HF 2368

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:03am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; authorizing a pilot program for conducting certain elections
in certain cities and school districts entirely by mail; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2008, section 204B.45, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 204B.45, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Experimental mail balloting; authorization. new text end

new text begin new text end new text begin Beginning on January 1,
2011, until December 31, 2012, the secretary of state may authorize up to three cities of
the second, third, or fourth class in Ramsey County to conduct the 2012 state primary
and state general election and 2011 municipal primaries and municipal general elections
and up to two school districts in Ramsey County to conduct their school board elections
entirely by mail on an experimental basis. The county board may request authorization for
mail balloting by resolution submitted to the secretary of state no later than December 1,
2010. The secretary of state shall approve or deny the request no later than December 31,
2010. The cost of mailing, processing, and counting the ballots must be paid by the cities
or school districts authorized to conduct mail balloting.
new text end

new text begin The county auditor shall prepare a report on implementation of any mail balloting
that occurs as provided in this subdivision, including a breakdown of the costs of the
election, and submit it to the secretary of state no later than December 15, 2011. The
secretary of state shall forward this report to the chairs and ranking minority members of
the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections policy and finance with any
recommendations by January 16, 2012, and by January 14, 2013, if an election by mail
has been held under this subdivision in 2012.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE; LOCAL APPROVAL.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day after the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and
its chief clerical officer timely complete their compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section
645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end