Statewide voter registration system data classification provision
Summary
SF2492 revises how data in Minnesota’s statewide voter registration system is classified and shared. The bill generally makes all data in the system public data unless specifically listed as private, while expressly protecting sensitive identifiers such as a voter’s date of birth, driver’s license number, state ID number, military ID number, passport number, and any part of a Social Security number. It also keeps presidential primary party-selection information private, while still requiring the secretary of state to provide each major political party the list of voters who selected that party.
The bill adds a safety-based confidentiality option allowing a voter to request that their name be withheld from public lists if disclosure would endanger the voter or the voter’s family. It also requires anyone requesting public data to state in writing that the information will not be used for purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement. The bill updates the rules for county public information lists, clarifies limits on internet publication and redistribution of voter-list data, and repeals existing provisions that separately restricted certain voter-list data and access rules.
Impact
The bill would amend Minnesota’s election-data privacy framework by moving key voter-registration data rules into a new subdivision of section 201.022 and conforming related provisions in section 201.091. It would preserve public access to most voter-registration information, but tighten handling of sensitive personal identifiers and add explicit restrictions on publication, resale, and non-election uses of voter-list data. It would also repeal Minnesota Statutes section 13.607, subdivision 6, and section 201.091, subdivision 9, and make the changes effective the day after final enactment for data requests made on or after that date.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears aimed at balancing transparency in election administration with voter privacy and data-security protections. The structure suggests a policy effort to clarify access rules rather than a major overhaul of voter registration procedures.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are voter privacy versus public access to election data, and the extent to which voter-list information may be used after it is obtained. Supporters would likely emphasize clearer rules, protection of sensitive identifiers, and safeguards for voters at risk, while critics may focus on the broad public-data classification, the written-use certification requirement, and the restrictions on redistribution and internet publication. Another likely issue is the continued sharing of presidential primary party-selection lists with major political parties, which may raise privacy concerns for some voters.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote, voter identification card created, provisional ballots established, identification of individuals providing assistance to a voter in a polling place required, certain voter registration and absentee voting activities prohibited, and money appropriated.
Photo ID required to register to vote and to vote, voter identification card created, provisional ballots established, identification required of individuals providing assistance to a voter in a polling place, voter registration and absentee voting activities prohibited, criminal penalties increased, reports required, and money appropriated.
Payment rates established for certain substance use disorder treatment services, and vendor eligibility recodified for payments from the behavioral health fund.
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