MinnesotaMinnesota law will require clerks to track absentee ballots
Minnesota law sets conditions for local clerks who handle absentee voting and requires ballot tracking in the statewide voter system starting in 2027.
What it does
City and town clerks may handle absentee voting if they notify or receive designation from the county and meet secure system access and training rules.
Candidates may not wager through prediction markets on the outcome of an election in which they are running; a violation is a petty misdemeanor.
For state primary and general elections, clerks must record key steps in absentee voting, from applications and ballot delivery to ballot return and review.
Argument forRecording when ballots are sent, returned, and accepted or rejected could help election workers track ballots and respond to problems.
Argument againstSmaller municipalities could have trouble meeting secure system access and training requirements before they can administer absentee voting.
More detail
City and town clerks may administer absentee voting only if they meet the law’s requirements. A clerk in a city that spans more than one county needs designation or notice from each county auditor. The county auditor must designate the clerk, or the clerk must notify the auditor of the intent to administer voting. Clerks need secure access to the statewide voter registration system and must complete training approved by the secretary of state before using it. These requirements take effect the day after final enactment.
Candidates may not wager through a prediction market on an election in which they are running. The prohibition applies to candidates betting on the outcome of their own federal, state, or local election. A violation is a petty misdemeanor, a low-level crime.
County auditors and municipal clerks must record absentee ballot application, delivery, return, and acceptance or rejection details in the statewide voter registration system. The recording rules cover absentee ballots for state primary and general elections. The rules do not apply to March town elections, though officials may use the system for them. This section takes effect September 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 18Secretary of State Chapter 102 05/18/26Latest
- May 18Governor Tim Walz's action Approval 05/18/26Major
- May 18Secretary of State, Filed 05/18/2026
- May 18Governor Tim Walz approval 05/18/2026Became Law
- May 15Presentment date 05/15/26
- May 15Presented to Governor 05/15/2026To Governor
- May 14Bill was repassed as amended by the Senate
- Vote recorded Repassage, as amended by the Senate. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Third reading as amended by the SenateMinor
- May 14Motion prevailed
- May 14Motion to concur with Senate amendments
- May 14Returned from Senate with amendment
- May 13Third reading Passed as amendedPassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Third reading Passed as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- May 13AmendedMajor
- May 13Special Order: Rule 45 amendment stricken
- May 13House rule 1.15 (c), message requesting concurrence received
- May 11Second readingMinor
- May 11Comm report: Rule 45-amend, subst. General Orders SF4006
- May 7Referred to Rules and Administration for comparison with SF4006, now on General OrdersMinor
- May 7Introduction and first readingMinor
- May 7Received from HouseMinor
- May 6Bill was passed as amendedPassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Passage, as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Amendment. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded "Shall the decision of Speaker pro tempore Olson stand as the judgment of the House?". Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Third reading as amendedMinor
- May 6Point of order raised, ruled well taken
- May 6AmendedMajor
- May 4House rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Apr 22Second readingMinor
- Apr 22Committee report, to adoptMinor
- Mar 23Committee report, to adopt as amended and re-refer to Ways and MeansMinor
- Mar 12Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government OperationsIntroduced
Civil Rights & VotingGovernment & Ethics