HF3527 Summary: Minnesota Voting Rights Act

• Establishes the Minnesota Voting Rights Act prohibiting political subdivisions and election officials from adopting policies or practices that result in voter suppression or vote dilution against protected classes (racial, color, language minority groups, and federally recognized Indian Tribes).

• Creates a civil cause of action allowing the attorney general, county attorneys, aggrieved individuals, and certain entities to file lawsuits in district court for violations, with expedited proceedings and automatic calendar preference.

• Requires a 60-day presuit notice period to the political subdivision before filing claims, during which the subdivision may adopt a remedy within 90 days to avoid litigation; exempts suits seeking preliminary relief for upcoming elections from this requirement.

• Awards reasonable attorney fees, litigation costs, and expert witness fees to prevailing plaintiffs (except state or political subdivision defendants), and allows courts to order various remedies including changes to election methods if violations are found.

• Amends city charter law to allow cities to adopt ward-based election systems by ordinance and documents Minnesota's history of voting discrimination including exclusion of Black and Native American voters, redlining, and voter intimidation.