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HF 2119

Elections integrity act established requiring photo ID to register and to vote, ID cards and provisional ballots established, and criminal penalties increased.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Dotseth

The bill would require a photo ID to register and to vote, establish provisional ballots with cure rules, and impose higher penalties for ID-related violations.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2119

Summary: HF 2119 ( Minnesota, 2025-2026 )

Purpose and Intent

HF 2119 is a proposed election integrity bill that would establish new voter identification requirements and related measures aimed at validating voter eligibility and preventing unauthorized voting. The core aims appear to be to strengthen verification at multiple stages of the voting process, including registration and casting of ballots, and to increase penalties for violations.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Photo ID for Registration and Voting

    • The bill would require individuals to present a photo ID when registering to vote.
    • It would also require a photo ID to cast a ballot, applying the ID requirement at the time of voting.

  • ID Cards

    • The proposal includes the establishment or (re)affirmation of ID cards as a mechanism to satisfy the photo ID requirement for both registration and voting. Details on who would be eligible for free or alternative forms of ID, or what specific IDs qualify, would be defined in the bill’s text.

  • Provisional Ballots

    • Provisions would create or regulate provisional ballots for cases where a voter's eligibility or ID documentation cannot be conclusively verified on election day.
    • The bill would specify conditions under which provisional ballots are issued, how they are counted, and the timeline for curing provisional ballot deficiencies.

  • Penalties

    • There would be increased criminal penalties for violations related to the new requirements, such as improper registration, fraudulent use of IDs, or voting without proper identification.
    • Penalty structure (e.g., classifications, fines, imprisonment ranges) would be defined in the bill.

Who Is Affected

  • Voters and Registrants
    • Individuals registering to vote or voting in elections would be subject to the new photo ID requirement and related processes.
  • Election Officials
    • Election administrators and poll workers would implement ID verification, manage provisional ballots, and enforce the new penalties.
  • Voter ID Issuance and Related Programs
    • Programs providing or validating acceptable photo IDs (including any state ID cards) would be affected, including eligibility for exemptions or free IDs if provided under the bill.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status and Action Timeline
    • Introduced and read for the first time on March 10, 2025.
    • Referred to the committee: Elections Finance and Government Operations.
  • Sponsor
    • Primary sponsor: Jeff Dotseth (Co-sponsor).

Practical Considerations

  • The bill would likely increase administrative requirements for voter registration and polling place operations, including ID verification processes and handling of provisional ballots.
  • The specifics—such as which forms of photo ID qualify, what constitutes a valid ID, exemptions for certain populations, and the exact penalties—are contained in the full bill text and would determine the practical impact on voters and election administration.
  • As with any election integrity measure, considerations include ensuring access to voting, potential impacts on participation, and the balance between verification and convenience.

If you’d like, I can extract and summarize the exact text of the provisions (e.g., qualification of IDs, cure periods for provisional ballots, and the statutory penalty ranges) once you provide the bill’s full language.

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

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