Secretary of State's administrative bill laid over after lengthy committee debate over canvassing, judge lists and tribal pop-up voting

House File 2073, carried on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of State, bundles multiple technical changes to Minnesota election law, including proofs of residence, permanent absentee list location, changes to absentee envelope terminology, authority for off-reservation tribal lands to host pop-up absentee sites, chain-of-custody planning, election judge selection procedures, and procedures for errors and omissions on ballots. The bill was discussed at length, multiple amendments were offered and many were withdrawn or deferred, and the chair laid the bill over for possible inclusion.

Nonpartisan staff and the secretary of state's office outlined substantive provisions. Mr. Gehring (nonpartisan staff) provided a section-by-section walkthrough: changes to Election Day registration verification for residential facilities; extending student proof-of-residence options to early voting; moving the permanent absentee voter request box; allowing municipalities to limit the early voting period to an 18-day in-person window (a provision from HF2474); codifying absentee-envelopes and reconciliation; enabling off-reservation tribal lands to host pop-up absentee voting at the tribe's request; and requiring county chain-of-custody plans for ballots and equipment among other items.

Michael Stahlberger, speaking for MAACO, said counties generally support many provisions and emphasized concerns about timing for lists and training, the workload of required chain-of-custody plans, and the need for clear templates and support. "We appreciate bringing some of these items forward separately ... so that we can have the extended discussion on them and their importance to county administrators," Stahlberger said.

Nicole Freeman, from the Secretary of State's office, said the office supports many changes but wanted continued conversations on certain deadlines and the designation process for off-reservation tribal lands for pop-up sites; she flagged potential effects on voter access and suggested separate deadlines for online versus mailed absentee applications because online verification can take one to two business days.

Committee members offered a series of targeted amendments during the hearing: clarifying oath language for election judges (A-7, adopted); adding an effective date for off-reservation tribal lands language (A-2, later withdrawn by the sponsor for further discussion); and discussion of prohibiting cannabis sales or use at polling places in language analogous to existing prohibitions on intoxicating liquor (A-3, offered then withdrawn to allow broader drafting). Multiple other amendments were offered and withdrawn or deferred for further drafting; the bill sponsor and chairs agreed to continue work with stakeholders. The committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion.