H.F. 501 Summary

• Updates Minnesota's definition of "military" to reference United States Code title 52, section 20310, instead of outdated title 42 references, and includes military forces as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 3.

• Allows military and overseas voters to submit absentee ballot applications through a secure website maintained by the Secretary of State, subject to adequate security determinations.

• Permits applications for voters living permanently outside the United States to be submitted to the county auditor where the voter or voter's parent last maintained Minnesota residence.

• Requires applications submitted through the Secretary of State's website to include verifiable identification (Minnesota driver's license, state ID, or last four digits of Social Security number) and mandates Secretary of State verification against government databases before forwarding to county auditors.

• Directs Secretary of State to review unverifiable applications for suspicious activity and forward suspicious applications to appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation.