1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to elections; providing for policy and technical changes to elections
1.3 administration and campaign finance provisions; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.4 2024, sections 10A.09, subdivision 1; 200.031; 201.061, subdivisions 3, 3a;
1.5 201.071, subdivision 1; 203B.04, subdivision 1; 203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.08,
1.6 subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.081, subdivision 4; 203B.12, subdivision 10; 203B.121,
1.7 subdivisions 4, 5; 203B.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 203B.30, subdivision 3; 204B.06,
1.8 subdivision 1b; 204B.09, subdivisions 1a, 2; 204B.14, subdivision 2; 204B.16,
1.9 subdivisions 1a, 4; 204B.19, subdivision 5; 204B.24; 204B.25, subdivision 1;
1.10 204B.44; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.08, subdivision 1d; 204C.09, subdivision
1.11 1; 204C.15, subdivisions 1, 2; 204D.19, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 205.13, subdivision
1.12 1a; 206.845, subdivision 1; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 375.20; 383B.041, subdivision
1.13 5; 414.09, subdivision 3; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
1.14 chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision
1.15 3.
1.16BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.17 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.18 Subdivision 1.Time for filing.An individual must file a statement of economic interest:
1.19 (1) within 60 days of accepting employment as a public official or a local official in a
1.20metropolitan governmental unit;
1.21 (2) within 60 days of assuming office as a district court judge, appeals court judge,
1.22supreme court justice, or county commissioner;
1.23 (3) within 14 days after filing the candidate filing period ends where the candidate filed
1.24an affidavit of candidacy or petition to appear on the ballot for an elective state constitutional
1.25or legislative office or an elective local office in a metropolitan governmental unit other
1.26than county commissioner;
1Section 1.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT
95
Printed
Page No.State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1378
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Freiberg, Quam and Virnig02/24/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations
Adoption of Report: Placed on the General Register03/20/2025
Read for the Second Time
By motion, re-referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations04/01/2025
Adoption of Report: Placed on the General Register as Amended04/07/2025
Read for the Second Time 2.1 (4) in the case of a public official requiring the advice and consent of the senate, within
2.214 days after undertaking the duties of office; or
2.3 (5) in the case of members of the Minnesota Racing Commission, the director of the
2.4Minnesota Racing Commission, chief of security, medical officer, inspector of pari-mutuels,
2.5and stewards employed or approved by the commission or persons who fulfill those duties
2.6under contract, within 60 days of accepting or assuming duties.
2.7 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
2.8 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 200.031, is amended to read:
2.9 200.031 DETERMINATION OF RESIDENCE.
2.10 Residence shall be determined in accordance with the following principles, so far as
2.11they may be applicable to the facts of the case:
2.12 (1) The residence of an individual is in the precinct where the individual's home is
2.13located, from which the individual has no present intention of moving, and to which,
2.14whenever the individual is absent, the individual intends to return.
2.15 (2) An individual does not lose residence if the individual leaves home to live temporarily
2.16in another state or precinct.
2.17 (3) An individual does not acquire a residence in any precinct of this state if the individual
2.18is living there only temporarily, without the intention of making that precinct home.
2.19 (4) If an individual goes into another state or precinct with the intention of making it
2.20home or files an affidavit of residence there for election purposes, the individual loses
2.21residence in the former precinct.
2.22 (5) If an individual moves to another state with the intention of living there for an
2.23indefinite period, the individual loses residence in this state, notwithstanding any intention
2.24to return at some indefinite future time.
2.25 (6) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an individual's residence is located in
2.26the precinct where the individual's family lives, unless the individual's family is living in
2.27that precinct only temporarily.
2.28 (7) If an individual's family lives in one precinct and the individual lives or does business
2.29in another, the individual's residence is located in the precinct where the individual's family
2.30lives, unless the individual establishes a home in the other precinct and intends to remain
2.31there, with or without the individual's family.
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 3.1 (8) The residence of a single individual is in the precinct where the individual lives and
3.2usually sleeps.
3.3 (9) The mere intention to acquire a new residence, is not sufficient to acquire a new
3.4residence, unless the individual moves to that location; moving to a new location is not
3.5sufficient to acquire a new residence unless the individual intends to remain there.
3.6 (10) The residence of an individual who is working temporarily in any precinct of this
3.7state is in the precinct where the individual's permanent home is located.
3.8 (11) The residence of an individual who is living permanently in a soldiers' home or
3.9nursing home is in the precinct where the home is located.
3.10 (12) If an individual's home lies in more than one precinct or political subdivision, the
3.11residence of the individual is in the precinct in which a majority of the room in which the
3.12individual usually sleeps is located.
3.13 (13) If an individual's home is destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by fire or natural
3.14disaster, the individual does not lose residence in the precinct where the home is located if
3.15the individual intends to return to the home when it is reconstructed or made habitable.
3.16 (14) The residence of a person committed to a secure treatment facility as a sexual
3.17psychopathic personality or as a sexually dangerous person under chapter 253D is the
3.18person's last known residential address prior to issuance of the committal order.
3.19 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.20 Subd. 3.Election day registration.(a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register
3.21on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the
3.22individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in
3.23the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An individual
3.24may prove residence for purposes of registering by:
3.25 (1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to
3.26section 171.07;
3.27 (2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
3.28 (3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address
3.29in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or
3.30 (4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee who provides
3.31proof that they are employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and
3.32vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge
3Sec. 3.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 4.1vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of
4.2the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of
4.3residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. An election judge
4.4may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any individual who appears in the
4.5precinct where the election judge is working. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct
4.6may sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not
4.7apply to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state
4.8shall provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for
4.9whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space
4.10for the maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence
4.11oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the individual:
4.12(i) is registered to vote in the precinct or is an employee of a residential facility in the
4.13precinct, (ii) personally knows that the voter is a resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making
4.14the statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature,
4.15telephone number, and address.
4.16 The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be
4.17attached to the voter registration application.
4.18 (b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees
4.19currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The
4.20operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than
4.2120 days before each election for use in election day registration. The secretary of state must
4.22publish guidance for residential facilities and residential facility employees on the vouching
4.23process and the requirements of this subdivision.
4.24 (c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48,
4.25subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under
4.26section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision
4.275; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a
4.28veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under
4.29chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a
4.30residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for
4.31persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services
4.32under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section
4.33256I.03, subdivision 10a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37,
4.34subdivision 4; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to
4.35provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider
4Sec. 3.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 5.1operates a residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or
5.2a facility where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section
5.3245A.02, subdivision 6c.
5.4 (d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of
5.5registering by:
5.6 (1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
5.7by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
5.8name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
5.9 (2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
5.10by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
5.11name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents
5.12listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
5.13 (e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge
5.14responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.
5.15 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
5.16 Subd. 3a.Additional proofs of residence permitted for students.(a) If an eligible
5.17voter's name; student identification number, if available; and address within the precinct
5.18appear on a current residential housing list under section 135A.17 certified to the county
5.19auditor by the postsecondary educational institution, the voter may prove residence by
5.20presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a postsecondary educational
5.21institution in Minnesota; identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause
5.22(1) or (2); or identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (d), clause (1) or (2).
5.23 (b) This additional proof of residence for students must not be allowed unless the
5.24postsecondary educational institution submits to the county auditor no later than 60 days
5.25prior to the election a written agreement that the postsecondary educational institution will
5.26certify for use at the election accurate updated residential housing lists under section 135A.17.
5.27A written agreement is effective for the election and all subsequent elections held in that
5.28calendar year, including the November general election.
5.29 (c) The additional proof of residence for students must be allowed on an equal basis for
5.30voters who reside in housing meeting the requirements of section 135A.17, if the residential
5.31housing lists certified by the postsecondary educational institution meet the requirements
5.32of this subdivision.
5Sec. 4.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 6.1 (d) An updated residential housing list must be certified to the county auditor no later
6.2than 20 days prior to each election. The certification must be dated and signed by the chief
6.3officer or designee of the postsecondary educational institution and must state that the list
6.4is current and accurate and includes only the names of persons residing in the institution's
6.5housing and, for students who do not live in the institution's housing, that it reflects the
6.6institution's records as of the date of the certification.
6.7 (e) This additional proof of residence for students must be allowed during the 18 days
6.8before an election and on election day. The county auditor shall instruct the election judges
6.9of the precinct in procedures for use of the list in conjunction with photo identification. The
6.10auditor shall supply a list to the election judges with the election supplies for the precinct.
6.11 (f) The county auditor shall notify all postsecondary educational institutions in the county
6.12of the provisions of this subdivision.
6.13 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.14 Subdivision 1.Form.Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must
6.15contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration
6.16application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name,
6.17middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's
6.18previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence;
6.19voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid
6.20Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter
6.21has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, the
6.22last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; a box to indicate a voter's preference
6.23to join the permanent absentee voter list; and voter's signature. The paper registration
6.24application must provide a space for a voter to provide a physical description of the location
6.25of their residence, if the voter resides in an area lacking a specific physical address. The
6.26description must be sufficient for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the
6.27voter. The description may include the closest cross street or the nearest address to the
6.28described location that is identified on a precinct map, and directions from that cross street
6.29or address to the described location, including but not limited to the cardinal direction and
6.30approximate distance to the location. The paper registration application may include the
6.31voter's email address, if provided by the voter. The electronic voter registration application
6.32must include the voter's email address. The registration application may include the voter's
6.33interest in serving as an election judge, if indicated by the voter. The application must also
6.34contain the following certification of voter eligibility:
6Sec. 5.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 7.1 "I certify that I:
7.2 (1) am at least 16 years old and understand that I must be at least 18 years old to be
7.3eligible to vote;
7.4 (2) am a citizen of the United States;
7.5 (3) will have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding
7.6election day;
7.7 (4) maintain residence at the address or location given on the registration form;
7.8 (5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my right
7.9to vote;
7.10 (6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
7.11 (7) am not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense; and
7.12 (8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information is a
7.13felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than
7.14$10,000, or both."
7.15 The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following questions:
7.16 "(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
7.17 "(2) Are you at least 16 years old and will you be at least 18 years old on or before the
7.18day of the election in which you intend to vote?"
7.19 And the instruction:
7.20 "If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
7.21 The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility
7.22must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter
7.23registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted
7.24as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not
7.25deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
7.26 An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in
7.27Minnesota or to change information on an existing registration.
7Sec. 5.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 8.1 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.2 Subdivision 1.Application procedures.(a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision
8.32 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, or 203B.29, an application for absentee ballots for
8.4any election:
8.5 (1) may be submitted in person at any time not later than the day before the election; or
8.6 (2) if not submitted in person as provided in clause (1), must be received at any time not
8.7less than one day seven days before the day of that election.
8.8 (b) The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format
8.9provided by the secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January
8.101 of each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available
8.11to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
8.12shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile
8.13device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:
8.14 (1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
8.15 (2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the
8.16applicant maintains residence.
8.17 (b) (c) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically
8.18through a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose.
8.19After 5:00 p.m. seven days prior to an election, the secretary of state must replace the
8.20electronic application with information detailing the available options to vote before and
8.21on the upcoming election day. Notwithstanding paragraph (d) (e), the secretary of state must
8.22require applicants using the website to submit the applicant's email address and the
8.23applicant's:
8.24 (1) verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, or Minnesota state identification card
8.25number, or; and
8.26 (2) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
8.27If an applicant does not possess both types of documents, the applicant must include the
8.28number for one type of document and must affirmatively certify that the applicant does not
8.29possess the other type of documentation. This paragraph does not apply to a town election
8.30held in March.
8.31 (c) (d) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph (c) may only be
8.32transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the
8Sec. 6.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 9.1application information matches the information in a government database associated with
9.2the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security
9.3number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of
9.4suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement
9.5agency for investigation.
9.6 (d) (e) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the
9.7applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth,
9.8and at least one of the following:
9.9 (1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
9.10 (2) Minnesota state identification card number;
9.11 (3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
9.12 (4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
9.13All applications must be retained by the county auditor or the municipal clerk or school
9.14district clerk, if applicable. If an application is received after 5:00 p.m. seven days prior to
9.15the election, the official in charge of the ballot board must, within one day of receipt of the
9.16application, attempt to contact the applicant by telephone or email to notify the applicant
9.17of opportunities to vote in the election. The official must document the attempts made to
9.18contact the applicant.
9.19 (e) (f) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained
9.20on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and
9.21that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
9.22 (f) (g) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification
9.23number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made
9.24available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or
9.25municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in
9.26person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than
9.27the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or
9.28municipal clerk within ten seven days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than
9.29six seven days before the election.
9.30 (g) (h) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision
9.315 to automatically receive an absentee ballot.
9Sec. 6.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 10.1 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.2 Subdivision 1.Generally.The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer the
10.3provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if:
10.4 (1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them and the
10.5clerk accepts that responsibility; or
10.6 (2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to administer
10.7them.
10.8 The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the
10.9administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121 and whether the
10.10municipality's office will be designated an absentee voting location pursuant to section
10.11203B.081, subdivision 1, or only for early voting pursuant to section 203B.081, subdivision
10.121a.
10.13 A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the
10.14provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has been designated
10.15by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county auditors that the
10.16city will administer absentee voting. A clerk may only administer the provisions of sections
10.17203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has technical capacity to access the statewide
10.18voter registration system in the secure manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The
10.19secretary of state must identify hardware, software, security, or other technical prerequisites
10.20necessary to ensure the security, access controls, and performance of the statewide voter
10.21registration system. A clerk must receive training approved by the secretary of state on the
10.22use of the statewide voter registration system before administering this section. A clerk may
10.23not use the statewide voter registration system until the clerk has received the required
10.24training. The county auditor must notify the secretary of state of any municipal clerk who
10.25will be administering the provisions of this section and the duties that the clerk will
10.26administer.
10.27 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of
10.28the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the
10.29revisor of statutes receives the certification.
10.30Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.31 Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter.(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee
10.32ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions
10.33for casting the absentee ballots. The return signature envelope containing marked ballots
10Sec. 8.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 11.1may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left
11.2with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter,
11.3or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the
11.4return signature envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by
11.58:00 p.m. on election day.
11.6 (b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot
11.7return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return
11.8signature envelope in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return signature envelopes
11.9of not more than three voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers
11.10with either the return signature envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail
11.11or deliver the return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty
11.12of a misdemeanor.
11.13Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
11.14 Subd. 3.Procedures on receipt of ballots.When absentee ballots are returned to a
11.15county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
11.16signature envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked
11.17space with other return signature envelopes received by that office. Within five days after
11.18receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots
11.19signature envelopes received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an
11.20election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots signature envelopes
11.21received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots Signature envelopes received on
11.22election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or
11.23municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.
11.24Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
11.25 Subd. 4.Temporary locations.(a) A county auditor or municipal clerk authorized under
11.26section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day may designate additional polling
11.27places with days and hours that differ from those required by section 203B.085. A designation
11.28authorized by this subdivision must be made at least 47 days before the election. The county
11.29auditor or municipal clerk must provide notice to the secretary of state at the time that the
11.30designations are made.
11.31 (b) At the request of a federally recognized Indian Tribe with a reservation or
11.32off-reservation Tribal Lands in the county, the county auditor must establish an additional
11.33polling place for at least one day on the Indian reservation or off-reservation Tribal Lands
11Sec. 10.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 12.1on a site agreed upon by the Tribe and the county auditor that is accessible to the county
12.2auditor by a public road.
12.3 (c) At the request of a postsecondary institution or the student government organization
12.4of a postsecondary institution in the county or municipality, the county auditor or a municipal
12.5clerk authorized to administer absentee voting under section 203B.05 must establish an
12.6additional temporary polling place for the state general election or the odd-year city general
12.7election for at least one day at a location agreed upon by the institution and the county
12.8auditor or municipal clerk that:
12.9 (1) is accessible to the public;
12.10 (2) satisfies the requirements of state and federal law; and
12.11 (3) is on the institution's campus or is within one-half mile of the institution's campus
12.12and is reasonably accessible to the institution's students.
12.13A request must be made no later than May 31 before an election and the request is valid
12.14only for that election. This paragraph only applies to a postsecondary institution that provides
12.15on-campus student housing to 100 or more students. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the
12.16county auditor or municipal clerk from engaging in a dialogue with the entity that made the
12.17request regarding potential alternative locations for a temporary polling place that does not
12.18meet the requirements of clause (3). An entity that made a request for a temporary polling
12.19place may withdraw its request by notifying the county auditor or municipal clerk.
12.20 (d) Within five business days of designating an additional polling place under this
12.21subdivision, the county auditor or municipal clerk must post on the county's or municipality's
12.22website the address of the polling place and the dates and times the polling place will be
12.23available for voting. Within five business days of receiving the notice described in paragraph
12.24(a), the secretary of state must post on the secretary of state's website the address of the
12.25polling place and the dates and times the polling place will be available for voting. If a
12.26designation applies to both a primary and general election, a separate notice must be provided
12.27for each election, and the notice for the general election may not be posted until after the
12.28date of the primary election.
12.29Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.12, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
12.30 Subd. 10.Names of persons; absentee ballot applications.The names of voters who
12.31have submitted an absentee ballot application to the county auditor or municipal clerk, the
12.32date on which the application was signed, the date on which the application was accepted,
12Sec. 11.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 13.1and the method of submission must be available to the public in the same manner as public
13.2information lists in section 201.091, subdivisions 4, 5, and 9.
13.3 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
13.4 Subd. 4.Opening of envelopes.(a) After the close of business on the 19th day before
13.5the election, the ballots from secrecy ballot envelopes within the signature envelopes marked
13.6"Accepted" may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86,
13.7subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate
13.8ballot box. If more than one voted ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must
13.9be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and
13.10may not be counted.
13.11 (b) Accepted signature envelopes must be segregated by precinct and processed in
13.12accordance with this subdivision on a precinct-by-precinct basis. Precincts within a
13.13combination polling place established in section 205A.11, subdivision 2, may be processed
13.14together. At each step, members of the ballot board must notify the official responsible for
13.15the ballot board if there is a discrepancy in any count required by paragraphs (c) to (e) and
13.16note it in the ballot board incident log.
13.17 (c) Before opening accepted signature envelopes, two members of the ballot board must
13.18count and record the number of envelopes and ensure that the count matches either the
13.19number of accepted signature envelopes provided by the official responsible for the ballot
13.20board or the number of signature envelopes accepted by the ballot board that day.
13.21 (d) Two members of the ballot board must remove the ballots from the ballot envelopes.
13.22The governing body responsible for the ballot board must not dispose of or destroy any
13.23ballot envelopes until 30 days after the deadline for bringing an election contest expires or,
13.24if a contest is filed, 30 days after completion of the contest and any related appeals, whichever
13.25is later.
13.26 (e) After ballots have been removed from the ballot envelopes, two members of the
13.27ballot board must count and record the number of ballots to ensure the count matches the
13.28number of accepted signature envelopes, accounting for any empty envelopes or spoiled
13.29ballots, which must be noted on the ballot board incident log.
13.30Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
13.31 Subd. 5.Storage and counting of absentee ballots.(a) On a day on which absentee
13.32ballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members of the ballot board must:
13Sec. 13.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 14.1 (1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;
14.2 (2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the
14.3ballot box is equal to the number of voters whose absentee ballots were accepted from the
14.4tally in subdivision 4 that were to be inserted into the ballot box that day; and
14.5 (3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of
14.6the day.
14.7 (b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board must
14.8count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter and
14.9the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general elections,
14.10the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in each precinct
14.11and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count must be recorded on a
14.12summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in section 204C.26. The
14.13ballot board shall must submit at least one completed summary statement to the county
14.14auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may require the ballot
14.15board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to comply with the
14.16provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk may certify reports
14.17containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the recipients of the summary
14.18statements designated in section 204C.27.
14.19 In state primary and state general elections, These vote totals shall must be added to the
14.20vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other
14.21elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of
14.22returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.
14.23 The count shall must be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before
14.24the close of voting on election day.
14.25 (c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been
14.26completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but
14.27no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee ballots
14.28arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated and whose
14.29ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee ballot submitted
14.30by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All other accepted
14.31absentee ballots must be opened in accordance with the procedures outlined in subdivision
14.324, except for the absentee ballots cast using the alternative procedure in section 203B.081,
14.33subdivision 3, duplicated if necessary, and counted by members of the ballot board. The
14Sec. 13.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 15.1vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into the totals with the other absentee
15.2ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).
15.3 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.4 Subdivision 1.Emergency response providers.Any eligible Minnesota voter who is
15.5a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in
15.6response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any
15.7governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for
15.8absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate
15.9of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly
15.10completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must
15.11electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee ballot application
15.12deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this subdivision. The county
15.13auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted
15.14electronically.
15.15Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
15.16 Subd. 2.Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability.Any eligible Minnesota
15.17voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the
15.18effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions,
15.19and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible
15.20format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements.
15.21Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the
15.22county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee
15.23ballot application deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this
15.24subdivision. The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section
15.25203B.07.
15.26Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
15.27 Subd. 3.Processing of ballots.Each day when early voting occurs, the early voting
15.28officials must:
15.29 (1) remove and secure ballots cast during the early voting period following the procedures
15.30in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (a)., noting the date, voting location, and
15.31number of ballots cast;
15Sec. 16.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 16.1 (2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the
16.2ballot box is equal to the number of voter certificates that were signed by voters in subdivision
16.32, paragraph (b); and
16.4 (3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of
16.5the day.
16.6 The absentee ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election
16.7day following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).
16.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of
16.9the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the
16.10revisor of statutes receives the certification.
16.11Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
16.12 Subd. 1b.Address, electronic mail address, and telephone number.(a) An affidavit
16.13of candidacy must state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An
16.14affidavit must also state the candidate's or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic
16.15mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess
16.16an electronic mail address. Except for affidavits of candidacy for (1) judicial office, (2) the
16.17office of county attorney, or (3) county sheriff, an affidavit must also state the candidate's
16.18current address of residence as determined under section 200.031, or at the candidate's
16.19request in accordance with paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact address. When
16.20filing the affidavit, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid
16.21driver's license or state identification card that contains the candidate's current address of
16.22residence, or documentation of proof of residence authorized for election day registration
16.23in section 201.061, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2); clause (3), item (ii); or paragraph
16.24(d). If an original bill is shown, the due date on the bill must be within 30 days before or
16.25after the beginning of the filing period or, for bills without a due date, dated within 30 days
16.26before the beginning of the filing period. If the address on the affidavit and the documentation
16.27do not match, the filing officer must not accept the affidavit. The form for the affidavit of
16.28candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if eligible, that the candidate's address of
16.29residence be classified as private data, and to provide the certification required under
16.30paragraph (c) for classification of that address.
16.31 (b) If an affidavit for an office where a residency requirement must be satisfied by the
16.32close of the filing period is filed as provided by paragraph (c), the filing officer must, within
16.33one business day of receiving the filing, determine whether the address provided in the
16.34affidavit of candidacy is within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking.
16Sec. 17.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 17.1For all other candidates who filed for an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied
17.2by the close of the filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that
17.3the filing officer receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this
17.4paragraph, at any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the
17.5filing officer must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is
17.6within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer
17.7determines that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer
17.8must immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the
17.9ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is subject
17.10to judicial review under section 204B.44.
17.11 (c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified as
17.12private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate form
17.13to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that either:
17.14(1) a police report has been submitted, an order for protection has been issued, or the
17.15candidate has a reasonable fear in regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's
17.16family; or (2) the candidate's address is otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law. The
17.17address of residence provided by a candidate who makes a request for classification on the
17.18candidate's affidavit of candidacy and provides the certification required by this paragraph
17.19is classified as private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be reviewed
17.20by the filing officer as provided in this subdivision.
17.21 (d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a
17.22candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.
17.23Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
17.24 Subd. 1a.Absent candidates.(a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal
17.25office who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a properly
17.26executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any necessary petitions in
17.27person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state in writing the reason for being unable
17.28to submit the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, if any, and petitions
17.29must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding the
17.30candidate's absence from the state. Nominating petitions may be signed during the 14 days
17.31immediately preceding the date when the affidavit of candidacy is filed.
17.32 (b) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent
17.33from the state during the entire filing period or who must leave the state for the remainder
17.34of the filing period and who certifies to the secretary of state that the circumstances constitute
17Sec. 18.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 18.1an emergency and were unforeseen, may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy
18.2by facsimile device or by transmitting electronically a scanned image of the affidavit and
18.3proof of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, to the secretary of state
18.4during the filing period. The candidate shall state in writing the specific reason for being
18.5unable to submit the affidavit by mail or by hand during the filing period or in person prior
18.6to the start of the filing period. The affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary
18.7petitions must be received by the secretary of state by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.
18.8If the candidate is filing for a special district or county office, the secretary of state shall
18.9forward the affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions to the
18.10appropriate filing officer. Copies of a proof of residence submitted under this subdivision
18.11are private data.
18.12Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
18.13 Subd. 2.Other elections.Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city,
18.14town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified
18.15in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district
18.16candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of
18.17eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official
18.18specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy, including proof
18.19of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, and nominating petitions filed
18.20under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L,
18.21or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate official within the
18.22specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office. Copies of a proof of
18.23residence submitted by mail are private data.
18.24Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
18.25 Subd. 2.Separate precincts; combined polling place.(a) The following shall constitute
18.26at least one election precinct:
18.27 (1) each city ward; and
18.28 (2) each town and each statutory city.
18.29 (b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than
18.30November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following
18.31year or May 1 of any other year:
18Sec. 20.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 19.1 (1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more
19.2than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;
19.3 (2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;
19.4 (3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan
19.5area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county;
19.6or
19.7 (4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.
19.8 Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place
19.9may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.
19.10 A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be
19.11filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body, and the
19.12county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner
19.13and including information prescribed by the secretary of state. A polling place combined
19.14under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality.
19.15A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each
19.16participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the
19.17noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined
19.18polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no
19.19later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the
19.20following year or April 1 of any other year, and the county auditor must provide notice
19.21within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed
19.22by the secretary of state.
19.23 The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct
19.24served by the combined polling place, except that in a precinct that uses electronic rosters
19.25the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct. The secretary of
19.26state and county auditor must provide guidance to the election judges serving in a combined
19.27polling place on the procedures to be used to ensure each voter is provided the correct ballot
19.28for that voter's precinct. A single set of election judges may be appointed to serve at a
19.29combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be based on the total
19.30number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to be voting at the
19.31combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the ballots from each
19.32precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each precinct served by
19.33the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under clause (2) where
19.34one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the results of that
19Sec. 20.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 20.1precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state. In addition to
20.2other required informational material and notices, a map showing the precincts served by
20.3the combined polling place, along with a notice that multiple ballot styles are in use, must
20.4be prominently displayed near the entrance to the combined polling place.
20.5 (c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the
20.6safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent,
20.7the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant
20.8to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the
20.9election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:
20.10 (1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election
20.11day;
20.12 (2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling
20.13place under this paragraph;
20.14 (3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish
20.15the combined polling place;
20.16 (4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved
20.17by the local election official of each participating municipality;
20.18 (5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the
20.19secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination
20.20and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections
20.21official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of
20.22the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website,
20.23if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request
20.24that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location
20.25of the combined polling place; and
20.26 (6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a
20.27conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating
20.28the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the
20.29notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as
20.30provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to
20.31section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph
20.32must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be
20.33extended until the specified time.
20Sec. 20.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 21.1 Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.16, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
21.2 Subd. 1a.Notice to voters.(a) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the
21.3governing body establishing the polling place shall send to every affected household with
21.4at least one registered voter in the precinct a nonforwardable mailed notice stating the
21.5location of the new polling place at least 25 days before the next election. The secretary of
21.6state shall prepare a sample of this notice. A notice that is returned as undeliverable must
21.7be forwarded immediately to the county auditor. This subdivision paragraph does not apply
21.8to a polling place location that is changed on election day under section 204B.175.
21.9 (b) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the local official for the governing
21.10body establishing the polling place must post a notice in large print and in a conspicuous
21.11place at the closed polling place, if practicable, stating the location of the new polling place.
21.12The local election official must also post the notice, if practicable, in a location visible by
21.13voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2.
21.14The notice must be in all languages required under section 204B.295 for that precinct. The
21.15notice must be posted for each special, primary, and general election until a general
21.16presidential election or redistricting has occurred. The secretary of state shall prepare a
21.17sample of this notice.
21.18Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.16, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
21.19 Subd. 4.Prohibited locations.No polling place shall be designated in any place or in
21.20any adjoining room where intoxicating liquors or; nonintoxicating malt beverages; or
21.21cannabis products, as defined in section 342.01, subdivision 20, are served or in any adjoining
21.22room sold. No polling place shall be designated in any place in which substantial compliance
21.23with the requirements of this chapter cannot be attained.
21.24Sec. 23. [204B.182] CHAIN OF CUSTODY PLANS.
21.25 (a) The county auditor must develop a county elections chain of custody plan to be used
21.26in all state, county, municipal, school district, and special district elections held in that
21.27county. If any of the political subdivisions cross county lines, the affected counties must
21.28make efforts to ensure that the elections chain of custody procedures affecting the local
21.29jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. County auditors must file the elections
21.30chain of custody plans with the secretary of state.
21.31 (b) The chain of custody plan must account for both the physical and cyber security of
21.32elections-related materials. The plan must include sample chain of custody documentation.
21Sec. 23.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 22.1 (c) The secretary of state may provide additional guidance to counties on elections chain
22.2of custody best practices and planning.
22.3 (d) A municipal clerk, school district clerk, or special district clerk may create a local
22.4chain of custody plan for use in local elections not held in conjunction with federal, state,
22.5or county elections that meets or exceeds the requirements of the county elections chain of
22.6custody plan. Any plan adopted under this paragraph must be adopted and filed with the
22.7secretary of state at least 84 days before the first election in which it will be used.
22.8 (e) Each political subdivision clerk who develops a local elections chain of custody plan
22.9pursuant to paragraph (d) and each county auditor must review their respective elections
22.10chain of custody plan prior to each state primary election. Any revisions to the elections
22.11chain of custody plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by June 1 prior
22.12to the state primary election.
22.13 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment, and
22.14county auditors must file an elections chain of custody plan with the secretary of state by
22.15September 1, 2025.
22.16Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.19, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
22.17 Subd. 5.Party balance requirement.No more than half of the election judges in a
22.18precinct, or at any location where ballots are being counted, recounted, or reviewed, may
22.19be members of the same major political party unless the election board consists of an odd
22.20number of election judges, in which case the number of election judges who are members
22.21of the same major political party may be one more than half the number of election judges
22.22in that precinct. Each major political party must be represented by at least one election judge
22.23in each precinct.
22.24Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.24, is amended to read:
22.25 204B.24 ELECTION JUDGES; OATH.
22.26 Each election judge shall sign the following oath before assuming the duties of the office:
22.27 "I .......... solemnly swear (or affirm) that:
22.28 (1) I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability
22.29and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election.
22.30 (2) I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an
22.31advantage for my party or for any candidate.
22Sec. 25.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 23.1 (3) In the performance of my duties as an election judge, I will not share information
23.2about voting that I know to be materially false and will not intentionally hinder, interfere
23.3with, or prevent a person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person in casting
23.4a ballot or registering to vote, except as specifically required by law."
23.5 The oath shall be attached to the summary statement of the election returns of that
23.6precinct. If there is no individual present who is authorized to administer oaths, the election
23.7judges may administer the oath to each other.
23.8 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.9 Subdivision 1.Duties of county auditor.Each county auditor shall provide training for
23.10all election judges who are appointed to serve at any election to be held in the county. The
23.11county auditor shall also provide a procedure for emergency training of election judges
23.12elected to fill vacancies. The county auditor may delegate to a municipal election official
23.13the duty to provide training of election judges in that municipality or school district. The
23.14training must be consistent with the training programs established by the secretary of state
23.15under subdivision 2.
23.16Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.44, is amended to read:
23.17 204B.44 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS; REMEDY.
23.18 (a) Any individual may file a petition in the manner provided in this section for the
23.19correction of any of the following errors, omissions, or wrongful acts which have occurred
23.20or are about to occur:
23.21 (1) an error or omission in the placement or printing of the name or description of any
23.22candidate or any question on any official ballot, including the placement of a candidate on
23.23the official ballot who is not eligible to hold the office for which the candidate has filed;
23.24 (2) any other error in preparing or printing any official ballot;
23.25 (3) failure of the chair or secretary of the proper committee of a major political party to
23.26execute or file a certificate of nomination;
23.27 (4) any wrongful act, omission, or error of any election judge, municipal clerk, county
23.28auditor, canvassing board or any of its members, the secretary of state, or any other individual
23.29charged with any duty concerning an election.
23.30 (b) The petition shall describe the error, omission, or wrongful act and the correction
23.31sought by the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with any judge of the supreme court in
23Sec. 27.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 24.1the case of an election for state or federal office or any judge of the district court in that
24.2county in the case of an election for county, municipal, or school district office. The petitioner
24.3shall serve a copy of the petition on the officer, board or individual charged with the error,
24.4omission, or wrongful act, on all candidates for the office in the case of an election for state,
24.5federal, county, municipal, or school district office, and on any other party as required by
24.6the court. Upon receipt of the petition the court shall immediately set a time for a hearing
24.7on the matter and order the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission or
24.8wrongful act to correct the error or wrongful act or perform the duty or show cause for not
24.9doing so. In the case of a review of a candidate's eligibility to hold office, the court may
24.10order the candidate to appear and present sufficient evidence of the candidate's eligibility.
24.11The court shall issue its findings and a final order for appropriate relief as soon as possible
24.12after the hearing. Failure to obey the order is contempt of court.
24.13 (c) Any service required on a candidate may be accomplished by electronic mail sent
24.14to the address the candidate provided on the candidate's affidavit of candidacy pursuant to
24.15section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, or by any other means permitted by law.
24.16 (d) If the candidate for an office and the officer, board, or individual charged with the
24.17error, omission, or wrongful act unanimously agree in writing:
24.18 (1) that an error, omission, or wrongful act occurred; and
24.19 (2) on the appropriate correction for the error, omission, or wrongful act;
24.20then the officer, board, or individual charged with the error, omission, or wrongful act must
24.21correct the error in the manner agreed to without an order from the court.
24.22The officer, board, or individual must notify the secretary of state in writing of the error
24.23and proposed correction within one business day of receiving notification of the candidate's
24.24written agreement and must not distribute any ballots reflecting the proposed correction for
24.25two business days unless the secretary of state waives the notice period.
24.26 (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an official may correct any
24.27official ballot without order from the court if the ballot is not in compliance with sections
24.28204B.35 to 204B.37 or any rules promulgated under sections 204B.35 to 204B.37.
24.29Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
24.30 Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day.Notice of the election and the special
24.31mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days
24.32nor later than 14 28 days before a regularly scheduled any election and not more than 30
24.33days nor later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by
24Sec. 28.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 25.1nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No
25.2later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots
25.3to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before
25.4the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for
25.5ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided,
25.6must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or
25.7in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot
25.8board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted"
25.9or "rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day,
25.10or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board
25.11may consist of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training
25.12in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major
25.13political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different
25.14major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,
25.15subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before
25.16the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk shall
25.17provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot.
25.18If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain sealed
25.19and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by telephone
25.20or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official must
25.21document the attempts made to contact the voter.
25.22 If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
25.23indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
25.24on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"
25.25may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision
25.265, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
25.27 In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit
25.28and counting of ballots apply.
25.29 The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as
25.30one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the
25.31close of voting on election day.
25.32 The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter
25.33maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be
25.34counted.
25Sec. 28.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 26.1 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:
26.2 Subd. 1d.Voter's Bill of Rights.The county auditor shall prepare and provide to each
26.3polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set forth
26.4in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall
26.5post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill of Rights
26.6is as follows:
26.7 "VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS
26.8 For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:
26.9 (1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal,
26.10or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation
26.11time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot,
26.12and return to work.
26.13 (2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right
26.14to vote.
26.15 (3) If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register to
26.16vote and to vote on election day.
26.17 (4) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your identity
26.18with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.
26.19 (5) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.
26.20 (6) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person
26.21of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.
26.22 (7) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the
26.23voting booth with you.
26.24 (8) You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of a
26.25felony offense.
26.26 (9) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court order
26.27revokes your right to vote.
26.28 (10) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence
26.29your vote.
26.30 (11) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the right
26.31to receive a replacement ballot and vote.
26Sec. 29.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 27.1 (12) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are
27.2dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.
27.3 (13) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.
27.4 (14) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting booth
27.5with you."
27.6 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.7 Subdivision 1.Counting and initialing.(a) Before the voting begins, at least two election
27.8judges must certify the number of ballots delivered to the precinct. Election judges may
27.9conduct this count, presuming that the total count provided for prepackaged ballots is correct.
27.10As each package is opened, two judges must count the ballots in the package to ensure that
27.11the total count provided for the package is correct. Any discrepancy must be noted on the
27.12incident log.
27.13 (b) Before the voting begins, or as soon as possible after it begins, at least two election
27.14judges shall each initial the backs of all the ballots. The election judges shall not otherwise
27.15mark the ballots.
27.16Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.17 Subdivision 1.Physical assistance in marking ballots.A voter who claims a need for
27.18assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot may
27.19obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political parties
27.20at any location where ballots may be cast, including early and in-person absentee voting
27.21locations, and in a polling place on election day. The election judges shall mark the ballots
27.22as directed by the voter and in as secret a manner as circumstances permit. A voter in need
27.23of assistance may alternatively obtain the assistance of any individual the voter chooses.
27.24Only the following persons may not provide assistance to a voter: the voter's employer, an
27.25agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union. The person who
27.26assists the voter shall, unaccompanied by an election judge, retire with that voter to a booth
27.27and mark the ballot as directed by the voter. Before the ballots are deposited, the voter may
27.28show them privately to an election judge to ascertain that they are marked as the voter
27.29directed. An election judge or other individual assisting a voter shall not in any manner
27.30request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to vote for any particular
27.31political party or candidate. The election judges or other individuals who assist the voter
27.32shall not reveal to anyone the name of any candidate for whom the voter has voted or
27.33anything that took place while assisting the voter.
27Sec. 31.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 28.1 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
28.2 Subd. 2.Outside the polling place.An individual who is unable to enter any location
28.3where ballots may be cast, including early and in-person absentee voting locations, or a
28.4polling place where paper ballots or an electronic voting system are used may register and
28.5vote without leaving a motor vehicle. Two election judges who are members of different
28.6major political parties shall assist the voter to register and to complete a voter's certificate
28.7and shall provide the necessary ballots. The voter may request additional assistance in
28.8marking ballots as provided in subdivision 1.
28.9 Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.10 Subdivision 1.Vacancy filled at general election.When a vacancy occurs more than
28.11150 days before the next state general election, and the legislature will not be in session
28.12before the final canvass of the state general election returns, the vacancy shall be filled at
28.13the next state general election. When practicable, the filing period for the vacancy must be
28.14concurrent with the filing period for the general election filing period provided in section
28.15204B.09. If not possible, the filing period for the vacancy must be a minimum of five days
28.16and a maximum of ten days, excluding holidays.
28.17 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
28.18applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.
28.19Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
28.20 Subd. 2.Special election when legislature will be in session.Except for vacancies in
28.21the legislature which occur at any time between the last day of session in an odd-numbered
28.22year and the 40th 50th day prior to the opening day of session in the succeeding
28.23even-numbered year, when a vacancy occurs and the legislature will be in session so that
28.24the individual elected as provided by this section could take office and exercise the duties
28.25of the office immediately upon election, the governor shall issue within five days after the
28.26vacancy occurs a writ calling for a special election. The filing period for the vacancy must
28.27be a minimum of five days and a maximum of ten days, excluding holidays. The special
28.28election shall be held as soon as possible, consistent with the notice requirements of section
28.29204D.22, subdivision 3, but in no event more than 35 40 days after the issuance of the writ.
28.30A special election must not be held during the four days before or the four days after a
28.31holiday as defined in section 645.44, subdivision 5.
28.32 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
28.33applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.
28Sec. 34.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 29.1 Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204D.19, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
29.2 Subd. 3.Special election at other times.When a vacancy occurs at a time other than
29.3those described in subdivisions 1 and 2 the governor shall issue a writ, calling for a special
29.4election to be held so that the individual elected may take office at the opening of the next
29.5session of the legislature, or at the reconvening of a session of the legislature. The filing
29.6period for the vacancy must be a minimum of five days and a maximum of ten days,
29.7excluding holidays.
29.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
29.9applies to vacancies in legislative offices that occur on or after that date.
29.10Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
29.11 Subd. 1a.Filing period.In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of
29.12candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor
29.13less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an
29.14affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before
29.15the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in
29.16conjunction with another election, and no more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days
29.17before the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's
29.18office must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.
29.19 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
29.20Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.845, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.21 Subdivision 1.Prohibited connections.The county auditor and municipal clerk must
29.22secure ballot recording and tabulating systems physically and electronically against
29.23unauthorized access. Except for wired connections within the polling place, ballot recording
29.24and tabulating systems must not be connected to or operated on, directly or indirectly, any
29.25electronic network, including a local area network, a wide-area network, the Internet, or the
29.26World Wide Web. Wireless communications may not be used in any way in a vote recording
29.27or vote tabulating system. Wireless, device-to-device capability is not permitted. No
29.28connection by modem is permitted.
29.29 Transfer of information from the ballot recording or tabulating system to another system
29.30for network distribution or broadcast must be made by disk, tape, or other physical means
29.31of communication, other than direct or indirect electronic connection of the vote recording
29.32or vote tabulating system. A county auditor or municipal clerk may not create or disclose,
29Sec. 37.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 30.1or permit any other person to create or disclose, an electronic image of the hard drive of
30.2any vote recording or tabulating system or any other component of an electronic voting
30.3system, except as authorized in writing by the secretary of state or for the purpose of
30.4conducting official duties as expressly authorized by law. A password used to access any
30.5ballot recording or tabulating system must be kept in a safe and secure place in the precinct
30.6so that it is not accessible to or visible by the public.
30.7 Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.8 Subd. 2.Information required.The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must
30.9include:
30.10 (1) the name of the candidate and office sought;
30.11 (2) the printed name, address, telephone number, signature, and email address, if available,
30.12or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess an email
30.13address, of the person responsible for filing the report;
30.14 (3) the total cash on hand designated to be used for political purposes;
30.15 (4) the total amount of contributions received and the total amount of disbursements for
30.16the period from the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;
30.17 (5) if disbursements made to the same vendor exceed $100 in the aggregate during the
30.18period covered by the report, the name and address for the vendor and the amount, date,
30.19and purpose for each disbursement; and
30.20 (6) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any individual
30.21or entity that during the period covered by the report has made one or more contributions
30.22that in the aggregate exceed $100, and the amount and date of each contribution. The filing
30.23officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a
30.24contribution that exceeds $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a written statement
30.25signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from the financial report
30.26is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.
30.27 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
30.28Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 375.20, is amended to read:
30.29 375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.
30.30 If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, or
30.31exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the question
30Sec. 39.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 31.1may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the matter or
31.2question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of money, creation
31.3of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election shall be given as
31.4in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the board shall pass an
31.5appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form of the ballot shall be:
31.6"Shall (here state the substance of the resolution to be submitted)?, Yes ...... No......,". The
31.7county board may call a special county election upon a question to be held within 74 84
31.8days after a resolution to that effect is adopted by the county board. Upon the adoption of
31.9the resolution the county auditor shall post and publish notices of the election, as required
31.10by section 204D.22, subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and the returns
31.11canvassed in the manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as practicable.
31.12Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383B.041, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
31.13 Subd. 5.Economic interest disclosure; Special School District No. 1.Every candidate
31.14for school board in Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file an original statement
31.15of economic interest with the school district within 14 days of the filing of an affidavit or
31.16petition to appear on the ballot after the candidate filing period ends. An elected official in
31.17Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file the annual statement required in section
31.1810A.09, subdivision 6, with the school district for every year that the individual serves in
31.19office. An original and annual statement must contain the information listed in section
31.2010A.09, subdivision 5. The provisions of section 10A.09, subdivisions 6a, 7, and 9, apply
31.21to statements required under this subdivision.
31.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
31.23Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 414.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
31.24 Subd. 3.Elections of municipal officers.(a) An order approving an incorporation or
31.25consolidation pursuant to this chapter, or an order requiring an election under section 414.031,
31.26subdivision 4a, shall set a date for an election of new municipal officers not less than 45
31.27days nor more than 60 days after the issuance of such order in accordance with the uniform
31.28election dates defined in section 205.10, subdivision 3a.
31.29 (b) The chief administrative law judge shall appoint an acting clerk for election purposes,
31.30at least three election judges who shall be residents of the new municipality, and shall
31.31designate polling places within the new municipality.
31.32 (c) The acting clerk shall prepare the official election ballot pursuant to section 205.17.
31Sec. 41.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 32.1 (d) Any person eligible to hold municipal office may file an affidavit of candidacy not
32.2more than four weeks nor less than two weeks before the date designated in the order for
32.3the election pursuant to section 205.13.
32.4 (e) The election shall be conducted in conformity with the charter and the laws for
32.5conducting municipal elections insofar as applicable.
32.6 (f) Any person eligible to vote at a township or municipal election within the area of the
32.7new municipality, is eligible to vote at such election.
32.8 (g) Any excess in the expense of conducting the election over receipts from filing fees
32.9shall be a charge against the new municipality; any excess of receipts shall be deposited in
32.10the treasury of the new municipality.
32.11Sec. 42. REPEALER.
32.12 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision 3, is repealed.
32Sec. 42.
REVISOR JFK H1378-1HF1378 FIRST ENGROSSMENT 204B.25 TRAINING FOR ELECTION JUDGES.
Subd. 3.Trained election judges; number required.Each election precinct in which less than
100 individuals voted at the last state general election shall have at least two election judges who
are members of different major political parties who have received training as required in this
section. In every other election precinct, no individual may serve as an election judge who has not
received training as required by subdivision 1.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H1378-1