1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to elections; improving the testing of voting systems; amending Minnesota
1.3 Statutes 2024, section 206.83.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.83, is amended to read:
1.6 206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.
1.7 At least three ten days before voting equipment is absentee ballots are used, the official
1.8in charge of elections shall have the voting system tested to ascertain that the system will
1.9correctly mark ballots using all methods supported by the system, including through assistive
1.10technology, and count the votes cast for all candidates and on all questions. Public notice
1.11of the time and place of the test must be given at least two five days in advance by publication
1.12once in official newspapers. The test must be observed by at least two election judges, who
1.13are not of the same major political party, and must be open to representatives of the political
1.14parties, candidates, the press, and the public. The test must be conducted by (1) processing
1.15a preaudited group of ballots punched or marked to record a predetermined number of
1.16uniquely valid votes for each candidate and on each question in the contest, and must include
1.17for each office one or more ballot cards which have votes in excess of the number allowed
1.18by law in order to test the ability of the voting system tabulator and electronic ballot marker
1.19to reject those votes; and (2) processing an additional test deck of ballots marked using the
1.20electronic ballot marker for the precinct, including ballots marked using the electronic ballot
1.21display, audio ballot reader, and any assistive voting technology used with the electronic
1.22ballot marker. If any error is detected, the cause must be ascertained and corrected and an
1.23errorless count must be made before the voting system may be used in the election. After
1Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/RC 25-0414502/19/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1617
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Altendorf and Murphy02/26/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations 2.1the completion of the test, a copy of the detailed precinct report by ballot style shall be made
2.2available for public inspection within 24 hours of testing, the programs used and ballot cards
2.3must be sealed, retained, and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.
2.4 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
2Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/RC 25-0414502/19/25