VRM in the States: Minnesota

June 11, 2012
Voting Rights & Elections
Voting Reform Agenda
Voter Registration Modernization

Minnesota currently has the Election Day Registration and Portability components of Voter Registration Modernization in place. Minnesota also has electronic pollbooks in at least one county.

To learn more about Election Day registration in Minnesota, please refer to Minnesota's Election Day registration requirements. Minnesota currently performs automatic address updates for registered voters who have changed their address.  To do so, the Secretary of State runs cross checks between the voter registration lists and postal service data.

In the past, Minnesota has considered the following VRM-related legislation:

  • Pre-Registration. Provides for pre-registration starting at age 16. (H.F. 2764)
  • Automated Registration at DMVs.  Provides for automated registration at the DMV. (H.B. 510)
  • Automatic Registration. Under this bill, a voting-eligible citizen who properly completes an application for a new or renewed Minnesota driver's license, instruction permit, or identification card would also be registered to vote, unless the applicant declines to be registered. (HF 510)
  • Online Registration. This bill would allow for online voter registration. (S.F. 345)