Minnesota Senate Bill SF1021

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

Absentee ballot drop boxes authorization repealer

Summary

SF1021 would repeal Minnesota’s statutory authorization for absentee ballot drop boxes and remove the existing law that sets security, handling, and publication requirements for those drop boxes. Under the bill, absentee ballot return envelopes could still be mailed or personally delivered to the county auditor or municipal clerk, and a voter could still use an agent to deliver or mail up to three voters’ ballots, but election offices would be prohibited from providing a drop box or similar receptacle for ballot return. The bill also repeals Minnesota Statutes section 203B.082, which currently governs absentee ballot drop boxes. That repealed section establishes minimum security standards such as continuous recording, secure placement, weather protection, daily collection, proper date-stamping, locked storage, and public posting of drop box locations. By eliminating the section, the bill would remove the statutory framework that currently allows counties and municipalities to operate official absentee ballot drop boxes under those rules.

Impact

If enacted, SF1021 would change Minnesota election law by ending the legal authority for counties and municipalities to offer absentee ballot drop boxes and by striking the detailed statutory requirements tied to their operation. The practical effect would be to limit absentee ballot return options to mail delivery or direct hand delivery to election offices, while preserving the existing rules for agents who return ballots on behalf of voters. It would affect county auditors, municipal clerks, absentee voters, and election administrators statewide.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented debate or recorded vote to indicate support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill’s subject and sponsors, the measure appears aligned with concerns about ballot security and election integrity, but the provided record does not show broader legislative sentiment. The absence of committee discussion also means there is no evidence here of compromise language or amendments.

Contention

The central point of contention is likely the elimination of absentee ballot drop boxes themselves. Supporters of repeal would likely argue that removing drop boxes reduces opportunities for tampering, unauthorized access, or inconsistent local administration, while opponents would likely argue that drop boxes are a convenient and secure option for voters who cannot easily mail ballots or deliver them in person. The bill’s repeal of the existing security standards suggests a policy choice to prohibit the practice entirely rather than regulate it more tightly.