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Responsive Gov’s Grade TL;DR
After a period of historic progress, the Minnesota State Legislature’s momentum stalled this session. Additionally, the Legislature took a step backward by enacting measures to increase friction in the mail voting process. Despite this setback, the state’s election apparatus remains strong as officials work to implement the major reforms of the previous cycle. This mix of legislative stagnation and administrative maintenance resulted in a C rating.
Looking Back
Where Minnesota Started at the Beginning of 2025
- Automatic Voter Registration: Secure AVR
- Online Voter Registration: Open to all Eligible
- Same-Day Registration: Yes
- Restoration of Rights: Prison Disenfranchisement
- Vote by Mail: No-Excuse
- Electronic Registration Information Center Member: Yes
- Early Voting Opportunities: In-Person Absentee
- ID Requirements: No Document Required
Relying on the Cost of Voting Index for Minnesota as of 2024, we considered the state a top tier state for pre-existing voting policy and compared its 2025 activity against other top tier states. Last year, Minnesota was considered a middle tier state.
How Our Tier Compares
2025: This Past Year
Legislative Action
The Minnesota State Legislature passed only one significant piece of election-related legislation in 2025. However, it chipped away at various voter deadlines and instituted stricter ID requirements for mail ballot applications.
- SF 3045 requires absentee voters to provide both a driver’s license or state identification number and a partial social security number on their application, or provide one number and certify they do not have the other number; shortens the deadline to return mail ballots in person to 5pm on Election Day, instead of the close of polls; among other things.