Minnesota Prepares for Election Day with New Voting Laws in Effect

(KNSI) — Tuesday is Election Day, the first following major changes to Minnesota voting laws.

This is the first time felons living outside prison walls can vote for president. The law went into effect in June 2023. Once a sentence is served, those convicted of a felony, felons on parole, those in jail but not currently serving a felony sentence, or someone charged with a felony but not yet convicted can vote.

A new law that went into effect this year allows high school students to automatically register to vote. Elections Supervisor Roxanne Gerads told KNSI News, “16 and 17-year-olds can register, but it sits in a queue. They don’t actually get on the roster until they turn 18.”

She says there’s about a six-week backlog for names to appear on the rolls, so someone with a recent birthday might still need to register on the day of the election.

A change in state statute also makes it easier for the homeless to vote. “If someone is homeless, they can now describe their location. But ultimately, they do need to have someone that vouches for them. That is a process of Election Day registration.”

Another twist is that a candidate running for office can help voters at the polls, including helping someone to mark their ballots. The change allows those running for office to help family and friends.

Another change that started June 1st, 2024, includes allowing Minnesota voters to sign up once to be automatically sent an absentee ballot before every election. The online and paper applications can be found by clicking here.

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