This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes to enhance election procedures, particularly focusing on voter registration and the handling of provisional ballots. It mandates that voters who register on election day must cast provisional ballots to ensure their eligibility can be verified later. The bill requires that voter registration applications be printed on or affixed to provisional ballot envelopes and mandates that these applications be entered into the statewide registration system within three days after the election. Additionally, it clarifies that tribal identification cards are acceptable for voting and introduces new procedures for managing incomplete registrations while repealing outdated provisions to streamline the process.

Further amendments address absentee voting and the counting of election results. Eligible voters who are not registered must submit their registration application with their absentee ballot, and new provisions for provisional ballots allow voters who register on election day or during early voting to cast provisional ballots that must be processed within a specified timeframe. The bill also establishes a paper backup system for electronic rosters, outlines responsibilities for election officials regarding provisional ballots, and changes the deadlines for county canvassing boards to complete their canvass. A public awareness campaign by the Secretary of State is mandated to encourage voter registration prior to election day, with these changes set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for elections held thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 171.072, 201.061, 201.121, 201.225, 203B.04, 203B.07, 203B.08, 203B.081, 203B.121, 203B.30, 204C.07, 204C.32, 204C.33, 204C.37, 205.065, 205.185, 205A.03, 205A.10