House passes elections bill after lengthy amendments discussions

Nearly three hours into Wednesday’s debate, Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) encouraged his House colleagues to vote for the elections bill he sponsors.

“This bill includes a series of election administration updates designed to improve efficiency, clarify procedures and reduce unnecessary costs … Overall, these changes modernize election statutes, streamline administration and provide clearer guidance for election officials while maintaining security,” Freiberg said.

The House passed HF4240/SF4006*, as amended, 119-15.

Changes in the bill would:

• provide for the use of the Statewide Voter Registration System for primary and general elections, except for town elections;
• require early voting officials to maintain a printed copy of an early voter’s certificate of eligibility;
• provide that the number of ballots removed from the ballot box during processing is the same as the number of ballots returned;
• eliminate the requirement that the Office of the Secretary of State provide a printed copy of state laws governing elections and allow for the posting of an electronic copy;
• require the office to reimburse counties and municipalities for special election expenses, including preparation and printing of ballots, publication of notice to voters and election judge salaries; and
• require a canvassing board overseeing a school district election to declare the candidates who receive the highest number of votes.

The bulk of the debate about the otherwise largely technical bill had to do with the nine amendments proposed on the House floor, three of which were approved.

The approved amendments include mandating the use of the Statewide Voter Registration System by a county auditor or municipal clerk, allowing combined polling places for certain schools and prohibiting elected officials and candidates from betting on elections.

Unsuccessfully offered amendments included requiring the Office of the Secretary of State to annually verify citizenship of voters, use of provisional ballots for people registering to vote on Election Day and mandating the removal of deceased voters from the Statewide Voter System.