Secretary Simon Highlights Important New Legislation
(May 22, 2024)

“The Minnesota Voting Rights Act provides a voter, who is a member of a protected class, with the right to petition a court for review of local or state actions that could prevent or interfere with a voter’s ability to cast a ballot.

Other new laws will align Minnesota with federal standards for election administration, including the addition of a space on a voter registration form for a physical description of a voter’s address if they reside at a location that lacks a formal physical address, and ensuring the timely review and certification of presidential election results to comply with the Electoral Count Reform Act.

Voting Rights Act

• Establishes the right of a member of a protected class to go to court if they allege voter suppression or vote dilution caused by local or state actions.
• Creates a pre-suit notice process that provides a voter and a local jurisdiction the chance to resolve a potential violation outside of court.

College Campus Temporary Absentee Locations

• 2024: Provides reimbursement for any county or city that voluntarily provide a temporary absentee location on a college campus.
• 2025 and beyond: A county or city authorized to administer absentee voting must establish a temporary absentee location for at least one day at the request of a postsecondary institution or student government. This requirement is limited to campuses that provide that provide on-campus student housing to 100 or more students and only applies to state and city general elections. The reimbursement fund is ongoing.

Electoral Count Reform Act

• Adjusts the state’s post-election timeline to ensure election results are finalized prior to federal deadlines such as the convening of the Electoral College.

Election Worker Protection

• Expands 2023 Election Worker Protections to include additional personal information that is protected from public dissemination, including the dissemination of the name or photographs of an election worker’s minor child.

Voting Operations, Technology, and Election Resources (VOTER) Account

• Additional funds shifted to the VOTER Account to help local government offset the rising costs of administering elections.
• More than doubles the fund size from $1.25 million appropriated in 2023 to over $3 million in fiscal year 2024 and beyond by shifting $1.75 million per year from other underutilized grant funds.
• Adds $86,000 in one-time money in fiscal year 2025.

Expanded availability of the online absentee application

• Beginning in September 2025, voters can request an absentee ballot using the online form at mnvotes.gov for all elections, including local contests (except for March township elections).

Election Integrity

• Updates Minnesota’s paper voter registration form to allow a voter to provide a physical description of their residence if they don’t reside at a location that has a specific physical address. This change increases election integrity by providing a standardized method of documentation.

Ban on Election-Related Deep Fakes

• Enhanced regulations on deep fakes that could impact election outcomes
• Further defines the timeline of when the dissemination of election-related deep fake is prohibited to include the 90 days before a political party nominating convention and after the start of the absentee voting period prior to a primary, general, or special election.

SAFE AT HOME

• A new law allows an individual to apply to Safe at Home if they intend to move to Minnesota within 60 days. This allows an individual to utilize the protections of the program as they relocate. This includes keeping their future residence private when signing a lease, setting up utilities, or purchasing a home.
• “I want to thank our partners at the legislature for joining us to refine and expand the options for those who fear for their safety,” said Dianna Umidon, Director of Safe at Home. “The lifesaving protections we provide make Minnesota a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
• Safe at Home is Minnesota’s suite of address confidentiality services for people with very high safety needs.
• Formerly, only Minnesota residents could apply to Safe at Home. However, guidance to all who enter the program is that it is best to apply before a participant obtains new housing. The protections for both renting or purchasing a home function well for Minnesota residents moving within the state, but not for individuals moving to Minnesota.
• This change allows someone intending to move to Minnesota to apply to the program before their move. It also provides for the cancellation of their participation if they do not move to Minnesota within the 60-day period.”