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MinnesotaHF 424094th Legislature, 2025-2026House

Elections; various changes made related to election administration, absentee voting provisions modified, timelines modified, elected officials and candidates prohibited from betting on elections, technical and clarifying changes made, and money appropriated.

Sponsored By: Mike Freiberg (Democratic)

Became Law

Elections Finance and Government OperationsRules and Administration for comparison with SF4006

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More voters can get ballot delivery

You can have a designated agent bring your absentee ballot without meeting the former health, disability, or residence limits. The agent must still be designated under state law. The ballot must be delivered in a sealed envelope.

Counties follow set ballot question dates

County boards can place a question before voters at a special or general election by adopting a resolution. For questions about spending, debt, or tax levies, the resolution must state the amount. A special county election must use a state-set uniform election date, at least 84 days after the resolution is adopted. The county auditor must post and publish required election notices after adoption. Ballots present the question with Yes and No choices, and standard special-election procedures apply as far as practical.

Election officials check early ballots daily

Early-voting officials must check each day that ballots removed from the ballot box match the number of signed voter certificates. At day's end, they must seal and secure those certificates with voted and unvoted ballots. The rule takes effect when the revisor of statutes receives the early-voting certification. It applies to elections held on or after the 85th day following that receipt.

Local officials expand absentee ballot tracking

Beginning September 1, 2027, county auditors and municipal clerks must track absentee ballots in the statewide voter registration system. Records cover applications, ballots sent and returned, acceptance or rejection, and replacement ballots for primary and general elections. Tracking is optional for March town elections. Full-time city and town clerks can also administer absentee voting through county designation or notice to the county auditor. A city spanning multiple counties needs designation by, or notice to, each county auditor. County designations must specify ballot-board duties and whether office voting starts 46 or 18 days before the election. Designated clerks need system access that meets state security rules and must complete approved training before using the system. County auditors must report designated clerks and their assigned duties to the secretary of state. The law also removes the secretary of state's authority to sell voter-system intellectual property rights to out-of-state governments.

State repays local special election costs

The secretary of state reimburses local governments for qualifying special primaries and special elections for state or federal offices. Covered elections are not held with a state primary or general election. Coverage starts with special elections whose writ—the official election order—is issued on or after July 1, 2026. Eligible costs include ballot preparation and printing, absentee-ballot postage, voter notices, temporary staff or overtime, election judges, and canvassing-board pay. Polling-place preparation is covered up to $150 per polling place, and voting-system preparation up to $100 per precinct. The secretary of state can approve higher limits and additional expenses. County auditors and municipal clerks must submit the required form within 60 days after results are certified. Requests must include itemized actual costs, invoices, and certification that the expenses were incurred administering the election. Payment requires the form and certification and is due within 90 days after results are certified. The law provides the money needed for these reimbursements each year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Freiberg

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Westlin

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 641 • No: 359

House vote • 5/14/2026

Repassage, as amended by the Senate

Yes: 127 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

Third Reading

Yes: 36 • No: 28

House vote • 5/6/2026

Vote

Yes: 91 • No: 42

House vote • 5/6/2026

Passage, as amended

Yes: 119 • No: 15

House vote • 5/6/2026

Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

House vote • 5/6/2026

Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

House vote • 5/6/2026

Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

House vote • 5/6/2026

Amendment

Yes: 67 • No: 67

Actions Timeline

  1. Secretary of State Chapter 102

    5/18/2026Senate

  2. Governor's action Approval

    5/18/2026Senate

  3. Presentment date

    5/15/2026Senate

  4. Bill was repassed as amended by the Senate vote: 127-6

    5/14/2026House

  5. Third reading as amended by the Senate

    5/14/2026House

  6. Motion prevailed

    5/14/2026House

  7. Motion to concur with Senate amendments

    5/14/2026House

  8. Returned from Senate with amendment

    5/14/2026House

  9. Third reading Passed as amended vote: 36-28

    5/13/2026Senate

  10. Amendeda

    5/13/2026Senate

  11. Special Order: Rule 45 amendment stricken

    5/13/2026Senate

  12. House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence received

    5/13/2026House

  13. Second reading

    5/11/2026Senate

  14. Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF4006

    5/11/2026Senate

  15. Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF4006, now on General Orders

    5/7/2026Senate

  16. Introduction and first reading

    5/7/2026Senate

  17. Received from House

    5/7/2026Senate

  18. Bill was passed as amended vote: 119-15

    5/6/2026House

  19. Third reading as amended

    5/6/2026House

  20. Point of order raised, ruled well taken

    5/6/2026House

  21. Amendeda

    5/6/2026House

  22. House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Wednesday, May 6, 2026

    5/4/2026House

  23. Second reading

    4/22/2026House

  24. Committee report, to adopt

    4/22/2026House

  25. Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and Meansa

    3/23/2026House

Bill Text

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