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;
1Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25
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 Freiberg03/10/2025
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
2Section 1.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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:
4Sec. 3.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
5Sec. 4.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
6Sec. 4.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
7Sec. 5.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
8Sec. 7.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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,
9Sec. 9.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
10Sec. 10.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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:
11Sec. 11.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
12Sec. 12.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
13Sec. 13.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
14Sec. 15.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
15Sec. 17.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
16Sec. 18.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
17Sec. 18.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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:
18Sec. 21.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
19Sec. 21.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
20Sec. 22.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
21Sec. 23.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
22Sec. 24.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
23Sec. 25.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
24Sec. 27.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
25Sec. 28.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
26Sec. 29.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
27Sec. 31.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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
28Sec. 32.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 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.
29Sec. 34.
REVISOR JFK/CH 25-0422503/03/25 206.95 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