ST. PAUL, MN – Lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill today that makes changes to Minnesota’s election system that are designed to increase participation, convenience, and integrity.
The Elections Omnibus Policy bill (HF 894), authored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL—Hopkins) passed by a vote of 74-60 with support from both sides of the aisle.
The major components of the omnibus package include no-excuses absentee voting, notifications designed to reduce unlawful felon voting, an electronic poll book pilot project, expanded mail balloting, and a reduction to the number of individuals for whom one registered voter can vouch.
“This bill takes common sense steps to protect the integrity of Minnesota’s election system while making it easier for more people to participate in the democratic process,” said Rep. Simon. “Our state has a proud history of leading the nation in voter turnout. We need to make sure that tradition continues into the future.”
Current law requires eligible voters to provide one of the following five reasons to be allowed to vote absentee:
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Absence from precinct – including military and overseas voters.
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Illness or disability.
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Serving as an election judge in another precinct.
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Religious discipline or observance of a religious holiday.
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Eligible emergency declared by the Governor or quarantine declared by the federal government.
Under the bill’s no-excuses absentee voting component, any eligible voter would be able to cast an absentee ballot without providing a reason as to why they cannot vote in person on Election Day. In order to accommodate the anticipated increase in absentee ballots, local elections officials would be able to begin processing absentee ballots seven days before Election Day, as opposed to the current four day threshold.
“No-excuses absentee voting makes the election process more convenient for Minnesotans who are busy working or taking care of their kids on Election Day,” said Rep. Simon. “We saw a number of reports of people waiting in lines for hours to cast their ballot last November. That should never happen.”
The omnibus bill also establishes a pilot project to test the use of electronic rosters, also known as e-poll books, during the 2013 municipal election cycle to process Election Day registration. Precincts in Minnetonka (which is already using e-poll books in some precincts), Moorhead, Saint Anthony, Saint Paul, and Saint Peter may participate.
The Secretary of State is required to evaluate the pilot project and report to the Legislature by February 15, 2014. The pilot project is paid for through a one-time appropriation of $59,000 from the General Fund to the Secretary of State.