns of the election.
A school district canvassing board shall perform the duties of the school board according
to the requirements of this subdivision for a recount of a special election conducted under
section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59.
Sec. 11.
Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 375.20, is amended to read:
375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.
If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, or
exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the question
may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the matter or
question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of money, creation
of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election shall be given as
in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the board shall pass an
appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form of the ballot shall be:
"Shall (here state the substance of the resolution to be submitted)?, Yes ...... No......,". The
county board may call a special county election upon a question to be held deleted text begin withindeleted text end new text begin at leastnew text end
84 days after a resolution to that effect is adopted by the county board. new text begin The special election
must be held on a uniform election date established in section 205.10, subdivision 3a. new text end Upon
the adoption of the resolution the county auditor shall post and publish notices of the election,
as required by section 204D.22, subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and
the returns canvassed in the manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as
practicable.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to elections held on or after September 1, 2026.
new text end
Sec. 12. new text begin NOTIFICATION TO ADMINISTER VOTING.
new text end
new text begin
Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 203B.05, for a municipality already
designated to or that has already given notice of the intent to administer absentee voting,
the municipality and county must come to an agreement by June 12, 2026, and notify the
secretary of state whether the municipality will administer absentee voting for the 46 days
or 18 days before election day in the 2026 state primary.
new text end
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 13. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end
new text begin
Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 5.31,
new text end
new text begin
is repealed.
new text end
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S4006-1
5.31 STATEWIDE VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
The secretary of state may sell intellectual property rights associated with the statewide voter registration system to other states or to units of local government in other states. Receipts from the sale must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Help America Vote Act account.