MN SF1586

Minnesota Elections Integrity Act (SF 1586) Summary

• Photo ID requirement for voting: Requires voters to present photo identification (driver's license, state ID, voter ID card, military ID, or tribal ID) to register and vote, with specific documents accepted to prove identity and residence; voters unable to provide ID may cast provisional ballots and have 7 days after the election to verify their identity with the county auditor

• Free voter identification card created: Establishes a new voter identification card issued at no cost by the Department of Public Safety for eligible voters who lack other qualifying photo ID; waives fees for birth certificates and court documents needed to obtain the card, with reimbursement available for related document costs

• Provisional ballot system established: Creates a provisional ballot process for voters who cannot provide required identification on election day; ballots are counted only if the voter appears in person within 7 days to prove identity and residence

• Absentee voting changes: Requires absentee voters to show proof of identity and residence to their ballot witness; witnesses must be registered Minnesota voters, notaries, or individuals authorized to administer oaths and must provide their own ID number; eliminates the provision allowing agents to deliver up to 3 voters' ballots

• Enhanced penalties and canvassing timeline changes: Upgrades undue influence on voters and voter bribery from gross misdemeanor to felony; extends county canvassing deadlines from 3 days to 8 days after primaries and from 3-10 days to 8-14 days after general elections to accommodate provisional ballot processing; appropriates approximately $2.2 million for implementation including $1.36 million for a public education campaign