Minnesota House State Government Finance Division Approves Vote-By-Mail Legislation

St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House State Government Finance Division approved House File 1603, authored by Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL - Minneapolis), which authorizes the Minnesota Secretary of State to direct that the 2020 state primary and state general elections be conducted primarily by mail.

“It’s difficult to predict what the status of COVID-19 will be in Minnesota during the August primary or the November election, which is why it is our duty to provide the necessary resources for Minnesotans to vote in a safe and accessible manner,” said Rep. Dehn, who also serves as the chair of the House Subcommittee on Elections. “Minnesotans hold the right to vote in high regard, just as they do the health and wellbeing of their neighbors. By granting the Minnesota Secretary of State these tools, we can better ensure that Minnesota can adapt to whatever comes our way later this year.”

The standards and procedures provided in current law for conducting a vote-by-mail election, which is currently an option for certain towns and small cities located outside of the metropolitan area, would apply to the upcoming primary and election, as would all other existing laws and rules governing the election process. The Minnesota Secretary of State would also be permitted to include specific requirements related to polling place closures and the availability of vote centers as part of the mail balloting directions.

The division recently passed additional elections legislation co-authored by Rep. Dehn, House File 3499, which he fully supports.

Supporting documents and additional information on the legislation can be found on the State Government Finance Division’s webpage. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means Committee. 

 

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