The Minnesota Voting Rights Act is designed to enhance voter protection and combat voter suppression and vote dilution, particularly for marginalized communities. The bill establishes a civil cause of action for violations related to voter suppression and requires political subdivisions and election officials to avoid actions that could create disparities in voter participation among protected classes. It introduces new definitions, such as "disparity," "political subdivision," and "protected class," and emphasizes that voting laws should be interpreted to favor the protection of voting rights. Additionally, the bill mandates that prospective plaintiffs provide a notice letter to the political subdivision before filing a lawsuit, allowing the subdivision to address the issue in good faith within a specified timeframe.

Furthermore, the legislation allows political subdivisions to implement remedies for election law violations with authorization from the Secretary of State or district court, even if they lack the authority or face administrative deadlines. It outlines conditions for filing actions without prior notice, establishes cost-sharing agreements for remedies, and mandates the awarding of reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs to prevailing parties. The bill also includes legislative findings on historical discrimination against minority groups in Minnesota, encourages equitable participation in the electoral process, and requires voter approval for changes to council size or ward boundaries. The act aims to secure the constitutional right to vote free from discrimination and will take effect the day after final enactment.

Statutes affected:
1st Engrossment: 412.02