Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota House Bill HF2073 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 03/07/2025

                            1.1	A bill for an act​
1.2 relating to elections; making various changes related to election administration;​
1.3 modifying provisions related to voter registration; modifying provisions related​
1.4 to absentee voting; modifying requirements relating to appointing election judges;​
1.5 clarifying terminology; modifying timelines; modifying annexation laws in relation​
1.6 to election timelines; repealing the voting equipment grant account; transferring​
1.7 money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 201.061, subdivisions 3, 3a;​
1.8 201.071, subdivision 1; 203B.04, subdivision 1; 203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.08,​
1.9 subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.081, subdivision 4; 203B.121, subdivisions 4, 5; 203B.30,​
1.10 subdivision 3; 204B.06, subdivision 1b; 204B.09, subdivisions 1a, 2; 204B.14,​
1.11 subdivision 4a; 204B.21, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.24; 204B.25, subdivision 3;​
1.12 204B.44; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.08, subdivision 1d; 204C.09, subdivision​
1.13 1; 204C.10; 205.185, subdivision 3; 205A.10, subdivision 3; 205A.11, subdivision​
1.14 2; 368.47; 375.20; 414.09, subdivision 3; 447.32, subdivision 4; proposing coding​
1.15 for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes​
1.16 2024, sections 206.95; 209.06.​
1.17BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:​
1.18 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
1.19 Subd. 3.Election day registration.(a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register​
1.20on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the​
1.21individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in​
1.22the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An individual​
1.23may prove residence for purposes of registering by:​
1.24 (1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to​
1.25section 171.07;​
1.26 (2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;​
1​Section 1.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​
State of Minnesota​
This Document can be made available​
in alternative formats upon request​
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES​
H. F. No.  2073​
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION​
Authored by Freiberg​03/10/2025​
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations​ 2.1 (3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address​
2.2in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or​
2.3 (4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee who provides​
2.4proof that they are employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and​
2.5vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge​
2.6vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of​
2.7the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of​
2.8residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. A voter who is​
2.9registered to vote in the precinct may sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any​
2.10election day. This limitation does not apply to an employee of a residential facility described​
2.11in this clause. The secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in​
2.12recording the number of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on​
2.13election day. The form must include space for the maximum number of individuals for​
2.14whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form​
2.15must include a statement that the individual: (i) is registered to vote in the precinct or is an​
2.16employee of a residential facility in the precinct, (ii) personally knows that the voter is a​
2.17resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the statement on oath. The form must include a​
2.18space for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.​
2.19 The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be​
2.20attached to the voter registration application.​
2.21 (b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees​
2.22currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The​
2.23operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than​
2.2420 days before each election for use in election day registration.​
2.25 (c) (b) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48,​
2.26subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under​
2.27section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision​
2.285; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a​
2.29veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under​
2.30chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a​
2.31residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for​
2.32persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services​
2.33under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section​
2.34256I.03, subdivision 10a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37,​
2.35subdivision 4; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to​
2​Section 1.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 3.1provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider​
3.2operates a residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or​
3.3a facility where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section​
3.4245A.02, subdivision 6c.​
3.5 (d) (c) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of​
3.6registering by:​
3.7 (1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized​
3.8by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the​
3.9name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or​
3.10 (2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized​
3.11by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the​
3.12name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents​
3.13listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.​
3.14 (e) (d) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge​
3.15responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.​
3.16 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:​
3.17 Subd. 3a.Additional proofs of residence permitted for students.(a) If an eligible​
3.18voter's name; student identification number, if available; and address within the precinct​
3.19appear on a current residential housing list under section 135A.17 certified to the county​
3.20auditor by the postsecondary educational institution, the voter may prove residence by​
3.21presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a postsecondary educational​
3.22institution in Minnesota; identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause​
3.23(1) or (2); or identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (d) (c), clause (1) or (2).​
3.24 (b) This additional proof of residence for students must not be allowed unless the​
3.25postsecondary educational institution submits to the county auditor no later than 60 days​
3.26prior to the election a written agreement that the postsecondary educational institution will​
3.27certify for use at the election accurate updated residential housing lists under section 135A.17.​
3.28A written agreement is effective for the election and all subsequent elections held in that​
3.29calendar year, including the November general election.​
3.30 (c) The additional proof of residence for students must be allowed on an equal basis for​
3.31voters who reside in housing meeting the requirements of section 135A.17, if the residential​
3.32housing lists certified by the postsecondary educational institution meet the requirements​
3.33of this subdivision.​
3​Sec. 2.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 4.1 (d) An updated residential housing list must be certified to the county auditor no later​
4.2than 20 days prior to each election. The certification must be dated and signed by the chief​
4.3officer or designee of the postsecondary educational institution and must state that the list​
4.4is current and accurate and includes only the names of persons residing in the institution's​
4.5housing and, for students who do not live in the institution's housing, that it reflects the​
4.6institution's records as of the date of the certification.​
4.7 (e) This additional proof of residence for students must be allowed during the 18 days​
4.8before an election and on election day. The county auditor shall instruct the election judges​
4.9of the precinct in procedures for use of the list in conjunction with photo identification. The​
4.10auditor shall supply a list to the election judges with the election supplies for the precinct.​
4.11 (f) The county auditor shall notify all postsecondary educational institutions in the county​
4.12of the provisions of this subdivision.​
4.13 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
4.14 Subdivision 1.Form.Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must​
4.15contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration​
4.16application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name,​
4.17middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's​
4.18previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence;​
4.19voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid​
4.20Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter​
4.21has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, the​
4.22last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; a box to indicate a voter's preference​
4.23to join the permanent absentee voter list; and voter's signature. The paper registration​
4.24application must provide a space for a voter to provide a physical description of the location​
4.25of their residence, if the voter resides in an area lacking a specific physical address. The​
4.26description must be sufficient for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the​
4.27voter. The description may include the closest cross street or the nearest address to the​
4.28described location that is identified on a precinct map, and directions from that cross street​
4.29or address to the described location, including but not limited to the cardinal direction and​
4.30approximate distance to the location. The paper registration application may include the​
4.31voter's email address, if provided by the voter. The electronic voter registration application​
4.32must include the voter's email address. The registration application may include the voter's​
4.33interest in serving as an election judge, if indicated by the voter. The application must also​
4.34contain the following certification of voter eligibility:​
4​Sec. 3.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 5.1 "I certify that I:​
5.2 (1) am at least 16 years old and understand that I must be at least 18 years old to be​
5.3eligible to vote;​
5.4 (2) am a citizen of the United States;​
5.5 (3) will have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding​
5.6election day;​
5.7 (4) maintain residence at the address or location given on the registration form;​
5.8 (5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my right​
5.9to vote;​
5.10 (6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;​
5.11 (7) am not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense; and​
5.12 (8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information is a​
5.13felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than​
5.14$10,000, or both."​
5.15 The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following questions:​
5.16 "(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and​
5.17 "(2) Are you at least 16 years old and will you be at least 18 years old on or before the​
5.18day of the election in which you intend to vote?"​
5.19 And the instruction:​
5.20 "If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."​
5.21 The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility​
5.22must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter​
5.23registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted​
5.24as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not​
5.25deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.​
5.26 An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in​
5.27Minnesota or to change information on an existing registration.​
5.28 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
5.29 Subdivision 1.Application procedures.(a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision​
5.302 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, an application for absentee ballots for any election​
5​Sec. 4.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 6.1may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that election. The​
6.2county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided by the​
6.3secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of each​
6.4even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available to​
6.5auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision​
6.6shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile​
6.7device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:​
6.8 (1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or​
6.9 (2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the​
6.10applicant maintains residence.​
6.11 (b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through​
6.12a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose.​
6.13Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary of state must require applicants using the​
6.14website to submit the applicant's email address and verifiable Minnesota driver's license​
6.15number, Minnesota state identification card number, or the last four digits of the applicant's​
6.16Social Security number. This paragraph does not apply to a town election held in March.​
6.17 (c) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph may only be transmitted​
6.18to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the application​
6.19information matches the information in a government database associated with the applicant's​
6.20driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security number. The​
6.21secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of suspicious activity​
6.22and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement agency for​
6.23investigation.​
6.24 (d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the​
6.25applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth,​
6.26and at least one of the following:​
6.27 (1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;​
6.28 (2) Minnesota state identification card number;​
6.29 (3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or​
6.30 (4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.​
6.31 (e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained​
6.32on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and​
6.33that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.​
6​Sec. 4.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 7.1 (f) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification​
7.2number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made​
7.3available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or​
7.4municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in​
7.5person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than​
7.6the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or​
7.7municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than six​
7.8days before the election.​
7.9 (g) An application under this subdivision may must contain an application under​
7.10subdivision 5 a space to apply to automatically receive an absentee ballot under subdivision​
7.115.​
7.12 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
7.13 Subdivision 1.Generally.The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer the​
7.14provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if:​
7.15 (1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them; or​
7.16 (2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to administer​
7.17them.​
7.18 The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the​
7.19administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121 and whether the​
7.20municipality's office will be designated an absentee voting location pursuant to section​
7.21203B.081, subdivision 1, or only for early voting pursuant to section 203B.081, subdivision​
7.221a.​
7.23 A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the​
7.24provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has been designated​
7.25by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county auditors that the​
7.26city will administer absentee voting. A clerk may only administer the provisions of sections​
7.27203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has technical capacity to access the statewide​
7.28voter registration system in the secure manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The​
7.29secretary of state must identify hardware, software, security, or other technical prerequisites​
7.30necessary to ensure the security, access controls, and performance of the statewide voter​
7.31registration system. A clerk must receive training approved by the secretary of state on the​
7.32use of the statewide voter registration system before administering this section. A clerk may​
7.33not use the statewide voter registration system until the clerk has received the required​
7​Sec. 5.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 8.1training. The county auditor must notify the secretary of state of any municipal clerk who​
8.2will be administering the provisions of this section and the duties that the clerk will​
8.3administer.​
8.4 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of​
8.5the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the​
8.6revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later.​
8.7 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
8.8 Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter.(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee​
8.9ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions​
8.10for casting the absentee ballots. The return signature envelope containing marked ballots​
8.11may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left​
8.12with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter,​
8.13or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the​
8.14return signature envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by​
8.158:00 p.m. on election day.​
8.16 (b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot​
8.17return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return​
8.18signature envelope in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return signature envelopes​
8.19of not more than three voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers​
8.20with either the return signature envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail​
8.21or deliver the return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty​
8.22of a misdemeanor.​
8.23 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
8.24 Subd. 3.Procedures on receipt of ballots.When absentee ballots are returned to a​
8.25county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return​
8.26signature envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked​
8.27space with other return signature envelopes received by that office. Within five days after​
8.28receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots​
8.29signature envelopes received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an​
8.30election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots signature envelopes​
8.31received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots Signature envelopes received on​
8.32election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or​
8.33municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.​
8​Sec. 7.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 9.1 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:​
9.2 Subd. 4.Temporary locations.(a) A county auditor or municipal clerk authorized under​
9.3section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day may designate additional polling​
9.4places with days and hours that differ from those required by section 203B.085. A designation​
9.5authorized by this subdivision must be made at least 47 days before the election. The county​
9.6auditor or municipal clerk must provide notice to the secretary of state at the time that the​
9.7designations are made.​
9.8 (b) At the request of a federally recognized Indian Tribe with a reservation or​
9.9off-reservation Tribal lands in the county, the county auditor must establish an additional​
9.10polling place for at least one day on the Indian reservation or off-reservation Tribal lands​
9.11on a site agreed upon by the Tribe and the county auditor that is accessible to the county​
9.12auditor by a public road.​
9.13 (c) At the request of a postsecondary institution or the student government organization​
9.14of a postsecondary institution in the county or municipality, the county auditor or a municipal​
9.15clerk authorized to administer absentee voting under section 203B.05 must establish an​
9.16additional temporary polling place for the state general election or the odd-year city general​
9.17election for at least one day at a location agreed upon by the institution and the county​
9.18auditor or municipal clerk that:​
9.19 (1) is accessible to the public;​
9.20 (2) satisfies the requirements of state and federal law; and​
9.21 (3) is on the institution's campus or is within one-half mile of the institution's campus​
9.22and is reasonably accessible to the institution's students.​
9.23A request must be made no later than May 31 before an election and the request is valid​
9.24only for that election. This paragraph only applies to a postsecondary institution that provides​
9.25on-campus student housing to 100 or more students. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the​
9.26county auditor or municipal clerk from engaging in a dialogue with the entity that made the​
9.27request regarding potential alternative locations for a temporary polling place that does not​
9.28meet the requirements of clause (3). An entity that made a request for a temporary polling​
9.29place may withdraw its request by notifying the county auditor or municipal clerk.​
9.30 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:​
9.31 Subd. 4.Opening of envelopes.(a) After the close of business on the 19th day before​
9.32the election, the ballots from secrecy ballot envelopes within the signature envelopes marked​
9.33"Accepted" may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86,​
9​Sec. 9.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 10.1subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate​
10.2ballot box. If more than one voted ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must​
10.3be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and​
10.4may not be counted.​
10.5 (b) Accepted signature envelopes must be segregated by precinct and processed in​
10.6accordance with this subdivision on a precinct-by-precinct basis. Precincts within a​
10.7combination polling place established in section 205A.11, subdivision 2, may be processed​
10.8together. At each step, members of the ballot board must notify the official responsible for​
10.9the ballot board if there is a discrepancy in the count. Any discrepancy must be noted in the​
10.10ballot board incident log.​
10.11 (c) Before opening accepted signature envelopes, two members of the ballot board must​
10.12count and record the number of envelopes and ensure that the count matches either the​
10.13number of accepted signature envelopes provided by the official responsible for the ballot​
10.14board or the number of signature envelopes accepted by the ballot board that day.​
10.15 (d) After ballot envelopes have been removed from the signature envelopes, two members​
10.16of the ballot board must count and record the number of ballot envelopes to ensure the count​
10.17matches the number of accepted signature envelopes. Any discrepancy must be noted in​
10.18the ballot board incident log. The governing body responsible for the ballot board must​
10.19retain all ballot envelopes through the contest period of that election.​
10.20 (e) After ballots have been removed from the ballot envelopes, two members of the​
10.21ballot board must count and record the number of ballots to ensure the count matches the​
10.22number of accepted signature envelopes, accounting for any empty envelopes or spoiled​
10.23ballots, which must be noted on the ballot board incident log.​
10.24Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:​
10.25 Subd. 5.Storage and counting of absentee ballots.(a) On a day on which absentee​
10.26ballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members of the ballot board must:​
10.27 (1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;​
10.28 (2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the​
10.29ballot box is equal to the number of voters whose absentee ballots were accepted from the​
10.30tally in subdivision 4 that were to be inserted into the ballot box that day; and​
10.31 (3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of​
10.32the day.​
10​Sec. 10.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 11.1 (b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board must​
11.2count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter and​
11.3the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general elections,​
11.4the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in each precinct​
11.5and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count must be recorded on a​
11.6summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in section 204C.26. The​
11.7ballot board shall must submit at least one completed summary statement to the county​
11.8auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may require the ballot​
11.9board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to comply with the​
11.10provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk may certify reports​
11.11containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the recipients of the summary​
11.12statements designated in section 204C.27.​
11.13 In state primary and state general elections, These vote totals shall must be added to the​
11.14vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other​
11.15elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of​
11.16returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.​
11.17 The count shall must be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before​
11.18the close of voting on election day.​
11.19 (c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been​
11.20completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but​
11.21no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee ballots​
11.22arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated and whose​
11.23ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee ballot submitted​
11.24by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All other accepted​
11.25absentee ballots must be opened in accordance with the procedures outlined in subdivision​
11.264, except for the absentee ballots cast using the alternative procedure in section 203B.081,​
11.27subdivision 3, duplicated if necessary, and counted by members of the ballot board. The​
11.28vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into the totals with the other absentee​
11.29ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).​
11.30Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
11.31 Subd. 3.Processing of ballots.At the end of each day when early voting occurs, the​
11.32early voting officials must:​
11​Sec. 11.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 12.1 (1) remove and secure ballots cast during the early voting period following the procedures​
12.2in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (a). that day, noting the date, voting location,​
12.3and number of ballots cast;​
12.4 (2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the​
12.5ballot box is equal to the number of voter certificates that were signed by voters in subdivision​
12.62, paragraph (b); and​
12.7 (3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of​
12.8the day.​
12.9 The absentee ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election​
12.10day following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).​
12.11 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of​
12.12the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the​
12.13revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later.​
12.14Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:​
12.15 Subd. 1b.Address, electronic mail address, and telephone number.(a) An affidavit​
12.16of candidacy must state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An​
12.17affidavit must also state the candidate's or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic​
12.18mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess​
12.19an electronic mail address. Except for affidavits of candidacy for (1) judicial office, (2) the​
12.20office of county attorney, or (3) county sheriff, an affidavit must also state the candidate's​
12.21current address of residence as determined under section 200.031, or at the candidate's​
12.22request in accordance with paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact address. When​
12.23filing the affidavit, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid​
12.24driver's license or state identification card that contains the candidate's current address of​
12.25residence, or documentation of proof of residence authorized for election day registration​
12.26in section 201.061, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2); clause (3), item (ii); or paragraph​
12.27(d). If an original bill is shown, the due date on the bill must be within 30 days before or​
12.28after the beginning of the filing period or, for bills without a due date, dated within 30 days​
12.29before the beginning of the filing period. If the address on the affidavit and the documentation​
12.30do not match, the filing officer must not accept the affidavit. The form for the affidavit of​
12.31candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if eligible, that the candidate's address of​
12.32residence be classified as private data, and to provide the certification required under​
12.33paragraph (c) for classification of that address.​
12​Sec. 12.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 13.1 (b) If an affidavit for an office where a residency requirement must be satisfied by the​
13.2close of the filing period is filed as provided by paragraph (c), the filing officer must, within​
13.3one business day of receiving the filing, determine whether the address provided in the​
13.4affidavit of candidacy is within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking.​
13.5For all other candidates who filed for an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied​
13.6by the close of the filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that​
13.7the filing officer receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this​
13.8paragraph, at any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the​
13.9filing officer must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is​
13.10within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer​
13.11determines that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer​
13.12must immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the​
13.13ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is subject​
13.14to judicial review under section 204B.44.​
13.15 (c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified as​
13.16private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate form​
13.17to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that either:​
13.18(1) a police report has been submitted, an order for protection has been issued, or the​
13.19candidate has a reasonable fear in regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's​
13.20family; or (2) the candidate's address is otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law. The​
13.21address of residence provided by a candidate who makes a request for classification on the​
13.22candidate's affidavit of candidacy and provides the certification required by this paragraph​
13.23is classified as private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be reviewed​
13.24by the filing officer as provided in this subdivision.​
13.25 (d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a​
13.26candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.​
13.27Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:​
13.28 Subd. 1a.Absent candidates.(a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal​
13.29office who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a properly​
13.30executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any necessary petitions in​
13.31person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state in writing the reason for being unable​
13.32to submit the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, if any, and petitions​
13.33must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding the​
13​Sec. 13.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 14.1candidate's absence from the state. Nominating petitions may be signed during the 14 days​
14.2immediately preceding the date when the affidavit of candidacy is filed.​
14.3 (b) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent​
14.4from the state during the entire filing period or who must leave the state for the remainder​
14.5of the filing period and who certifies to the secretary of state that the circumstances constitute​
14.6an emergency and were unforeseen, may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy​
14.7by facsimile device or by transmitting electronically a scanned image of the affidavit and​
14.8proof of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, to the secretary of state​
14.9during the filing period. The candidate shall state in writing the specific reason for being​
14.10unable to submit the affidavit by mail or by hand during the filing period or in person prior​
14.11to the start of the filing period. The affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary​
14.12petitions must be received by the secretary of state by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.​
14.13If the candidate is filing for a special district or county office, the secretary of state shall​
14.14forward the affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions to the​
14.15appropriate filing officer. Copies of a proof of residence submitted under this subdivision​
14.16are private data.​
14.17Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:​
14.18 Subd. 2.Other elections.Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city,​
14.19town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified​
14.20in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district​
14.21candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of​
14.22eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official​
14.23specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy, including proof​
14.24of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, and nominating petitions filed​
14.25under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L,​
14.26or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate official within the​
14.27specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office. Copies of a proof of​
14.28residence submitted by mail are private data.​
14.29Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:​
14.30 Subd. 4a.Municipal boundary adjustment procedure.A change in the boundary of​
14.31an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a municipal boundary adjustment made​
14.32under chapter 414 that is effective more than 21 46 days before a regularly scheduled election​
14.33takes effect at the scheduled election.​
14​Sec. 15.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 15.1 A change in the boundary of an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a​
15.2municipal boundary adjustment made under chapter 414 that is effective less than 21 46 or​
15.3fewer days before a regularly scheduled election takes effect the day after the scheduled​
15.4election.​
15.5 Sec. 16. [204B.182] CHAIN OF CUSTODY PLANS.​
15.6 (a) The county auditor must develop a county elections chain of custody plan to be used​
15.7in all state, county, municipal, school district, and special district elections held in that​
15.8county. If any of the political subdivisions cross county lines, the affected counties must​
15.9make efforts to ensure that the elections chain of custody procedures affecting the local​
15.10jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. County auditors must file the elections​
15.11chain of custody plans with the secretary of state.​
15.12 (b) The chain of custody plan must account for both the physical and cyber security of​
15.13elections-related materials. The plan must include sample chain of custody documentation.​
15.14 (c) The secretary of state may provide additional guidance to counties on elections chain​
15.15of custody best practices and planning.​
15.16 (d) A municipal clerk, school district clerk, or special district clerk may create a local​
15.17chain of custody plan for use in local elections not held in conjunction with federal, state,​
15.18or county elections that meets or exceeds the requirements of the county elections chain of​
15.19custody plan. Any plan adopted under this paragraph must be adopted and filed with the​
15.20secretary of state at least 84 days before the first election in which it will be used.​
15.21 (e) Each political subdivision clerk who develops a local elections chain of custody plan​
15.22pursuant to paragraph (d) and each county auditor must review their respective elections​
15.23chain of custody plan prior to each state primary election. Any revisions to the elections​
15.24chain of custody plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by June 1 prior​
15.25to the state primary election.​
15.26 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and​
15.27county auditors must file an elections chain of custody plan with the secretary of state by​
15.28September 1, 2025.​
15.29Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
15.30 Subdivision 1.Appointment lists; duties of political parties and secretary of state.(a)​
15.31On May March 1 in a year in which there is an election for a partisan political office, each​
15.32major political party shall must prepare a list of eligible voters who have indicated within​
15​Sec. 17.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 16.1the last 24 months they are willing to act as election judges in each election precinct. The​
16.2list provided by the party must indicate:​
16.3 (1) which eligible voters are willing to travel to a precinct outside of their home​
16.4jurisdiction to act as an election judge, and the jurisdictions to which each eligible voter is​
16.5willing to travel for that purpose;​
16.6 (2) which eligible voters are willing to serve on an absentee ballot board; and​
16.7 (3) each eligible voter's residential address, telephone number, and email address, along​
16.8with the date the eligible voter indicated their willingness to act as an election judge.​
16.9 (b) The political parties shall must furnish the lists electronically to the secretary of state,​
16.10in a format specified by the secretary of state. The secretary of state must combine the data​
16.11received from each political party under this subdivision and must process the data to locate​
16.12the precinct in which the address provided for each potential election judge is located. If​
16.13the data submitted by a political party is insufficient for the secretary of state to locate the​
16.14proper precinct or does not include the eligible voter's telephone number, email address,​
16.15and date the eligible voter indicated their willingness to act as an election judge, the​
16.16associated name must not appear in any list forwarded to an appointing authority under this​
16.17subdivision. The secretary of state shall must notify political parties of any proposed election​
16.18judges with addresses that could not be located in a precinct.​
16.19 (c) By May March 15, the secretary of state shall must furnish electronically to the​
16.20county auditor a list of the appropriate names for each election precinct and absentee ballot​
16.21board in the jurisdiction of the appointing authority, and a list of the names of individuals​
16.22residing outside of the jurisdiction who indicated a willingness to travel to that jurisdiction​
16.23to act as an election judge, noting the political party affiliation of each individual on the​
16.24list. The county auditor must promptly forward the appropriate names to the appropriate​
16.25municipal clerk within seven days of receipt.​
16.26Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:​
16.27 Subd. 2.Appointing authority; powers and duties.(a) Election judges for precincts​
16.28in a municipality shall must be appointed by the governing body of the municipality. Election​
16.29judges for precincts in unorganized territory and for performing election-related duties​
16.30assigned by the county auditor shall must be appointed by the county board. Election judges​
16.31for a precinct composed of two or more municipalities must be appointed by the governing​
16.32body of the municipality or municipalities responsible for appointing election judges as​
16.33provided in the agreement to combine for election purposes. Except as otherwise provided​
16​Sec. 18.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 17.1in this section, appointments shall be made from At least two election judges in each precinct​
17.2and serving on the absentee ballot board must be affiliated with different major political​
17.3parties. Election judges must meet all eligibility requirements and other qualifications​
17.4established or authorized under section 204B.19.​
17.5 (b) The appointing authority must first exhaust the list of voters who maintain residence​
17.6in each precinct or, for appointment to an absentee ballot board, the list of voters who​
17.7maintain residence in a jurisdiction covered by the absentee ballot board, furnished pursuant​
17.8to subdivision 1, subject to the eligibility requirements and other qualifications established​
17.9or authorized under section 204B.19. At least two election judges in each precinct must be​
17.10affiliated with different major political parties. If no lists have been furnished or if additional​
17.11election judges are required after all listed names in that municipality have been exhausted,​
17.12the appointing authority may appoint other individuals who meet the qualifications to serve​
17.13as an election judge, including persons on the list furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 who​
17.14indicated a willingness to travel to the municipality, and persons who are not affiliated with​
17.15a major political party. before appointing other individuals who meet the qualifications to​
17.16serve as an election judge. An appointing authority may exhaust the list furnished pursuant​
17.17to subdivision 1 by:​
17.18 (1) contacting once each person who appears on the list;​
17.19 (2) identifying the opportunities available for the person to serve as an election judge;​
17.20 (3) including the qualifications necessary to serve as an election judge, information about​
17.21the required training, and the dates and times at which the person must be available to​
17.22perform those duties; and​
17.23 (4) explaining how the person may apply for appointment as an election judge.​
17.24Any person on the list furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 who does not respond to the​
17.25appointing authority within 14 days is deemed to have waived their interest in appointment​
17.26to any election judge position.​
17.27 (c) An individual who is appointed from a source other than the list furnished pursuant​
17.28to subdivision 1 must provide to the appointing authority the individual's major political​
17.29party affiliation or a statement that the individual does not affiliate with any major political​
17.30party. An individual who refuses to provide the individual's major political party affiliation​
17.31or a statement that the individual does not affiliate with a major political party must not be​
17.32appointed as an election judge. The appointments shall must be made at least 25 days before​
17.33the election at which the election judges will serve, except that the appointing authority​
17.34may pass a resolution authorizing the appointment of additional election judges within the​
17​Sec. 18.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 18.125 days before the election if the appointing authority determines that additional election​
18.2judges will be required.​
18.3 Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.24, is amended to read:​
18.4 204B.24 ELECTION JUDGES; OATH.​
18.5 Each election judge shall sign the following oath before assuming the duties of the office:​
18.6 "I .......... solemnly swear (or affirm) that:​
18.7 (1) I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability​
18.8and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election.​
18.9 (2) I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an​
18.10advantage for my party or for any candidate.​
18.11 (3) In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.075, I will not share information​
18.12about voting that I know to be materially false and will not intentionally hinder, interfere​
18.13with, or prevent a person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person in casting​
18.14a ballot or registering to vote, except as specifically required by law."​
18.15 The oath shall be attached to the summary statement of the election returns of that​
18.16precinct. If there is no individual present who is authorized to administer oaths, the election​
18.17judges may administer the oath to each other.​
18.18Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
18.19 Subd. 3.Trained election judges; number required.Each election precinct in which​
18.20less than 100 individuals voted at the last state general election shall have at least two​
18.21election judges who are members of different major political parties who have received​
18.22training as required in this section. In every other election precinct, No individual may serve​
18.23as an election judge who has not received training as required by subdivision 1.​
18.24Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.44, is amended to read:​
18.25 204B.44 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS; REMEDY.​
18.26 (a) Any individual may file a petition in the manner provided in this section for the​
18.27correction of any of the following errors, omissions, or wrongful acts which have occurred​
18.28or are about to occur:​
18​Sec. 21.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 19.1 (1) an error or omission in the placement or printing of the name or description of any​
19.2candidate or any question on any official ballot, including the placement of a candidate on​
19.3the official ballot who is not eligible to hold the office for which the candidate has filed;​
19.4 (2) any other error in preparing or printing any official ballot;​
19.5 (3) failure of the chair or secretary of the proper committee of a major political party to​
19.6execute or file a certificate of nomination;​
19.7 (4) any wrongful act, omission, or error of any election judge, municipal clerk, county​
19.8auditor, canvassing board or any of its members, the secretary of state, or any other individual​
19.9charged with any duty concerning an election.​
19.10 (b) The petition shall describe the error, omission, or wrongful act and the correction​
19.11sought by the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with any judge of the supreme court in​
19.12the case of an election for state or federal office or any judge of the district court in that​
19.13county in the case of an election for county, municipal, or school district office. The petitioner​
19.14shall serve a copy of the petition on the officer, board or individual charged with the error,​
19.15omission, or wrongful act, on all candidates for the office in the case of an election for state,​
19.16federal, county, municipal, or school district office, and on any other party as required by​
19.17the court. Upon receipt of the petition the court shall immediately set a time for a hearing​
19.18on the matter and order the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission or​
19.19wrongful act to correct the error or wrongful act or perform the duty or show cause for not​
19.20doing so. In the case of a review of a candidate's eligibility to hold office, the court may​
19.21order the candidate to appear and present sufficient evidence of the candidate's eligibility.​
19.22The court shall issue its findings and a final order for appropriate relief as soon as possible​
19.23after the hearing. Failure to obey the order is contempt of court.​
19.24 (c) Any service required on a candidate may be accomplished by electronic mail sent​
19.25to the address the candidate provided on their affidavit of candidacy pursuant to section​
19.26204B.06, subdivision 1b, or by any other means permitted by law.​
19.27 (d) If the candidate for an office and the officer, board, or individual charged with the​
19.28error, omission, or wrongful act unanimously agree in writing:​
19.29 (1) that an error, omission, or wrongful act occurred; and​
19.30 (2) on the appropriate correction for the error, omission, or wrongful act,​
19.31then the officer, board, or individual charged with the error, omission, or wrongful act must​
19.32correct the error in the manner agreed to without an order from the court.​
19​Sec. 21.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 20.1The officer, board, or individual must notify the secretary of state in writing of the error​
20.2and proposed correction within one business day of receiving notification of the candidate's​
20.3written agreement and must not distribute any ballots reflecting the proposed correction for​
20.4two business days unless the secretary of state waives this notice period.​
20.5 (e) Any candidate for an office who does not enter into an agreement under paragraph​
20.6(d) and who does not prevail at any subsequent proceeding involving a petition filed under​
20.7this section must pay the costs and disbursements of the prevailing party or parties unless​
20.8the court determines that the candidate's position was substantially justified or such costs​
20.9and disbursements would impose undue hardship or otherwise be inequitable.​
20.10 (f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an official may correct any​
20.11official ballot without order from the court if the ballot is not in compliance with sections​
20.12204B.35 to 204B.37 or any rules promulgated under sections 204B.35 to 204B.37.​
20.13Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:​
20.14 Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day.Notice of the election and the special​
20.15mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days​
20.16nor later than 14 28 days before a regularly scheduled any election and not more than 30​
20.17days nor later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by​
20.18nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No​
20.19later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots​
20.20to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before​
20.21the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for​
20.22ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided,​
20.23must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or​
20.24in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot​
20.25board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted"​
20.26or "rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day,​
20.27or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board​
20.28may consist of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training​
20.29in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major​
20.30political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different​
20.31major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,​
20.32subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before​
20.33the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk shall​
20.34provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot.​
20​Sec. 22.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 21.1If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain sealed​
21.2and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by telephone​
21.3or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official must​
21.4document the attempts made to contact the voter.​
21.5 If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to​
21.6indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business​
21.7on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"​
21.8may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision​
21.95, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.​
21.10 In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit​
21.11and counting of ballots apply.​
21.12 The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as​
21.13one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the​
21.14close of voting on election day.​
21.15 The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter​
21.16maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be​
21.17counted.​
21.18Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:​
21.19 Subd. 1d.Voter's Bill of Rights.The county auditor shall prepare and provide to each​
21.20polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set forth​
21.21in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall​
21.22post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill of Rights​
21.23is as follows:​
21.24	"VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS​
21.25 For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:​
21.26 (1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal,​
21.27or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation​
21.28time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot,​
21.29and return to work.​
21.30 (2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right​
21.31to vote.​
21​Sec. 23.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 22.1 (3) If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register to​
22.2vote and to vote on election day.​
22.3 (4) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your identity​
22.4with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.​
22.5 (5) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.​
22.6 (6) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person​
22.7of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.​
22.8 (7) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the​
22.9voting booth with you.​
22.10 (8) You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of a​
22.11felony offense.​
22.12 (9) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court order​
22.13revokes your right to vote.​
22.14 (10) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence​
22.15your vote.​
22.16 (11) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the right​
22.17to receive a replacement ballot and vote.​
22.18 (12) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are​
22.19dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.​
22.20 (13) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.​
22.21 (14) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting booth​
22.22with you."​
22.23Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:​
22.24 Subdivision 1.Counting and initialing.(a) Before the voting begins, at least two election​
22.25judges must certify the number of ballots delivered to the precinct. Election judges may​
22.26conduct this count, presuming that the total count provided for prepackaged ballots is correct.​
22.27As each package is opened, two judges must count the ballots in the package to ensure that​
22.28the total count provided for the package is correct. Any discrepancy must be noted on the​
22.29incident log.​
22​Sec. 24.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 23.1 (b) Before the voting begins, or as soon as possible after it begins, at least two election​
23.2judges shall each initial the backs of all the ballots. The election judges shall not otherwise​
23.3mark the ballots.​
23.4 Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.10, is amended to read:​
23.5 204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE;​
23.6VOTER RECEIPT.​
23.7 (a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature​
23.8certificate which states that the individual:​
23.9 (1) is at least 18 years old;​
23.10 (2) is a citizen of the United States;​
23.11 (3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;​
23.12 (4) maintains residence at the address or location shown;​
23.13 (5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to​
23.14vote;​
23.15 (6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;​
23.16 (7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual​
23.17is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;​
23.18 (8) is registered; and​
23.19 (9) has not already voted in the election.​
23.20 The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information​
23.21is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than​
23.22$10,000, or both."​
23.23 (b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I​
23.24am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to​
23.25vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a).​
23.26The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.​
23.27 (c) A judge may, before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate,​
23.28confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth.​
23.29 (d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give​
23.30the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in​
23​Sec. 25.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 24.1charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to​
24.2the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of​
24.3filing an election contest.​
24.4 (e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, an election judge​
24.5must ensure that the challenge is concealed or hidden from the view of any voter other than​
24.6the voter whose status is challenged.​
24.7 Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.185, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
24.8 Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.(a) Between​
24.9the third eighth and tenth 14th days after an election, the governing body of a city conducting​
24.10any election including a special municipal election, or the governing body of a town​
24.11conducting the general election in November shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the​
24.12returns, and declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes​
24.13for municipal office and the results of the election any ballot questions. The governing body​
24.14of a town conducting the general election in March shall act as the canvassing board, canvass​
24.15the returns, and shall declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest number​
24.16of votes for each town office and the results of the election any ballot question within two​
24.17days after an election.​
24.18 (b) After the time for contesting elections has passed, the municipal clerk shall issue a​
24.19certificate of election to each successful candidate. In case of a contest, the certificate shall​
24.20not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court.​
24.21 (c) In case of a tie vote, the canvassing board having jurisdiction over the municipality​
24.22shall determine the result by lot. The clerk of the canvassing board shall certify the results​
24.23of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots​
24.24and the returns of the election.​
24.25Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
24.26 Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition.Between the​
24.27third eighth and tenth 14th days after a school district election other than a recount of a​
24.28special election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59, the school board​
24.29shall canvass the returns and declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest​
24.30number of votes for school district office and the results of the election any ballot question.​
24.31After the time for contesting elections has passed, the school district clerk shall issue a​
24.32certificate of election to each successful candidate. If there is a contest, the certificate of​
24.33election to that office must not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined​
24​Sec. 27.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 25.1by the proper court. If there is a tie vote, the school board shall determine the result by lot.​
25.2The clerk shall deliver the certificate of election to the successful candidate by personal​
25.3service or certified mail. The successful candidate shall file an acceptance and oath of office​
25.4in writing with the clerk within 30 days of the date of mailing or personal service. A person​
25.5who fails to qualify prior to the time specified shall be deemed to have refused to serve, but​
25.6that filing may be made at any time before action to fill the vacancy has been taken. The​
25.7school district clerk shall certify the results of the election to the county auditor, and the​
25.8clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots and the returns of the election.​
25.9 A school district canvassing board shall perform the duties of the school board according​
25.10to the requirements of this subdivision for a recount of a special election conducted under​
25.11section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59.​
25.12Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:​
25.13 Subd. 2.Combined polling place.(a) When no other election is being held in a school​
25.14district, the school board may designate combined polling places at which the voters in​
25.15those precincts may vote in the school district election.​
25.16 (b) By December 31 of each year, the school board must designate, by resolution, any​
25.17changes to combined polling places. The combined polling places designated in the resolution​
25.18are the polling places, unless a change is made in accordance with this paragraph or:​
25.19 (1) pursuant to section 204B.175; or​
25.20 (2) because a polling place has become unavailable.​
25.21 (c) If the school board designates combined polling places pursuant to this subdivision,​
25.22polling places must be designated throughout the district, taking into account both​
25.23geographical distribution and population distribution. A combined polling place must be at​
25.24a location designated for use as a polling place by a county or municipality, except as​
25.25provided in this paragraph. If the municipality conducts elections by mail balloting pursuant​
25.26to section 204B.45, the school board may designate a polling place not used by the​
25.27municipality if the polling place satisfies the requirements in section 204B.16, subdivisions​
25.284 to 7.​
25.29 (d) In school districts that have organized into separate board member election districts​
25.30under section 205A.12, a combined polling place for a school general election must be​
25.31arranged so that it does not include more than one board member election district.​
25​Sec. 28.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 26.1 Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 368.47, is amended to read:​
26.2 368.47 TOWNS MAY BE DISSOLVED.​
26.3 (1) When the voters residing within a town have failed to elect any town officials for​
26.4more than ten years continuously;​
26.5 (2) when a town has failed for a period of ten years to exercise any of the powers and​
26.6functions of a town;​
26.7 (3) when the estimated market value of a town drops to less than $165,000;​
26.8 (4) when the tax delinquency of a town, exclusive of taxes that are delinquent or unpaid​
26.9because they are contested in proceedings for the enforcement of taxes, amounts to 12​
26.10percent of its market value; or​
26.11 (5) when the state or federal government has acquired title to 50 percent of the real estate​
26.12of a town,​
26.13which facts, or any of them, may be found and determined by the resolution of the county​
26.14board of the county in which the town is located, according to the official records in the​
26.15office of the county auditor, the county board by resolution may declare the town, naming​
26.16it, dissolved and no longer entitled to exercise any of the powers or functions of a town.​
26.17 In Cass, Itasca, and St. Louis Counties, before the dissolution is effective the voters of​
26.18the town shall express their approval or disapproval. The town clerk shall, upon a petition​
26.19signed by a majority of the registered voters of the town, filed with the clerk at least 60 84​
26.20days before a regular or special town election, give notice at the same time and in the same​
26.21manner of the election that the question of dissolution of the town will be submitted for​
26.22determination at the election. At the election the question shall be voted upon by a separate​
26.23ballot. The form of the question under this chapter shall be substantially in the following​
26.24form: "Shall the town of ... be dissolved?" The ballot shall be deposited in a separate ballot​
26.25box and The result of the voting canvassed, certified, and returned in the same manner and​
26.26at the same time as other facts and returns of the election. If a majority of the votes cast at​
26.27the election are for dissolution, the town shall be dissolved. If a majority of the votes cast​
26.28at the election are against dissolution, the town shall not be dissolved.​
26.29 When a town is dissolved under sections 368.47 to 368.49 the county shall acquire title​
26.30to any telephone company or other business conducted by the town. The business shall be​
26.31operated by the board of county commissioners until it can be sold. The subscribers or​
26.32patrons of the business shall have the first opportunity of purchase. If the town has any​
26.33outstanding indebtedness chargeable to the business, the county auditor shall levy a tax​
26​Sec. 29.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 27.1against the property situated in the dissolved town to pay the indebtedness as it becomes​
27.2due.​
27.3 Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 375.20, is amended to read:​
27.4 375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.​
27.5 If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, or​
27.6exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the question​
27.7may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the matter or​
27.8question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of money, creation​
27.9of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election shall be given as​
27.10in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the board shall pass an​
27.11appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form of the ballot shall be:​
27.12"Shall (here state the substance of the resolution to be submitted)?, Yes ...... No......,". The​
27.13county board may call a special county election upon a question to be held within 74 84​
27.14days after a resolution to that effect is adopted by the county board. Upon the adoption of​
27.15the resolution the county auditor shall post and publish notices of the election, as required​
27.16by section 204D.22, subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and the returns​
27.17canvassed in the manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as practicable.​
27.18Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 414.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:​
27.19 Subd. 3.Elections of municipal officers.(a) An order approving an incorporation or​
27.20consolidation pursuant to this chapter, or an order requiring an election under section 414.031,​
27.21subdivision 4a, shall set a date for an election of new municipal officers not less than 45​
27.22days nor more than 60 days after the issuance of such order in accordance with the uniform​
27.23election dates defined in section 205.10, subdivision 3a.​
27.24 (b) The chief administrative law judge shall appoint an acting clerk for election purposes,​
27.25at least three election judges who shall be residents of the new municipality, and shall​
27.26designate polling places within the new municipality.​
27.27 (c) The acting clerk shall prepare the official election ballot pursuant to section 205.17.​
27.28 (d) Any person eligible to hold municipal office may file an affidavit of candidacy not​
27.29more than four weeks nor less than two weeks before the date designated in the order for​
27.30the election pursuant to section 205.13.​
27.31 (e) The election shall be conducted in conformity with the charter and the laws for​
27.32conducting municipal elections insofar as applicable.​
27​Sec. 31.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 28.1 (f) Any person eligible to vote at a township or municipal election within the area of the​
28.2new municipality, is eligible to vote at such election.​
28.3 (g) Any excess in the expense of conducting the election over receipts from filing fees​
28.4shall be a charge against the new municipality; any excess of receipts shall be deposited in​
28.5the treasury of the new municipality.​
28.6 Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:​
28.7 Subd. 4.Candidates; ballots; certifying election.(a) A person who wants to be a​
28.8candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either​
28.9as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate​
28.10maintains residence. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk​
28.11not more than 98 days nor less than 84 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday​
28.12in November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town clerk must​
28.13forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the first election,​
28.14the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of the filing period.​
28.15A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the​
28.16clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day to file affidavits of​
28.17candidacy.​
28.18 (b) Between the eighth and 14th days after an election, the board must act as the​
28.19canvassing board, canvass the returns, and declare the candidate duly elected who received​
28.20the highest number of votes for hospital district office and the results of any ballot questions.​
28.21 (c) Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district,​
28.22necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the​
28.23rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges​
28.24as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may​
28.25be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also​
28.26authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be​
28.27appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks​
28.28of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.​
28.29 (d) After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the​
28.30candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall​
28.31deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person​
28.32certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days​
28.33after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as​
28​Sec. 32.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 29.1provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification​
29.2is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.​
29.3 Sec. 33. VOTING EQUIPMENT GRANT ACCOUNT; TRANSFER.​
29.4 Any balance remaining in the voting equipment grant account established under​
29.5Minnesota Statutes, section 206.95, on the effective date of this section is transferred to the​
29.6voting operations, technology, and election resources account established under Minnesota​
29.7Statutes, section 5.305.​
29.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.​
29.9 Sec. 34. REPEALER.​
29.10 Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 206.95; and 209.06, are repealed.​
29​Sec. 34.​
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-04225​03/03/25 ​ 206.95 VOTING EQUIPMENT GRANT ACCOUNT.​
Subdivision 1.Voting equipment grant account.A voting equipment grant account is​
established in the special revenue fund. Funds in the account are appropriated to the secretary of​
state to provide grants to political subdivisions as authorized by this section. Funds in the account​
are available until expended.​
Subd. 2.Authorized equipment.A political subdivision may apply to receive a grant under​
this section for the purchase or lease of the following:​
(1) an electronic voting system, or any individual components of an electronic voting system​
as provided in section 206.56, subdivision 8;​
(2) assistive voting technology;​
(3) an electronic roster system meeting the technology requirements of section 201.225,​
subdivision 2; and​
(4) any other equipment or technology approved by the secretary of state for use in conducting​
a state or local election in Minnesota consistent with the requirements of law.​
Subd. 3.Application.(a) The secretary of state may make a grant from the account to a political​
subdivision only after receiving an application from the political subdivision. The application must​
contain the following information:​
(1) the date the application is submitted;​
(2) the name of the political subdivision;​
(3) the name and title of the individual who prepared the application;​
(4) the type of voting system currently used in each precinct in the political subdivision;​
(5) the date the system currently used was acquired and at what cost;​
(6) the total number of registered voters, as of the date of the application, in each precinct in​
the political subdivision;​
(7) the total amount of the grant requested;​
(8) the total amount and source of the political subdivision's money to be used to match a grant​
from the account;​
(9) the type of voting system to be acquired with the grant money and whether the voting system​
will permit individuals with disabilities to cast a secret ballot;​
(10) the proposed schedule for purchasing and implementing the new voting system and the​
precincts in which the new voting system would be used;​
(11) whether the political subdivision has previously applied for a grant from the account and​
the disposition of that application;​
(12) a certified statement by the political subdivision that the grant will be used only to purchase​
authorized equipment under subdivision 2 and that the political subdivision has insufficient resources​
to purchase the voting system without obtaining a grant from the account; and​
(13) any other information required by the secretary of state.​
(b) The secretary of state must establish a deadline for receipt of grant applications, a procedure​
for awarding and distributing grants, and a process for verifying the proper use of the grants after​
distribution.​
Subd. 4.Amount of grant.A political subdivision is eligible to receive a grant of no more than​
75 percent of the total cost of electronic roster equipment and 50 percent of the total cost of all​
other equipment or technology authorized for a grant under subdivision 2. In evaluating the​
application, the secretary of state shall consider only the information set forth in the application​
and is not subject to chapter 14. If the secretary of state determines that the application has been​
fully and properly completed, and that there is a sufficient balance in the account to fund the grant,​
either in whole or in part, the secretary of state may approve the application.​
Subd. 5.Report to legislature.No later than January 15, 2018, and annually thereafter until​
the appropriations provided for grants under this section have been exhausted, the secretary of state​
must submit a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections policy on grants​
1R​
APPENDIX​
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 25-04225​ awarded by this section. The report must detail each grant awarded, including the jurisdiction, the​
amount of the grant, and the type of equipment purchased.​
209.06 INSPECTION OF BALLOTS.​
Subdivision 1.Appointment of inspectors.After a contest has been instituted, either party​
may have the ballots inspected before preparing for trial. The party requesting an inspection shall​
file with the district court where the contest is brought a verified petition, stating that the case cannot​
properly be prepared for trial without an inspection of the ballots and designating the precincts in​
which an inspection is desired. A judge of the court in which the contest is pending shall then​
appoint as many sets of three inspectors for a contest of any office or question as are needed to​
count and inspect the ballots expeditiously. One inspector must be selected by each of the parties​
to the contest and a third must be chosen by those two inspectors. If either party neglects or refuses​
to name an inspector, the judge shall appoint the inspector. The compensation of inspectors is the​
same as for referees, unless otherwise stipulated.​
Subd. 2.Bond, taxing of costs.The party applying for the inspection shall file with the court​
administrator of district court a bond in the sum of $250 if the contest is in a single county. In other​
cases the bond shall be in a sum set by the court with sureties approved by the court, and conditioned​
that the party seeking inspection will pay the administrative costs and expenses of the inspection​
if that party loses the contest.​
Subd. 3.Report of inspectors.An inspection must be made in the office and in the presence​
of the legal custodian of the ballots. The inspectors shall recanvass the votes cast for the parties to​
the contest or the question in issue in accordance with the rules for counting ballots in the Minnesota​
Election Law. They shall make a written report of the inspection indicating the number of votes​
cast for each candidate or each side of the question in each precinct where the ballots were inspected​
and indicating any disputed ballots upon which the inspectors cannot agree.​
2R​
APPENDIX​
Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 25-04225​