65K Minnesotans registered to vote in new automatic registration system

More than 65,000 Minnesotans have been successfully registered to vote through the state’s new automatic voter registration system.

The Secretary of State’s Office released the update on Sept. 12, noting more than 25,500 16- and 17-year-olds are also now preregistered to vote.

But changes to the internal processes are also underway after some individuals’ voter registrations were inactivated due to potential human error.

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Those who apply for or renew a state-issued ID and provide appropriate documentation will be registered to vote without needing to “opt-in.”

The system includes an intensive review process to verify registrants' identity and residence and confirm their eligibility.

The Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services division is partnering with the secretary of state to ensure the process works as expected and that only eligible Minnesotans are being registered to vote.

During this review, DVS flagged a small number of applicant files as needing additional confirmation of voter registration information.

These individuals may still be eligible to vote, and those impacted will be notified that they will need to register to vote online, with their local election office or in person at their polling place on Election Day.

The release states that the Office of the Secretary of State has worked with DVS to add additional quality assurance to the process to catch and correct instances of human error.

Eligible Minnesotans can still register to vote online at mnvotes.gov, at their local election office or in person at their polling place on Election Day.