HF 3475

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; prohibiting deceptive practices regarding the time, place,
or manner of conducting an election; providing a criminal penalty; providing
remedies; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [204C.035] DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN ELECTIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Criminal penalty. new text end

new text begin No person shall knowingly deceive another person
regarding the time, place, or manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for or
restrictions on voter eligibility for an election, with the intent to prevent the individual
from voting in the election. A violation of this subdivision is a gross misdemeanor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Civil action. new text end

new text begin No person shall knowingly deceive another person regarding
the time, place, or manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for or restrictions
on voter eligibility for an election. A person aggrieved by a violation of this subdivision
may bring an action for injunctive or other appropriate relief.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Reporting false election information. new text end

new text begin (a) Any person may report to
the county attorney or attorney general an act of deception regarding the time, place, or
manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility
for an election. Not later than 48 hours after receiving a report under this subdivision, the
office receiving the report shall investigate it and:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide accurate information to voters affected by the deception; and
new text end

new text begin (2) if appropriate, proceed under subdivision 1 or 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) If a report is received under this subdivision during the 72 hours immediately
before an election the county attorney or attorney general shall investigate immediately
and provide timely accurate information to voters affected by the deception, and if
appropriate, may subsequently proceed under subdivision 1 or 2.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to offenses committed on or
after that date.
new text end