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HF 4962

Definition of electronic voting system modified, and voting system rules and instructions permitted to be made available to and acknowledged by a voter using mobile voting technology.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Freiberg and 2 co-sponsors

Minnesota HF 4962 expands electronic voting to include mobile voting, setting minimum security/format requirements and enabling experimental use with Secretary of State rulemaking.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations
#elections #telecommunicationsandinformationtechnology
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 4962

Summary of HF 4962 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

  • The bill modifies the definition and scope of electronic voting systems to explicitly include mobile voting technology.
  • It authorizes jurisdictions that have already authorized mobile voting to provide ballots, instructions, and a certificate of voter eligibility electronically via mobile technology, and to allow electronic return of ballots and eligibility certificates.
  • It sets minimum requirements for mobile voting technology and authorizes rulemaking by the Secretary of State to implement these provisions.

Key provisions and changes

Definition and scope

  • Adds a subdivision to Minn. Stat. 203B.29 (voter transmission and receipt) allowing a voter in a jurisdiction that allows mobile voting to:
    • Receive ballots, instructions, and the certificate of voter eligibility electronically through the mobile voting technology.
    • Return the ballot and the certificate of voter eligibility electronically using the mobile voting technology.

Electronic voting system and mobile voting

  • Amends Minn. Stat. 206.56, subdiv. 8, to:
    • Clarify what constitutes an “electronic voting system,” including components such as automatic tabulating equipment, non-electronic ballot markers, electronic ballot markers (and their devices), software to program tabulators and ballots, ballots, secrecy folders, system documentation, and testing results.
  • Adds a new subdivision defining “mobile voting technology” as the use of a mobile device application to complete and submit a ballot in a secure and encrypted manner.

Mobile voting technology definition

  • Adds a precise definition of mobile voting technology in Minn. Stat. 206.56, subdivision 10a:
    • The use of an application on a mobile device to complete and submit a ballot securely and encrypted.

Experimental use and rules/instructions

  • In Minn. Stat. 206.58, subdivision 2, authorizes the governing body of a municipality to use electronic voting systems on an experimental basis in one or more precincts without a formal adoption, with the following requirements:
    • Use is as valid as permanent adoption for election purposes.
    • If adopted, the governing body must, at least 30 days before the election, prescribe rules and instructions for use consistent with election chapters 206.55–206.90.
    • These rules and instructions must be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval, and once approved, a printed copy must be posted prominently in the polling place and remain accessible to voters throughout the day, or must be conspicuously available to and acknowledged by a voter using mobile voting technology prior to voting.

Minimum requirements for mobile voting technology

  • Establishes baseline criteria for mobile voting technology (Minn. Stat. 206.803, Section 5, Subdivision 1):
    • The system must be an approved electronic voting system under §206.57 prior to use.
    • Must use security features such as multifactor authentication for the mobile device application.
    • Must use encryption when the ballot is transmitted.
    • Must be able to print the ballot in the same style and format as other ballots for the same precinct.

Rulemaking

  • Grants the Secretary of State authority to adopt rules to implement the use of mobile voting technology under this section (Minn. Stat. 206.803, Subdivision 2).

Who/what is affected

  • Local jurisdictions (cities/municipalities) that have authorized mobile voting technology.
  • Voters who would use mobile voting to receive, complete, and return ballots electronically.
  • Secretary of State staff responsible for approving electronic/mobile voting systems, promulgating rules, and ensuring compliance.
  • Election officials administering elections where mobile voting is used or tested.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations (April 13, 2026).
  • It provides for:
    • Optional experimental use of electronic voting systems in single or multiple precincts with specific procedural requirements (notice, rules, and approval).
    • A formal process for approval of rules and instructions by the Secretary of State, with conspicuous posting and voter acknowledgment requirements when mobile voting is used.
  • If the bill advances, counties and municipalities would need to adapt to the minimum mobile voting standards (multifactor authentication, encryption, and printable ballot output) and align with any adopted Secretary of State rules.

Notable details (specifics)

  • Mobile ballots, instructions, and eligibility certificates can be transmitted electronically and ballots can be returned electronically via mobile technology (Sec. 1).
  • The minimum security and accessibility requirements for mobile voting technology include:
    • Approved system status
    • Multifactor authentication
    • Encryption in transmission
    • Print capability matching precinct ballots (Sec. 5, Subd. 1).
  • Experimental use requires posting and public inspection of rules/instructions, with a pre-election timeframe of at least 30 days for rule adoption (Sec. 4).

This summary captures the bill’s core changes: expanding electronic voting definitions to explicitly include mobile voting, establishing minimum security/format standards, enabling experimental use with required governance, and authorizing rulemaking by the Secretary of State.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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