Absentee voting

published 2/15/2007

Any eligible voter would be able to cast their vote via absentee ballot, under a bill approved by the House Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee.

Sponsored by Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-Lindstrom), HF768 would remove previous requirements to obtain an absentee ballot such as: illness, isolation or quarantine, disability, religious discipline, observance of a holiday and serving as an election judge. Additionally, ongoing absentee voter status would be permitted.

Voters who have difficulty getting to the polls because of health reasons and residents of facilities providing assisted living services would be added to those eligible for delivery of ballots via an agent. Currently only those in health care facilities, participants in a residential program for adults and residents of shelters for battered women are able to receive ballots by an agent.

The bill now goes to the House Finance Committee.

A companion bill, SF208, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.

- Patty Ostberg