Thousands of Minnesotans Now Automatically Registered to Vote

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- Thousands of Minnesotans have now been automatically registered to vote. 

See Also: Rochester Primary Election Results 

That’s according to a news release issued Thursday morning by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office. The automatic registration is the result of a new state system that went live in April. 

The Secretary of State’s Office is reporting that 65,339 Minnesotans have been registered to vote thanks to the new automatic voter registration system. 

Get our free mobile app

Minnesotans who either apply for or renew a state-issued identification card are automatically added to the state’s voting rolls without needing to opt in if their renewal or application includes proper identification. 

The news release says the voting registration process includes what is described as an “intensive review process” conducted by state and local government officials, who verify the person’s address and confirm their voting eligibility. 

Minnesota residents automatically registered to vote are given notice of their registration and the option to opt out of being an automatically registered voter, according to state election officials. 

The automatic registration is conducted through a joint operation involving the Secretary of State’s Office and the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services Division. 

The Secretary of State’s Office says a small, undisclosed number of would-be automatically registered voters were not added to the voter rolls because their applications were flagged for not confirming the person’s address, citizenship or name. 

In addition to the more than 65,000 newly registered voters, the system also pre-registered  25,572 Minnesotans who are 16-17 years old. 

The news release says it takes officials about 12 weeks to automatically register someone who applies for or renews a state identification card.

More Minnesota News:

• Statewide Alert Issued for Vulnerable, Missing Minnesota Woman 
• FBI Assisting Plainview Police Investigating School Threat 
• High-Speed Chase in Stolen Vehicle Lands Rochester Man in Prison