Section 1 adds a cross reference in the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to section 2 of the bill relating to data on individuals that are determined by the Secretary of State to be ineligible to vote.

Section 2, subdivision 1, requires individuals who complete applications for new or renewed Minnesota driver’s licenses, instruction permits, or identification cards to be registered to vote. The applicant may decline to be registered.

Subdivision 2 requires the Commissioner of Public Safety to consult with the Secretary of State in designing applications for driver’s licenses, instruction permits, and identification cards so they meet the requirements of current law and the bill. The applications must include a box for applicant to check to decline to be registered to vote. The commissioner must transmit the registration information daily to the Secretary of State, except for information on applicants who decline to be registered or provide an address other than his or her residential address as authorized by law. The driver’s license record must also include citizenship.

Subdivision 3 requires the Secretary of State, upon receiving the data, to determine whether the applicant is currently registered.  If the applicant is registered, the Secretary of State must update the applicant’s registration date in the statewide voter registration system.  If the applicant is not registered, the Secretary of State must determine if the applicant is eligible to vote.  If an applicant is under the age of 18, the Secretary of State must wait until the applicant turns 18 to determine edibility to vote. The Secretary of State must send daily updates to the relevant county auditors to reflect updated or new voter registrations. Data on applicants who are not eligible to vote are private data on individuals. 

Subdivision 4 requires the county auditor, upon getting notice from the Secretary of State, to mail the voter a notice of registration.

Subdivision 5 states that an application for registration that is dated during the 20 days before an election is not effective until the day after the election.

Section 3 provides that this act is not effective until the Commissioner of Public Safety has certified that their systems have been tested and can accurately provide the required data and the Secretary of State has certified that the system for automatic registration has been tested and is capable of properly determining whether an applicant is eligible to vote.

ACS/syl