1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to elections; increasing news media access to
1.3 	polling places; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
1.4 	section 204C.06, subdivision 8.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 204C.06,
1.7 	subdivision 8, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Access for news media. The county auditor or
1.9 	municipal or school district clerk, or their designee, may, by
1.10 	written authorization, permit A news media representatives to 
1.11 	representative may enter a polling places for up to 15 minutes 
1.12 	place during voting hours only to observe the voting process.  A
1.13 	media representative must obtain prior authorization and present
1.14 	photo identification to the head election judge upon arrival at
1.15 	the polling place and , along with either a recognized media
1.16 	credential or written statement from a local election official
1.17 	attesting to the media representative's credentials.  A media
1.18 	representative must not otherwise:
1.19 	(1) approach within six feet of an election judge or a 
1.20 	voter;
1.21 	(2) converse with a voter while in the polling place;
1.22 	(3) make a list of persons voting or not voting; or
1.23 	(4) interview a voter within the polling place interfere
1.24 	with the voting process.

1.25 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.1 	This act is effective the day following final enactment.