Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7320
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-19T07:53:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026," aims to withhold federal funding for election improvements from the State of Minnesota until the state's Secretary of State provides specific records related to voter registration and voting to the U.S. Attorney General. This is intended to ensure compliance with federal election laws under the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA), which provides grants to states for modernizing voting systems and improving accessibility.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026."
- Funding Limitation: No funds authorized under HAVA can be distributed to Minnesota until the Minnesota Secretary of State submits the following to the Attorney General:
- All records documenting same-day voter registrations (under Minnesota Statute 201.061, Subdivision 3, which allows eligible voters to register on Election Day).
- All records of votes cast by those same-day registrants.
- All records maintained under Minnesota Statute 201.01, Subdivisions 7 and 8 (these cover voter registration lists and related documentation).
- Any additional records the Attorney General deems relevant to HAVA compliance.
- The bill was introduced on February 2, 2026, by Representatives Stauber, Finstad, Emmer, and Fischbach, and referred to the House Administration Committee.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This introduces a new, state-specific condition on HAVA funding, which previously provided grants to states without such targeted reporting mandates tied to individual state statutes.
- It amends the application of HAVA by linking federal funds to the submission of detailed state voting records, potentially expanding federal oversight of state election processes beyond general compliance requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Attorney General gains authority to review Minnesota's election records, which could increase federal involvement in state elections. Minnesota's election officials may face administrative burdens to compile and submit records, delaying access to federal grants for voting equipment upgrades, poll worker training, and voter access improvements.
- On Citizens: Minnesota voters, particularly those using same-day registration, could experience indirect effects if funding delays lead to outdated voting systems or reduced election resources, potentially affecting election efficiency and accessibility.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. election funding and state compliance.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State of Minnesota: Primarily the Secretary of State and election administrators, who must prepare and submit records to restore funding eligibility.
- Federal Government: The U.S. Attorney General's office, responsible for reviewing submissions, and agencies administering HAVA funds, such as the Election Assistance Commission.
- Minnesota Voters and Political Parties: Residents relying on same-day registration and overall election integrity, as well as political groups advocating for or against enhanced federal scrutiny of state voting processes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill could invite challenges under federal election law, as it imposes a novel reporting requirement not explicitly outlined in HAVA, potentially requiring courts to interpret the scope of federal funding conditions.
- Constitutional Implications: It raises questions about federalism (the balance of power between federal and state governments), as Congress is conditioning funds on state actions involving elections, which are traditionally managed by states. This might conflict with the Tenth Amendment (reserving powers to states) or voting rights protections under the Constitution.
- Political Implications: By targeting only Minnesota, the legislation could be seen as politically motivated, focusing on a specific state's voting practices and potentially influencing partisan debates on election security without broader national application. If enacted, it might set a precedent for similar bills against other states.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Emmer, Tom [R-MN-6], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Minnesota Voter Integrity Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-02 — PDF (2 pages)