(St. Paul, MN) – Today, in the State Government Finance and Elections Committee, Chair Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) presented her bill SF3482, legislation that reinforces the security of presidential primary election data.

In 2016, Senator Ann Rest (D-New Hope) championed a bill that converted Minnesota from a caucus system to a primary system but included no protections for voter data. The change had support from every member of the DFL Senate Majority, DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon, and DFL Governor Dayton. Under the original law, voter information could be shared publicly without limitation. Since then, Senate Republicans have worked to secure voter information left vulnerable by Senator Rest’s legislation.

“I appreciated the discussions we had in committee today, and I am confident we are on the right path to protecting voter information so Minnesotans can freely exercise their right to participate in the democratic process” said Senator Kiffmeyer. “

Senator Kiffmeyer’s bill applies Chapter 13 protections to the presidential primary data to reinforce data security. Chapter 13 secures some of the most private information in the state of Minnesota including social security data, law enforcement data, and other sensitive information.

Specifically, the bill places presidential primary voter data under the protection of Chapter 13.02, Subdivision 12, which reads: “Private data on individuals” are data made by statute or federal law applicable to the data: (a) not public; and (b) accessible to the individual subject of those data. Adding Chapter 13 protections also includes punishment if someone were to make the presidential primary data public. Chapter 13.08 and Chapter 13.09 make public dissemination of the data, in this case, the presidential ballot preference, a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $1,000 to $15,000 if willfully violated.

“We will come to an agreement and prioritize the security of personal data, not political interests,” Senator Kiffmeyer added. “As I have said before, under this new law, Minnesotans who choose to participate in the presidential nominating process can be confident that their political affiliations will not be revealed to the public.”