Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Senate Bill SF2232 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1.1 A bill for an act
2	2	1.2 relating to elections; modifying various laws related to election administration;
3	3	1.3 modifying absentee voting requirements and procedures; modifying timelines;
4	4	1.4 requiring a notice to be sent with absentee ballot applications and sample ballots
5	5	1.5 sent by nongovernment entities; modifying the filing period for certain local offices;
6	6	1.6 amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 201.225, subdivision 2; 203B.04,
7	7	1.7 subdivision 1; 203B.11, subdivision 1; 203B.121, subdivision 1; 203B.23,
8	8	1.8 subdivision 2; 203B.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.06, subdivision 1; 204B.09,
9	9	1.9 subdivisions 2, 3; 204B.14, subdivision 2; 204B.28, subdivision 2; 204B.45,
10	10	1.10 subdivision 2; 205.13, subdivisions 1, 1a; 205A.06, subdivisions 1, 1a; 447.32,
11	11	1.11 subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 211B.
12	12	1.12BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
13	13	1.13 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
14	14	1.14 Subd. 2.Technology requirements.An electronic roster must:
15	15	1.15 (1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file
16	16	1.16format prescribed by the secretary of state;
17	17	1.17 (2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
18	18	1.18 (3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or
19	19	1.19identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that
20	20	1.20would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The printed registration application
21	21	1.21can be a printed form, a label printed with voter information to be affixed to a preprinted
22	22	1.22form, a combination of a form and label, or an electronic record that the voter signs
23	23	1.23electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling place;
24	24	1.24 (4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's
25	25	1.25license or identification card;
26	26	1Section 1.
27	27	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI
28	28	SENATE
29	29	STATE OF MINNESOTA
30	30	S.F. No. 2232NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
31	31	(SENATE AUTHORS: KORAN, Carlson, Mathews and Westlin)
32	32	OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
33	33	Introduction and first reading03/06/2025
34	34	Referred to Elections 2.1 (5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned
35	35	2.2driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter
36	36	2.3or an election judge;
37	37	2.4 (6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates
38	38	2.5that the voter is not eligible to vote;
39	39	2.6 (7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has
40	40	2.7already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the
41	41	2.8voter maintains residence in a different precinct;
42	42	2.9 (8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when
43	43	2.10a voter's record is challenged;
44	44	2.11 (9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address
45	45	2.12of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10,
46	46	2.13and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be
47	47	2.14a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an
48	48	2.15electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion
49	49	2.16at the polling place;
50	50	2.17 (10) contain only preregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain preregistered
51	51	2.18voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being utilized for a combined
52	52	2.19polling place pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, absentee or early voting under
53	53	2.20chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section 204B.45, subdivision
54	54	2.212a;
55	55	2.22 (11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose
56	56	2.23of updating absentee ballot records;
57	57	2.24 (12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the
58	58	2.25Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information
59	59	2.26Technology Services;
60	60	2.27 (13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and
61	61	2.28 (14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration
62	62	2.29of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
63	63	2.30Electronic rosters used only for election day registration do not need to comply with clauses
64	64	2.31(1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters used only for preregistered voter processing do not need
65	65	2.32to comply with clauses (4) and (5).
66	66	2Section 1.
67	67	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 3.1 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
68	68	3.2 Subdivision 1.Application procedures.(a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision
69	69	3.32 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, or 203B.29, an application for absentee ballots for
70	70	3.4any election:
71	71	3.5 (1) may be submitted in person at any time not later than the day before the election; or
72	72	3.6 (2) if not submitted in-person as provided in clause (1), must be received at any time
73	73	3.7not less than one day seven days before the day of that election.
74	74	3.8The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided
75	75	3.9by the secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of
76	76	3.10each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available
77	77	3.11to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
78	78	3.12shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile
79	79	3.13device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:
80	80	3.14 (1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
81	81	3.15 (2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the
82	82	3.16applicant maintains residence.
83	83	3.17 (b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through
84	84	3.18a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose. After
85	85	3.195:00 p.m. seven days prior to an election, the secretary of state must replace the electronic
86	86	3.20application with information detailing the available options to vote before and on the
87	87	3.21upcoming election day. Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary of state must require
88	88	3.22applicants using the website to submit the applicant's email address and the applicant's:
89	89	3.23 (1) verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, or Minnesota state identification card
90	90	3.24number, or; and
91	91	3.25 (2) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
92	92	3.26If an applicant does not possess both types of documents, the applicant must include the
93	93	3.27number for one type of document and must affirmatively certify that the applicant does not
94	94	3.28possess the other type of documentation. This paragraph does not apply to a town election
95	95	3.29held in March.
96	96	3.30 (c) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph (b) may only be
97	97	3.31transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the
98	98	3.32application information matches the information in a government database associated with
99	99	3Sec. 2.
100	100	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 4.1the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security
101	101	4.2number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of
102	102	4.3suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement
103	103	4.4agency for investigation.
104	104	4.5 (d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the
105	105	4.6applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth,
106	106	4.7and at least one of the following:
107	107	4.8 (1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
108	108	4.9 (2) Minnesota state identification card number;
109	109	4.10 (3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
110	110	4.11 (4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
111	111	4.12All applications must be retained by the county auditor or the municipal clerk or school
112	112	4.13district clerk, if applicable. If an application is received after 5:00 p.m. seven days prior to
113	113	4.14the election, the official in charge of the ballot board must, within one day of receipt of the
114	114	4.15application, attempt to contact the applicant by telephone or email to notify the applicant
115	115	4.16of opportunities to vote in the election. The official must document the attempts made to
116	116	4.17contact the applicant.
117	117	4.18 (e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained
118	118	4.19on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and
119	119	4.20that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
120	120	4.21 (f) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification
121	121	4.22number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made
122	122	4.23available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or
123	123	4.24municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in
124	124	4.25person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than
125	125	4.26the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or
126	126	4.27municipal clerk within ten seven days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than
127	127	4.28six seven days before the election.
128	128	4.29 (g) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision
129	129	4.305 to automatically receive an absentee ballot.
130	130	4Sec. 2.
131	131	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 5.1 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
132	132	5.2 Subdivision 1.Generally.(a) Each full-time municipal clerk or school district clerk
133	133	5.3who has authority under section 203B.05 to administer absentee voting laws must designate
134	134	5.4election judges to deliver absentee ballots in accordance with this section. The county auditor
135	135	5.5must also designate election judges to perform the duties in this section. A ballot may be
136	136	5.6delivered only to an eligible voter who is a temporary or permanent resident or patient in
137	137	5.7one of the following facilities located in the municipality in which the voter maintains
138	138	5.8residence: a health care facility, hospital, or veterans home operated by the board of directors
139	139	5.9of the Minnesota veterans homes under chapter 198. The ballots must be delivered by two
140	140	5.10election judges, each of whom is affiliated with a different major political party. When the
141	141	5.11election judges deliver or return ballots as provided in this section, they must travel together
142	142	5.12in the same vehicle. Both election judges must be present when an applicant completes the
143	143	5.13certificate of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as
144	144	5.14provided in section 204C.15. The election judges must deposit the return envelopes containing
145	145	5.15the marked absentee ballots in a sealed container and return them to the clerk on the same
146	146	5.16day that they are delivered and marked.
147	147	5.17 (b) If a health care professional at the facility or hospital determines it is necessary to
148	148	5.18ensure the health and safety of election judges, the voter, or others at the facility or hospital,
149	149	5.19two employees of the facility or hospital may receive a ballot from the election judges and
150	150	5.20deliver the ballot to an individual voter in place of election judges, notwithstanding other
151	151	5.21requirements of this section. The employees must not in any manner request, persuade,
152	152	5.22induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to vote for any particular political party
153	153	5.23or candidate. Both employees must be present when an applicant completes the certificate
154	154	5.24of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as provided in
155	155	5.25section 204C.15. The employees must return the ballot to the election judges immediately
156	156	5.26after the voter has finished voting.
157	157	5.27 (b) (c) At the discretion of a full-time municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county
158	158	5.28auditor, absentee ballots may be delivered in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph
159	159	5.29(a) to a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, or to an
160	160	5.30assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G.
161	161	5.31 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
162	162	5.32 Subdivision 1.Establishment; applicable laws.(a) The governing body of each county,
163	163	5.33municipality, and school district with responsibility to accept and reject absentee ballots or
164	164	5.34to administer early voting must, by ordinance or resolution, establish a ballot board. The
165	165	5Sec. 4.
166	166	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 6.1board must consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as provided in sections
167	167	6.2204B.19 to 204B.22, except the provisions of section 204B.19, subdivision 5, relating to
168	168	6.3party balance in the appointment of judges and to duties to be performed by judges of
169	169	6.4different major political parties do not apply to a county election not held in conjunction
170	170	6.5with a state election. The board may include deputy county auditors or deputy city clerks
171	171	6.6who have received training in the processing and counting of absentee ballots. Each member
172	172	6.7of the ballot board must be provided adequate training on the processing and counting of
173	173	6.8absentee ballots, including but not limited to instruction on accepting and rejecting absentee
174	174	6.9ballots, storage of absentee ballots, timelines and deadlines, the role of the ballot board,
175	175	6.10procedures for opening absentee ballot envelopes, procedures for counting absentee ballots,
176	176	6.11and procedures for reporting absentee ballot totals.
177	177	6.12 (b) Each jurisdiction must pay a reasonable compensation to each member of that
178	178	6.13jurisdiction's ballot board for services rendered during an election.
179	179	6.14 (c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, all provisions of the Minnesota Election
180	180	6.15Law apply to a ballot board.
181	181	6.16 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
182	182	6.17 Subd. 2.Duties.(a) The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot
183	183	6.18envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the
184	184	6.19absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter
185	185	6.20eligibility is not printed on the signature envelope, the certificate must be attached to the
186	186	6.21ballot envelope.
187	187	6.22 (b) The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the signature envelopes or
188	188	6.23certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes and mark them
189	189	6.24"accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been
190	190	6.25rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered
191	191	6.26spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter
192	192	6.27with a replacement absentee ballot and envelopes in place of the spoiled ballot.
193	193	6.28 (c) If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to
194	194	6.29a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the
195	195	6.30appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board, except as otherwise provided in this
196	196	6.31paragraph. If a municipality and county agree that the county's ballot board retains
197	197	6.32responsibility for ballots issued pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, absentee ballots
198	198	6.33issued pursuant to these sections that are accepted must be opened, counted, and retained
199	199	6.34by the county's absentee ballot board. The absentee ballot board with the authority to open
200	200	6Sec. 5.
201	201	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 7.1and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions 4 and
202	202	7.25.
203	203	7.3 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
204	204	7.4 Subdivision 1.Emergency response providers.Any eligible Minnesota voter who is
205	205	7.5a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in
206	206	7.6response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any
207	207	7.7governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for
208	208	7.8absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate
209	209	7.9of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly
210	210	7.10completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must
211	211	7.11electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee ballot application
212	212	7.12deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this subdivision. The county
213	213	7.13auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted
214	214	7.14electronically.
215	215	7.15 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
216	216	7.16 Subd. 2.Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability.Any eligible Minnesota
217	217	7.17voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the
218	218	7.18effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions,
219	219	7.19and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible
220	220	7.20format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements.
221	221	7.21Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the
222	222	7.22county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee
223	223	7.23ballot application deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this
224	224	7.24subdivision. The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section
225	225	7.25203B.07.
226	226	7.26 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
227	227	7.27 Subdivision 1.Form of affidavit.(a) An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of
228	228	7.28the office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:
229	229	7.29 (1) is an eligible voter;
230	230	7.30 (2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or
231	231	7.31next ensuing general election, except as authorized by subdivision 9; and
232	232	7Sec. 8.
233	233	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 8.1 (3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have maintained
234	234	8.2residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the
235	235	8.3general election.
236	236	8.4 (b) An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as
237	237	8.5written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by
238	238	8.6which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the community. and:
239	239	8.7 (1) the phonetic spelling or an explanation for the pronunciation of the full name
240	240	8.8designated for the ballot; or
241	241	8.9 (2) a certification that the candidate is directing the official responsible for programming
242	242	8.10materials for the election to use the applicable technology's default pronunciation of the
243	243	8.11candidate's name.
244	244	8.12 (c) An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the candidate's
245	245	8.13political party or political principle, stated in three words or less.
246	246	8.14 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
247	247	8.15 Subd. 2.Other elections.(a) Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city,
248	248	8.16town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified
249	249	8.17in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district
250	250	8.18candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of
251	251	8.19eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official
252	252	8.20specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy and nominating
253	253	8.21petitions filed under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding
254	254	8.22chapter 325L, or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate
255	255	8.23official within the specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office.
256	256	8.24 (b) The official receiving the filing shall notify the official responsible for preparing the
257	257	8.25ballot of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, or
258	258	8.26other information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
259	259	8.27business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
260	260	8.28filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
261	261	8.29notification timeline.
262	262	8.30 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
263	263	8.31 Subd. 3.Write-in candidates.(a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who
264	264	8.32wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the
265	265	8Sec. 10.
266	266	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 9.1filing office for the office sought not more than 84 days before the primary and no later
267	267	9.2than the seventh 19th day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies
268	268	9.3of the form to make the request. The filing officer shall not accept a written request later
269	269	9.4than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing a written request.
270	270	9.5 (b) The governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city may adopt a resolution
271	271	9.6governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may:
272	272	9.7 (1) require the candidate to file a written request with the chief election official no later
273	273	9.8than the seventh 19th day before the city election if the candidate wants to have the
274	274	9.9candidate's write-in votes individually recorded; or
275	275	9.10 (2) require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded
276	276	9.11if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest
277	277	9.12number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate.
278	278	9.13If the governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city adopts a resolution authorized
279	279	9.14by this paragraph, the resolution must be adopted and the city clerk must notify the county
280	280	9.15auditor before the first day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph
281	281	9.16remains in effect until a subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the
282	282	9.17governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city.
283	283	9.18 (c) The governing body of a township, school district, hospital district, park district, soil
284	284	9.19and water district, or other ancillary elected district may adopt a resolution governing the
285	285	9.20counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may require that write-in
286	286	9.21votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in
287	287	9.22votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for
288	288	9.23a ballot candidate. If a governing body adopts a resolution authorized by this paragraph,
289	289	9.24the resolution must be adopted and the clerk must notify the county auditor before the first
290	290	9.25day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph remains in effect until a
291	291	9.26subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the governing body.
292	292	9.27 (d) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this
293	293	9.28subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice president of the United States.
294	294	9.29The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector.
295	295	9.30The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not
296	296	9.31exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.
297	297	9.32 (e) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly
298	298	9.33with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for lieutenant governor. A
299	299	9Sec. 10.
300	300	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 10.1candidate for lieutenant governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly
301	301	10.2with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for governor.
302	302	10.3 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
303	303	10.4 Subd. 2.Separate precincts; combined polling place.(a) The following shall constitute
304	304	10.5at least one election precinct:
305	305	10.6 (1) each city ward; and
306	306	10.7 (2) each town and each statutory city.
307	307	10.8 (b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than
308	308	10.9November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following
309	309	10.10year or May 1 of any other year:
310	310	10.11 (1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more
311	311	10.12than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;
312	312	10.13 (2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;
313	313	10.14 (3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan
314	314	10.15area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county;
315	315	10.16or
316	316	10.17 (4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.
317	317	10.18 Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place
318	318	10.19may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.
319	319	10.20 A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be
320	320	10.21filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body, and the
321	321	10.22county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner
322	322	10.23and including information prescribed by the secretary of state. A polling place combined
323	323	10.24under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality.
324	324	10.25A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each
325	325	10.26participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the
326	326	10.27noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined
327	327	10.28polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no
328	328	10.29later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the
329	329	10.30following year or April 1 of any other year, and the county auditor must provide notice
330	330	10.31within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed
331	331	10.32by the secretary of state.
332	332	10Sec. 11.
333	333	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 11.1 The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct
334	334	11.2served by the combined polling place, except that. In a precinct that uses electronic rosters,
335	335	11.3the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct and the election
336	336	11.4official responsible for the electronic rosters may combine the files as necessary to be loaded
337	337	11.5onto one or more electronic rosters provided that the requirements under section 201.225,
338	338	11.6subdivision 2, are met. A single set of election judges may be appointed to serve at a
339	339	11.7combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be based on the total
340	340	11.8number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to be voting at the
341	341	11.9combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the ballots from each
342	342	11.10precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each precinct served by
343	343	11.11the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under clause (2) where
344	344	11.12one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the results of that
345	345	11.13precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state.
346	346	11.14 (c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the
347	347	11.15safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent,
348	348	11.16the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant
349	349	11.17to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the
350	350	11.18election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:
351	351	11.19 (1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election
352	352	11.20day;
353	353	11.21 (2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling
354	354	11.22place under this paragraph;
355	355	11.23 (3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish
356	356	11.24the combined polling place;
357	357	11.25 (4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved
358	358	11.26by the local election official of each participating municipality;
359	359	11.27 (5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the
360	360	11.28secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination
361	361	11.29and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections
362	362	11.30official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of
363	363	11.31the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website,
364	364	11.32if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request
365	365	11.33that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location
366	366	11.34of the combined polling place; and
367	367	11Sec. 11.
368	368	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 12.1 (6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a
369	369	12.2conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating
370	370	12.3the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the
371	371	12.4notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as
372	372	12.5provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to
373	373	12.6section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph
374	374	12.7must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be
375	375	12.8extended until the specified time.
376	376	12.9 Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
377	377	12.10 Subd. 2.Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks.(a) Except as
378	378	12.11otherwise provided in this section and for absentee ballots in section 204B.35, subdivision
379	379	12.124, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which the
380	380	12.13auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general election.
381	381	12.14At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor but not later
382	382	12.15than four days the day before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from the county
383	383	12.16auditor:
384	384	12.17 (1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;
385	385	12.18 (2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;
386	386	12.19 (3) any other instructions for election officers; and
387	387	12.20 (4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for ballot
388	388	12.21returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to comply with
389	389	12.22the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may furnish the election
390	390	12.23supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are furnished to precincts
391	391	12.24in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
392	392	12.25 (b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early
393	393	12.26voting to municipal clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05 on
394	394	12.27or before the 19th day before the election.
395	395	12.28Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
396	396	12.29 Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day.Notice of the election and the special
397	397	12.30mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days
398	398	12.31nor later than 14 days before a regularly scheduled election and not more than 30 days nor
399	399	12.32later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by nonforwardable
400	400	12Sec. 13.
401	401	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 13.1mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No later than 14 days
402	402	13.2before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters
403	403	13.3who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election.
404	404	13.4Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots as
405	405	13.5provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, must be
406	406	13.6preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or in person
407	407	13.7to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot board to
408	408	13.8examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected"
409	409	13.9within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, or within five
410	410	13.10days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board may consist
411	411	13.11of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training in the
412	412	13.12processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major political
413	413	13.13party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different major
414	414	13.14political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,
415	415	13.15subdivision 4, or section 205A.10, or they are performing duties for a county election not
416	416	13.16held in conjunction with a state election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days
417	417	13.17before the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk
418	418	13.18shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled
419	419	13.19ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain
420	420	13.20sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by
421	421	13.21telephone or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official
422	422	13.22must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
423	423	13.23 If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
424	424	13.24indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
425	425	13.25on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"
426	426	13.26may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision
427	427	13.275, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
428	428	13.28 In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit
429	429	13.29and counting of ballots apply.
430	430	13.30 The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as
431	431	13.31one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the
432	432	13.32close of voting on election day.
433	433	13.33 The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter
434	434	13.34maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be
435	435	13.35counted.
436	436	13Sec. 13.
437	437	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 14.1 Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
438	438	14.2 Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy.(a) An individual who is eligible and desires to
439	439	14.3become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the municipal general election shall file
440	440	14.4an affidavit of candidacy with the municipal clerk. Candidates for a special election to fill
441	441	14.5a vacancy held as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a, must file an affidavit of
442	442	14.6candidacy for the specific office to fill the unexpired portion of the term. Subject to the
443	443	14.7approval of the county auditor, the town clerk may authorize candidates for township offices
444	444	14.8to file affidavits of candidacy with the county auditor. The affidavit shall be in the same
445	445	14.9form as that in section 204B.06. The municipal clerk shall also accept an application signed
446	446	14.10by not less than five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the municipality whom
447	447	14.11they desire to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the
448	448	14.12candidate and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. Upon receipt of
449	449	14.13the proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot
450	450	14.14without partisan designation.
451	451	14.15 (b) The municipal clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot of
452	452	14.16the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other
453	453	14.17information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
454	454	14.18business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
455	455	14.19filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
456	456	14.20notification timeline.
457	457	14.21Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
458	458	14.22 Subd. 1a.Filing period.In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of
459	459	14.23candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor
460	460	14.24less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an
461	461	14.25affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before
462	462	14.26the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in
463	463	14.27conjunction with another election, and no more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days
464	464	14.28before the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's
465	465	14.29office must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.
466	466	14.30 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
467	467	14.31Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
468	468	14.32 Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy.(a) An individual who is eligible and desires to
469	469	14.33become a candidate for an office to be voted on at the election must file an affidavit of
470	470	14Sec. 16.
471	471	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 15.1candidacy with the school district clerk. The affidavit must be in the form prescribed by
472	472	15.2section 204B.06. The school district clerk shall also accept an application signed by at least
473	473	15.3five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the school district whom they desire
474	474	15.4to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the candidate
475	475	15.5and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. No individual shall be
476	476	15.6nominated by nominating petition for a school district elective office. Upon receipt of the
477	477	15.7proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot without
478	478	15.8partisan designation.
479	479	15.9 (b) The school district clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot
480	480	15.10of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other
481	481	15.11information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
482	482	15.12business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
483	483	15.13filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
484	484	15.14notification timeline.
485	485	15.15Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
486	486	15.16 Subd. 1a.Filing period.In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose
487	487	15.17nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed with
488	488	15.18the school district clerk no earlier than the 84th day and no later than the 70th day before
489	489	15.19the second Tuesday in August in the year when the school district general election is held.
490	490	15.20In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier than the 98th
491	491	15.21112th day and no later than the 84th 98th day before the school district general election.
492	492	15.22 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
493	493	15.23Sec. 18. [211B.065] DISTRIBUTION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS
494	494	15.24AND SAMPLE BALLOTS.
495	495	15.25 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
496	496	15.26the meanings given.
497	497	15.27 (b) "Person or entity" means any individual, committee, or association as defined in
498	498	15.28section 10A.01, subdivision 6.
499	499	15.29 (c) "Sample ballot" means a document that is formatted and printed in a manner that so
500	500	15.30closely resembles an official ballot that it could lead a reasonable person to believe the
501	501	15.31document is an official ballot. A document that contains the names of particular candidates
502	502	15.32or ballot questions alongside illustrations of a generic ballot or common ballot markings is
503	503	15Sec. 18.
504	504	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 16.1not a sample ballot as long as the document does not closely resemble an official ballot and
505	505	16.2would not lead a reasonable person to believe the document is an official ballot.
506	506	16.3 Subd. 2.Requirements.(a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any person
507	507	16.4or entity that mails an absentee ballot application or sample ballot to anyone in the state
508	508	16.5must comply with this section. This section does not apply to a unit of government or
509	509	16.6employee of that unit of government when discharging official election duties.
510	510	16.7 (b) The person or entity mailing the absentee ballot application or sample ballot must
511	511	16.8also include a statement that:
512	512	16.9 (1) the mailing is not an official election communication from a unit of government;
513	513	16.10 (2) the application or ballot has not been included at the request of a government official;
514	514	16.11and
515	515	16.12 (3) if a sample ballot is enclosed, the sample ballot is not an official ballot and the voter
516	516	16.13must not cast the enclosed sample ballot.
517	517	16.14 (c) The statement required in paragraph (b) must be printed in a typeface and format
518	518	16.15designed to be clearly visible at the time the mailing is opened. The mailing envelope must
519	519	16.16include markings to clearly distinguish it from official election mail sent by a unit of
520	520	16.17government.
521	521	16.18 (d) If an absentee ballot application is included, the application fields must be blank and
522	522	16.19must not include the voter's name, address, or any other required information.
523	523	16.20Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
524	524	16.21 Subd. 4.Candidates; ballots; certifying election.(a) A person who wants to be a
525	525	16.22candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either
526	526	16.23as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate
527	527	16.24maintains residence. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk
528	528	16.25not more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days before the first Tuesday after the first
529	529	16.26Monday in November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town
530	530	16.27clerk must forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the
531	531	16.28first election, the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of
532	532	16.29the filing period. A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of
533	533	16.30withdrawal with the clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day
534	534	16.31to file affidavits of candidacy.
535	535	16Sec. 19.
536	536	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI 17.1 (b) Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district,
537	537	17.2necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the
538	538	17.3rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges
539	539	17.4as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may
540	540	17.5be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also
541	541	17.6authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be
542	542	17.7appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks
543	543	17.8of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.
544	544	17.9 (c) After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the
545	545	17.10candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall
546	546	17.11deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person
547	547	17.12certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days
548	548	17.13after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as
549	549	17.14provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification
550	550	17.15is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.
551	551	17.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2026.
552	552	17Sec. 19.
553	553	25-03996 as introduced02/24/25 REVISOR JFK/MI