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HF 2600

Voter registration provisions modified for individuals in jail, secretary of state required to make grants to sheriffs, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kaohly Her and 4 co-sponsors

HF 2600 expands jail voting access, enabling election day registration and absentee ballot support with sheriff grants and required jail voting planning and reporting.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations
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Bill Summary · HF 2600

Summary of HF 2600 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Overall purpose

HF 2600 modifies voter registration provisions for individuals in jail, requires the secretary of state to provide grants to county sheriffs to support jail voting efforts, and makes related amendments and appropriations to support voter education, registration, and absentee/voting in jail settings. The bill aims to expand access to voting for people in jail (on or around election day) and to enhance reporting and administration of jail voting processes.

Key provisions

1) Grants to county sheriffs (Section 1)

  • The secretary of state must make grants to sheriffs to implement the plan developed under section 387.11.
  • Appropriations for this purpose must be allocated to sheriffs in direct proportion to the number of jail beds under each sheriff’s authority.

2) Election day registration (Section 2)

  • Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, § 201.061, subd. 3, regarding in-person election day registration.
  • Provisions include:
    • Eligible individuals may register to vote on election day at the polling place by completing a registration application, taking an oath, and proving residence.
    • Acceptable proofs of residence include driver’s license/ID, other secretary-of-state-approved documents, current student fee statement with a photo ID, or oath-based proof of residence when vouched by a registered voter or residential facility employee working in the precinct (with limitations).
    • A voter vouched for on election day may not sign a proof-of-residence oath for another person on that election day.
    • A registered voter in the precinct may sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day (except as noted for residential facility employees).
    • The secretary of state must provide a form for election judges to record proof-of-residence oaths, including space for the voter’s details and maximum issuer limits.
    • The oath attached to election day registration must be included with the registration form.
  • Expanded clarification for residential facilities:
    • A “residential facility” now explicitly includes a county jail as a facility that can provide residence proof through certain pathways (see also subsection (c)).
  • For tribal members:
    • Options for proving residence include tribal government ID with name/address/signature/photo, or with additional documentation per Minnesota Rules.
  • New provision (f):
    • For eligible voters in jail on election day, the individual may prove residence using the address listed on the jail intake form.
  • Administrative note:
    • A county, school district, or municipality may require an election judge to initial each completed registration application.

3) Post-election reporting (Section 3)

  • Amends § 203B.28 to require a biennial post-election report (by January 15 of odd-numbered years) focusing on absentee voting statistics (by county) and adding:
    • Information on efforts by sheriffs to facilitate voting for those in jail on primary/general election day (as reported to the secretary of state under section 387.11).

4) Jail voting plan and authority of sheriffs (Section 4)

  • Amends § 387.11 to create a structured jail voting framework:
    • Sheriff retains custody and control of the county jail.
    • New subsection (b): Sheriffs must develop a plan, with the county auditor, to provide voter education and assistance on registering to vote and voting by mail for eligible jail inmates on primary/general election day. A jail voting coordinator must be designated to manage materials and voting for those in jail. By November 30 of even-numbered years, sheriffs must report to the secretary of state on actions taken and the resulting number of individuals who sought to vote and outcomes.
    • Subsection (c): Jail staff must ensure jail inmates desiring to vote by absentee ballot have access during normal business hours to contact the county auditor for an absentee ballot application or assistance.

5) Appropriation (Section 5)

  • Authorizes $2,500,000 in FY 2027 from the general fund to the secretary of state to make grants to county sheriffs under Minnesota Statutes, § 5.306.
  • The funding base:
    • $0 in FY 2028 and each even-numbered year thereafter.
    • $2,500,000 in FY 2029 and each odd-numbered year thereafter.

Who is affected

  • County sheriffs: Eligible for grants to support jail voting efforts and are required to implement the jail voting plan, appoint a jail voting coordinator, and report on jail voting activities.
  • Incarcerated individuals and jail inmates: Expanded avenues and processes to register to vote (including on election day using jail intake information) and to request absentee ballots with assistance.
  • Voters in resident facilities and tribal members: Expanded options for establishing residency and proving eligibility for election-related processes.
  • County auditors: Work with sheriffs on jail voting plans and provide absentee ballot access.
  • Election judges and election offices: Required documentation, forms, and potentially expanded oath processes to support election day registration.
  • State-level elected officials and committees: Receive post-election reporting and accountability data on jail voting efforts.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Grantee funding: Authorized for FY 2027; base funding is $0 in even years and $2.5 million in FY 2029 and odd years thereafter.
  • Jail voting plan reporting: Sheriff plan reports due by November 30 of every even-numbered year.
  • Annual/biannual reporting: Post-election statistical reporting due by January 15 of odd-numbered years, including jail-voting efforts.
  • Implementation triggers: Sections 2 and 4 become operative as the bill becomes law; grants to sheriffs to be distributed according to bed counts.

Potential impact

  • Increased access to voting for people in jail through election day registration and absentee ballot support.
  • Greater state and local coordination between sheriffs, county auditors, and the secretary of state to facilitate jail voting.
  • Explicit funding mechanism to support jail voting infrastructure, training, and outreach.
  • Enhanced data collection on jail voting participation and compliance through mandated reporting.

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

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