Minnesota Governor Enacts the Democracy for the People Act

By Caroline Sullivan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, May 5, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed House File 3, the “Democracy for the People Act,” into law. The new omnibus elections bill is one of several pro-voting priorities advanced by Minnesota’s new Democratic trifecta this session. H.F. 3 passed the Minnesota House on April 13 and the Senate approved the bill on April 26. 

In a tweet today, Walz stated: “In Minnesota, voting isn’t a threat to power – it’s a source of pride.” Among multiple provisions, H.F. 3 will: 

  • Allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote; 
  • Establish automatic voter registration at many state agencies;
  • Permit voters to opt in to a permanent absentee voter list where voters will automatically be sent a mail-in ballot every election;
  • Strengthen penalties for voter intimidation and deception; 
  • Expand language access in voting materials and more.

The introduced version of the bill also included a provision to restore voting rights to people on felony probation or parole, but the Minnesota Legislature accelerated a separate bill to tackle the issue earlier this spring, restoring voting rights to over 50,000 Minnesotans. 

Read the Democracy for the People Act here.

Get a full breakdown of the Democracy for the People Act here.