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HF 3929

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to elections; exempting certain towns from a voting system requirement
in certain situations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, by
adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 206.57,
subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 206.57, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Voting system for disabled voters.

In federal and state elections held after
December 31, 2005; in county, city, and school district elections held after December
31, 2007; andnew text begin , except as provided in subdivision 5a,new text end in township elections held after
December 31, 2009, the voting method used in each polling place must include a voting
system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility
for the blind and visually impaired in a manner that provides the same opportunity for
access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Limited town exemptions. new text end

new text begin A town conducting an election not held in
conjunction with any federal, state, county, or school district election is exempt from
the requirements of subdivision 5 if the town has fewer than 500 registered voters as
determined by the secretary of state by June 1 of each year.
new text end

new text begin A town that would otherwise satisfy the requirements of this subdivision is still
required to comply with subdivision 5 at its next general town election if the voters at the
preceding year's annual town meeting instruct the town to conduct elections in compliance
with subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin Beginning in 2009 and at least once every other year until 2016, the secretary of
state shall convene an advisory group to review changes in state contracts related to
voting equipment and software, equipment options, and other options that may make
full compliance with subdivision 5 viable for town elections. The advisory group shall
monitor costs of compliance for all townships to determine whether the costs constitute
an excessive burden and examine ways that costs may be reduced. The advisory group
shall consist of representatives of the legislature, the Office of the Secretary of State, town
officers, county election officials, the National Federation of the Blind, the Minnesota
State Council on Disability, the disability law center, and other interested parties.
new text end