CONDUCTING A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE

Background: A new federal law, The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), requires additional information when registering to vote.  The following requirements apply to all persons who register “in person.”  (NOTE: In person registrations include those who register on the spot at voter registration drives.)

New information required by HAVA:
1) The voter registration form now includes two questions that must be answered by all registrants- “Are you a U.S. citizen” and “Will you be 18 years old on or before Election Day?”  The registrant must answer yes to both questions before filling out the rest of the card. 

  • If a registrant leaves the citizenship question blank or answers “NO” to the question, the card cannot be accepted.
  • If the registrant leaves the age question blank or answers “NO” the card may be processed if the birth date given indicates otherwise.

Please do not fill in the boxes for the voter unless assistance is required.

2) Registrants now must also provide their Minnesota Driver’s License number if they have one.

  • If they do not have a Minnesota Driver’s License Number (MN ID number is acceptable), then they must provide the last four digits of their Social Security number.  NOTE:  The voter may not fill in a SSN# if they have a Minnesota driver’s license.
  • If the voter does not have a current & valid Minnesota Driver’s License or a Social Security number, then the voter should print “NONE” in the box designated for the ID number.

Required information for voter registration in Minnesota:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Signature

Cards completed at a voter drive can be dropped off at the Hennepin County Government Center, at the county’s service centers, at any of the city halls in Hennepin County and at the Office of the Secretary of State.  If you mail in the applications collected at a voter drive, please include a copy of your business card with the applications.

Additional information:
If the voter chooses to take their card with them and mail it in later, then additional requirements may apply to them.  Please have them phone our office at 612-348-5151 for more details.

Please don’t forget to send the county your cards within 10 days of registration.  Minnesota law requires any state or local agency accepting voter registration cards to submit the completed cards within 10 days after the cards are dated by the voter.  See M.S. 201.061, subd. 1.