2005 Minnesota Statutes

     201.195 Challenges. 

    Subdivision 1.    Petition; hearing.  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.  The petition shall state 
 the grounds for challenge and be accompanied by an affidavit 
 stating that the challenge is based on the challenger's personal 
 knowledge.  Within five days after receipt of the petition, the 
 county auditor shall 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 shall be served on the challenged voter by 
 the county auditor in the same manner as in a civil action.  The 
 hearing shall be held before the county auditor or the auditor's 
 designee who shall then make findings and affirm or dismiss the 
 challenge. 

    Subd. 2.    Appeal.  If a challenge is affirmed, the 
 voter whose registration has been challenged may appeal the 
 ruling to the secretary of state.  The appeal shall be heard 
 within five days but in any case before election day.  Upon 
 hearing the appeal the secretary of state shall affirm or 
 reverse the ruling and shall give appropriate instructions to 
 the county auditor.  

    Subd. 3.    Hearing procedures.  A hearing before the 
 secretary of state shall be conducted as a contested case and 
 determined in accordance with chapter 14.  

    HIST: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 22; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1986 c 444