HF 4411

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 04/24/2024 02:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to elections; providing funding and modifying policy for elections,
campaign finance, and the secretary of state; establishing local ranked choice
voting provisions; establishing the voting rights act cost sharing account; modifying
transfers and appropriations; authorizing rulemaking; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 10A.01, subdivisions 7, 10d; 204B.35,
subdivision 1; 204C.21, by adding a subdivision; 204D.07, subdivision 3; 205.13,
subdivision 2; 206.57, by adding a subdivision; 211A.01, subdivisions 3, 7, 8, by
adding a subdivision; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05, subdivision 1; 211A.06;
211A.07; 211A.12; 211A.14; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections
10A.20, subdivision 2a; 206.83; 211A.02, subdivision 1; Laws 2021, First Special
Session chapter 12, article 1, section 6; Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, sections
6; 43; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 200; 206;
proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204E; repealing
Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 211A.01, subdivisions 2, 4; 211A.02, subdivision
4.

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

ARTICLE 1

APPROPRIATIONS AND TRANSFERS

Section 1.

Laws 2021, First Special Session chapter 12, article 1, section 6, is amended
to read:

Sec. 6. SECRETARY OF STATE

$

9,684,000

$

9,152,000

$750,000 each year is for transfer to the voting
equipment grant account under Minnesota
Statutes, section 206.95. new text begin These are onetime
transfers.
new text end

$1,000,000 each year is for grants to local
units of government to implement the
provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section
203B.082. new text begin These are onetime appropriations.
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. 2.

Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 6, is amended to read:

Sec. 6. SECRETARY OF STATE

$

deleted text begin 13,470,000 deleted text end new text begin 14,720,000 new text end

$

deleted text begin 11,069,000 deleted text end new text begin 12,655,000 new text end

The base for this appropriation is deleted text begin $11,255,000 deleted text end new text begin
$12,580,000 new text end in fiscal year 2026 and
deleted text begin $11,069,000 deleted text end new text begin $12,394,000 new text end in fiscal year 2027.

$500,000 the first year is for the secretary of
state to make grants to counties and
municipalities to improve access to polling
places for individuals with disabilities and to
provide the same opportunity for access and
participation in the electoral process, including
privacy and independence, to voters with
disabilities as that which exists for voters with
no disabilities. Funds may be used to purchase
equipment or to make capital improvements
to government-owned facilities. This is a
onetime appropriation and is available until
June 30, 2027.

$200,000 the first year is to develop and
implement an educational campaign relating
to the restoration of the right to vote to
formerly incarcerated individuals, including
voter education materials and outreach to
affected individuals.

new text begin $2,250,000 the first year and $3,127,000 the
second year are for transfer to the voting
operations, technology, and election resources
account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 5.305. The base for this transfer is
$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal
year thereafter.
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. 3.

Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 1, section 43, is amended to read:

Sec. 43. TRANSFER; VOTING OPERATIONS, TECHNOLOGY, AND ELECTION
RESOURCES ACCOUNT.

deleted text begin $1,250,000 each year deleted text end new text begin $750,000 in fiscal year 2024 new text end is transferred from the deleted text begin general fund deleted text end
new text begin voting equipment grant account under Minnesota Statutes, section 206.95, new text end to the voting
operations, technology, and election resources account established under Minnesota Statutes,
section 5.305. deleted text begin The base for this transfer is $1,250,000 in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal
year thereafter. deleted text end new text begin This is a onetime transfer.
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. 4. new text begin CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BOARD;
APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $20,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the Campaign
Finance and Public Disclosure Board for costs related to implementation of article 3. This
is a onetime appropriation.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin VOTING RIGHTS ACT COST SHARING ACCOUNT; TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin $144,000 in fiscal year 2025 is transferred from the general fund to the Voting Rights
Act cost sharing account in the special revenue fund. The base for this transfer is $25,000
in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024, if the proposed laws styled
as the Minnesota Voting Rights Act contained in 2024 regular legislative session, House
File 4772, including the cost sharing requirement proposed as Minnesota Statutes, section
200.56, subdivision 4, are enacted on or before that date.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

ELECTIONS POLICY

Section 1.

new text begin [200.60] VOTING RIGHTS ACT COST SHARING ACCOUNT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Special revenue fund account established. new text end

new text begin A Voting Rights Act cost
sharing account is established in the special revenue fund. Money in the account is
appropriated to the secretary of state for the purpose of reimbursing political subdivisions
for presuit notice cost sharing expenses agreed to under section 200.56, subdivision 4, as
authorized by this section. The secretary of state may retain up to five percent of the total
cost of a reimbursement for administrative costs associated with processing the
reimbursement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility for reimbursement; application and approval. new text end

new text begin (a) A political
subdivision that implements a remedy in response to a presuit notice letter submitted under
section 200.56 and pays a cost sharing amount under that section may apply to the secretary
of state for reimbursement of the paid amount.
new text end

new text begin (b) The secretary of state must establish a form to be used by a political subdivision
when applying for the reimbursement. The secretary of state must approve a submitted
application, so long as the information provided by the political subdivision demonstrates
that the expenses paid are eligible under section 200.56 and that sufficient funds are available
in the Voting Rights Act cost sharing account to make the reimbursement payment. The
secretary of state must review, approve, and distribute a reimbursement to an eligible political
subdivision within 45 days of receiving its application.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2024, if the proposed laws styled
as the Minnesota Voting Rights Act contained in 2024 regular legislative session, House
File 4772, including the cost sharing requirement proposed as Minnesota Statutes, section
200.56, subdivision 4, are enacted on or before that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204B.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application.

All ballots for every election shall be prepared in accordance
with sections 204B.35 to 204B.44 and deleted text begin chapter deleted text end new text begin chapters new text end 204D new text begin and 204E new text end , except for voting
machine ballots or as otherwise provided by law.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204C.21, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Ranked choice voting election. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding the requirements of this
section, the votes cast in a ranked choice voting election must be counted according to the
procedures established in chapter 204E.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 204D.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Exception; certain nonpartisan candidate.

If not more than twice the number
of individuals to be elected to a nonpartisan office file for the nomination, their names and
the name of the office shall be omitted from the state and county nonpartisan primary ballot
and the candidates who filed shall be the nominees. new text begin For candidates in a nonpartisan ranked
choice voting election, candidates shall be omitted from the state and county primary ballot.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [204E.01] APPLICABILITY; AUTHORIZED LOCAL ADOPTION ONLY.
new text end

new text begin This chapter applies to all elections conducted using ranked choice voting as authorized
by section 204E.03. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, Minnesota election law
applies to elections conducted using ranked choice voting.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [204E.02] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in this
section have the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Active candidate. new text end

new text begin "Active candidate" means any candidate who has not been
defeated or elected and is not a withdrawn candidate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Batch elimination. new text end

new text begin "Batch elimination" means a simultaneous defeat of multiple
continuing candidates that have no mathematical chance of being elected.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Cast vote record. new text end

new text begin "Cast vote record" means the tabulatable record of all
aggregated votes produced by a single voter in one voting session. For ballots on which
voters have indicated a write-in choice, the finalized cast vote record indicates whether the
write-in choice was cast for one of the declared write-in candidates, and if so, which one.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duplicate ranking. new text end

new text begin "Duplicate ranking" means a voter has ranked the same
candidate at multiple rankings for the office being counted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Hand count election. new text end

new text begin "Hand count election" means an election in which all
tabulation of ballots is done by hand, regardless of whether the ballots are cast in a polling
place or as absentee or mail ballots.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Highest continuing ranking. new text end

new text begin "Highest continuing ranking" means the ranking
on a voter's ballot with the lowest numerical value for a continuing candidate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Inactive ballot. new text end

new text begin "Inactive ballot" means a ballot that does not count for any
candidate in a given round of tabulation as provided in section 204E.06 or 204E.07.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Mathematically impossible to be elected. new text end

new text begin "Mathematically impossible to be
elected" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate cannot be elected because the candidate's surplus votes and current
vote total plus the surplus votes and votes of all other candidates in the current round with
fewer votes or an equal number of votes would not be enough to surpass the candidate with
the next higher current vote total; or
new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate has a lower current vote total than a candidate who is described by
clause (1).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Maximum possible threshold. new text end

new text begin "Maximum possible threshold" means the
number of votes sufficient for a candidate to be elected under a first ranked choice tabulation
under sections 204E.06 and 204E.07. Maximum possible threshold equals:
new text end

new text begin (1) the sum of the total ballots cast that include votes, undervotes, skipped rankings, and
overvotes for the office; divided by
new text end

new text begin (2) the sum of one plus the number of offices to be filled; then
new text end

new text begin (3) adding one to the result; and
new text end

new text begin (4) with any fractions disregarded.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Multiple-seat election. new text end

new text begin "Multiple-seat election" means an election in which
two or more seats in an office are to be filled from a single set of candidates on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Overvote. new text end

new text begin "Overvote" means a voter has ranked more than one candidate at
the same ranking.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Partially defective ballot. new text end

new text begin "Partially defective ballot" means a ballot that is
defective to the extent that the election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent with
respect to the office being counted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Ranked choice voting. new text end

new text begin "Ranked choice voting" means an election method in
which voters rank candidates for an office in order of their preference, with each vote
counting for the highest-ranked continuing candidate on each ballot until that candidate has
been elected or defeated as provided in this chapter.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Ranked choice voting local election official. new text end

new text begin "Ranked choice voting local
election official" means the county auditor, school district clerk, or municipal clerk
responsible for duties related to election administration in the applicable jurisdiction. Where
more than one ranked choice voting election jurisdiction is involved, the ranked choice
voting local election official is presumed to be the county auditor if the county has adopted
ranked choice voting. If an overlapping city and school district adopt ranked choice voting,
the municipal clerk is presumed to be the ranked choice voting election official. Nothing
in this subdivision prohibits overlapping jurisdictions from agreeing to an alternative ranked
choice voting election official.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Ranked choice voting tabulation center. new text end

new text begin "Ranked choice voting tabulation
center" means the location where ballots are processed automatically or by hand and are
tabulated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Ranking. new text end

new text begin "Ranking" means the number assigned by a voter to a candidate to
express the voter's preference for that candidate. Ranking number one is the highest ranking.
A ranking of lower numerical value indicates a greater preference for a candidate than a
ranking of higher numerical value.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin Repeat candidate ranking. new text end

new text begin "Repeat candidate ranking" means a voter ranks
the same candidate at multiple rankings for the office being counted.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Round. new text end

new text begin "Round" means an instance of the sequence of voting tabulation steps
established in section 204E.06 or 204E.07.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Single-seat election. new text end

new text begin Single-seat election means an election in which one seat
in an office is to be filled from a single set of candidates on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Skipped ranking. new text end

new text begin "Skipped ranking" means a voter has left a ranking blank
and ranks a candidate at a subsequent ranking.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end

new text begin Surplus. new text end

new text begin "Surplus" means the total number of votes cast for an elected
candidate in excess of the threshold.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Surplus fraction of a vote. new text end

new text begin "Surplus fraction of a vote" means the proportion
of each vote to be transferred when a surplus is transferred. The surplus fraction is calculated
by dividing the surplus by the total votes cast for the elected candidate, calculated to four
decimal places, ignoring any remainder.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 24. new text end

new text begin Threshold. new text end

new text begin "Threshold" means the number of votes sufficient for a candidate
to be elected. In any given single-seat election, the threshold equals: the total votes counted,
during that tabulation round, excluding inactive ballots; divided by two; then adding one;
and disregarding any fractions. In any given multiple-seat election, the threshold equals:
the total votes counted in the first round after removing defective ballots; divided by the
sum of one plus the number of offices to be filled; adding one to the result; and disregarding
any fractions.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 25. new text end

new text begin Totally defective ballot. new text end

new text begin "Totally defective ballot" means a ballot that is
defective to the extent that election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent for any
office on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 26. new text end

new text begin Transfer value. new text end

new text begin "Transfer value" means the fraction of a vote that a transferred
ballot will contribute to the next ranked continuing candidate on that ballot. The transfer
value of a vote cast for an elected candidate is calculated by multiplying the surplus fraction
of each vote by its current value, calculated to four decimal places, ignoring any remainder.
The transfer value of a vote cast for a defeated candidate is the same as its current value.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Transferable vote. new text end

new text begin "Transferable vote" means a vote or a fraction of a vote
for a candidate who has been either elected or defeated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 28. new text end

new text begin Undeclared candidate. new text end

new text begin "Undeclared candidate" means a candidate who does
not file a request within the time required by section 204E.05, subdivision 4, for the
candidate's write-in votes to be counted, and whose name does not otherwise appear on the
ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 29. new text end

new text begin Undervote. new text end

new text begin "Undervote" means a voter did not rank any candidates for an
office.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [204E.03] AUTHORIZATION FOR LOCAL ADOPTION.
new text end

new text begin (a) After January 1, 2025, or the adoption of administrative rules governing ranked
choice voting by the secretary of state, whichever is later, the following political subdivisions
may adopt, in the manner provided in this section, ranked choice voting as a method of
voting for local offices within the political subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) home rule charter or statutory cities;
new text end

new text begin (2) school districts; and
new text end

new text begin (3) counties.
new text end

new text begin (b) A jurisdiction that adopts ranked choice voting may do so by adopting an ordinance
or resolution, by a ballot question presented to the voters, or by amending the charter. The
ranked choice voting method may be repealed by the same methods used for adoption.
new text end

new text begin (c) Before adopting the use of ranked choice voting for an election held in conjunction
with a statewide election, a jurisdiction must enter into an agreement, or a conditional
agreement if adopting by ballot question, with the county or counties responsible for
administering the jurisdiction's election.
new text end

new text begin (d) If a home rule charter or statutory city adopts ranked choice voting without an
agreement with the county or counties, the election conducted by ranked choice voting must
not be held in conjunction with a statewide election and the jurisdiction must administer its
own election.
new text end

new text begin (e) Before a school district can adopt the use of ranked choice voting for an election not
held in conjunction with a statewide election, the district must first enter into an agreement,
or a conditional agreement if adopting by ballot question, with the city or cities within the
district's boundaries responsible for administering any elections conducted not in conjunction
with a statewide election.
new text end

new text begin (f) A home rule charter jurisdiction that adopts a ranked choice voting system in its
charter may adopt this chapter by reference in an ordinance but is not required to do so.
new text end

new text begin (g) Ranked choice voting must only be used to elect local offices at a general or special
election.
new text end

new text begin (h) A jurisdiction that adopts the use of ranked choice voting in local elections must do
so no later than 20 weeks before the state primary or 90 days before the first day for filing
affidavits of candidacy for the office for which ranked choice voting is to be used as the
method of election if the election is not held in conjunction with a state primary or state
general election.
new text end

new text begin (i) Repeal of ranked choice voting must be no later than 90 days before the first day for
filing affidavits of candidacy for offices for which ranked choice voting is used as the method
of election.
new text end

new text begin (j) The ranked choice voting local election official must notify the secretary of state and,
if applicable, the county auditor within four weeks following adoption or repeal of ranked
choice voting.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [204E.04] BALLOTS IN LOCAL RANKED CHOICE VOTING ELECTIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Ballot format. new text end

new text begin (a) If there are three or more qualified candidates, a ballot
must allow a voter to rank three candidates for each office in order of preference and must
also allow the voter to add write-in candidates.
new text end

new text begin (b) A ballot must:
new text end

new text begin (1) include instructions to voters that clearly indicate how to mark the ballot;
new text end

new text begin (2) include instructions to voters that clearly indicate how to rank candidates in order
of the voter's preference; and
new text end

new text begin (3) indicate the number of seats to be elected for each office.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Mixed-election method ballots. new text end

new text begin If elections are held in which ranked choice
voting is used in addition to other methods of voting, the ranked choice voting and nonranked
choice voting elections must be on the same ballot card if possible, with ranked choice
voting and nonranked choice voting portions clearly separated. A jurisdiction may not
deviate from the standard ballot order of federal offices, state offices, or state constitutional
amendments, but may deviate from the standard ballot order for other offices to allow
separation of ranked choice voting and nonranked choice voting elections.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Ballot format rules. new text end

new text begin The secretary of state must adopt rules regarding ranked
choice voting ballot format, consistent with this section. Notwithstanding section 204B.36,
the rules adopted under this subdivision may provide a standard for ballot format that differs
from the standards required by that section.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [204E.05] LOCAL RANKED CHOICE VOTING TABULATION CENTER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Tabulation of votes; generally. new text end

new text begin The ranked choice voting local election
official must designate one location to serve as the ranked choice voting tabulation center.
If the tabulation includes a manual count of physical ballots, the center must be accessible
to the public for the purpose of observing the vote tabulation. Tabulation of votes must be
conducted as described in sections 204E.06 and 204E.07.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Precinct tabulation. new text end

new text begin In an election where ranked choice voting is used, the
county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk shall deliver one set of summary
statements; all spoiled ballots; and the envelopes containing the ballots to the ranked choice
voting tabulation center as soon as possible after the vote counting is completed and the
election judges have returned materials pursuant to section 204C.27.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Notice of recess in count. new text end

new text begin At any time following receipt of materials under
subdivision 2, the ranked choice voting local election official may declare a recess. Notice
of the recess must include the date, time, and location at which the process of recording and
tabulating votes will resume and the reason for the recess. Notice must be posted on the
local jurisdiction's official bulletin board and on the door of the ranked choice voting
tabulation center. During any recess, all electronic voting data and ballots must be secured.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Recording write-in votes. new text end

new text begin (a) At a time set by the ranked choice voting local
election official, the judges and any other election officials designated by the ranked choice
voting local election official shall convene at the ranked choice voting tabulation center to
examine ballots on which voters have indicated a write-in choice and record the names and
number of votes received by each write-in candidate who submits a request as required by
this subdivision. The number of votes received by write-in candidates who did not file a
request as provided in this subdivision must be recorded as a group by office.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding section 204B.09, subdivision 3, a candidate for a city or school
district office whose election is governed by this chapter and who wants write-in votes for
the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the filing officer not more than
seven days before the election. The filing officer shall provide copies of the form to make
the request. The filing officer shall not accept a written request later than 5:00 p.m. on the
last day for filing a written request.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Ranked choice vote tabulation. new text end

new text begin After all votes have been recorded, and at a
time set by the ranked choice voting local election official, the process of tabulating votes
cast for offices to be elected using the ranked choice method must begin. The counting must
continue until preliminary results for all races are determined, subject to subdivision 3.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [204E.06] TABULATION OF VOTES; SINGLE-SEAT LOCAL RANKED
CHOICE VOTING ELECTIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) This section applies to a ranked choice voting election in which one seat in an office
is to be filled from a single set of candidates on the ballot. The method of tabulating ranked
choice votes for single-seat elections as described in this section must be known as the
"single-seat single transferable vote" method of tabulation.
new text end

new text begin (b) A first ranked choice tabulation shall be done under this paragraph before a tabulation
as described in paragraph (c). A first ranked choice tabulation will consist of a first round
only. Under the first ranked choice tabulation, the vote total will be the sum of the ranked
votes marked number one. The maximum possible threshold must be determined. If the
vote total for a candidate, other than an undeclared or a declared write-in candidate, is equal
to or greater than the maximum possible threshold, that candidate is declared elected and
the tabulation is complete. If the vote total for no candidate, other than an undeclared or a
declared write-in candidate, is equal to or greater than the maximum possible threshold,
additional rounds must be performed as provided in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (c) Tabulation of votes at the ranked choice voting tabulation center must proceed in
rounds for each office to be counted. The threshold must be calculated. The sum of all
ranked choice votes for every candidate must be calculated. Each round must proceed
sequentially as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of votes cast for each candidate, as indicated by the highest continuing
ranking on each ballot, must be counted. If a candidate, other than an undeclared write-in
candidate, has a vote total that is equal to or greater than the threshold, that candidate is
declared elected and the tabulation is complete. If no candidate, other than an undeclared
write-in candidate, has a vote total that is equal to or greater than the threshold, a new round
begins and the tabulation must continue as described in clause (2);
new text end

new text begin (2) at the beginning of the second round only, all undeclared candidates must be defeated
and all candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected may be defeated
simultaneously. For third and subsequent rounds, the candidate with the fewest votes must
be defeated and all candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected may
be defeated simultaneously. Votes for the defeated candidates must be transferred to each
ballot's next-ranked continuing candidate, except votes for candidates defeated in the final
round are not transferred if, by their defeat, the number of continuing candidates is reduced
to one. If no candidate can be defeated under this clause, the tabulation must continue as
described in clause (3). Otherwise, the tabulation must continue as described in clause (4);
new text end

new text begin (3) the candidate with the fewest votes is defeated. Votes for the defeated candidate
must be transferred to each ballot's next-ranked continuing candidate, except votes for
candidates defeated in the final round are not transferred if, by their defeat, the number of
continuing candidates is reduced to one. Ties between candidates with the fewest votes must
be resolved by lot by the ranked choice voting local election official. The candidate chosen
by lot must be defeated. The result of the tie resolution must be recorded and reused in the
event of a recount;
new text end

new text begin (4) the procedures in clauses (1) to (3) must be repeated until one candidate reaches the
threshold. When only one continuing candidate remains, that continuing candidate must be
elected; and
new text end

new text begin (5) when a skipped ranking, overvote, or repeat candidate ranking is encountered on a
ballot, that ballot shall count toward the highest continuing ranking that is not a skipped
ranking, overvote, or repeat candidate ranking. If any ballot cannot be advanced because
no further continuing candidates are ranked on that ballot, or because the only votes for
further continuing candidates that are ranked on that ballot are either overvotes or repeat
candidate rankings, the ballot shall not count toward any candidate in that round or in
subsequent rounds for the office being counted.
new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [204E.07] TABULATION OF VOTES; MULTIPLE-SEAT LOCAL RANKED
CHOICE VOTING ELECTIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) This section applies to a ranked choice voting election in which two or more seats
in office are to be filled from a single set of candidates on the ballot. The method of tabulating
ranked choice votes for multiple-seat elections as described in this section must be known
as the "multiple-seat single transferable vote" method of tabulation.
new text end

new text begin (b) A first ranked choice tabulation shall be done under this paragraph before a tabulation
as described in paragraph (c). A first ranked choice tabulation will consist of a first round
only. Under the first ranked choice tabulation, the vote total will be the sum of the ranked
votes marked number one. The maximum possible threshold must be determined. If the
number of candidates, other than any undeclared or declared write-in candidate, whose vote
total is equal to or greater than the maximum possible threshold is equal to the number of
seats to be filled, those candidates are declared elected and the tabulation is complete. If
the number of candidates, other than any undeclared or declared write-in candidate, whose
vote total is equal to or greater than the maximum possible threshold is less than the number
of seats to be filled, additional rounds must be performed as provided in paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (c) Tabulation of votes at the ranked choice voting tabulation center must proceed in
rounds for each office to be counted. The threshold must be calculated. The sum of all
ranked choice votes for every candidate must be calculated. Each round must proceed
sequentially as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of votes cast for each candidate for the current round must be counted.
If the number of candidates, other than any undeclared write-in candidate, whose vote total
is equal to or greater than the threshold is equal to the number of seats to be filled, those
candidates who are continuing candidates are elected and the tabulation is complete. If the
number of candidates, other than any undeclared write-in candidate, whose vote total is
equal to or greater than the threshold is not equal to the number of seats to be filled, a new
round begins and the tabulation must continue as described in clause (2);
new text end

new text begin (2) surplus votes for any candidates whose vote total is equal to or greater than the
threshold must be calculated;
new text end

new text begin (3) the candidate with the largest surplus is declared elected and that candidate's surplus
is transferred. A tie between two or more candidates must be resolved by lot by the ranked
choice voting local election official. The surplus of the candidate chosen by lot must be
transferred before other transfers are made. The result of the tie resolution must be recorded
and reused in the event of a recount. The transfer value of each vote cast for an elected
candidate must be transferred to the next continuing candidate on that ballot. If no candidate
has a surplus, the tabulation must continue as described in clause (4). Otherwise, the
tabulation must continue as described in clause (1);
new text end

new text begin (4) if there are no transferable surplus votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is
defeated. Votes for a defeated candidate are transferred at their transfer value to each ballot's
next-ranked continuing candidate, except votes for candidates defeated in the final round
are not transferred if, by their defeat, the number of continuing candidates is reduced to the
number of seats yet to be filled. Ties between candidates with the fewest votes must be
resolved by lot by the ranked choice voting local election official, and the candidate chosen
by lot must be defeated. The result of the tie resolution must be recorded and reused in the
event of a recount;
new text end

new text begin (5) the procedures in clauses (1) to (4) must be repeated until the number of candidates
whose vote total is equal to or greater than the threshold is equal to the number of seats to
be filled, or until the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of seats yet
to be filled. If the number of continuing candidates is equal to the number of seats yet to be
filled, any remaining continuing candidates must be declared elected; and
new text end

new text begin (6) when a skipped ranking, overvote, or repeat candidate ranking is encountered on a
ballot, that ballot shall count toward the highest continuing ranking that is not a skipped
ranking, overvote, or repeat candidate ranking. If any ballot cannot be advanced because
no further continuing candidates are ranked on that ballot, or because the only votes for
further continuing candidates that are ranked on that ballot are either overvotes or repeat
candidate rankings, the ballot shall not count toward any candidate in that round or in
subsequent rounds for the office being counted.
new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [204E.08] LOCAL RANKED CHOICE VOTING ELECTIONS;
REPORTING RESULTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) In addition to the requirements of section 204C.24, each precinct must print an
additional precinct summary statement, which must include the number of first choices cast
for each candidate in that precinct.
new text end

new text begin (b) The ranked choice voting local election official must provide a tabulation summary
statement of each contest with the following information:
new text end

new text begin (1) total votes cast;
new text end

new text begin (2) number of undervotes;
new text end

new text begin (3) number of totally defective and spoiled ballots;
new text end

new text begin (4) threshold calculation;
new text end

new text begin (5) total first choice rankings for all candidates;
new text end

new text begin (6) round-by-round tabulation results, including simultaneous batch eliminations, surplus
transfers if applicable, and defeated candidate transfers; and
new text end

new text begin (7) inactive ballots at each round.
new text end

new text begin (c) In jurisdictions where ballots are scanned and recorded electronically, the ranked
choice voting local election official must provide an electronically available spreadsheet of
the cast vote record, consistent with the requirements of section 206.845.
new text end

new text begin (d) The jurisdiction must canvass the election returns pursuant to applicable state statutes
for the election being held, and the canvassing board report must include the information
required in the ranked choice voting tabulation center summary statement, with the addition
of the number of persons registered to vote before election day by precinct, the number of
persons registered on election day by precinct, and the number of accepted regular, military,
and overseas absentee ballots and mail ballots. If the election is held in conjunction with a
state general election, the canvass report must also include the number of federal office only
absentee ballots and, if applicable, the number of presidential absentee ballots.
new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin [204E.09] LOCAL RANKED CHOICE ELECTION RECOUNTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate defeated in the final round of tabulation may request a recount as provided
in section 204C.361, to the extent applicable. For the purpose of ranked choice voting
recounts, the recount official and filing officer is the ranked choice voting local election
official.
new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate defeated in the final round of tabulation when the vote difference is
greater than that provided in section 204C.36 may request a recount at the candidate's own
expense. A candidate defeated in an earlier round of tabulation may request a recount at the
candidate's own expense. The candidate is responsible for all expenses associated with the
recount, regardless of the vote difference between the candidates in the round in which the
requesting candidate was defeated. The requesting candidate shall file with the filing officer
a bond, cash, or surety in an amount set by the filing officer for the payment of the recount
expenses. Expenses must be determined as provided in section 204C.36, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (c) The secretary of state must adopt rules governing recounts conducted under this
section.
new text end

new text begin (d) At the discretion of the recount official, in the case of a recount under paragraph (a)
or (b) or by the requesting candidates, a recount may commence with the earliest tabulation
round in which any requesting candidate was defeated or any prior round. All other candidates
who, in the initial tabulation, were defeated prior to the round in which the recount starts
may be presumed to have been correctly defeated.
new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin [204E.10] LOCAL RANKED CHOICE ELECTIONS; POSTELECTION
REVIEW.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Selection of test date; notice. new text end

new text begin At the canvass, the ranked choice voting
local election official must select by lot the offices and precincts to be reviewed and set the
date, time, and place for the postelection review, in accordance with section 206.89.
Postelection review is not required for a hand count election.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Scope and conduct of test. new text end

new text begin The postelection review must be conducted in
public and must review a sample of ballots cast for at least one single-seat ranked-choice
voting election and at least one multiple-seat election, if such an election occurred.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Review. new text end

new text begin (a) For each office to be reviewed, the number of precincts selected
for review shall be determined as follows. If the office was voted on in fewer than five
precincts, one precinct shall be selected. If the office was voted on in at least five precincts
and fewer than 50 precincts, two precincts shall be selected. If the office was voted on in
at least 50 precincts and fewer than 100 precincts, three precincts shall be selected. If the
office was voted on in at least 100 precincts, four precincts or three percent of the total
number of precincts in the election shall be selected, whichever is greater.
new text end

new text begin (b) For each office voted on in a county election, the ranked choice voting local election
official may select precincts as specified in paragraph (a) or use the precincts selected in
accordance with section 206.89.
new text end

new text begin (c) Using the actual ballots cast in each precinct selected, the judges of the election shall
conduct a hand-count tabulation of how many ballots contain each combination of candidates
across the rankings. All undeclared write-in candidates shall be considered as a group in
this hand count, and blank or overvoted rankings shall be included as such in the tabulated
combinations.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Standard of acceptable performance by voting system. new text end

new text begin A comparison of the
results compiled by the voting system with the cast vote records compiled by the judges of
the election performing the hand count must show that the results of the electronic voting
system differed by no more than the applicable threshold provided in section 206.89,
subdivision 4, from the hand count of the sample tested. Valid votes that have been marked
by the voter outside the vote targets or using a manual marking device that cannot be read
by the voting system must not be included in making the determination whether the voting
system has met the standard of acceptable performance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Additional review if needed. new text end

new text begin An additional review is required if:
new text end

new text begin (1) a test reveals a difference greater than the threshold provided in section 206.89,
subdivision 4, in at least one precinct of an office, the ranked choice voting local election
official must immediately, publicly select by lot two additional precincts of the same office
for review. The additional precinct review must be completed within two days after the
precincts are selected and the results immediately reported to the county auditor; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the additional precinct review indicates a difference in the vote totals that is greater
than the applicable threshold, as provided by section 206.89, subdivision 4, in at least one
additional precinct of an office, the ranked choice voting local election official must conduct
a review of the ballots from all the remaining precincts in the office being reviewed.
new text end

new text begin This review must be completed no later than two weeks after the canvass.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report of results. new text end

new text begin Upon completion of the postelection review, the ranked
choice voting local election official must immediately report the results to the county auditor
and make the results available to the public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Update of vote totals. new text end

new text begin If the postelection review under this section results in
a change in the number of votes counted for any candidate, the revised vote totals must be
incorporated in the official result from those precincts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Effect on voting systems. new text end

new text begin If a voting system is found to have failed to record
votes accurately and in the manner provided by this chapter, the voting system must not be
used at another election until it has been approved for use by the county auditor, pursuant
to section 206.58. In addition, the county auditor may order the city to conduct a hand
recount of all ballots cast in the election.
new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [204E.11] RULES; LOCAL OPTION RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
new text end

new text begin The secretary of state must adopt rules necessary to implement the requirements and
procedures established by this chapter.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 205.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Notice of filing dates.

At least two weeks before the first day to file affidavits
of candidacy, the municipal clerk shall publish a notice stating the first and last dates on
which affidavits of candidacy may be filed in the clerk's office and the closing time for
filing on the last day for filing. The clerk shall post a similar notice at least ten days before
the first day to file affidavits of candidacy. new text begin If ranked choice voting pursuant to chapter 204E
is to be used, the notice must indicate the method of election to be used for the offices on
the ballot. new text end The notice must separately list any office for which affidavits of candidacy may
be filed to fill the unexpired portion of a term when a special election is being held to fill a
vacancy as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Required certification for ranked choice voting. new text end

new text begin In addition to the
requirements of this section, a voting system used to administer ranked choice voting under
chapter 204E must provide a test lab report from a voting system test lab accredited by the
Election Assistance Commission or other appropriate federal agency responsible for testing
and certification of compliance with the federal voting systems guidelines at the time of
submission of the application required by subdivision 1. The test lab report must show that
the system is in conformity with voluntary voting system guidelines issued by the Election
Assistance Commission or other appropriate federal agency.
new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [206.802] ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS; PURCHASING.
new text end

new text begin A voting system purchased for use in Minnesota to administer ranked choice voting on
or after the effective date of this section must have the ability to:
new text end

new text begin (1) capture, store, and publicly report ballot data;
new text end

new text begin (2) to the extent practicable, produce a single human-readable file for each contest on
the ballot containing all cast vote records captured for that contest;
new text end

new text begin (3) keep data anonymous;
new text end

new text begin (4) accept ranked or cumulative voting data under a variety of tabulation rules;
new text end

new text begin (5) be programmable to follow all other specifications of the ranked choice voting system
or be compatible with automatic tabulating equipment or a software reallocation feature ;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide a minimum of three rankings for ranked choice voting elections;
new text end

new text begin (7) to the extent practicable, notify voters of the following errors: overvotes, skipped
rankings, and duplicate rankings in a ranked choice voting election; and
new text end

new text begin (8) be programmable to print a zero tape indicating all rankings for all candidates in a
ranked choice voting election.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon certification by the secretary of
state that equipment meeting the standards required by this section is available for purchase
and implementation.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 206.83, is amended to read:

206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.

new text begin (a) new text end At least three days before voting equipment is used, 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 new text begin ranked choice voting if applicable,
and new text end 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. new text begin If an election is to be conducted using ranked choice voting,
the equipment must also be tested to ensure that each ranking for each candidate is recorded
properly.
new text end

new text begin (b) new text end 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.

new text begin (c) new text end After the completion of the test, the programs used and ballot cards must be sealed,
retained, and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.

ARTICLE 3

CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLICY

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 10A.01, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Ballot question.

"Ballot question" means a question or proposition that is placed
on the ballot and that may be voted on by:

(1) all voters of the state; new text begin or
new text end

(2) all voters of deleted text begin Hennepin County;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) all voters of any home rule charter city or statutory city located wholly within
Hennepin County and having a population of 75,000 or more; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) all voters of Special School District No. 1 deleted text end new text begin a county, city, school district, township,
or special district new text end .

"Promoting or defeating a ballot question" includes activities, other than lobbying
activities, related to qualifying the question for placement on the ballot.

Sec. 2.

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

Subd. 10d.

Local candidate.

"Local candidate" means an individual who seeks
nomination or election to deleted text begin :
deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) any county office in Hennepin County;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) any city office in any home rule charter city or statutory city located wholly within
Hennepin County and having a population of 75,000 or more; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the school board in Special School District No. 1 deleted text end new text begin a county, city, school district,
township, or special district office new text end .

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, 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 deleted text begin pre-primary-election deleted text end new text begin July new text end 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). The deleted text begin pre-primary deleted text end new text begin July new text end 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 or a primary is not conducted.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Candidate.

"Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or election
to a county, municipal, school district, or other political subdivision office. This definition
does not include an individual seeking a judicial office. deleted text begin For purposes of sections 211A.01
to 211A.05 and 211A.07, "candidate" also includes a candidate for the United States Senate
or House of Representatives.
deleted text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Committee. new text end

new text begin "Committee" means a group established by a candidate of two
or more persons working together to support the election of the candidate to a political
subdivision office. A committee may accept contributions and make disbursements on behalf
of the candidate.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.01, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Filing officer.

"Filing officer" means the officer authorized by law to accept
affidavits of candidacy or nominating petitions for an office deleted text begin or the officer authorized by
law to place a ballot question on the ballot deleted text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.01, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Political purposes.

An act is done for "political purposes" if it is of a nature,
done with the intent, or done in a way to influence or tend to influence, directly or indirectly,
voting new text begin for a candidate new text end at a primary or an election or if it is done because a person is about
to vote, has voted, or has refrained from voting new text begin for a candidate new text end at a primary or an election.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 211A.02, subdivision 1, is amended
to read:

Subdivision 1.

When and where filed by committees new text begin or candidates new text end .

(a) A committee
or a candidate who receives contributions or makes disbursements of more than $750 in a
calendar year shall submit an initial report to the filing officer within 14 days after the
candidate or committee receives or makes disbursements of more than $750 and deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end
continue to make the reports deleted text begin listed in paragraph (b) deleted text end new text begin required by this subdivision new text end until a final
report is filed.

(b) deleted text begin The committee or deleted text end new text begin In a year in which a new text end candidate deleted text begin must file a report by January 31 of
each year following the year when the initial report was filed and in a year when deleted text end new text begin receives
contributions or makes disbursements of more than $750 or new text end the candidate's name deleted text begin or a ballot
question deleted text end appears on the ballot, the candidate deleted text begin or committee shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end file a report:

(1) deleted text begin ten deleted text end new text begin 15 new text end days before the primary deleted text begin or special primary. This report is required deleted text end new text begin if a primary
is held in the jurisdiction, new text end regardless of whether the candidate deleted text begin or issue deleted text end is on the primary
ballot deleted text begin or deleted text end new text begin . If new text end a primary is not conducted new text begin , the report is due 15 days before the primary date
specified in section 205.065 new text end ;

new text begin (2) seven days before a special primary, if one is conducted;
new text end

deleted text begin (2) deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end ten days before the general election or special election; and

deleted text begin (3) deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end 30 days after a general or special election.

new text begin The reporting obligations in this paragraph begin with the first report due after the reporting
period in which the candidate reaches the spending threshold specified in paragraph (a). A
candidate who did not file for office is not required to file reports required by this paragraph
that are due after the end of the filing period. A candidate whose name will not be on the
general election ballot is not required to file the reports required by clauses (3) and (4).
new text end

new text begin (c) Until a final report is filed, a candidate must file a report by January 31 of each year
following a year in which:
new text end

new text begin (1) an initial report was filed;
new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate receives contributions or made disbursements of more than $750; or
new text end

new text begin (3) the candidate's name appears on the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 2, clause (4), the report required by this subdivision must only
include the information from the previous calendar year.
new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Information required.

The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must
include:

(1) the name of the candidate deleted text begin or ballot question deleted text end new text begin and office sought new text end ;

(2) the printed name, address, telephone number, signature, and email address, if available,
of the person responsible for filing the report;

(3) the total cash on hand designated to be used for political purposes;

(4) the total amount of contributions new text begin received new text end and new text begin the total amount of new text end disbursements for
the period from the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;

(5) the amount, date, and purpose for each disbursement new text begin if disbursements made to the
same vendor exceed $100 in the aggregate during the period covered by the report new text end ; and

(6) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any individual
or deleted text begin committee deleted text end new text begin entity new text end that during the deleted text begin year deleted text end new text begin period covered by the report new text end has made one or more
contributions that in the aggregate exceed $100, and the amount and date of each contribution.
The filing officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made
a contribution that exceeds $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a written statement
signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from the financial report
is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Penalty.

A candidate who intentionally fails to file a report required by
section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The
treasurer of a committee deleted text begin formed to promote or defeat a ballot question deleted text end who intentionally
fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section
is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each candidate or treasurer of a committee deleted text begin formed to promote
or defeat a ballot question shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end certify to the filing officer that all reports required by
section 211A.02 have been submitted to the filing officer or that the candidate or committee
has not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding $750 in the calendar year.
The certification deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be submitted to the filing officer no later than seven days after
the general or special election. The secretary of state deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end prepare blanks for this
certification. An officer who issues a certificate of election to a candidate who has not
certified that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been filed is guilty of a
misdemeanor.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.06, is amended to read:

211A.06 FAILURE TO KEEP ACCOUNT; PENALTY.

A new text begin candidate, new text end treasurer new text begin , new text end or other individual who receives money for a committee is guilty
of a misdemeanor if the individual:

(1) fails to keep a correct account as required by law;

(2) mutilates, defaces, or destroys an account record; or

(3) in the case of a committee, refuses upon request to provide financial information to
a candidate; and

(4) does any of these things with the intent to conceal receipts or disbursements, the
purpose of receipts or disbursements, or the existence or amount of an unpaid debt or the
identity of the person to whom it is owed.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.07, is amended to read:

211A.07 BILLS WHEN RENDERED AND PAID.

A person who has a bill, charge, or claim against a deleted text begin candidate's deleted text end new text begin candidate or a new text end committee
deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end render it in writing to the new text begin candidate or new text end committee within 60 days after the material
or service is provided. A bill, charge, or claim that is not presented within 60 days after the
material or service is provided must not be paid.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.12, is amended to read:

211A.12 CONTRIBUTION LIMITS.

new text begin (a) new text end A candidate or deleted text begin a candidate's deleted text end committee may not accept aggregate contributions made
or delivered by an individual or new text begin an association, a political new text end committee new text begin , political fund, or
political party unit new text end in excess of $600 in an election year for the office sought and $250 in
other years; except that a candidate or a candidate's committee for an office whose territory
has a population over 100,000 may not accept aggregate contributions made or delivered
by an individual or new text begin an association, a political new text end committee new text begin , political fund, or political party
unit new text end in excess of $1,000 in an election year for the office sought and $250 in other years.

new text begin (b) new text end The following deliveries are not subject to the bundling limitation in this section:

(1) delivery of contributions collected by a member of the candidate's committee, such
as a block worker or a volunteer who hosts a fundraising event, to the committee's treasurer;
and

(2) a delivery made by an individual on behalf of the individual's spouse.

new text begin (c) new text end Notwithstanding sections 211A.02, subdivision 3, and 410.21, this section supersedes
any home rule charter.

new text begin (d) For purposes of this section, the terms "political committee," "political fund," and
"political party unit" have the meanings given in section 10A.01.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 211A.14, is amended to read:

211A.14 CONTRIBUTIONS AND SOLICITATIONS DURING LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.

A legislator or state constitutional officer who is a candidate deleted text begin for a county, city, or town
office, deleted text end new text begin under this chapter, new text end the candidate's principal campaign committee, and any other
political committee with the candidate's name or title may not solicit or accept a contribution
from a political new text begin committee, political new text end fund new text begin , new text end or deleted text begin registered deleted text end lobbyist during a regular session of
the legislature. new text begin For purposes of this section, the terms "political committee," "political fund,"
and "lobbyist" have the meanings given in section 10A.01.
new text end

Sec. 15. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 211A.01, subdivisions 2 and 4; and 211A.02,
subdivision 4, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H4411-1

211A.01 DEFINITIONS.

Subd. 2.

Ballot question.

"Ballot question" means a proposition placed on the ballot to be voted on by the voters of one or more political subdivisions but not by all the voters of the state.

Subd. 4.

Committee.

"Committee" means a corporation or association or persons acting together to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or to promote or defeat a ballot question. Promoting or defeating a ballot question includes efforts to qualify or prevent a proposition from qualifying for placement on the ballot.

211A.02 FINANCIAL REPORT.

Subd. 4.

Congressional candidates.

Candidates for election to the United States House of Representatives or Senate and any political committees raising money and making disbursements exclusively on behalf of any one of those candidates may file copies of their financial disclosures required by federal law in lieu of the financial statement required by this section. A candidate or committee whose report is published on the Federal Election Commission website has complied with the filing requirements of this section.