SF 4135 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Secretary of state to prepare and distribute a voter information guide prior to each statewide general election requirement

This bill requires Minnesota's Secretary of State to create and distribute a voter information guide before each statewide general election. The guide would be mailed to every household with registered voters at least 53 days before the election, posted online, and made available at public libraries, colleges, and other locations. It must include voting eligibility requirements, registration deadlines, and candidate information, while being offered in English and the three most commonly spoken non-English languages in the state. The bill also establishes a dispute resolution process and gives the Secretary of State authority to create rules for implementing the guide.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Last action Mar 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 6 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates the voter information guide requirements to include a dispute resolution procedure for candidate statements and adds accessibility mandates, such as providing the guide in multiple languages and audio recordings. It also reorganizes the statute to clarify the distribution and posting duties of the Secretary of State.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the voter information guide by adding new accessibility requirements and a formal mechanism for resolving disputes over candidate statements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a dispute resolution procedure allowing candidates to rephrase statements or seek court intervention if a statement is deemed obscene, false, or misleading.

Mandated that the voter information guide be available in English and the three most commonly spoken non-English languages, plus an audio recording.

Required the Secretary of State to post the voter information guide on their website in addition to mailing printed copies.

Reorganized the statute to separate distribution and posting requirements into distinct subdivisions for clarity.

Updated candidate statement rules to explicitly prohibit identifying or referencing other candidates running for the same office.

Extended the requirement for combined ticket photographs to include presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Elections

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors