Engrossments
Introduction	Posted on 02/06/2023
1st Engrossment	Posted on 03/20/2023
2nd Engrossment	Posted on 04/26/2023	compared with HF1141 as Introduced

ARTICLE 1

CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Associated business.

new text begin (a) new text end "Associated business" means an association,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or other
organized legal entity from which the individualnew text begin or the individual's spousenew text end receives
compensation in excess of $250, except for actual and reasonable expenses, in any month
new text begin during the reporting period new text end as a director, officer, owner, member, partner, employer or
employee, or whose securities the individualnew text begin or the individual's spousenew text end holds worth more
than $10,000 at fair market value.

new text begin (b) Associated business also means a lobbyist, principal, or interested person by whom
the individual is compensated in excess of $250, except for actual and reasonable expenses,
in any month for providing services as an independent contractor or consultant. If an
individual is compensated by a person or association for providing services to a lobbyist,
principal, or interested person, associated business includes both the person or association
that pays the compensation and the lobbyist, principal, or interested person to whom the
services are provided.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Interested person" means a person or a representative of a person or association that
has a direct financial interest in a decision that the individual receiving the compensation
is authorized to make as a public or local official or will be authorized to make upon
becoming a public or local official. To be direct, the financial interest of the person or
association paying the compensation to the individual must be of greater consequence to
the payer than the general interest of other residents or taxpayers of the individual's
governmental unit.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 12a. new text end

new text begin Designated lobbyist. new text end

new text begin "Designated lobbyist" means the lobbyist responsible
for reporting the lobbying disbursements and activity of the entity the lobbyist represents.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 17d. new text end

new text begin General lobbying category. new text end

new text begin "General lobbying category" means an area of
interest for lobbying for an entity that is on a list of categories specified by the board.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 19a. new text end

new text begin Legislative action. new text end

new text begin "Legislative action" means any of the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the development of prospective legislation, including the development of amendment
language to prospective legislation;
new text end

new text begin (2) the review, modification, adoption, or rejection by a member of the legislature or an
employee of the legislature, if applicable, of any (i) bill, (ii) amendment, (iii) resolution,
(iv) confirmation considered by the legislature, or (v) report;
new text end

new text begin (3) the development of, in conjunction with a constitutional officer, prospective legislation
or a request for support or opposition to introduced legislation; and
new text end

new text begin (4) the action of the governor in approving or vetoing any act of the legislature or portion
of an act of the legislature.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, subdivision 21, is amended to read:

Subd. 21.

Lobbyist.

(a) "Lobbyist" means an individual:

(1) engaged for pay or other consideration of more than $3,000 from all sources in any
year:

(i) for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the
official action of a metropolitan governmental unit, by communicating or urging others to
communicate with public or local officials; or

(ii) from a business whose primary source of revenue is derived from facilitating
government relations or government affairs services between two third partiesnew text begin , if the
individual's job duties include offering direct or indirect consulting or advice that helps the
business provide those services to clientsnew text end ; or

(2) who spends more than deleted text begin $250deleted text end new text begin $3,000 of the individual's personal fundsnew text end , not including
the individual's own traveling expenses and membership dues, in any year for the purpose
of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the official action of a
metropolitan governmental unit, by communicating or urging others to communicate with
public or local officials.

(b) "Lobbyist" does not include:

(1) a public official;

(2) an employee of the state, including an employee of any of the public higher education
systems;

(3) an elected local official;

(4) a nonelected local official or an employee of a political subdivision acting in an
official capacity, unless the nonelected official or employee of a political subdivision spends
more than 50 hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action,
or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit other than the political subdivision
employing the official or employee, by communicating or urging others to communicate
with public or local officials, including time spent monitoring legislative or administrative
action, or the official action of a metropolitan governmental unit, and related research,
analysis, and compilation and dissemination of information relating to legislative or
administrative policy in this state, or to the policies of metropolitan governmental units;

(5) a party or the party's representative appearing in a proceeding before a state board,
commission, or agency of the executive branch unless the board, commission, or agency is
taking administrative action;

(6) an individual while engaged in selling goods or services to be paid for by public
funds;

(7) a news medium or its employees or agents while engaged in the publishing or
broadcasting of news items, editorial comments, or paid advertisements which directly or
indirectly urge official action;

(8) a paid expert witness whose testimony is requested by the body before which the
witness is appearing, but only to the extent of preparing or delivering testimony; or

(9) a party or the party's representative appearing to present a claim to the legislature
and communicating to legislators only by the filing of a claim form and supporting documents
and by appearing at public hearings on the claim.

(c) An individual who volunteers personal time to work without pay or other consideration
on a lobbying campaign, and who does not spend more than the limit in paragraph (a), clause
(2), need not register as a lobbyist.

(d) An individual who provides administrative support to a lobbyist and whose salary
and administrative expenses attributable to lobbying activities are reported as lobbying
expenses by the lobbyist, but who does not communicate or urge others to communicate
with public or local officials, need not register as a lobbyist.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

Subd. 26.

Noncampaign disbursement.

(a) "Noncampaign disbursement" means a
purchase or payment of money or anything of value made, or an advance of credit incurred,
or a donation in kind received, by a principal campaign committee for any of the following
purposes:

(1) payment for accounting and legal services;

(2) return of a contribution to the source;

(3) repayment of a loan made to the principal campaign committee by that committee;

(4) return of a public subsidy;

(5) payment for food, beverages, and necessary utensils and supplies, entertainment,
and facility rental for a fundraising event;

(6) services for a constituent by a member of the legislature or a constitutional officer
in the executive branch as provided in section 10A.173, subdivision 1;

(7) payment for food and beverages consumed by a candidate or volunteers while they
are engaged in campaign activities;

(8) payment for food or a beverage consumed while attending a reception or meeting
directly related to legislative duties;

(9) payment of expenses incurred by elected or appointed leaders of a legislative caucus
in carrying out their leadership responsibilities;

(10) payment by a principal campaign committee of the candidate's expenses for serving
in public office, other than for personal uses;

(11) costs of child care for the candidate's children when campaigning;

(12) fees paid to attend a campaign school;

(13) costs of a postelection party during the election year when a candidate's name will
no longer appear on a ballot or the general election is concluded, whichever occurs first;

(14) interest on loans paid by a principal campaign committee on outstanding loans;

(15) filing fees;

(16) post-general election holiday or seasonal cards, thank-you notes, or advertisements
in the news media mailed or published prior to the end of the election cycle;

(17) the cost of campaign material purchased to replace defective campaign material, if
the defective material is destroyed without being used;

(18) contributions to a party unit;

(19) payments for funeral gifts or memorials;

(20) the cost of a magnet less than six inches in diameter containing legislator contact
information and distributed to constituents;

(21) costs associated with a candidate attending a political party state or national
convention in this state;

(22) other purchases or payments specified in board rules or advisory opinions as being
for any purpose other than to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or to
promote or defeat a ballot question;

(23) costs paid to a third party for processing contributions made by a credit card, debit
card, or electronic check;

(24)new text begin costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee to support the candidate's
participation in a recount of ballots affecting the candidate's election;
new text end

new text begin (25)new text end a contribution to a fund established to support a candidate's participation in a recount
of ballots affecting that candidate's election;

deleted text begin (25)deleted text end new text begin (26)new text end costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee for a single reception
given in honor of the candidate's retirement from public office after the filing period for
affidavits of candidacy for that office has closed;

deleted text begin (26)deleted text end new text begin (27)new text end a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to the state general
fund;

deleted text begin (27)deleted text end new text begin (28)new text end a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to a county
obligated to incur special election expenses due to that candidate's resignation from state
office; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (28)deleted text end new text begin (29)new text end during a period starting January 1 in the year following a general election and
ending on December 31 of the year of general election, total payments of up to $3,000 for
new text begin detection-relatednew text end security new text begin monitoringnew text end expenses for a candidate, including home security
hardware, maintenance of home security new text begin monitoringnew text end hardware, identity theft monitoring
services, and credit monitoring servicesdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (30) costs paid to repair or replace campaign property that was: (i) lost or stolen, or (ii)
damaged or defaced to such a degree that the property no longer serves its intended purpose.
For purposes of this clause, campaign property includes but is not limited to campaign lawn
signs. The candidate must document the need for these costs in writing or with photographs.
new text end

(b) The board must determine whether an activity involves a noncampaign disbursement
within the meaning of this subdivision.

(c) A noncampaign disbursement is considered to be made in the year in which the
candidate made the purchase of goods or services or incurred an obligation to pay for goods
or services.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, subdivision 30, is amended to read:

Subd. 30.

Political party unit or party unit.

"Political party unit" or "party unit" means
the state committee deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end the party organization within a house of the legislature, deleted text begin congressional
district, county, legislative district, municipality, or precinctdeleted text end new text begin or any other party organization
designated by the chair of the political party in an annual certification of party units provided
to the boardnew text end .

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 35c. new text end

new text begin Specific subject of interest. new text end

new text begin "Specific subject of interest" means a particular
topic or area of lobbying interest within a general lobbying category.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Virtual currency. new text end

new text begin "Virtual currency" means any digital currency which is
only available in an electronic form and not as a physical form of money. Virtual currency
functions as a medium of exchange, units of account, or a store of value. Virtual currency
includes cryptocurrencies. Virtual currency does not include currencies issued by a
government.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.022, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Investigation authority; complaint process.

(a) The board may investigate
any alleged or potential violation of this chapter. The board may also investigate an alleged
or potential violation of section 211B.04, 211B.12, or 211B.15 by or related to a candidate,
treasurer, principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit,
as those terms are defined in this chapter. The board may only investigate an alleged violation
if the board:

(1) receives a written complaint alleging a violation;

(2) discovers a potential violation as a result of an audit conducted by the board; or

(3) discovers a potential violation as a result of a staff review.

(b) When the board investigates the allegations made in a written complaint and the
investigation reveals other potential violations that were not included in the complaint, the
board may investigate the potential violations not alleged in the complaint only after making
a determination under paragraph (d) that probable cause exists to believe a violation that
warrants a formal investigation has occurred.

(c) Upon receipt of a written complaint filed with the board, the board chair or another
board member designated by the chair shall promptly make a determination as to whether
the complaint alleges a prima facie violation. If a determination is made that the complaint
does not allege a prima facie violation, the complaint shall be dismissed without prejudice
and the complainant and the subject of the complaint must be promptly notified of the
reasons the complaint did not allege a prima facie violation. The notice to the subject of the
complaint must include a copy of the complaint. If the complainant files a revised complaint
regarding the same facts and the same subject, the prima facie determination must be
completed by a board member other than the member who made the initial determination
and who does not support the same political party as the member who made the initial
determination. The chair may order that the prima facie determination for any complaint
be made by the full board and must order that the prima facie determination for a complaint
being submitted for the third time be made by the full board.

(d) If a determination is made that the complaint alleges a prima facie violation, the
board shall, within deleted text begin 45deleted text end new text begin 60new text end days of the prima facie determination, make findings and
conclusions as to whether probable cause exists to believe the alleged violation that warrants
a formal investigation has occurred. Any party filing a complaint and any party against
whom a complaint is filed must be given an opportunity to be heard by the board prior to
the board's determination as to whether probable cause exists to believe a violation that
warrants a formal investigation has occurred.

(e) Upon a determination by the board that probable cause exists to believe a violation
that warrants a formal investigation has occurred, the board must undertake an investigation
under subdivision 2 and must issue an order at the conclusion of the investigation, except
that if the complaint alleges a violation of section 10A.25 or 10A.27, the board must either
enter a conciliation agreement or make public findings and conclusions as to whether a
violation has occurred and must issue an order within 60 days after the probable cause
determination has been made. Prior to making findings and conclusions in an investigation,
the board must offer the subject of the complaint an opportunity to answer the allegations
of the complaint in writing and to appear before the board to address the matter. The deadline
for action on a written complaintnew text begin , including but not limited to issuance of a probable cause
determination in accordance with paragraph (d), entering into a conciliation agreement, or
issuance of public findingsnew text end may be extended by majority vote of the board.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.025, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Changes and corrections.

Material changes in information previously submitted
and corrections to a report or statement must be reported in writing to the board within ten
days following the date of the event prompting the change or the date upon which the person
filing became aware of the inaccuracy. The change or correction must identify the form and
the paragraph containing the information to be changed or corrected.new text begin A request from the
board to a lobbyist to provide more detailed information about a specific subject of interest
disclosed on a lobbyist disbursement report is a change or correction governed by this
subdivision.
new text end

A person who willfully fails to report a material change or correction is subject to a civil
penalty imposed by the board of up to $3,000. A willful violation of this subdivision is a
gross misdemeanor.

The board must send a written notice to any individual who fails to file a report required
by this subdivision. If the individual fails to file the required report within ten business days
after the notice was sent, the board may impose a late filing fee of $25 per day up to $1,000
starting on the 11th day after the notice was sent. The board may send an additional notice
by certified mail to an individual who fails to file a report within ten business days after the
first notice was sent by the board. The certified notice must state that if the individual does
not file the requested report within ten business days after the certified notice was sent, the
individual may be subject to a civil penalty for failure to file a report. An individual who
fails to file a report required by this subdivision within ten business days after the certified
notice was sent by the board is subject to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to
$1,000.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Form.

The board must prescribe a registration form, which must include:

(1) the name, address, and email address of the lobbyist;

(2) the principal place of business of the lobbyist;

(3) the name and address of each individual, association, political subdivision, or public
higher education system, if any, by whom the lobbyist is retained or employed or on whose
behalf the lobbyist appears;

(4) the website address of each association, political subdivision, or public higher
education system identified under clause (3), if the entity maintains a website; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(5) deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin thenew text end general deleted text begin description of the subject or subjectsdeleted text end new text begin lobbying categoriesnew text end on which the
lobbyist expects to lobbydeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin on behalf of a represented entity; and
new text end

new text begin (6) new text end if the lobbyist lobbies on behalf of an association, deleted text begin the registration form must includedeleted text end
the name and address of the officers and directors of the association.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin General lobbying categories and specific subjects of interest. new text end

new text begin A list of general
lobbying categories and specific subjects of interest must be specified by the board and
updated periodically based on public comment and information provided by lobbyists. The
board must publish on its website the current list of general lobbying categories and specific
subjects of interest.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Information to lobbyist.

An deleted text begin employer or employee aboutdeleted text end new text begin entity or lobbyistnew text end
whose activities deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin are reported to the board by another new text end lobbyist is required to deleted text begin report mustdeleted text end
provide the information required by subdivision 4 to the lobbyist no later than five days
before the prescribed filing date.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.04, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Reporting by multiple lobbyists representing the same entity.

Clauses (1)
to (6) apply when a single individual, association, political subdivision, or public higher
education system is represented by more than one lobbyist.

(1) The entity must appoint one designated lobbyist to report lobbyist disbursements
made by the entity.new text begin An entity represented by more than one lobbyist may only have one
designated lobbyist at any given time.new text end The designated lobbyist must indicate that status on
the periodic reports of lobbyist disbursements.

(2) A reporting lobbyist may consent to report on behalf of one or more other lobbyists
for the same entity, in which case, the other lobbyists are persons whose activities the
reporting lobbyist must disclose and are subject to the disclosure requirements of subdivision
3. Lobbyist disbursement reports filed by a reporting lobbyist must include the names and
registration numbers of the other lobbyists whose activities are included in the report.

(3) Lobbyists whose activities are accounted for by a reporting lobbyist are not required
to file lobbyist disbursement reports.

(4) A lobbyist whose lobbying disbursements are provided to the board through a
reporting lobbyist must supply all relevant information on disbursements to the reporting
lobbyist no later than five days before the prescribed filing date.

(5) The reporting periods and due dates for a reporting lobbyist are those provided in
subdivision 2. The late filing provisions in subdivision 5 apply to reports required by this
subdivision.

(6) The reporting lobbyist must indicate the names and registration numbers of any
lobbyists who did not provide their lobbying disbursements for inclusion in a report. The
late filing provisions in subdivision 5 apply to lobbyists who fail to report information to
the reporting lobbyist.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.09, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Form; general requirements.

(a) A statement of economic interest required
by this section must be on a form prescribed by the board. new text begin Except as provided in subdivision
5b, new text end the individual filing must provide the following information:

(1) new text begin the individual's new text end name, address, occupation, and principal place of business;

(2) new text begin a listing of new text end the name of each associated business and the nature of that association;

(3) a listing of all real property within the state, excluding homestead property, in which
the individual new text begin or the individual's spouse new text end holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract
for deed as buyer or seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the interest is
valued in excess of $2,500; or (ii) an option to buy, if the property has a fair market value
of more than $50,000;

(4) a listing of all real property within the state in which a partnership of which the
individual new text begin or the individual's spouse new text end is a member holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage,
a contract for deed as buyer or seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the
individual's share of the partnership interest is valued in excess of $2,500; or (ii) an option
to buy, if the property has a fair market value of more than $50,000. A listing under this
clause or clause (3) must indicate the street address and the municipality or the section,
township, range and approximate acreage, whichever applies, and the county in which the
property is located;

(5) a listing of any investments, ownership, or interests in property connected with
pari-mutuel horse racing in the United States and Canada, including a racehorse, in which
the individual directly or indirectly holds a partial or full interest or an immediate family
member holds a partial or full interest;

(6) a listing of the principal business or professional activity category of each business
from which the individual new text begin or the individual's spouse new text end receives more than $250 in any month
during the reporting period as an employee, if the individual new text begin or the individual's spouse new text end has
an ownership interest of 25 percent or more in the business;

(7) a listing of each principal business or professional activity category from which the
individual new text begin or the individual's spouse new text end received compensation of more than $2,500 in the past
12 months as an independent contractor; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(8) a listing of the full name of each security with a value of more than $10,000 owned
in part or in full by the individualnew text begin or the individual's spousenew text end , at any time during the reporting
perioddeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a listing of any contract, professional license, lease, or franchise that:
new text end

new text begin (i) is held by the individual or the individual's spouse or any business in which the
individual has an ownership interest of 25 percent or more; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) is entered into with, or issued by, the government agency on which the individual
serves as a public or local official.
new text end

(b) The business or professional categories for purposes of paragraph (a), clauses (6)
and (7), must be the general topic headings used by the federal Internal Revenue Service
for purposes of reporting self-employment income on Schedule C. This paragraph does not
require an individual to report any specific code number from that schedule. Any additional
principal business or professional activity category may only be adopted if the category is
enacted by law.

(c) For the purpose of calculating the amount of compensation received from any single
source in a single month, the amount shall include the total amount received from the source
during the month, whether or not the amount covers compensation for more than one month.

(d) For the purpose of determining the value of an individual's interest in real property,
the value of the property is the market value shown on the property tax statement.

(e) For the purpose of this section, "date of appointment" means the effective date of
appointment to a position.

(f) For the purpose of this section, "accepting employment as a public official" means
the effective date of the appointment to the position, as stated in the appointing authority's
notice to the board.

new text begin (g) The listings required in paragraph (a), clauses (3) to (9), must not identify whether
the individual or the individual's spouse is associated with or owns the listed item.
new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Form; exceptions for certain officials. new text end

new text begin (a) This subdivision applies to the
following individuals:
new text end

new text begin (1) a supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;
new text end

new text begin (2) a manager of a watershed district; and
new text end

new text begin (3) a member of a watershed management organization as defined under section
103B.205, subdivision 13.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding subdivision 5, paragraph (a), an individual listed in paragraph (a),
must provide only the information listed below on a statement of economic interest:
new text end

new text begin (1) the individual's name, address, occupation, and principal place of business;
new text end

new text begin (2) a listing of any association, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
limited liability partnership, or other organized legal entity from which the individual
receives compensation in excess of $250, except for actual and reasonable expenses, in any
month during the reporting period as a director, officer, owner, member, partner, employer,
or employee;
new text end

new text begin (3) a listing of all real property within the state, excluding homestead property, in which
the individual or the individual's spouse holds:
new text end

new text begin (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract for deed as buyer or seller, or an option
to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the interest is valued in excess of $2,500; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) an option to buy, if the property has a fair market value of more than $50,000;
new text end

new text begin (4) a listing of all real property within the state in which a partnership of which the
individual or the individual's spouse is a member holds:
new text end

new text begin (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract for deed as buyer or seller, or an option
to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the individual's share of the partnership interest is valued
in excess of $2,500; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) an option to buy, if the property has a fair market value of more than $50,000. A
listing under this clause or clause (3) must indicate the street address and the municipality
or the section, township, range and approximate acreage, whichever applies, and the county
in which the property is located; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a listing of any contract, professional license, lease, or franchise that meets the
following criteria:
new text end

new text begin (i) it is held by the individual or the individual's spouse or any business in which the
individual has an ownership interest of 25 percent or more; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) it is entered into with, or issued by, the government agency on which the individual
serves as a public or local official.
new text end

new text begin (c) The listings required in paragraph (b), clauses (3) to (5), must not identify whether
the individual or the individual's spouse is associated with or owns the listed item.
new text end

new text begin (d) If an individual listed in paragraph (a) also holds a public official position that is not
listed in paragraph (a), the individual must file a statement of economic interest that includes
the information specified in subdivision 5, paragraph (a).
new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Permitted disbursements.

An independent expenditure political
committee or fund, or a ballot question political committee or fund, may:

(1) pay costs associated with its fundraising and general operations;

(2) pay for communications that do not constitute contributions or approved expenditures;

(3) make contributions to independent expenditure or ballot question political committees
or funds;

(4) make independent expenditures;

(5) make expenditures to promote or defeat ballot questions;

(6) return a contribution to its source;

(7) for a political fund, record bookkeeping entries transferring the association's general
treasury money allocated for political purposes back to the general treasury of the association;
deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(8) for a political fund, return general treasury money transferred to a separate depository
to the general depository of the associationdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (9) make disbursements for electioneering communications.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Penalty.

(a) An independent expenditure political committee deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end independent
expenditure political fundnew text begin , ballot question political committee, or ballot question political
fundnew text end is subject to a civil penalty of up to four times the amount of the contribution or
approved expenditure if it does the following:

(1) makes a contribution to a candidate, local candidate, party unit, political committee,
or political fund other than an independent expenditure political committee deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end an independent
expenditure political fundnew text begin , ballot question political committee, or ballot question political
fundnew text end ; or

(2) makes an approved expenditure.

(b) No other penalty provided in law may be imposed for conduct that is subject to a
civil penalty under this section.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Deposit.

All contributions received by or on behalf of a candidate, principal
campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit must be deleted text begin deposited in
andeleted text end new text begin placed in a depositorynew text end account designated "Campaign Fund of ..... (name of candidate,
committee, fund, or party unit)." All contributions must be deposited promptly upon receipt
and, except for contributions received during the last three days of a reporting period as
described in section 10A.20, must be deposited during the reporting period in which they
were received. A contribution received during the last three days of a reporting period must
be deposited within 72 hours after receipt and must be reported as received during the
reporting period whether or not deposited within that periodnew text begin . A contribution must not be
deposited in any other account prior to being deposited within a depository of the principal
campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit. However, a
contribution may temporarily be held within a digital wallet or other account immediately
after receipt if the recipient principal campaign committee, political committee, political
fund, or party unit has sole ownership of that accountnew text end . A candidate, principal campaign
committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit may refuse to accept a
contribution. A deposited contribution may be returned to the contributor within 90 days
after deposit. A contribution deposited and not returned within 90 days after that deposit
must be reported as accepted.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.15, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Registration number on checks.

A contribution made to a candidate new text begin or local
candidate new text end by a lobbyist, political committee, political fund, or party unit must show the
name of the lobbyist, political committee, political fund, or party unit and the number under
which it is registered with the board.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Virtual currency contributions. new text end

new text begin (a) A principal campaign committee, political
committee, political fund, or party unit may accept a donation in kind in the form of virtual
currency. Any virtual currency contribution must be made and received through a virtual
currency payment processor based in the United States that is registered with the United
States Department of Treasury and which utilizes protocols to verify the identity of the
contributor for all contributions. The value of donated virtual currency is its fair market
value at the time it is donated. The recipient of a virtual currency contribution must sell the
virtual currency in exchange for United States currency within five business days after
receipt.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any increase in the value of donated virtual currency after its donation, but before
its conversion to United States currency, must be reported as a receipt that is not a
contribution pursuant to section 10A.20, subdivision 3. Any decrease in the value of donated
virtual currency after its donation, but before its conversion to United States currency, must
be reported as an expenditure pursuant to section 10A.20, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (c) A principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit
may not purchase goods or services with virtual currency.
new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.15, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Mobile payments. new text end

new text begin (a) A principal campaign committee, political committee,
political fund, or party unit may accept a contribution of money made using a mobile payment
service or platform, a service that is dependent upon direct carrier billing, or a website.
new text end

new text begin (b) A principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, or party unit
may not solicit or accept a contribution made using a mobile payment service or platform
that, to a potential contributor, displays only the name of an individual as the recipient or
displays a name for the recipient that is not substantially similar to the name under which
the recipient is registered with the board.
new text end

new text begin (c) A mobile payment contribution must be deposited pursuant to subdivision 3 before
the funds received may be used to make an expenditure or disbursement other than payment
of any processing fee charged for using the mobile payment service or platform.
new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.17, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Penalty.

A person who violates subdivision 2 new text begin or 6 new text end is subject to a civil penalty
imposed by the board of up to $1,000. A person who knowingly violates subdivision 3a or
4 or falsely claims that an expenditure was an independent expenditure is guilty of a gross
misdemeanor and subject to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $3,000.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.17, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Use of depository. new text end

new text begin A political committee, political fund, principal campaign
committee, or party unit may not expend money unless the expenditure or other disbursement
is made using petty cash or a depository of that committee, fund, or party unit.
new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.20, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Local election reports.

(a) This subdivision applies to a political committee,
political fund, or political party unit that during a non-general election year:

(1) spends in aggregate more than $200 to influence the nomination or election of local
candidates;

(2) spends in aggregate more than $200 to make independent expenditures on behalf of
local candidates; or

(3) spends in aggregate more than $200 to promote or defeat ballot questions defined
in section 10A.01, subdivision 7, clause (2), (3), or (4).

(b) In addition to the reports required by subdivision 2, the entities listed in paragraph
(a) must file the following reports in each non-general election year:

(1) a first-quarter report covering the calendar year through March 31, which is due
April 14;

(2) a report covering the calendar year through May 31, which is due June 14;

(3) a pre-primary-election report due 15 days before the local primary election date
specified in section 205.065;

(4) a pre-general-election report due 42 days before the local general election; and

(5) a pre-general-election report due ten days before a local general election.

The reporting obligations in this paragraph begin with the first report due after the
reporting period in which the entity reaches the spending threshold specified in paragraph
(a).new text begin The pre-primary report required under clause (3) is required for all entities required to
report under paragraph (a), regardless of whether the candidate or issue is on the primary
ballot.
new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.20, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Pre-election reports.

(a) Any loan, contribution, or contributions:

(1) to a political committee or political fund from any one source totaling more than
$1,000;

(2) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for an appellate court judicial
office totaling more than $2,000;

(3) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for district court judge totaling
more than $400; or

(4) to the principal campaign committee of a candidate for constitutional office or for
the legislature totaling more than 50 percent of the election segment contribution limit for
the office,

received between the last day covered in the last report before an election and the election
must be reported to the board in the manner provided in paragraph (b).

(b) A loan, contribution, or contributions required to be reported to the board under
paragraph (a) must be reported to the board either:

(1) in person by the end of the next business day after its receipt; or

(2) by electronic means sent deleted text begin within 24 hours after its receiptdeleted text end new text begin by the end of the next
business day after its receiptnew text end .

(d) This notice requirement does not apply in a primary election to a candidate who is
unopposed in the primary, in a primary election to a ballot question political committee or
fund, or in a general election to a candidate whose name is not on the general election ballot.
The board must post the report on its website by the end of the next business day after it is
received.

(e) This subdivision does not apply to a ballot question or independent expenditure
political committee or fund that has not met the registration threshold of section 10A.14,
subdivision 1a. However, if a contribution that would be subject to this section triggers the
registration requirement in section 10A.14, subdivision 1a, then both registration under that
section and reporting under this section are required.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 28.

new text begin [10A.201] ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS; DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin The terms defined in this section apply to this section and
to section 10A.202.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Broadcast, cable, or satellite communication. new text end

new text begin "Broadcast, cable, or satellite
communication" means a communication that is publicly distributed by a television station,
radio station, cable television system, or satellite system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Can be received by 10,000 or more individuals. new text end

new text begin (a) "Can be received by
10,000 or more individuals" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) in the case of a communication transmitted by an FM radio broadcast station or
network, where the district lies entirely within the station's or network's protected or primary
service contour, that the population of the district is 10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (2) in the case of a communication transmitted by an FM radio broadcast station or
network, where a portion of the district lies outside of the protected or primary service
contour, that the population of the part of the district lying within the station's or network's
protected or primary service contour is 10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (3) in the case of a communication transmitted by an AM radio broadcast station or
network, where the district lies entirely within the station's or network's most outward service
area, that the population of the district is 10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (4) in the case of a communication transmitted by an AM radio broadcast station or
network, where a portion of the district lies outside of the station's or network's most outward
service area, that the population of the part of the district lying within the station's or
network's most outward service area is 10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (5) in the case of a communication appearing on a television broadcast station or network,
where the district lies entirely within the station's or network's Grade B broadcast contour,
that the population of the district is 10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (6) in the case of a communication appearing on a television broadcast station or network,
where a portion of the district lies outside of the Grade B broadcast contour:
new text end

new text begin (i) that the population of the part of the district lying within the station's or network's
Grade B broadcast contour is 10,000 or more; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) that the population of the part of the district lying within the station's or network's
broadcast contour, when combined with the viewership of that television station or network
by cable and satellite subscribers within the district lying outside the broadcast contour, is
10,000 or more;
new text end

new text begin (7) in the case of a communication appearing exclusively on a cable or satellite television
system, but not on a broadcast station or network, that the viewership of the cable system
or satellite system lying within a district is 10,000 or more; or
new text end

new text begin (8) in the case of a communication appearing on a cable television network, that the
total cable and satellite viewership within a district is 10,000 or more.
new text end

new text begin (b) Cable or satellite television viewership is determined by multiplying the number of
subscribers within a district, or a part thereof, as appropriate, by the current average
household size for Minnesota, as determined by the Bureau of the Census.
new text end

new text begin (c) A determination that a communication can be received by 10,000 or more individuals
based on the application of the formula in this section shall create a rebuttable presumption
that may be overcome by demonstrating that:
new text end

new text begin (1) one or more cable or satellite systems did not carry the network on which the
communication was publicly distributed at the time the communication was publicly
distributed; and
new text end

new text begin (2) applying the formula to the remaining cable and satellite systems results in a
determination that the cable network or systems upon which the communication was publicly
distributed could not be received by 10,000 individuals or more.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Direct costs of producing or airing electioneering communications. new text end

new text begin "Direct
costs of producing or airing electioneering communications" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) costs charged by a vendor, including studio rental time, staff salaries, costs of video
or audio recording media, and talent; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the cost of airtime on broadcast, cable, or satellite radio and television stations, studio
time, material costs, and the charges for a broker to purchase the airtime.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Disclosure date. new text end

new text begin "Disclosure date" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) the first date on which an electioneering communication is publicly distributed,
provided that the person making the electioneering communication has made one or more
disbursements, or has executed one or more contracts to make disbursements, for the direct
costs of producing or airing one or more electioneering communications aggregating in
excess of $10,000; or
new text end

new text begin (2) any other date during the same calendar year on which an electioneering
communication is publicly distributed, provided that the person making the electioneering
communication has made one or more disbursements, or has executed one or more contracts
to make disbursements, for the direct costs of producing or airing one or more electioneering
communications aggregating in excess of $10,000 since the most recent disclosure date
during that calendar year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Electioneering communication. new text end

new text begin (a) "Electioneering communication" means
any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication that:
new text end

new text begin (1) refers to a clearly identified candidate for state office;
new text end

new text begin (2) is publicly distributed within 60 days before a general election for the office sought
by the candidate; or within 30 days before a primary election, presidential nomination
primary, or a convention or caucus of a political party that has authority to nominate a
candidate, for the office sought by the candidate, and the candidate referenced is seeking
the nomination of that political party; and
new text end

new text begin (3) is targeted to the relevant electorate.
new text end

new text begin (b) A communication is not an electioneering communication if it:
new text end

new text begin (1) is publicly disseminated through a means of communication other than a broadcast,
cable, or satellite television or radio station;
new text end

new text begin (2) appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities
of any broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station, unless such facilities are
owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, provided that
a news story distributed through a broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station
owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate is not an
electioneering communication if the news story meets the requirements described in Code
of Federal Regulations, title 11, section 100.132(a) and (b);
new text end

new text begin (3) constitutes an expenditure or independent expenditure, provided that the expenditure
or independent expenditure is required to be reported under this chapter;
new text end

new text begin (4) constitutes a candidate debate or forum, or that solely promotes such a debate or
forum and is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum; or
new text end

new text begin (5) is paid for by a candidate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Identification. new text end

new text begin "Identification" means, in the case of an individual, the
individual's full name including first name, middle name or initial if available, and last
name; mailing address; occupation; and name of the individual's employer and, in the case
of a person who is not an individual, the person's name and principal place of business.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Individuals sharing or exercising direction or control. new text end

new text begin "Individuals sharing
or exercising direction or control" means officers, directors, executive directors or the
equivalent, partners, and in the case of unincorporated organizations, owners, of the entity
or person making the disbursement for the electioneering communication.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Publicly distributed. new text end

new text begin "Publicly distributed" means aired, broadcast, cablecast,
or otherwise disseminated through the facilities of a television station, radio station, cable
television system, or satellite system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Refers to a clearly identified candidate. new text end

new text begin "Refers to a clearly identified
candidate" means that the candidate's name, nickname, photograph, or drawing appears, or
the identity of the candidate is otherwise apparent through an unambiguous reference such
as "the governor," "your legislator," or "the incumbent," or through an unambiguous reference
to the candidate's status as a candidate such as "the [political party] gubernatorial nominee"
or "the [political party] candidate for senate."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Targeted to the relevant electorate. new text end

new text begin "Targeted to the relevant electorate"
means the communication can be received by 10,000 or more individuals:
new text end

new text begin (1) in the district the candidate seeks to represent, in the case of a candidate for
representative, senator, or other office represented by district; or
new text end

new text begin (2) in the entire state, if the candidate seeks a statewide office.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 29.

new text begin [10A.202] ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATION; REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Reports required. new text end

new text begin Any person who has made an electioneering
communication, as defined in section 10A.201, aggregating in excess of $10,000 during
any calendar year shall file a statement with the board no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day
following the disclosure date. The statement shall be filed under penalty of perjury, and
must contain the information set forth in subdivision 2. Political committees that make a
communication described in section 10A.201 must report the communication as a campaign
expenditure or independent expenditure as otherwise provided by this chapter and are not
required to file a report under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Content of report. new text end

new text begin A statement of electioneering communications required by
this section shall disclose the following information:
new text end

new text begin (1) the identification of the person who made the disbursement or who executed a contract
to make a disbursement and, if the person is not an individual, the person's principal place
of business;
new text end

new text begin (2) the identification of any individual sharing or exercising direction or control over
the activities of the person who made the disbursement or who executed a contract to make
a disbursement;
new text end

new text begin (3) the identification of the custodian of the books and accounts from which the
disbursements were made;
new text end

new text begin (4) the amount of each disbursement, or amount obligated, of more than $200 during
the period covered by the statement, the date the disbursement was made or the contract
was executed, and the identification of the person to whom that disbursement was made;
new text end

new text begin (5) all clearly identified candidates referred to in the electioneering communication and
the elections in which they are candidates;
new text end

new text begin (6) the disclosure date;
new text end

new text begin (7) if the disbursements were paid exclusively from a segregated bank account consisting
of funds provided solely by persons other than national banks, corporations organized by
federal law or the laws of this state, or foreign nationals, the name and address of each donor
who donated an amount aggregating $1,000 or more to the segregated bank account,
aggregating since the first day of the preceding calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (8) if the disbursements were not paid exclusively from a segregated bank account
consisting of funds provided solely by persons other than national banks, corporations
organized by federal law or the laws of this state, or foreign nationals, and were not made
by a corporation or labor organization, the name and address of each donor who donated
an amount aggregating $1,000 or more to the person making the disbursement, aggregating
since the first day of the preceding calendar year; and
new text end

new text begin (9) if the disbursements were made by a corporation or labor organization and were not
paid exclusively from a segregated bank account consisting of funds provided solely by
persons other than national banks, corporations organized by federal law or the laws of this
state, or foreign nationals, the name and address of each person who made a donation
aggregating $1,000 or more to the corporation or labor organization, aggregating since the
first day of the preceding calendar year, which was made for the purpose of furthering
electioneering communications.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Recordkeeping. new text end

new text begin All persons who make electioneering communications or who
accept donations for the purpose of making electioneering communications must maintain
records as necessary to comply with the requirements of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Disclaimer required. new text end

new text begin An electioneering communication must include a
disclaimer in the same manner as required for campaign material under section 211B.04,
subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.244, is amended to read:

10A.244 VOLUNTARY INACTIVE STATUS; POLITICAL FUNDS.

Subdivision 1.

Election of voluntary inactive status.

An association that has a political
fund registered under this chapter may elect to have the fund placed on voluntary inactive
status if the following conditions are met:

(1) the association makes a written request for inactive status;

(2) the association has filed all periodic reports required by this chapter and has received
no contributions into its political fund and made no expenditures or disbursementsnew text begin , including
disbursements for electioneering communications,new text end through its political fund since the last
date included on the association's most recent report; and

(3) the association has satisfied all obligations to the state for late filing fees and civil
penalties imposed by the board or the board has waived this requirement.

Subd. 2.

Effect of voluntary inactive status.

After an association has complied with
the requirements of subdivision 1:

(1) the board must notify the association that its political fund has been placed in
voluntary inactive status and of the terms of this section;

(2) the board must stop sending the association reports, forms, and notices of report due
dates that are periodically sent to entities registered with the board;

(3) the association is not required to file periodic disclosure reports for its political fund
as otherwise required under this chapter;

(4) the association may not accept contributions into its political fund and may not make
expenditures, contributions, or disbursementsnew text begin , including disbursements for electioneering
communications,new text end through its political fund; and

(5) if the association maintains a separate depository account for its political fund, it
may continue to pay bank service charges and receive interest paid on that account while
its political fund is in inactive status.

Subd. 3.

Resumption of active status or termination.

(a) An association that has placed
its political fund in voluntary inactive status may resume active status upon written notice
to the board.

(b) A political fund placed in voluntary inactive status must resume active status within
14 days of the date that it has accepted contributions or made expenditures, contributions,
or disbursementsnew text begin , including disbursements for electioneering communications,new text end that aggregate
more than $750 since the political fund was placed on inactive status. If, after meeting this
threshold, the association does not notify the board that its fund has resumed active status,
the board may place the association's political fund in active status and notify the association
of the change in status.

(c) An association that has placed its political fund in voluntary inactive status may
terminate the registration of the fund without returning it to active status.

Subd. 4.

Penalty for financial activity while in voluntary inactive status.

If an
association fails to notify the board of its political fund's resumption of active status under
subdivision 3, the board may impose a civil penalty of $50 per day, not to exceed $1,000
commencing on the 15th calendar day after the fund resumed active status.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.25, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Independent expendituresnew text begin and electioneering communicationsnew text end .

The principal
campaign committee of a candidate must not make independent expendituresnew text begin or
disbursements for electioneering communicationsnew text end . If the principal campaign committee of
a candidate makes a contribution to an independent expenditure committee or independent
expenditure fund on or after January 1 of the year the candidate's office will appear on the
ballot, the independent expenditure committee or independent expenditure fund must not
make an independent expenditure for that candidate.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2024, and applies to
expenditures and electioneering communications made on or after that date.
new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.271, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Notice to contributors.

A political committee, political fund, political
party unit, or principal campaign committee that raises funds through the sale of goods or
services must disclose to potential customers that the proceeds from the purchase are a
political contribution and to whom the contribution is made. new text begin If goods or services are sold
in person, new text end the notice deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be provided verbally at the time of purchase, or through the
prominent display of a sign providing the notice deleted text begin in immediate proximity todeleted text end new text begin within three feet
of, and facing,new text end the point of sale at the location where the goods or services are sold.new text begin If goods
or services are sold using a website or other electronic means, the notice must be prominently
displayed on the page used by potential customers to make a purchase or enter payment
information.
new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.273, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Contributions during legislative session.

(a) A candidate for the
legislature or for constitutional office, the candidate's principal campaign committee, or a
political committee or party unit established by all or a part of the party organization within
a house of the legislature, must not solicit or accept a contribution from a registered lobbyist,
political committee, political fund, or an association not registered with the board during a
regular session of the legislature.

(b) new text begin During a regular session of the legislature, a candidate for the legislature or for
constitutional office, or the candidate's principal campaign committee, must not solicit
contributions for or take an action directly related to the solicitation or acceptance of
contributions for a political party or party unit from a registered lobbyist, political committee,
political fund, or an association not registered with the board.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end A registered lobbyist, political committee, political fund, or an association not
registered with the board must not make a contribution to a candidate for the legislature or
for constitutional office, the candidate's principal campaign committee, or a political
committee or party unit established by all or a part of the party organization within a house
of the legislature during a regular session of the legislature.

new text begin (d) Regardless of when made, a contribution made by a lobbyist, political committee,
or political fund in order to attend an event that occurs during a regular session of the
legislature and that is held by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the
legislature or constitutional office, or by a political party organization within a body of the
legislature, is a violation of this section.
new text end

new text begin (e) Regardless of when made, a contribution from a lobbyist, political committee, or
political fund for membership or access to a facility operated during the regular session of
the legislature by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for the legislature or
constitutional office, or by a political party organization within a body of the legislature, is
a violation of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.273, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

new text begin Party and new text end party unit solicitations.

new text begin (a) At an event hosted by a candidate, new text end a
political party new text begin or party new text end unit must not solicit or receive deleted text begin at an event hosted by a candidate for
the legislature or by a candidate for constitutional officedeleted text end a contribution from a lobbyist,
political committee, political fund, or party unit during a regular session of the legislature.

new text begin (b) A political party or party unit must not use the image of a candidate or promote the
attendance of a candidate at an event to solicit contributions during the legislative session.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "candidate" means a candidate for the legislature
or for constitutional office.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.275, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Exceptions.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the
following expenditures by a party unit, or two or more party units acting togetherdeleted text begin , with at
least one party unit being either: the state committee or the party organization within a
congressional district, county, or legislative district,deleted text end are not considered contributions to or
expenditures on behalf of a candidate for the purposes of section 10A.25 or 10A.27 and
must not be allocated to candidates under section 10A.20, subdivision 3, paragraph (h):

(1) expenditures on behalf of candidates of that party generally without referring to any
of them specifically in a published, posted, or broadcast advertisement;

(2) expenditures for the preparation, display, mailing, or other distribution of an official
party sample ballot listing the names of three or more individuals whose names are to appear
on the ballot;

(3) expenditures for a telephone call, voice mail, text message, multimedia message,
internet chat message, or email when the communication includes the names of three or
more individuals whose names are to appear on the ballot;

new text begin (4) expenditures for a booth at a community event, county fair, or state fair that benefits
three or more individuals whose names are to appear on the ballot;
new text end

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end expenditures for a political party fundraising effort on behalf of three or more
candidates; or

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end expenditures for party committee staff services that benefit three or more
candidates.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.38, is amended to read:

10A.38 CAPTIONING OF CAMPAIGN ADVERTISEMENTS.

(a) This section applies to a campaign advertisement by a candidate who is governed
by an agreement under section 10A.322.

(b) "Campaign advertisement" means a professionally produced visual or audio recording
of two minutes or less produced by the candidate for the purpose of influencing the
nomination or election of a candidate.

(c) A campaign advertisement that is disseminated as an advertisement by broadcast or
cable television must include closed captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, unless
the candidate has filed with the board before the advertisement is disseminated a statement
setting forth the reasons for not doing so. A campaign advertisement that is disseminated
as an advertisement to the public on the candidate's website must include closed captioning
for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, unless the candidate has posted on the website a
transcript of the spoken content of the advertisement or the candidate has filed with the
board before the advertisement is disseminated a statement setting forth the reasons for not
doing so. A campaign advertisement must not be disseminated as an advertisement by radio
unless the candidate has posted on the candidate's website a transcript of the spoken content
of the advertisement or the candidate has filed with the board before the advertisement is
disseminated a statement setting forth the reasons for not doing so.

new text begin (d) A candidate who fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (c) is subject
to a civil penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000.
new text end

Sec. 37. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 4511.0100, subpart 1a; and 4511.0600, subpart 5, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

ELECTIONS POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 5B.06, is amended to read:

5B.06 VOTING BY PROGRAM PARTICIPANT; ABSENTEE BALLOT.

A program participant who is otherwise eligible to vote may register with the secretary
of state as a permanent absentee voter. Notwithstanding section 203B.04, subdivision 5,
the secretary of state is not required to send an absentee ballot application prior to each
election to a program participant registered as a permanent absentee voter under this section.
As soon as practicable before each election, the secretary of state shall determine the precinct
in which the residential address of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end program participant is located deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin . Upon making
a precinct determination, the secretary of statenew text end shallnew text begin either (1)new text end request from and receive from
the county auditor or other election official the ballot for that precinct and deleted text begin shall forwarddeleted text end new text begin
mailnew text end the absentee ballot to the program participant deleted text begin with the otherdeleted text end new text begin , or (2) using the Minnesota
statewide voter registration system, prepare the program participant's ballot for that precinct
and mail the absentee ballot to the program participant. The secretary of state shall include
with each mailed absentee ballot all correspondingnew text end materials for absentee balloting as
required by Minnesota law. The program participant shall complete the ballot and return it
to the secretary of state, who shall review the ballot in the manner provided by section
203B.121, subdivision 2. If the ballot and ballot materials comply with the requirements of
that section, the ballot must be certified by the secretary of state as the ballot of a program
participant, and must be forwarded to the appropriate electoral jurisdiction for tabulation
along with all other ballots. The name and address of a program participant must not be
listed in the statewide voter registration system.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 135A.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Residential housing list.

All postsecondary institutions that enroll students
accepting deleted text begin state ordeleted text end federal financial aid may prepare a current list of students enrolled in the
institution and residing in the institution's housing or within ten miles of the institution's
campus. new text begin All postsecondary institutions that enroll students accepting state financial aid
must, to the extent the information may be disclosed pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations,
title 34, part 99, prepare a current list of students enrolled in the institution and residing in
the institution's housing or in the city or cities in which the campus is situated, if available.
new text end The list shall include each student's current addressnew text begin , unless the student is enrolled in the
Safe at Home address confidentiality program as provided in chapter 5Bnew text end . The list shall be
certified and sent to the appropriate county auditor or auditors for use in election day
registration as provided under section 201.061, subdivision 3. A residential housing list
provided under this subdivision may not be used or disseminated by a county auditor or the
secretary of state for any other purpose.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prior to election day.

(a) At any time except during the 20 days
immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual
who will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to vote in the
precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a voter registration application
as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1. A completed application may be submitted:

(1) in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the Secretary of State's
Office; or

(2) electronically through a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of
state for this purpose, if the applicant has an email address and provides the applicant's
verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota state identification card number,
or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.

new text begin (b) new text end A registration that is received in person or by mail no later than 5:00 p.m. on the
21st day preceding any election, or a registration received electronically through the secretary
of state's secure website no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election,
shall be accepted. An improperly addressed or delivered registration application shall be
forwarded within two working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county where
the voter maintains residence. A state or local agency or an individual that accepts completed
voter registration applications from a voter must submit the completed applications to the
secretary of state or the appropriate county auditor within ten calendar days after the
applications are dated by the voter.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end An application submitted electronically under paragraph (a), clause (2), may only
be transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the
application information matches the information in a government database associated with
the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security
number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable voter registration applications
submitted electronically for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such
application to an appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.

new text begin (d) new text end An individual may not electronically submit a voter registration application on behalf
of any other individualnew text begin , except that the secretary of state may provide features on the secure
website established under paragraph (a), clause (2), that allow third parties to connect
application programming interfaces that facilitate an individual's submission of voter
registration information while interacting with the third partynew text end .

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration
application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the
United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Election day registration.

(a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register
on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the
individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in
the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An individual
may prove residence for purposes of registering by:

(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to
section 171.07;

(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;

(3) presenting one of the following:

(i) a current valid student identification card from a postsecondary educational institution
in Minnesota, if a list of students from that institution has been prepared under section
135A.17 and certified to the county auditor in the manner provided in rules of the secretary
of state; or

(ii) a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address in the precinct
together with a picture identification card; or

(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee employed
by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching for a resident in the
facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the voter or employee
personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who has been
vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any other
individual on that election day. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may sign
up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply to
an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The secretary of state shall
provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number of individuals for whom
a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The form must include space for the
maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For
each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a statement that the individual: (i) is
registered to vote in the precinct or is an employee of a residential facility in the precinct,
(ii) personally knows that the voter is a resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the
statement on oath. The form must include a space for the voter's printed name, signature,
telephone number, and address.

The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be
attached to the voter registration application.

(b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees
currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The
operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than
20 days before each election for use in election day registration.

(c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256E.33,
subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under
section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision
5; deleted text begin a residence registered with the commissioner of health as a housing with services
establishment as defined in section 144D.01, subdivision 4deleted text end new text begin an assisted living facility licensed
by the commissioner of health under chapter 144Gnew text end ; a veterans home operated by the board
of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under chapter 198; a residence licensed by
the commissioner of human services to provide a residential program as defined in section
245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for persons with a developmental disability
licensed by the commissioner of human services under section 252.28; setting authorized
to provide housing support as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 3; a shelter for battered
women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; deleted text begin ordeleted text end a supervised publicly or privately
operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living accommodations for the
homelessnew text begin ; a facility where a provider operates a residential treatment program as defined
in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or a facility where a provider operates an adult foster
care program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 6cnew text end .

(d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of
registering by:

(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or

(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents
listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.

(e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge
responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.061, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Additional proofs of residence permitted for students. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible voter
may prove residence by presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a
postsecondary educational institution in Minnesota if the voter's name; student identification
number, if available; and address within the precinct appear on a current residential housing
list under section 135A.17, certified to the county auditor by the postsecondary educational
institution.
new text end

new text begin (b) This additional proof of residence for students must not be allowed unless the
postsecondary educational institution submits to the county auditor no later than 60 days
prior to the election a written agreement that the postsecondary educational institution will
certify for use at the election accurate updated residential housing lists under section 135A.17.
A written agreement is effective for the election and all subsequent elections held in that
calendar year, including the November general election.
new text end

new text begin (c) The additional proof of residence for students must be allowed on an equal basis for
voters who reside in housing meeting the requirements of section 135A.17, if the residential
housing lists certified by the postsecondary educational institution meet the requirements
of this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (d) An updated residential housing list must be certified to the county auditor no earlier
than 20 days prior to each election. The certification must be dated and signed by the chief
officer or designee of the postsecondary educational institution and must state that the list
is current and accurate and includes only the names of persons residing as of the date of the
certification.
new text end

new text begin (e) The county auditor shall instruct the election judges of the precinct in procedures for
use of the list in conjunction with photo identification. The auditor shall supply a list to the
election judges with the election supplies for the precinct.
new text end

new text begin (f) The county auditor shall notify all postsecondary educational institutions in the county
of the provisions of this subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.071, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

School district assistance.

School districts shall assist county auditors in
determining the school district in which a voter deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Moved within state.

If any nonforwardable mailing from an election official
is returned as undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding address in this state, the county
auditor may change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide registration system and
shall transmit a copy of the mailing to the auditor of the county in which the new address
is located. If an election is scheduled to occur in the precinct in which the voter deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin
maintains residencenew text end in the next 47 days, the county auditor shall promptly update the voter's
address in the statewide voter registration system. If there is not an election scheduled, the
auditor may wait to update the voter's address until after the next list of address changes is
received from the secretary of state. Once updated, the county auditor shall mail to the voter
a notice stating the voter's name, address, precinct, and polling place, except that if the
voter's record is challenged due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change,
incompetence, or a court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship,
the auditor must not mail the notice. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting
address has been changed and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days
if the new address is not the voter's address of residence. The notice must state that it must
be returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Entry of registration information.

(a) At the time a voter registration
application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections
201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall enter the information contained on it into the
statewide registration system. Voter registration applications completed before election day
must be entered into the statewide registration system within ten days after they have been
submitted to the county auditor. Voter registration applications completed on election day
must be entered into the statewide registration system within 42 days after the election,
unless the county auditor notifies the secretary of state before the deadline has expired that
the deadline will not be met. Upon receipt of a notification under this paragraph, the secretary
of state must extend the deadline for that county auditor by an additional 28 days. The
secretary of state may waive a county's obligations under this paragraph if, on good cause
shown, the county demonstrates its permanent inability to comply.

The secretary of state must post data on each county's compliance with this paragraph on
the secretary of state's website including, as applicable, the date each county fully complied
or the deadline by which a county's compliance must be complete.

(b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may
electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor
as soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into the statewide
registration system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration application to the
county auditor.

(c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered information from a voter
registration application into the statewide registration system, the secretary of state shall
compare the voter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state identification
number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number with the same information
contained in the Department of Public Safety database.

(d) The secretary of state shall provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly basis
that includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have been
compared with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and cannot
be verified as provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those voters who
have submitted a voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a federal
election in this state.

(e) The county auditor shall compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor and
the secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration
application and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database
relate to the same person.

(f) The county auditor shall send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter whose
name appears on the list and change the voter's status to deleted text begin "incomplete."deleted text end new text begin "challenged."new text end A voter
who receives a notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide
the information required to deleted text begin complete the registrationdeleted text end new text begin clear the challengenew text end at least 21 days
before the next election or at the polling place on election day.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Use of change of address system.

(a) At least once each month the secretary
of state shall obtain a list of individuals registered to vote in this state who have filed with
the United States Postal Service a change of their permanent address. The secretary of state
may also periodically obtain a list of individuals with driver's licenses or state identification
cards to identify those who are registered to vote who have applied to the Department of
Public Safety for a replacement driver's license or state identification card with a different
address, and a list of individuals for whom the Department of Public Safety received
notification of a driver's license or state identification card cancellation due to a change of
residency out of state. However, the secretary of state shall not load data derived from these
lists into the statewide voter registration system within the 47 days before the state primary
or 47 days before a November general election.

(b) If the address is changed to another address in this state, the secretary of state shall
locate the precinct in which the voter deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end , if possible. If the secretary
of state is able to locate the precinct in which the voter deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end , the
secretary must transmit the information about the changed address by electronic means to
the county auditor of the county in which the new address is located. For addresses for
which the secretary of state is unable to determine the precinct, the secretary may forward
information to the appropriate county auditors for individual review. If the voter has not
voted or submitted a voter registration application since the address change, upon receipt
of the information, the county auditor shall update the voter's address in the statewide voter
registration system. The county auditor shall mail to the voter a notice stating the voter's
name, address, precinct, and polling place, unless the voter's record is challenged due to a
felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a court's revocation of
voting rights of individuals under guardianship, in which case the auditor must not mail the
notice. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address has been changed
and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days if the new address is not
the voter's address of residence. The notice must state that it must be returned if it is not
deliverable to the voter at the named address.

(c) If the change of permanent address is to an address outside this state, the secretary
of state shall notify by electronic means the auditor of the county where the voter formerly
deleted text begin resideddeleted text end new text begin maintained residencenew text end that the voter has moved to another state. If the voter has not
voted or submitted a voter registration application since the address change, the county
auditor shall promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice advising the voter
that the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system will be changed to "inactive"
unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the voter is retaining the
former address as the voter's address of residence, except that if the voter's record is
challenged due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a
court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, the auditor must not
mail the notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall change
the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter registration system.

(d) If, in order to maintain voter registration records, the secretary of state enters an
agreement to share information or data with an organization governed exclusively by a
group of states, the secretary must first determine that the data security protocols are sufficient
to safeguard the information or data shared. If required by such an agreement, the secretary
of state may share the following data from the statewide voter registration system and data
released to the secretary of state under section 171.12, subdivision 7a:

(1) name;

(2) date of birth;

(3) address;

(4) driver's license or state identification card number;

(5) the last four digits of an individual's Social Security number; and

(6) the date that an individual's record was last updated.

If the secretary of state enters into such an agreement, the secretary and county auditors
must process changes to voter records based upon that data in accordance with this section.
Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when data is shared with the secretary of
state by another state, the secretary of state must maintain the same data classification that
the data had while it was in the possession of the state providing the data.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.1611, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Forms.

new text begin (a) new text end All postsecondary institutions that enroll students accepting
state or federal financial aid deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end provide voter registration forms to each student deleted text begin as
early as possible in the fall quarterdeleted text end new text begin during the fall and spring of each year. In state election
years, it must be provided 15 days in advance of the deadline for registering to vote for the
state general electionnew text end . new text begin If the voter registration forms are provided electronically, the electronic
message must be devoted exclusively to voter registration.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end All school districts deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end make available voter registration applications each
May and September to all students registered as students of the school district who will be
eligible to vote at the next election after those months. A school district has no obligation
to provide voter registration applications to students who participate in a postsecondary
education option program or who otherwise deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end in the district but
do not attend a school operated by the district. A school district fulfills its obligation to a
student under this section if it provides a voter registration application to the student one
time.

new text begin (c)new text end The new text begin voter registration new text end forms must contain spaces for the information required in
section 201.071, subdivision 1, and applicable rules of the secretary of state. The institutions
and school districts may request these forms from the secretary of state. Institutions deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin
mustnew text end consult with their campus student government in determining the most effective means
of distributing the forms and in seeking to facilitate election day registration of students
under section 201.061, subdivision 3. School districts must advise students that completion
of the voter registration application is not a school district requirement.

new text begin (d) The institutions must report to the secretary of state by November 30 of each year
on their implementation of this section. At a minimum, the report must include how and
when the forms were distributed and the voter engagement plan under subdivision 3,
paragraph (b), clause (2). Institutions may include information about methods that were
effective in increasing student registrations.
new text end

new text begin (e) By February 1 of each year, the secretary of state must report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections on the
information under paragraph (d). The secretary must highlight best practices and innovative
methods that were most effective in registering students to vote.
new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.1611, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Voter information. new text end

new text begin (a) All postsecondary institutions that enroll students
accepting state or federal financial aid must maintain a webpage to share resources to help
students determine where and how they are eligible to vote. The webpage must include the
following:
new text end

new text begin (1) resources from state and local election officials on voter registration and voting
requirements including voter registration deadlines; residency requirements; acceptable
methods of proving residency for same day registration, as applicable; and absentee voting
options;
new text end

new text begin (2) applicable deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot, as well as
additional options for early and in-person voting, and voting on election day;
new text end

new text begin (3) resources to help students who are registered in another state to apply for absentee
ballots in that state, and may include resources from state and local election officials from
that state;
new text end

new text begin (4) the campus vote coordinator's name and contact information; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the voter engagement plan required by paragraph (b), clause (2).
new text end

new text begin (b) All postsecondary institutions that enroll students accepting state or federal financial
aid must designate a staff person as the campus vote coordinator. The campus vote
coordinator must:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensure the institution complies with this section; and
new text end

new text begin (2) consult with the campus student association to develop a voter engagement plan that
identifies goals and activities, resources to accomplish the identified goals and activities,
and individual or key departments responsible for executing the identified goals and activities.
new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.195, is amended to read:

201.195 CHALLENGES.

Subdivision 1.

Petition; deleted text begin hearingdeleted text end new text begin timingnew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end Upon petition filed with the county auditor,
any voter registered within a county may challenge the eligibility or residence of any other
voter registered within that county. new text begin A petition filed pursuant to this section must not include
the name of more than one person whose right to vote is challenged. The county auditor
must not accept a filing which challenges the eligibility of more than one voter. Petitions
must be filed at least 45 days before the election, unless the voter registered or updated the
voter's registration within 60 days before the election, in which case the petition must be
filed at least ten days before the election, or within ten days after the voter's new or updated
registration appeared on the public information list, whichever is later.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end The petition deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end state the grounds for challenge deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin , provide facts and
circumstances supporting the challenge, and may include supporting documents, affidavits,
or other evidence. The petition mustnew text end be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the challenge
is based on the challenger's personal knowledgenew text begin , and that the filer exercised due diligence
to personally verify the facts and circumstances establishing the basis for the challenge.
The filer has the burden to prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the basis for
challenging the individual's eligibility to vote is validnew text end .

new text begin (c) The following reasons, standing alone, do not constitute adequate grounds for a
challenge:
new text end

new text begin (1) a piece of mail sent to the voter by someone other than the county auditor that was
returned as undeliverable;
new text end

new text begin (2) enrollment in an educational institution; or
new text end

new text begin (3) registration to vote at an address that is housing provided for students by an
educational institution.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Reasons for dismissal. new text end

new text begin If the petition is incomplete, or if the basis for the
challenge does not meet the requirements of this section, the county auditor must dismiss
the petition and notify the filer in writing of the reasons for the dismissal.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Notice to voter. new text end

Within five days after receipt of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end petitionnew text begin that meets the
requirements of this sectionnew text end , the county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end set a date for a hearing on the
challenge and notify the challenger by mail. A copy of the petition and notice of the hearing
deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be served on the challenged voter by the county auditor in the same manner as
in a civil action. new text begin The county auditor must inform the challenged individual that:
new text end

new text begin (1) a petition has been filed as to whether the individual is eligible to vote as well as the
basis of the challenge;
new text end

new text begin (2) if the individual votes by mail, the individual's ballot will not be counted unless the
challenge is resolved; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the individual may submit information prior to the hearing or present information at
the hearing. This information may include a sworn statement, supporting documents,
affidavits, witnesses, or other evidence supporting the challenged individual's eligibility to
vote in the election.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 1c. new text end

new text begin Hearing. new text end

The hearing deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be held before the county auditor or the
auditor's designee who deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end then make findings and affirm or dismiss the challenge.new text begin
The hearing must be recorded by either video or audio recording. The recording must be
retained for 22 months.
new text end

Subd. 2.

Appeal.

If a challenge is affirmed, the voter whose registration has been
challenged may appeal the ruling to the secretary of state. new text begin The voter must immediately
notify the county auditor of the appeal, and upon receipt of this notice, the county auditor
must submit the entire record of the hearing, including all documents and a recording of
the hearing, to the secretary of state. new text end The appeal deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be heard within five days but in
any case before election day. Upon hearing the appeal the secretary of state deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end affirm
or reverse the ruling and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end give appropriate instructions to the county auditor.

Subd. 3.

Hearing procedures.

A hearing before the secretary of state deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be
conducted as a contested case and determined in accordance with chapter 14.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Technology requirements.

An electronic roster must:

(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file
format prescribed by the secretary of state;

(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;

(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or
identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that
would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The printed registration application
can be deleted text begin eitherdeleted text end a printed form, deleted text begin labelsdeleted text end new text begin a labelnew text end printed with voter information to be affixed to a
preprinted form, deleted text begin ordeleted text end a combination of deleted text begin bothdeleted text end new text begin a form and label, or an electronic record that the
voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling placenew text end ;

(4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's
license or identification card;

(5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned
driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter
or an election judge;

(6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates
that the voter is not eligible to vote;

(7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has
already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the
voter deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end in a different precinct;

(8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when
a voter's record is challenged;

(9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address
of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10,
and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be
deleted text begin eitherdeleted text end a printed form deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oathnew text begin ,
or an electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its
completion at the polling placenew text end ;

(10) contain only preregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain preregistered
voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct;

(11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose
of updating absentee ballot records;

(12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the
Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information
Technology Services;

(13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and

(14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration
of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.

Electronic rosters used only for election day registration do not need to comply with clauses
(1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters used only for preregistered voter processing do not need
to comply with clauses (4) and (5).

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 202A.18, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Preference ballotnew text begin for governornew text end .

new text begin In a year when the office of governor appears
on the state general election ballot, new text end prior to the opening of nominations for the election of
permanent offices and delegates, a ballot must be distributed to permit caucus participants
to indicate their preference for the office of the governor. The results of preference voting
must be reported to the secretary of state immediately upon conclusion of the voting, in the
manner provided by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall provide the appropriate
forms to the party for reporting the results.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Delivery of ballots.

(a) The commissioner of corrections must provide the
secretary of state with a list of the names and mailing addresses of state adult correctional
facilities. An application for an absentee ballot that provides an address included on the list
provided by the commissioner of corrections must not be accepted and an absentee ballot
must not be provided to the applicant. The county auditor or municipal clerk must promptly
transmit a copy of the application to the county attorney. The Department of Corrections
must implement procedures to ensure that absentee ballots issued under this chapter are not
received or mailed by offenders incarcerated at state adult correctional facilities.

(b) If an application for absentee ballots is accepted at a time when absentee ballots are
not yet available for distribution, the county auditor, or municipal clerk accepting the
application shall file it and as soon as absentee ballots are available for distribution shall
mail them to the address specified in the application. If an application for absentee ballots
is accepted when absentee ballots are available for distribution, the county auditor or
municipal clerk accepting the application shall promptly:

(1) mail the ballots to the voter whose signature appears on the application if the
application is submitted by mail and does not request commercial shipping under clause
(2);

(2) ship the ballots to the voter using a commercial shipper requested by the voter at the
voter's expense;

(3) deliver the absentee ballots directly to the voter if the application is submitted in
person; or

(4) deliver the absentee ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope to an agent who has been
designated to bring the ballots, as provided in section 203B.11, subdivision 4, to a voter
who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or
who is disabled, or who is a patient in a health care facility, a resident of deleted text begin a facility providingdeleted text end new text begin
annew text end assisted living deleted text begin services governed bydeleted text end new text begin facility licensed undernew text end chapter 144G, a participant
in a residential program for adults licensed under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a
resident of a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4.

(c) If an application does not indicate the election for which absentee ballots are sought,
the county auditor or municipal clerk shall mail or deliver only the ballots for the next
election occurring after receipt of the application. Only one set of ballots may be mailed,
shipped, or delivered to an applicant for any election, except as provided in section 203B.121,
subdivision 2, or when a replacement ballot has been requested by the voter for a ballot that
has been spoiled or lost in transit.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Delivery of envelopes, directions.

The county auditor or the municipal
clerk shall prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, new text begin a signature envelope, new text end a ballot
envelope, and a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose
application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The county auditor
or municipal clerk shall provide first class postage for the return envelope. The directions
for casting an absentee ballot shall be printed in at least 14-point bold type with heavy
leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the directions
in Braille or on audio file, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall provide them in the
form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille and audio file copies and make
them available.

When a voter registration application is sent to the applicant as provided in section
203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration application shall include instructions
for registering to vote.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Design of envelopes.

new text begin (a) new text end The deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope shall be of sufficient
size to conveniently enclose and contain the ballot envelope and a folded voter registration
application. The deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope shall be designed to open on the left-hand end.

new text begin (b) new text end The return envelope must be designed in one of the following ways:

(1) it must be of sufficient size to contain deleted text begin an additionaldeleted text end new text begin a signaturenew text end envelope deleted text begin that whendeleted text end new text begin
and when the return envelope isnew text end sealed, new text begin it new text end conceals the signature, identification, and other
information; or

(2) it must new text begin be the signature envelope and new text end provide an additional flap that when sealed,
conceals the signature, identification, and other information.

new text begin (c) new text end Election officials may open the flap or the deleted text begin additionaldeleted text end new text begin returnnew text end envelope at any time
after receiving the returned ballot to inspect the returned certificate for completeness or to
ascertain other information.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Eligibility certificate.

A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot
shall be printed on the back of the deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope. The certificate shall contain
space for the voter's Minnesota driver's license number, state identification number, or the
last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, or to indicate that the voter does not
have one of these numbers. The space must be designed to ensure that the voter provides
the same type of identification as provided on the voter's absentee ballot application for
purposes of comparison. The certificate must also contain a statement to be signed and
sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the requirements established by law
for voting by absentee ballot and space for a statement signed by a person who is registered
to vote in Minnesota or by a notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths
stating that:

(1) the ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;

(2) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how they
were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed
another individual to mark them; and

(3) if the voter was not previously registered, the voter has provided proof of residence
as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Marking and return by voter.

(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee
ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions
for casting the absentee ballots. The return envelope containing marked ballots may be
mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left with the
county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, or may
be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the return
envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by deleted text begin 3:00deleted text end new text begin 8:00new text end p.m. on
election day.

(b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot
return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope
in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters
in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return
envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope
to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Procedures on receipt of ballots.

When absentee ballots are returned to a
county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked space with
other return envelopes received by that office. Within five days after receipt, the county
auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots received, except that
during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk
shall deliver all ballots received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots received on
election day deleted text begin either (1) after 3:00 p.m., if delivered in person; or (2)deleted text end after 8:00 p.m.deleted text begin , if
delivered by mail or a package delivery service,deleted text end shall be marked as received late by the
county auditor or municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

new text begin (a) new text end Each full-time municipal clerk or school district clerk
who has authority under section 203B.05 to administer absentee voting laws deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end
designate election judges to deliver absentee ballots in accordance with this section. The
county auditor must also designate election judges to perform the duties in this section. A
ballot may be delivered only to an eligible voter who is a temporary or permanent resident
or patient in new text begin one of the following facilities located in the municipality in which the voter
maintains residence: new text end a health care facility deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end hospital deleted text begin located in the municipality in which
the voter maintains residencedeleted text end new text begin , or veterans home operated by the board of directors of the
Minnesota veterans homes under chapter 198new text end . The ballots deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be delivered by two
election judges, each of whom is affiliated with a different major political party. When the
election judges deliver or return ballots as provided in this section, they deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end travel
together in the same vehicle. Both election judges deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be present when an applicant
completes the certificate of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an
applicant as provided in section 204C.15. The election judges deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end deposit the return
envelopes containing the marked absentee ballots in a sealed container and return them to
the clerk on the same day that they are delivered and marked.

new text begin (b) At the discretion of a full-time municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county auditor,
absentee ballots may be delivered in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph (a) to a
shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, or to an assisted
living facility licensed under chapter 144G.
new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Twentydeleted text end new text begin Thirtynew text end days before an election.

During the deleted text begin 20deleted text end new text begin 30new text end days preceding an
election, the election judges deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end deliver absentee ballots only to an eligible voter
who has applied for absentee ballots to the county auditor or municipal clerk under section
203B.04, subdivision 1.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Agent delivery of ballots.

During the seven days preceding an election and
until deleted text begin 2:00deleted text end new text begin 8:00new text end p.m. on election day, an eligible voter who would have difficulty getting to
the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or who is disabled, or who is a patient
of a health care facility, a resident of deleted text begin a facility providingdeleted text end new text begin annew text end assisted living deleted text begin services governeddeleted text end
deleted text begin bydeleted text end new text begin facility licensed undernew text end chapter 144G, a participant in a residential program for adults
licensed under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a resident of a shelter for battered women
as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, may designate an agent to deliver the ballots
to the voter from the county auditor or municipal clerk. An agent must have a preexisting
relationship with the voter. A candidate at the election may not be designated as an agent.
The voted ballots must be returned to the county auditor or municipal clerk no later than
deleted text begin 3:00deleted text end new text begin 8:00new text end p.m. on election day. The voter must complete an affidavit requesting the auditor
or clerk to provide the agent with the ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope. The affidavit
must include a statement from the voter stating that the ballots were delivered to the voter
by the agent in the sealed transmittal envelope. An agent may deliver ballots to no more
than three persons in any election. The secretary of state shall provide samples of the affidavit
and transmission envelope for use by the county auditors.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Indefinite residence outside United States.

Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27
provide the exclusive voting procedure for United States citizens who are living indefinitely
outside the territorial limits of the United States who meet all the qualifications of an eligible
voter except residence in Minnesota, but who are authorized by federal law to vote in
Minnesota because they or, if they have never deleted text begin resideddeleted text end new text begin maintained residencenew text end in the United
States, a parent maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately prior
to their departure from the United States. Individuals described in this subdivision shall be
permitted to vote only for the offices of president, vice-president, senator in Congress, and
representative in Congress.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Form.

Absentee ballots under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 shall conform
to the requirements of the Minnesota Election Law, except that modifications in the size or
form of ballots or envelopes may be made if necessary to satisfy the requirements of the
United States postal service. The return envelope must be designed in one of the following
ways:

(2) it must new text begin be the signature envelope and new text end provide an additional flap that when sealed,
conceals the signature, identification, and other information.

The flap or the deleted text begin additionaldeleted text end new text begin returnnew text end envelope must be perforated to permit election officials to
inspect the returned certificate for completeness or to ascertain other information at any
time after receiving the returned ballot without opening the deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.21, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Back of deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope.

On the back of the deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope
a certificate shall appear with space for:

(1) the voter's address of present or former residence in Minnesota;

(2) the voter's current email address, if the voter has one;

(3) a statement indicating the category described in section 203B.16 to which the voter
belongs;

(4) a statement that the voter has not cast and will not cast another absentee ballot in the
same election or elections;

(5) a statement that the voter personally marked the ballots without showing them to
anyone, or if physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed another individual to
mark them; and

(6) the same voter's passport number, Minnesota driver's license or state identification
card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number as provided on the
absentee ballot application; if the voter does not have access to any of these documents, the
voter may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of the certificate under penalty of perjury.

The certificate shall also contain a signed oath in the form required by section 705 of
the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252, which must read:

"I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that:

I am a member of the uniformed services or merchant marine on active duty or an eligible
spouse or dependent of such a member; a United States citizen temporarily residing outside
the United States; or other United States citizen residing outside the United States; and I
am a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the election),
and I am eligible to vote in the requested jurisdiction; I have not been convicted of a felony,
or other disqualifying offense, or been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or, if so, my voting
rights have been reinstated; and I am not registering, requesting a ballot, or voting in any
other jurisdiction in the United States except the jurisdiction cited in this voting form. In
voting, I have marked and sealed my ballot in private and have not allowed any person to
observe the marking of the ballot, except for those authorized to assist voters under state or
federal law. I have not been influenced.

The information on this form is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge.
I understand that a material misstatement of fact in completion of this document may
constitute grounds for a conviction for perjury."

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Duties.

new text begin (a) new text end The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot
envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the
absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter
eligibility is not printed on the deleted text begin return or administrativedeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope, the certificate
must be attached to the ballot deleted text begin secrecydeleted text end envelope.

new text begin (b) new text end The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelopes
new text begin or certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes new text end and mark them
"accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been
rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered
spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter
with a replacement absentee ballot and deleted text begin return envelopedeleted text end new text begin envelopesnew text end in place of the spoiled
ballot.

new text begin (c) new text end If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to
a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the
appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board. The absentee ballot board with the authority
to open and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions
4 and 5.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Check of voter eligibility; proper execution of certificate.

Upon receipt
of an absentee ballot returned as provided in sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, the election
judges shall compare the voter's name with the names recorded under section 203B.19 in
the statewide registration system to insure that the ballot is from a voter eligible to cast an
absentee ballot under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27. The election judges shall mark the
signature envelope "Accepted" and initial or sign the signature envelope below the word
"Accepted" if the election judges are satisfied that:

(1) the voter's name and address on the signature envelope appears in substantially the
same form as on the application records provided to the election judges by the county auditor;

(2) the voter has signed the federal oath prescribed pursuant to section 705(b)(2) of the
Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252;

(3) the voter has set forth the same voter's passport number, or Minnesota driver's license
or state identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security
number as submitted on the application, if the voter has one of these documents;

(4) the voter is not known to have died; and

(5) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or by absentee ballot.

If the identification number described in clause (3) does not match the number as
submitted on the application, the election judges must make a reasonable effort to satisfy
themselves through other information provided by the applicant, or by an individual
authorized to apply on behalf of the voter, that the ballots were returned by the same person
to whom the ballots were transmitted.

An absentee ballot cast pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 may only be rejected
for the lack of one of clauses (1) to (5). In particular, failure to place the ballot within the
deleted text begin secrecydeleted text end new text begin ballotnew text end envelope before placing it in the deleted text begin outer whitedeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope is not a reason
to reject an absentee ballot.

Election judges must note the reason for rejection on the back of the envelope in the
space provided for that purpose.

Failure to return unused ballots shall not invalidate a marked ballot, but a ballot shall
not be counted if the certificate on the deleted text begin returndeleted text end new text begin signaturenew text end envelope is not properly executed.
In all other respects the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit and
counting of ballots shall apply. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the counting
of the absentee ballot of a deceased voter does not invalidate the election.

Sec. 29.

new text begin [203B.29] TRANSMISSION OF BALLOTS UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Emergency response providers. new text end

new text begin Any eligible Minnesota voter who is
a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in
response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any
governor of any state within the United States that occurs during the time period authorized
by law for absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a
certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a
properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor shall
electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The county auditor is not required
to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted electronically.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability. new text end

new text begin Any eligible Minnesota
voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the
effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions,
and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible
format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements.
Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the
county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The county
auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section 203B.07.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Returning voted ballots. new text end

new text begin A voter receiving a ballot electronically under
subdivision 1 or 2 must print and return the voter's voted ballot and the certificate of voter
eligibility to the county auditor in a sealed envelope. A voter must not return the ballot or
certificate of voter eligibility electronically. A ballot that is returned electronically must be
rejected and must not be counted.
new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Form of affidavit.

An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of the
office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:

(1) is an eligible voter;

(2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or
next ensuing general election, except deleted text begin that a candidate for soil and water conservation district
supervisor in a district not located in whole or in part in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, or
Washington County, may also have on file an affidavit of candidacy for mayor or council
member of a statutory or home rule charter city of not more than 2,500 population contained
in whole or in part in the soil and water conservation district or for town supervisor in a
town of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or in part in the soil and water
conservation districtdeleted text end new text begin as authorized by subdivision 9new text end ; and

(3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have maintained
residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the
general election.

An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as written
on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by which the
candidate is commonly and generally known in the community.

An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the candidate's
political party or political principle, stated in three words or less.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Addressnew text begin , electronic mail address,new text end and telephone number.

(a) An affidavit
of candidacy must state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An
affidavit must also state the candidate's new text begin or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic
mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess
an electronic mail address. An affidavit must also state the candidate's new text end address of residence
as determined under section 200.031, or at the candidate's request in accordance with
paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact address. The form for the affidavit of
candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if eligible, that the candidate's address of
residence be classified as private data, and to provide the certification required under
paragraph (c) for classification of that address.

(b) new text begin If an affidavit for an office where a residency requirement must be satisfied by the
close of the filing period is filed as provided by paragraph (c), the filing officer must, within
one business day of receiving the filing, determine whether the address provided in the
affidavit of candidacy is within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking.
For all other candidates who filednew text end for an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied
by the close of the filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that
the filing officer receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this
paragraph, at any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the
filing officer must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is
within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer
determines that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer
must immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the
ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is subject
to judicial review under section 204B.44.

(c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified as
private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate form
to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that new text begin either:
(1)new text end a police report has been submitted deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end an order for protection has been issuednew text begin , or the
candidate has a reasonable fearnew text end in regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's
familydeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end or deleted text begin thatdeleted text end new text begin (2)new text end the candidate's address is otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law.
The address of residence provided by a candidate who makes a request for classification
on the candidate's affidavit of candidacy and provides the certification required by this
paragraph is classified as private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may
be reviewed by the filing officer as provided in this subdivision.

(d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a
candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.06, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

State and local offices.

Candidates who seek nomination for the following
offices shall state the following additional information on the affidavit:

(1) for governor or lieutenant governor, that on the first Monday of the next January the
candidate will be 25 years of age or older and, on the day of the state general election, a
resident of Minnesota for not less than one year;

(2) for supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, or district court judge, that the
candidate is learned in the lawnew text begin and will not turn 70 years of age before the first Monday in
January of the following yearnew text end ;

(3) for county, municipal, school district, or special district office, that the candidate
meets any other qualifications for that office prescribed by law;

(4) for senator or representative in the legislature, that on the day of the general or special
election to fill the office the candidate will have deleted text begin resideddeleted text end new text begin maintained residencenew text end not less than
one year in the state and not less than six months in the legislative district from which the
candidate seeks election.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.06, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Multiple affidavits of candidacy. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 1, clause (2):
new text end

new text begin (1) a candidate for soil and water conservation district supervisor in a district not located
in whole or in part in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, or Washington County may also have on
file an affidavit of candidacy for:
new text end

new text begin (i) mayor or council member of a statutory or home rule charter city of not more than
2,500 population contained in whole or in part in the soil and water conservation district;
or
new text end

new text begin (ii) town supervisor in a town of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or
in part in the soil and water conservation district; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a candidate for school board member may also have on file an affidavit of candidacy
for town board supervisor, unless that town board is exercising the powers of a statutory
city under section 368.01 or an applicable special law.
new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Candidates in state and county general elections.

(a) Except as
otherwise provided by this subdivision, affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions
for county, state, and federal offices filled at the state general election shall be filed not
more than 84 days nor less than 70 days before the state primary. The affidavit may be
prepared and signed at any time between 60 days before the filing period opens and the last
day of the filing period.

(b) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the affidavit of candidacy must be signed
in the presence of a notarial officer or an individual authorized to administer oaths under
section 358.10.

(c) This provision does not apply to candidates for presidential elector nominated by
major political parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector are certified under
section 208.03. Other candidates for presidential electors may file petitions at least 77 days
before the general election day pursuant to section 204B.07. Nominating petitions to fill
vacancies in nominations shall be filed as provided in section 204B.13. No affidavit or
petition shall be accepted later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.

(d) Affidavits and petitions for county offices must be filed with the county auditor of
that county. Affidavits and petitions for federal offices must be filed with the secretary of
state. Affidavits and petitions for state offices must be filed with the secretary of state or
with the county auditor of the county in which the candidate deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end .

(e) Affidavits other than those filed pursuant to subdivision 1a must be submitted by
mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L, or any other law to the contrary and must
be received by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Candidates for federal office. new text end

new text begin This section does not apply to a vacancy in
nomination for a federal office.
new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Separate precincts; combined polling place.

(a) The following shall constitute
at least one election precinct:

(1) each city ward; and

(2) each town and each statutory city.

(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than
November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following
year or May 1 of any other year:

(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more
than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;

(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;

(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan
area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county;
or

(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.

Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place
may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.

A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be
filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing bodynew text begin , and the
county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner
and including information prescribed by the secretary of statenew text end . A polling place combined
under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality.
A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each
participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the
noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined
polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no
later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the
following year or April 1 of any other yearnew text begin , and the county auditor must provide notice
within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed
by the secretary of statenew text end .

The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct
served by the combined polling place, except that in a precinct that uses electronic rosters
the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct. A single set of
election judges may be appointed to serve at a combined polling place. The number of
election judges required must be based on the total number of persons voting at the last
similar election in all precincts to be voting at the combined polling place. Separate ballot
boxes must be provided for the ballots from each precinct. The results of the election must
be reported separately for each precinct served by the combined polling place, except in a
polling place established under clause (2) where one of the precincts has fewer than ten
registered voters, in which case the results of that precinct must be reported in the manner
specified by the secretary of state.

(c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the
safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent,
the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant
to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the
election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:

(1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election
day;

(2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling
place under this paragraph;

(3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish
the combined polling place;

(4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved
by the local election official of each participating municipality;

(5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the
secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination
and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections
official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of
the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website,
if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request
that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location
of the combined polling place; and

(6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a
conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating
the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the
notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as
provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to
section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph
must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be
extended until the specified time.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authority; location.

(a) By December 31 of each year, the governing
body of each municipality and of each county with precincts in unorganized territory must
designate by ordinance or resolution deleted text begin a polling place for each election precinct. The polling
places designated in the ordinance or resolution are the polling places for the following
calendar year, unless a change is made:deleted text end new text begin any changes to a polling place location. A polling
place must be maintained for the following calendar year unless changed:
new text end

new text begin (1) by ordinance or resolution by December 31 of the previous year;
new text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end pursuant to section 204B.175;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end because a polling place has become unavailable;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end because a township designates one location for all statenew text begin , county,new text end and federal
elections and one location for all township only elections; and

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 3.

(b) Polling places must be designated and ballots must be distributed so that no one is
required to go to more than one polling place to vote in a school district and municipal
election held on the same day. The polling place for a precinct in a city or in a school district
located in whole or in part in the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision
24, shall be located within the boundaries of the precinct or within one mile of one of those
boundaries unless a single polling place is designated for a city pursuant to section 204B.14,
subdivision 2, or a school district pursuant to section 205A.11. The polling place for a
precinct in unorganized territory may be located outside the precinct at a place which is
convenient to the voters of the precinct. If no suitable place is available within a town or
within a school district located outside the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02,
subdivision 24, then the polling place for a town or school district may be located outside
the town or school district within five miles of one of the boundaries of the town or school
district.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.19, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

deleted text begin High school studentsdeleted text end new text begin Trainee election judgesnew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end Notwithstanding any other
requirements of this section, a student enrolled in a high school in Minnesota or who is in
a home school in compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24, who has attained the age
of 16 is eligible to be appointed as a without party affiliation trainee election judge in the
county in which the student deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end , or a county adjacent to the county
in which the student deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end . The student must meet qualifications for
trainee election judges specified in rules of the secretary of state. new text begin A student appointed under
this subdivision while enrolled in a high school or receiving instruction in a home school
may continue to serve as a trainee election judge after the student graduates and until the
student reaches the age of 18.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end A student appointed as a trainee election judge may be excused from school attendance
during the hours that the student is serving as a trainee election judge if the student submits
a written request signed and approved by the student's parent or guardian to be absent from
school and a certificate from the appointing authority stating the hours during which the
student will serve as a trainee election judge to the principal of the school at least ten days
prior to the election. deleted text begin Students shall not serve asdeleted text end new text begin Anew text end trainee election deleted text begin judgesdeleted text end new text begin judge shall not
serve new text end after 10:00 p.m. Notwithstanding section 177.24 to the contrary, trainee election judges
may be paid not less than two-thirds of the minimum wage for a large employer. The principal
of the school may approve a request to be absent from school conditioned on acceptable
academic performance at the time of service as a trainee election judge.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Appointing authority; powers and duties.

Election judges for precincts in a
municipality shall be appointed by the governing body of the municipality. Election judges
for precincts in unorganized territory and for performing election-related duties assigned
by the county auditor shall be appointed by the county board. Election judges for a precinct
composed of two or more municipalities must be appointed by the governing body of the
municipality or municipalities responsible for appointing election judges as provided in the
agreement to combine for election purposes. Except as otherwise provided in this section,
appointments shall be made from the list of voters who deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin maintain residencenew text end in each
precinct, furnished pursuant to subdivision 1, subject to the eligibility requirements and
other qualifications established or authorized under section 204B.19. At least two election
judges in each precinct must be affiliated with different major political parties. If no lists
have been furnished or if additional election judges are required after all listed names in
that municipality have been exhausted, the appointing authority may appoint other individuals
who meet the qualifications to serve as an election judge, including persons on the list
furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 who indicated a willingness to travel to the municipality,
and persons who are not affiliated with a major political party. An individual who is appointed
from a source other than the list furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 must provide to the
appointing authority the individual's major political party affiliation or a statement that the
individual does not affiliate with any major political party. An individual who refuses to
provide the individual's major political party affiliation or a statement that the individual
does not affiliate with a major political party must not be appointed as an election judge.
The appointments shall be made at least 25 days before the election at which the election
judges will serve, except that the appointing authority may pass a resolution authorizing
the appointment of additional election judges within the 25 days before the election if the
appointing authority determines that additional election judges will be required.

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Allocation of election expenses.

The secretary of state shall develop procedures
for the allocation of election expenses among counties, municipalities, and school districts
for elections that are held concurrently. The following expenses must be included in the
procedures: salaries of election judges; postage for absentee ballots and applications;
preparation of polling places; preparation and testing of electronic voting systems; ballot
preparation; publication of election notices deleted text begin and sample ballotsdeleted text end new text begin , including the notice required
by section 204D.16new text end ; transportation of ballots and election supplies; and compensation for
administrative expenses of the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective December 1, 2023, or upon the secretary
of state's approval of the notice required by Minnesota Statutes, section 204D.16, paragraph
(b), whichever is earlier. The secretary of state must notify the revisor of statutes of the
approval date.
new text end

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.35, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Electronic voting systems. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding sections 204B.35 to 204B.44 and
chapter 204D, a jurisdiction may prepare blank paper ballots if the jurisdiction employs an
electronic voting system and the required information is instead displayed on a touch screen
or other electronic device in a format that substantially meets the requirements of law.
new text end

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Right to be absent.

Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election
has the right to be absent from work for the time necessary to appear at the employee's
polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of that electionnew text begin or during the time
period allowed under section 203B.081 for voting in person before election daynew text end , without
penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence. An employer or other
person may not directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with this right or any other
election right of an employee.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Restrictions on conduct.

An election judge deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end not be appointed as a
challenger. The election judges deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end permit challengers appointed pursuant to this
section to be present in the polling place during the hours of voting and to remain there until
the votes are counted and the results declared. deleted text begin Nodeleted text end new text begin Anew text end challenger deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin must notnew text end handle or
inspect registration cards, files, or lists. Challengers deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end not prepare in any manner
any list of individuals who have or have not voted. They deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end not attempt to influence
voting in any manner. deleted text begin They shalldeleted text end new text begin In accordance with section 204C.12, challengers mustnew text end not
converse with a voter deleted text begin except to determine, in the presence of an election judge, whether the
voter is eligible to vote in the precinctdeleted text end .

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Physical assistance in marking ballots.

A voter who claims a need for
assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot may
obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political parties.
The election judges shall mark the ballots as directed by the voter and in as secret a manner
as circumstances permit. A voter in need of assistance may alternatively obtain the assistance
of any individual the voter chooses. Only the following persons may not provide assistance
to a voter: the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, new text begin or new text end an officer or agent of
the voter's uniondeleted text begin , or a candidate for electiondeleted text end . The person who assists the voter shall,
unaccompanied by an election judge, retire with that voter to a booth and mark the ballot
as directed by the voter. deleted text begin No person who assists another voter as provided in the preceding
sentence shall mark the ballots of more than three voters at one election.deleted text end Before the ballots
are deposited, the voter may show them privately to an election judge to ascertain that they
are marked as the voter directed. An election judge or other individual assisting a voter shall
not in any manner request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to
vote for any particular political party or candidate. The election judges or other individuals
who assist the voter shall not reveal to anyone the name of any candidate for whom the
voter has voted or anything that took place while assisting the voter.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Information requirements.

Precinct summary statements shall be
submitted by the election judges in every precinct. For all elections, the election judges
shall complete three or more copies of the summary statements, and each copy shall contain
the following information for each kind of ballot:

(1) the number of ballots delivered to the precinct as adjusted by the actual count made
by the election judges, the number of unofficial ballots made, and the number of absentee
ballots delivered to the precinct;

(2) the number of votes each candidate received or the number of yes and no votes on
each question, the number of undervotes, the number of overvotes, and the number of
defective ballots with respect to each office or question;

(3) the number of spoiled ballots, the number of duplicate ballots made, the number of
absentee ballots rejected, and the number of unused ballots, presuming that the total count
provided on each package of unopened prepackaged ballots is correct;

(4) new text begin the number of voted ballots indicating only a voter's choices as provided by section
206.80, paragraph (b), clause (2), item (ii);
new text end

new text begin (5) new text end the number of individuals who voted at the election in the precinct which must equal
the total number of ballots cast in the precinct, as required by sections 204C.20 and 206.86,
subdivision 1;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end the number of voters registering on election day in that precinct; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end the signatures of the election judges who counted the ballots certifying that all
of the ballots cast were properly piled, checked, and counted; and that the numbers entered
by the election judges on the summary statements correctly show the number of votes cast
for each candidate and for and against each questiondeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (8) the number of election judges that worked in that precinct on election day; and
new text end

new text begin (9) the number of voting booths used in that precinct on election day.
new text end

At least two copies of the summary statement must be prepared for elections not held
on the same day as the state elections.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

County auditor.

new text begin (a) new text end Every county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end remain at the
auditor's office to receive delivery of the returns, to permit public inspection of the summary
statements, and to tabulate the votes until all have been tabulated and the results made
known, or until 24 hours have elapsed since the end of the hours for voting, whichever
occurs first. Every county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end , in the presence of the municipal clerk or the
election judges who deliver the returns, make a record of all materials delivered, the time
of delivery, and the names of the municipal clerk or election judges who made delivery.
The record must include the number of ballots delivered to the precinct, as certified by
section 204B.28, and the total number of ballots returned, as certified by the election judges
under section 204C.24. A discrepancy between the number of ballots delivered to the precinct
and the number of total ballots returned by election judges that cannot be reconciled by
taking into account the adjustments made by the election judge counts and any unofficial
ballots must be noted, but does not necessarily require disqualification of the votes from
that precinct or invalidation of the election. The county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end file the record
and all envelopes containing ballots in a safe and secure place with envelope seals unbroken.
Access to the record and ballots deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be strictly controlled. Accountability and a record
of access deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be maintained by the county auditor during the period for contesting
elections or, if a contest is filed, until the contest has been finally determined. Thereafter,
the record deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be retained in the auditor's office for the same period as the ballots as
provided in section 204B.40.

new text begin (b) new text end The county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end file all envelopes containing ballots in a safe place
with seals unbroken. If the envelopes deleted text begin were previouslydeleted text end new text begin arenew text end opened by proper authority for
examination or recountdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin as specifically authorized by a court or statute,new text end the county auditor
deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end have the envelopes sealed again and signed by the individuals who made the
inspection or recount. The envelopes may be opened by the county deleted text begin canvassing boarddeleted text end new text begin auditornew text end
if necessary to procure election returns that the election judges inadvertently may have
sealed in the envelopes with the ballots. In that case, the envelopes deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be sealed
again and signed in the same manner as otherwise provided in this subdivision.

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

State canvass.

The State Canvassing Board shall meet at a public meeting
space located in the Capitol complex area on the third Tuesday following the state general
election to canvass the certified copies of the county canvassing board reports received from
the county auditors and shall prepare a report that states:

(1) the number of individuals voting in the state and in each county;

(2) the number of votes received by each of the candidates, specifying the counties in
which they were cast; and

(3) the number of votes counted for and against each constitutional amendment, specifying
the counties in which they were cast.

All members of the State Canvassing Board shall sign the report and certify its
correctness. new text begin Within three days after completing the canvass, new text end the State Canvassing Board
shall declare the result deleted text begin within three days after completing the canvassdeleted text end new text begin and declare the
candidates duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each federal office
and for each state office voted on in more than one countynew text end .

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.35, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Challenged ballots. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a canvassing
board may direct a recount official to make images of ballots challenged by a candidate in
a recount available to the public.
new text end

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.39, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Manner of correction.

A county canvassing board may determine by
majority vote that the election judges have made an obvious error in counting or recording
the votes for an office. The county canvassing board shall then promptly notify all candidates
for that office of the determination, including a description of the error. deleted text begin A candidate who
deleted text end deleted text begin receives notification pursuant to this subdivision or any candidate who believes that the
deleted text end deleted text begin election judges in a precinct have made an obvious error in the counting or recording of the
deleted text end deleted text begin votes for an office maydeleted text end new text begin The county canvassing board must also instruct the county auditor
tonew text end apply without unreasonable delay to the district court of the county containing the precinct
in which the alleged error was made for an order determining whether or not an obvious
error has been made. The deleted text begin applicantdeleted text end new text begin auditornew text end shall describe the alleged error in the application
and may submit additional evidence as directed by the court. The deleted text begin applicantdeleted text end new text begin auditornew text end shall
notify the county canvassing board and all candidates for the affected office in the manner
directed by the court. If the court finds that the election judges made an obvious error it
shall issue an order specifying the error and directing the county canvassing board to inspect
the ballots and returns of the precinct in order to correct the error and to proceed further in
accordance with this section or otherwise as the court may direct.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

State and county nonpartisan primary ballot.

The state and county nonpartisan
primary ballot shall be headed "State and County Nonpartisan Primary Ballot." It shall be
printed in the manner provided in the rules of the secretary of state. The names of candidates
for nomination to the supreme court, court of appeals, district court, deleted text begin anddeleted text end all county officesnew text begin ,
all city offices, and all school district officesnew text end shall be placed on this ballot.

No candidate whose name is placed on the state and county nonpartisan primary ballot
shall be designated or identified as the candidate of any political party or in any other manner
except as expressly provided by law.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sample ballot.

At least 46 days before the state primary the county auditor
deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end prepare a sample ballot for each precinct for public inspection and transmit an
electronic copy of these sample ballots to the secretary of state. The names of the candidates
to be voted for in the county deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be placed on the sample ballots, with the names of
the candidates for each office arranged in the base rotation as determined by section 206.61,
subdivision 5. The county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end post the sample ballots in a conspicuous place
in the auditor's office deleted text begin and shall cause them to be publisheddeleted text end new text begin .new text end At least one week before the
state primarynew text begin , the county auditor must publish a notice to voters pursuant to section 204D.16new text end
in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Order of deleted text begin political partiesdeleted text end new text begin candidates for president and vice presidentnew text end .

The
first name printed for deleted text begin each partisan officedeleted text end new text begin president and vice president of the United States new text end
on the state general election ballot shall be that of the candidate of the major political party
that received the smallest average number of votes at the last state general election. The
succeeding names shall be those of the candidates of the other major political parties that
received a succeedingly higher average number of votes respectively. For the purposes of
this subdivision, the average number of votes of a major political party shall be computed
by dividing the total number of votes counted for all of the party's candidates for statewide
office at the state general election by the number of those candidates at the election.new text begin The
names of candidates nominated by petition for president and vice president shall be placed
on the state general election ballot after the names of the candidates for that office who were
nominated by major political parties. No later than 11 weeks before the state general election,
the secretary of state shall determine by lot the order of candidates nominated by petition.
The drawing of lots must be by political party or principle.
new text end

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Rotation of names; other partisan offices. new text end

new text begin Except as provided in subdivision
2, the names of candidates for partisan offices on the state general election ballot shall be
rotated in the manner provided for rotation of names on state partisan primary ballots by
section 204D.08, subdivision 3.
new text end

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Nominees by petition; deleted text begin placement on ballotdeleted text end new text begin political party or principlenew text end .

deleted text begin The
names of candidates nominated by petition for a partisan office voted on at the state general
election shall be placed on the state general election ballot after the names of the candidates
for that office who were nominated at the state primary. No later than 11 weeks before the
state general election, the secretary of state shall determine by lot the order of candidates
nominated by petition. The drawing of lots must be by political party or principle.deleted text end new text begin For
candidates nominated by petition for partisan office,new text end the political party or political principle
of deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end candidate as stated on the petition shall be placed after the name of a candidate
nominated by petition. The word "nonpartisan" shall not be used to designate any partisan
candidate whose name is placed on the state general election ballot by nominating petition.

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.16, is amended to read:

204D.16 SAMPLE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS; POSTING;
PUBLICATION.

new text begin (a) new text end At least 46 days before the state general election, the county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end post
sample ballots for each precinct in the auditor's office for public inspection and transmit an
electronic copy of these sample ballots to the secretary of state.

new text begin (b)new text end No earlier than deleted text begin 15deleted text end new text begin 20new text end days and no later than deleted text begin twodeleted text end new text begin tennew text end days before the state general
election the county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end cause a deleted text begin sample state general election ballotdeleted text end new text begin notice to
votersnew text end to be published in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.new text begin The
secretary of state, in collaboration with stakeholders, must design the notice to be published,
including the format and content to be used. The secretary of state, in collaboration with
stakeholders, may modify the content or format of the notice to be used by metropolitan
counties, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 4. When published, the notice must be
sized so that it comprises a minimum of one full newspaper page.
new text end

new text begin (c) The notice required by paragraph (b) must, at minimum, include the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a statement that the voter's official ballot will have the names of all candidates for
the voter's precinct;
new text end

new text begin (2) the web address where a voter may view the voter's sample ballot based on the voter's
address;
new text end

new text begin (3) the county's website where a list of sample ballots for each county precinct may be
viewed;
new text end

new text begin (4) how a voter may obtain a free copy of a sample ballot specific to the voter's address;
and
new text end

new text begin (5) contact information for the appropriate local election official, including a phone
number and email address.
new text end

new text begin The notice may include information about contests on the ballot; names, offices, and party
affiliation, if any, of candidates; polling place locations; poll hours; and absentee voting
information.
new text end

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, "stakeholder" means local government election officials
and representatives of the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.25, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Form.

Except as provided in subdivision 2, the county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end
prepare separate ballots for a special primary and special election as required by sections
204D.17 to 204D.27. The ballots deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be headed "Special Primary Ballot" or "Special
Election Ballot" as the case may be, followed by the date of the special primary or special
election. Immediately below the title of each office to be filled deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end be printed the
words "To fill vacancy in term expiring ..........," with the date of expiration of the term and
any other information that is necessary to distinguish the office from any other office to be
voted upon at the same election. For a special primary or special election, the instructions
to voters may use the singular form of the word when referring to candidates and offices
when only one office is to be filled at the special election. Otherwise the form of the ballots
deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end comply as far as practicable with the laws relating to ballots for state primaries
and state general elections. The county auditor deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end post a sample of each ballot in
the auditor's office as soon as prepared and not later than four days before the special primary
or special election. Publication of the deleted text begin sample ballotdeleted text end new text begin notice to voters pursuant to section
204D.16new text end for a special primary or special election is not required.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 57.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Nominating petition; cities of the first class.

A nominating petition filed on
behalf of a candidate for municipal office in a city of the first class shall be signed by eligible
voters who deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin maintain residencenew text end in the election district from which the candidate is to
be elected. The number of signers shall be at least 500, or two percent of the total number
of individuals who voted in the municipality, ward, or other election district at the last
preceding municipal general election, whichever is greater.

Sec. 58.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Sample ballot, publication.

For every municipal election, the municipal clerk
deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end , at least two weeks before the election, publish a deleted text begin sample ballotdeleted text end new text begin notice to voters
pursuant to section 204D.16new text end in the official newspaper of the municipality, except that the
governing body of a fourth class city or a town not located within a metropolitan county as
defined in section 473.121 may dispense with publication.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 59.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205.175, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Other municipalities.

The governing body of a municipality other than a
municipality described in subdivision 2, may by resolution adopted prior to giving notice
of the election, designate the time, in addition to the minimum voting hours provided in
subdivision 1, during which the polling places will remain open for voting at the next
succeeding and all subsequent municipal elections. The resolution shall remain in force
until it is revoked by the municipal governing body or changed because of request by voters
as provided in this subdivision. If a petition requesting longer voting hours, signed by a
number of voters equal to 20 percent of the votes cast at the last municipal election, is
presented to the municipal clerk no later than 30 days prior to the municipal election, then
the polling places for that election shall open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. The
municipal clerk shall give ten days' notice of the changed voting hours and notify the county
auditor new text begin and secretary of state new text end of the change. Municipalities covered by this subdivision shall
certify their election hours to the county auditor in January of each year.

Sec. 60.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205A.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Other school districts.

At a school district election in a school district other
than one described in subdivision 1, the school board, by resolution adopted before giving
notice of the election, may designate the time during which the polling places will remain
open for voting at the next succeeding and all later school district elections. All polling
places must be open between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The resolution must
remain in force until it is revoked by the school board or changed because of request by
voters as provided in this subdivision. If a petition requesting longer voting hours, signed
by a number of voters equal to 20 percent of the votes cast at the last school district election,
is presented to the school district clerk no later than 30 days before a school district election,
then the polling places for that election must open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. The
school district clerk must give ten days' published notice and posted notice of the changed
voting hours and notify appropriate county auditors new text begin and the secretary of state new text end of the change.

Sec. 61.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205A.10, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

School district canvassing board.

For the purpose of a recount of a special
election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59, the school district
canvassing board shall consist of one member of the school board other than the clerk,
selected by the board, the clerk of the school board, the county auditor of the county in
which the greatest number of school district residents deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin maintain residencenew text end , the court
administrator of the district court of the judicial district in which the greatest number of
school district residents deleted text begin residedeleted text end new text begin maintain residencenew text end , and the mayor or chair of the town board
of the school district's most populous municipality. Any member of the canvassing board
may appoint a designee to appear at the meeting of the board, except that no designee may
be a candidate for public office. If one of the individuals fails to appear at the meeting of
the canvassing board, the county auditor shall appoint an eligible voter of the school district,
who must not be a member of the school board, to fill the vacancy. Not more than two
school board members shall serve on the canvassing board at one time. Four members
constitute a quorum.

The school board shall serve as the school district canvassing board for the election of
school board members.

Sec. 62.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205A.12, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Board elections.

If the proposal for the establishment of election districts is
approved by the voters, the board shall specify the election districts from which vacancies
shall be filled as they occur until such time as each board member represents an election
district. A candidate for school board in a subsequent election must file an affidavit of
candidacy to be elected as a school board member for the election district in which the
candidate deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end . If there are as many election districts as there are
members of the board, one and only one member of the board shall be elected from each
election district. In school districts where one or more board members are elected by election
districts, candidates must indicate on the affidavit of candidacy the number of the district
from which they seek election or, if appropriate, that they seek election from one of the
offices elected at large. If the election districts have two or three members each, the terms
of the members must be staggered. Each board member must be a resident of the election
district for which elected but the creation of an election district or a change in election
district boundaries shall not disqualify a board member from serving for the remainder of
a term.

Sec. 63.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.58, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Municipalities.

new text begin (a) new text end The governing body of a municipality, at a regular
meeting or at a special meeting called for the purpose, may provide for the use of an
electronic voting system in one or more precincts and at all elections in the precincts, subject
to approval by the county auditor. new text begin Once a municipality has adopted the use of an electronic
voting system in one or more precincts, the municipality must continue to use an electronic
voting system for state elections in those precincts. new text end The governing body deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end
disseminate information to the public about the use of a new voting system at least 60 days
prior to the election and deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end provide for instruction of voters with a demonstration
voting system in a public place for the six weeks immediately prior to the first election at
which the new voting system will be used.

deleted text begin No system may be adopted or useddeleted text end new text begin (b) A municipality must not adopt or use a systemnew text end
unless it has been approved by the secretary of state pursuant to section 206.57.

Sec. 64.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.58, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Counties.

new text begin (a) new text end The governing body of a county may provide for the use of an
electronic voting system in one or more precincts of the county at all elections. new text begin Once a
county has adopted the use of an electronic voting system in one or more precincts, the
county must continue to use an electronic voting system for state elections in those precincts.
new text end The governing body of the municipality deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end give approval before an electronic voting
system may be adopted or used in the municipality under the authority of this section.

deleted text begin No system may be adopted or useddeleted text end new text begin (b) A county must not adopt or use a systemnew text end unless
it has been approved by the secretary of state pursuant to section 206.57.

Sec. 65.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Official responsible for providing ballots.

new text begin (a) new text end The official charged with
providing paper ballots when they are used shall provide all ballot cards, sample ballots,
precinct summary statements, and other necessary supplies needed for electronic voting
systems, except as otherwise provided by this section.

new text begin (b) new text end At general elections and primaries the county auditor of each county in which an
electronic voting system is used shall provide all ballot cards and other necessary printed
forms and supplies needed for the electronic voting system, including all forms needed for
voting on candidates and questions, the ballots for which are required by the election laws
to be provided by the state when paper ballots are used.

new text begin (c) In precincts using a ballot format as provided by section 206.80, paragraph (b), clause
(2), item (ii), voters must be provided the option of voting with a regularly printed optical
scan ballot.
new text end

Sec. 66.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.80, is amended to read:

206.80 ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS.

(a) An electronic voting system may not be employed unless it:

(1) permits every voter to vote in secret;

(2) permits every voter to vote for all candidates and questions for whom or upon which
the voter is legally entitled to vote;

(3) provides for write-in voting when authorized;

(4) automatically rejects, except as provided in section 206.84 with respect to write-in
votes, all votes for an office or question when the number of votes cast on it exceeds the
number which the voter is entitled to cast;

(5) permits a voter at a primary election to select secretly the party for which the voter
wishes to vote;

(6) automatically rejects all votes cast in a primary election by a voter when the voter
votes for candidates of more than one party; and

(7) provides every voter an opportunity to verify votes recorded on the permanent paper
ballot, either visually or using assistive voting technology, and to change votes or correct
any error before the voter's ballot is cast and counted, produces an individual, discrete,
permanent, paper ballot cast by the voter, and preserves the paper ballot as an official record
available for use in any recount.

(b) An electronic voting system purchased on or after June 4, 2005, may not be employed
unless it:

(1) accepts and tabulates, in the polling place or at a counting center, a marked optical
scan ballot; or

(2) creates a deleted text begin marked optical scandeleted text end ballot that can be tabulated in the polling place or at a
counting center by automatic tabulating equipment certified for use in this statenew text begin and the
ballot is:
new text end

new text begin (i) a marked optical scan ballot; or
new text end

new text begin (ii) a marked paper ballot indicating, at a minimum, the date of the election; the name
of the precinct; an electronically readable precinct identifier or ballot style indicator; and
the voter's votes for each office or question, generated from the voter's use of a touch screen
or other electronic device on which a complete ballot meeting the information requirements
of any applicable law was displayed electronicallynew text end .

new text begin (c) The use of multiple ballot formats of electronic voting systems in a jurisdiction is
not a violation of a voter's right to vote in secret, provided that a record of the ballot formats
of electronic voting system used by a voter is not recorded by the election judges or any
other elections official in any form.
new text end

Sec. 67.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.83, is amended to read:

206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.

deleted text begin Within 14deleted text end new text begin At least threenew text end days before deleted text begin election daydeleted text end new text begin voting equipment is usednew text end , the official
in charge of elections shall have the voting system tested to ascertain that the system will
correctly mark ballots using all methods supported by the system, including through assistive
technology, and count the votes cast for all candidates and on all questions. Public notice
of the time and place of the test must be given at least two days in advance by publication
once in official newspapers. The test must be observed by at least two election judges, who
are not of the same major political party, and must be open to representatives of the political
parties, candidates, the press, and the public. The test must be conducted by (1) processing
a preaudited group of ballots punched or marked to record a predetermined number of valid
votes for each candidate and on each question, and must include for each office one or more
ballot cards which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the
ability of the voting system tabulator and electronic ballot marker to reject those votes; and
(2) processing an additional test deck of ballots marked using the electronic ballot marker
for the precinct, including ballots marked using the electronic ballot display, audio ballot
reader, and any assistive voting technology used with the electronic ballot marker. If any
error is detected, the cause must be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count must
be made before the voting system may be used in the election. After the completion of the
test, the programs used and ballot cards must be sealed, retained, and disposed of as provided
for paper ballots.

Sec. 68.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.845, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Cast vote records. new text end

new text begin After the municipal clerk or county auditor has received
data from automatic tabulating equipment, textual data from the file is public, with the
following exceptions, which are protected nonpublic data under section 13.02:
new text end

new text begin (1) data that indicate the date, time, or order in which a voter cast a ballot;
new text end

new text begin (2) data that indicate the method with which a voter cast a ballot;
new text end

new text begin (3) data files that do not include all ballots cast in a precinct;
new text end

new text begin (4) data files that provide data in the order it was generated; and
new text end

new text begin (5) data from precincts in which fewer than ten votes were cast.
new text end

new text begin Data stored as images are protected nonpublic data under section 13.02.
new text end

Sec. 69.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.86, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Ballots in precincts with multiple styles of voting system. new text end

new text begin In the event the
results of a precinct are subject to a recount under section 204C.35 or 204C.36, or are subject
to a postelection review under section 206.89, and a ballot format as provided in section
206.80, paragraph (b), clause (2), item (ii), was used by ten or fewer voters in the precinct,
the election judges from that precinct are not eligible to participate in conducting a recount
or postelection review in that precinct.
new text end

Sec. 70.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.90, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Counting write-in votes.

new text begin Notwithstanding section 204C.22, subdivision 4,
new text end in precincts using optical scan voting systems, new text begin the ballot must be marked in the oval or other
target shape opposite the blank when a voter writes an individual's name on the line provided
for write-in votes in order to be counted. new text end The judges shall count the write-in votes and enter
the number of those votes on forms provided for the purpose. When the write-in votes are
recorded on a medium that cannot be examined for write-in votes by the automatic tabulating
equipment or the automatic tabulating equipment does not reject, with respect to write-in
votes, all votes for an office or question when the number of votes cast on it exceeds the
number which the voter is entitled to count, all ballot envelopes or other medium on which
write-in votes have been recorded must be serially numbered, starting with the number one
and the same number must be placed on the ballot card of the voter. The judges shall compare
the write-in votes with the votes cast on the ballot card. If the total number of votes for any
office exceeds the number allowed by law, a notation to that effect must be entered on the
back of the ballot card and the card must be returned to the counting center in an envelope
marked "defective ballots"; however, valid votes on ballot cards containing invalid votes
must be counted as provided in section 206.86, subdivision 5.

When the write-in votes are recorded on ballot cards that can be examined for write-in
votes by the automatic tabulating equipment and the automatic tabulating equipment rejects
all votes for an office or question when the number of votes cast on it exceeds the number
which the voter is entitled to cast, the judges shall examine the ballot cards with write-in
votes and count the valid write-in votes.

Sec. 71.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 207A.12, is amended to read:

207A.12 CONDUCTING PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by law, the presidential nomination primary must be
conducted, and the results canvassed and returned, in the manner provided by law for the
state primary.

(b) An individual seeking to vote at the presidential nomination primary must be
registered to vote pursuant to section 201.054, subdivision 1. The voter must request the
ballot of the party for whose candidate the individual wishes to vote. Notwithstanding section
204C.18, subdivision 1, the election judge must record in the polling place roster the name
of the political party whose ballot the voter requested. When posting voter history pursuant
to section 201.171, the county auditor must include the name of the political party whose
ballot the voter requested. The political party ballot selected by a voter is private data on
individuals as defined under section 13.02, subdivision 12, except as provided in section
201.091, subdivision 4a.new text begin A voter eligible to cast a ballot as provided in section 5B.06 must
be permitted to cast a ballot at the presidential nomination primary consistent with the
requirements of that section.
new text end

(c) Immediately after the state canvassing board declares the results of the presidential
nomination primary, the secretary of state must notify the chair of each party of the results.

(d) The results of the presidential nomination primary must bind the election of delegates
in each party.

Sec. 72.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 207A.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Reimbursable local expenses.

(a) The secretary of state deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end reimburse
the counties and municipalities for expenses incurred in the administration of the presidential
nomination primary from money contained in the presidential nomination primary elections
account. The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement: preparation and printing
of ballots; postage for absentee ballots; publication of deleted text begin the sample ballotdeleted text end new text begin notice to voters
pursuant to section 204D.16new text end ; preparation of polling places in an amount not to exceed $150
per polling place; preparation of electronic voting systems in an amount not to exceed $100
per precinct; compensation for temporary staff or overtime payments; salaries of election
judges; compensation of county canvassing board members; and other expenses as approved
by the secretary of state.

(b) Within 60 days after the results of a presidential nomination primary are certified
by the State Canvassing Board, the county auditor must submit a request for payment of
the costs incurred by the county for conducting the presidential nomination primary, and
the municipal clerk must submit a request for payment of the costs incurred by the
municipality for conducting the presidential nomination primary. The request for payment
must be submitted to the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by an itemized
description of actual county or municipal expenditures, including copies of invoices. In
addition, the county auditor or municipal clerk must certify that the request for reimbursement
is based on actual costs incurred by the county or municipality in the presidential nomination
primary.

(c) The secretary of state deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end provide each county and municipality with the
appropriate forms for requesting payment and certifying expenses under this subdivision.
The secretary of state must not reimburse expenses unless the request for payment and
certification of costs has been submitted as provided in this subdivision. The secretary of
state must complete the issuance of reimbursements to the counties and municipalities no
later than 90 days after the results of the presidential nomination primary have been certified
by the State Canvassing Board.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 73.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 208.05, is amended to read:

208.05 STATE CANVASSING BOARD.

The State Canvassing Board at its meeting on the date provided in section 204C.33 shall
open and canvass the returns made to the secretary of state for presidential electors and
alternates, prepare a statement of the number of votes cast for the persons receiving votes
for these offices, and declare the person or persons receiving the highest number of votes
for each office duly electednew text begin , except that if the Agreement Among the States to Elect the
President by National Popular Vote governs the appointment of presidential electors, the
State Canvassing Board shall declare duly elected the candidates for presidential electors
and alternates identified in accordance with the provisions of that agreementnew text end . When it appears
that more than the number of persons to be elected as presidential electors or alternates have
the highest and an equal number of votes, the secretary of state, in the presence of the board
shall decide by lot which of the persons shall be declared electednew text begin , except that if the Agreement
Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote governs the appointment
of presidential electors, no such drawing of lots shall be conductednew text end . The governor shall
transmit to each person declared elected a certificate of election, signed by the governor,
sealed with the state seal, and countersigned by the secretary of state.

Sec. 74.

new text begin [208.051] AGREEMENT AMONG THE STATES TO ELECT THE
PRESIDENT BY NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE.
new text end

new text begin The Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote is
enacted into law and entered into with all other states legally joining in it in substantially
the following form:
new text end

new text begin Article I - Membership
new text end

new text begin Any state of the United States and the District of Columbia may become a member of
this agreement by enacting this agreement.
new text end

new text begin Article II - Right of the People in Member States to
Vote for President and Vice President
new text end

new text begin Each member state shall conduct a statewide popular election for president and vice
president of the United States.
new text end

new text begin Article III - Manner of Appointing Presidential Electors in Member States
new text end

new text begin Prior to the time set by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors, the
chief election official of each member state shall determine the number of votes for each
presidential slate in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia in which
votes have been cast in a statewide popular election and shall add such votes together to
produce a national popular vote total for each presidential slate. The chief election official
of each member state shall designate the presidential slate with the largest national popular
vote total as the national popular vote winner. The presidential elector certifying official of
each member state shall certify the appointment in that official's own state of the elector
slate nominated in that state in association with the national popular vote winner. At least
six days before the day fixed by law for the meeting and voting by the presidential electors,
each member state shall make a final determination of the number of popular votes cast in
the state for each presidential slate and shall communicate an official statement of such
determination within 24 hours to the chief election official of each other member state. The
chief election official of each member state shall treat as conclusive an official statement
containing the number of popular votes in a state for each presidential slate made by the
day established by federal law for making a state's final determination conclusive as to the
counting of electoral votes by Congress. In event of a tie for the national popular vote
winner, the presidential elector certifying official of each member state shall certify the
appointment of the elector slate nominated in association with the presidential slate receiving
the largest number of popular votes within that official's own state. If, for any reason, the
number of presidential electors nominated in a member state in association with the national
popular vote winner is less than or greater than that state's number of electoral votes, the
presidential candidate on the presidential slate that has been designated as the national
popular vote winner shall have the power to nominate the presidential electors for that state
and that state's presidential elector certifying official shall certify the appointment of such
nominees. The chief election official of each member state shall immediately release to the
public all vote counts or statements of votes as they are determined or obtained. This article
shall govern the appointment of presidential electors in each member state in any year in
which this agreement is, on July 20, in effect in states cumulatively possessing a majority
of the electoral votes.
new text end

new text begin Article IV - Other Provisions
new text end

new text begin This agreement shall take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the
electoral votes have enacted this agreement in substantially the same form and the enactments
by such states have taken effect in each state. Any member state may withdraw from this
agreement, except that a withdrawal occurring six months or less before the end of a
president's term shall not become effective until a president or vice president shall have
been qualified to serve the next term. The chief executive of each member state shall promptly
notify the chief executive of all other states of when this agreement has been enacted and
has taken effect in that official's state, when the state has withdrawn from this agreement,
and when this agreement takes effect generally. This agreement shall terminate if the electoral
college is abolished. If any provision of this agreement is held invalid, the remaining
provisions shall not be affected.
new text end

new text begin Article V - Definitions
new text end

new text begin For purposes of this agreement:
new text end

new text begin (1) "chief election official" means the state official or body that is authorized to certify
the total number of popular votes for each presidential slate;
new text end

new text begin (2) "chief executive" means the governor of a state of the United States or the mayor of
the District of Columbia;
new text end

new text begin (3) "elector slate" means a slate of candidates who have been nominated in a state for
the position of presidential elector in association with a presidential slate;
new text end

new text begin (4) "presidential elector" means an elector for president and vice president of the United
States;
new text end

new text begin (5) "presidential elector certifying official" means the state official or body that is
authorized to certify the appointment of the state's presidential electors;
new text end

new text begin (6) "presidential slate" means a slate of two persons, the first of whom has been nominated
as a candidate for president of the United States and the second of whom has been nominated
as a candidate for vice president of the United States, or any legal successors to such persons,
regardless of whether both names appear on the ballot presented to the voter in a particular
state;
new text end

new text begin (7) "state" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia; and
new text end

new text begin (8) "statewide popular election" means a general election in which votes are cast for
presidential slates by individual voters and counted on a statewide basis.
new text end

Sec. 75.

new text begin [208.052] CONFLICT OF LAWS.
new text end

new text begin When the Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote
governs the appointment of presidential electors, the provisions of that agreement shall take
precedence over any conflicting law of this state.
new text end

Sec. 76.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 209.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Notice filed with court.

If the contest relates to a nomination or election for
statewide office, the contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court administrator
of District Court in Ramsey County. For contests relating to any other office, the contestant
shall file the notice of contest with the court administrator of district court in the county
where the contestee deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains residencenew text end .

If the contest relates to a constitutional amendment, the contestant shall file the notice
of contest with the court administrator of District Court in Ramsey County. If the contest
relates to any other question, the contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court
administrator of district court for the county or any one of the counties where the question
appeared on the ballot.

Sec. 77.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211B.15, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Permitted activity; political party.

It is not a violation of this section for a
political party, as defined in section 200.02, subdivision deleted text begin 7deleted text end new text begin 6new text end , to form a nonprofit corporation
for the sole purpose of holding real property to be used exclusively as the party's
headquarters.

Sec. 78.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211B.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibition.

(a) It is unlawful for a person, either directly or indirectly,
to deny access to an apartment house, dormitory, nursing home, manufactured home park,
other multiple unit facility used as a residence, or an area in which two or more single-family
dwellings are located on private roadways to a candidate who has:

(1) organized a campaign committee under applicable federal or state law;

(2) filed a financial report as required by section 211A.02; or

(3) filed an affidavit of candidacy for elected office.

A candidate granted access under this section must be allowed to be accompanied by
campaign volunteers.

(b) Access to a facility or area is only required if it is located within the district or territory
that will be represented by the office to which the candidate seeks election, and the candidate
and any accompanying campaign volunteers seek access exclusively for the purpose of
campaigning for a candidate or registering voters. The candidate must be seeking election
to office at the next general or special election to be held for that office.

(c) A candidate and any accompanying campaign volunteers granted access under this
section must be permitted to new text begin knock on the doors of individual units to speak with residents
and to new text end leave campaign materials for residents at their doors, except that the manager of a
nursing home may direct that the campaign materials be left at a central location within the
facility. The campaign materials must be left in an orderly manner.

(d) If a facility or area contains multiple buildings, a candidate and accompanying
volunteers must be permitted to access more than one building on a single visit, but access
is limited to only one building at a time. If multiple candidates are traveling together, each
candidate and that candidate's accompanying volunteers is limited to one building at a time,
but all of the candidates and accompanying volunteers traveling together must not be
restricted to accessing the same building at the same time.

(e) A violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor.

Sec. 79.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 367.03, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Vacancies.

(a) When a vacancy occurs in a town office, the town board shall
fill the vacancy by appointment. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the person appointed
shall hold office until the next annual town election, when a successor shall be elected for
the unexpired term.

(b) When a vacancy occurs in a town office:

(1) with more than one year remaining in the term; and

(2) on or after the 14th day before the first day to file an affidavit of candidacy for the
town election;

the vacancy must be filled by appointment. The person appointed serves until the next annual
town election following the election for which affidavits of candidacy are to be filed, when
a successor shall be elected for the unexpired term.

(c) A vacancy in the office of supervisor must be filled by an appointment committee
comprised of the remaining supervisors and the town clerk.

(d) Any person appointed to fill the vacancy in the office of supervisor must, upon
assuming the office, be an eligible voter, be 21 years of age, and have deleted text begin resideddeleted text end new text begin maintained
residencenew text end in the town for at least 30 days.

(e) When, because of a vacancy, more than one supervisor is to be chosen at the same
election, candidates for the offices of supervisor shall file for one of the specific terms being
filled.

(f) When, for any reason, the town board or the appointment committee fails to fill a
vacancy in the position of an elected town officer by appointment, a special election may
be called. To call a special election, the supervisors and town clerk, or any two of them
together with at least 12 other town freeholders, must file a statement in the town clerk's
office. The statement must tell why the election is called and that the interests of the town
require the election. When the town board or the appointment committee fails to fill a
vacancy by appointment, a special town election may also be called on petition of 20 percent
of the electors of the town. The percentage is of the number of voters at the last general
election. A special town election must be conducted in the manner required for the annual
town election.

(g) Law enforcement vacancies must be filled by appointment by the town board.

Sec. 80.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Candidates; ballots; certifying election.

A person who wants to be a candidate
for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either as member
at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate deleted text begin residesdeleted text end new text begin maintains
residencenew text end . The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk not more
than 98 days nor less than 84 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town clerk must
forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the first election,
the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of the filing period.
A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the
clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day to file affidavits of
candidacy.

Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district,
necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the
rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges
as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may
be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also
authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be
appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks
of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.

After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the candidate
who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall deliver the
certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person certified
shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days after the
date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as provided in
subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification is effective
if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

Sec. 81. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 202A.16, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

SF 1362

Bill Text Versions

Current Version - 2nd Engrossment

ARTICLE 1

CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLICY

Section 1.

Subd. 5.

Associated business.

Sec. 2.

new text begin Subd. 12a. new text end

new text begin Designated lobbyist. new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin Subd. 17d. new text end

new text begin General lobbying category. new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin Subd. 19a. new text end

new text begin Legislative action. new text end

Sec. 5.

Subd. 21.

Lobbyist.

Sec. 6.

Subd. 26.

Noncampaign disbursement.

Sec. 7.

Subd. 30.

Political party unit or party unit.

Sec. 8.

new text begin Subd. 35c. new text end

new text begin Specific subject of interest. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Virtual currency. new text end

Sec. 10.

Subd. 3.

Investigation authority; complaint process.

Sec. 11.

Subd. 4.

Changes and corrections.

Sec. 12.

Subd. 2.

Form.

Sec. 13.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin General lobbying categories and specific subjects of interest. new text end

Sec. 14.

Subd. 3.

Information to lobbyist.

Sec. 15.

Subd. 9.

Reporting by multiple lobbyists representing the same entity.

Sec. 16.

Subd. 5.

Form; general requirements.

Sec. 17.

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Form; exceptions for certain officials. new text end

Sec. 18.

Subdivision 1.

Permitted disbursements.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

Sec. 19.

Subd. 2.

Penalty.

Sec. 20.

Subd. 3.

Deposit.

Sec. 21.

Subd. 5.

Registration number on checks.

Sec. 22.

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Virtual currency contributions. new text end

Sec. 23.

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Mobile payments. new text end

Sec. 24.

Subd. 5.

Penalty.

Sec. 25.

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin [10A.201] ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATIONS; DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin [10A.202] ELECTIONEERING COMMUNICATION; REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end