Minnesota Constitution Article VII. Elective franchise

Minnesota Constitution – Article VII: Elective Franchise

Article VII of the Minnesota Constitution addresses voting rights and election qualifications—commonly referred to as the elective franchise. Below is a summary of its key provisions:

Summary of Article VII – Elective Franchise

Eligibility to Vote:

A person must be:

At least 18 years old

A citizen of the United States

A resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately preceding the election

The person must be properly registered as a voter.

Disqualifications:

A person convicted of a felony is not eligible to vote until:

The person’s civil rights are restored (typically upon completion of the sentence, including probation/parole).

A person under guardianship may be disqualified from voting if a court specifically revokes their right to vote.

Persons who are mentally incompetent as declared by a court are not eligible to vote.

Residence and Voting:

Residency for voting is based on actual physical presence with intent to reside.

A person can vote only in the precinct where they reside.

Uniform Voting Laws:

Laws governing the mechanics of voting (registration, absentee ballots, etc.) must be uniform throughout the state.

Military and Out-of-State Voting:

Provisions exist to enable military personnel, citizens overseas, and students to vote, typically through absentee ballots.

Ballot and Secrecy:

Voting must be conducted by secret ballot, ensuring privacy and freedom in choice.

Legislative Authority:

The Legislature is authorized to enforce this article and make laws consistent with it.

 

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