Absentee voting procedures available to military members called to service by the president could soon be extended to members of the Minnesota National Guard. There’s currently a difference in absentee voting rights between National Guard members who are called to service by a governor and members called to service by the president. National Guard members called up for federal service can receive their ballot in some circumstances by email and do not need a witness for their absentee ballot.
Rep. Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury), the sponsor of legislation to extend certain absentee voting rights to Minnesota National Guard members, said the bill “would expand the definition of military to include National Guard activated for state service.” She added, “This would make the definition of military consistent with the definition in other areas of Minnesota law.”
Secretary of State Steve Simon said the bill would create equal absentee voting rights regardless of who calls members to service.
Full Article: Bill Would Make it Easier for Minn. National Guard Members to Vote When Called to Serve | KSTP TV – Minneapolis and St. Paul.