<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>partial recounts; specifying certain procedures; changing certain voting system <br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>requirements; transferring certain funds;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>sections 203B.227, as added; 204C.35, subdivisions 1, 2; 204C.36, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>2; 206.57, by adding subdivisions; 206.89, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes <br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>2007 Supplement, section 206.57, subdivision 5; Laws 2007, chapter 148, article <br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>1, section 7.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.227, as added by Laws 2008, chapter <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>190, section 9, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var><b>203B.227 WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT. </b><br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>    An eligible A voter who will be outside the territorial limits of the United States <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>during the 180 days prior to the state general election described in section 203B.16, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>subdivision 1, may use a state write-in absentee ballot or the federal write-in absentee <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>ballot to vote in any federal, state, or local election. In a state or local election, a vote for a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>political party without specifying the name of a candidate must not be counted.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective for elections held after June 1, 2008.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Automatic recounts.</b> (a) In a state primary when the difference <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>between the votes cast for the candidates for nomination to a statewide federal office, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>state constitutional office, statewide judicial office, congressional office, state legislative <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>office, or district judicial office:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>    (1) is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes counted for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>that nomination; or<br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>    (2) is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast for the nomination is 400 <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>votes or less;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>and the difference determines the nomination, the canvassing board with responsibility for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>declaring the results for that office shall manually recount the vote.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>    (b) In a state general election when the difference between the votes of a candidate <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>who would otherwise be declared elected to a statewide federal office, state constitutional <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>office, statewide judicial office, congressional office, state legislative office, or district <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>judicial office and the votes of any other candidate for that office:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>    (1) is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes counted for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>that office; or<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>    (2) is ten votes or less if the total number of votes cast for the office is 400 votes or <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>less,<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>the canvassing board shall manually recount the votes.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>    (c) A recount must not delay any other part of the canvass. The results of the recount <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>must be certified by the canvassing board as soon as possible.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>    (d) Time for notice of a contest for an office which is recounted pursuant to this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>section shall begin to run upon certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>board.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>    (e) A losing candidate may waive a recount required pursuant to this section by <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>filing a written notice of waiver with the canvassing board.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Optional</b><b> Discretionary candidate</b><b> recount.</b> (a) A losing candidate whose <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>name was on the ballot for nomination or election to a statewide federal office, state <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>constitutional office, statewide judicial office, congressional office, state legislative office, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>or district judicial office may request a recount in a manner provided in this section at the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>candidate's own expense when the vote difference is greater than the difference required <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>by this section. The votes shall be manually recounted as provided in this section if the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>candidate files a request during the time for filing notice of contest of the primary or <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>election for which a recount is sought.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>    (b) The requesting candidate shall file with the filing officer a bond, cash, or surety <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>in an amount set by the filing officer for the payment of the recount expenses. The <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>requesting candidate is responsible for the following expenses: the compensation of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>secretary of state, or designees, and any election judge, municipal clerk, county auditor, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>administrator, or other personnel who participate in the recount; the costs of computer <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>operation, preparation of ballot counting equipment, necessary supplies and travel <br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>related to the recount; the compensation of the appropriate canvassing board and costs of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>preparing for the canvass of recount results; and any attorney fees incurred in connection <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>with the recount by the governing body responsible for the recount.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>    (c) The requesting candidate may provide the filing officer with a list of up to three <br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>precincts that are to be recounted first and may waive the balance of the recount after these <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>precincts have been counted. If the candidate provides a list, the recount official must <br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>determine the expenses for those precincts in the manner provided by paragraph (b).<br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>    (d) If the winner of the race is changed by the optional recount, the cost of the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>    (e) If a result of the vote counting in the manual recount is different from the result <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>of the vote counting reported on election day by a margin greater than the standard for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>acceptable performance of voting systems provided in section 206.89, subdivision 4, the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>cost of the recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Discretionary candidate recounts.</b> (a) A losing candidate for nomination <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>or election to a county, municipal, or school district office may request a recount in the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>manner provided in this section at the candidate's own expense when the vote difference is <br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>greater than the difference required by subdivision 1, clauses (a) to (e). The votes shall <br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>be manually recounted as provided in this section if the requesting candidate files with <br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk a bond, cash, or surety in an <br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>amount set by the governing body of the jurisdiction or the school board of the school <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>district for the payment of the recount expenses.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>    (b) The requesting candidate may provide the filing officer with a list of up to three <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>precincts that are to be recounted first and may waive the balance of the recount after these <br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>precincts have been counted.  If the candidate provides a list the recount official must <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>determine the expenses for those precincts in the manner provided by paragraph (b).<br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>    (c) If the winner of the race is changed by the optional recount, the cost of the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>    (d) If a result of the vote counting in the manual recount is different from the result <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>of the vote counting reported on election day by a margin greater than the standard for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>acceptable performance of voting systems provided in section 206.89, subdivision 4, the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>cost of the recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.5.0"></a><a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 206.57, subdivision 5, is <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>    Subd. 5.  <b>Voting system for disabled voters. </b> In federal and state elections held after <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>December 31, 2005; in county, city, and school district elections held after December <br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>31, 2007; and, except as provided in subdivision 5a, in township elections held after <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>December 31, 2009, the voting method used in each polling place must include a voting <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>for the blind and visually impaired in a manner that provides the same opportunity for <br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters. <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.6.0"></a><a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>    Subd. 5a. <b>Limited town exemptions.</b> (a) A town conducting an election not held <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>in conjunction with any federal, state, county, or school district election is exempt from <br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>the requirements of subdivision 5 if the town has fewer than 500 registered voters, as <br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>determined by the secretary of state by June 1 of each year.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>    (b) A town that would otherwise satisfy the requirements of this subdivision is <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>still required to comply with subdivision 5 at its next general town election if the voters <br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>at the preceding year's annual town meeting instruct the town to conduct elections in <br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>compliance with subdivision 5.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>    (c) If the secretary of state, after consultation with the Minnesota Association of <br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>Townships, county auditors, or other interested parties, determines that a town's share <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>of the cost of compliance with subdivision 5 will not exceed $150 for an election, the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>town may not use the exemption under paragraph (a) and shall conduct elections under <br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>subdivision 5. In determining the town's cost of compliance, the secretary shall include <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>any expense associated with programming, ballot preparation and printing, and the <br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>equipment costs directly related to compliance with subdivision 5.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.7.0"></a><a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>    Subd. 5b. <b>Township voting equipment study.</b> (a) Beginning in 2009 and at least <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>once every other year until 2016, the secretary of state shall consult with interested parties, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>including, but not limited to, members of the legislature, town officers, county election <br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>officials, the National Federation of the Blind, the Minnesota State Council on Disability, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>and the Disability Law Center regarding:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>    (1) options for full compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 206.57, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>5; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>    (2) ongoing costs of compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 206.57, <br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>subdivision 5, and methods of reducing those costs.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>    (b) Beginning January 15, 2010, and until January 15, 2017, the secretary of state <br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees <br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>and divisions with jurisdiction over elections policy and finance regarding the findings, <br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>discussions, and developments under paragraph (a).<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.8.0"></a><a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>    Subd. 2.  <b>Selection for review; notice. </b> At the canvass of the state primary, the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>county canvassing board in each county must set the date, time, and place for the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>postelection review of the state general election to be held under this section. <br/>
<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>    At the canvass of the state general election, the county canvassing boards must select <br/>
<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>the precincts to be reviewed by lot. The county canvassing board of a county with fewer <br/>
<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>than 50,000 registered voters must conduct a postelection review of a total of select at <br/>
<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>least two precincts for postelection review.  The county canvassing board of a county with <br/>
<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>between 50,000 and 100,000 registered voters must conduct a review of a total of  select <br/>
<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>at least three precincts for review.  The county canvassing board of a county with over <br/>
<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>100,000 registered voters must conduct a review of a total of select at least four precincts, <br/>
<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>or three percent of the total number of precincts in the county, whichever is greater.  The <br/>
<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>precincts must be selected by lot at a public meeting.  At least one precinct selected in each <br/>
<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>county must have had more than 150 votes cast at the general election.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>    The county auditor must notify the secretary of state of the precincts that have been <br/>
<a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>chosen for review and the time and place the postelection review for that county will be <br/>
<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>conducted, as soon as the decisions are made. If the selection of precincts has  not resulted <br/>
<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>in the selection of at least four precincts in each congressional district, the  secretary of state <br/>
<a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>may require counties to select by lot additional precincts to meet the  congressional district <br/>
<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var>requirement. The secretary of state must post this information on the office Web site.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.9.0"></a><a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>    Sec. 9. Laws 2007, chapter 148, article 1, section 7, is amended to read:<br/>
<table>
<col width="50px"/>
<col width="21.5"/>
<col width="2.5"/>
<col width="12"/>
<col width="2.5"/>
<col width="12"/>
<col width="2.5"/>
<col width="12"/>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var><br/>
</td>
<td align="left" colspan="3" valign="bottom">Sec. 7. <b>SECRETARY OF STATE</b><br/>
</td>
<td align="center" valign="bottom"><b>$ </b><br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom"><b>9,019,000 </b><br/>
</td>
<td align="center" valign="bottom"><b>$ </b><br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom"><b>6,497,000 </b><br/>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<table>
<col width="50px"/>
<col width="126px"/>
<col width="96px"/>
<col width="96px"/>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var><br/>
</td>
<td align="center" colspan="3" valign="bottom">Appropriations by Fund <br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var><br/>
</td>
<td align="left" valign="bottom"></td>
<td align="center" valign="bottom">2008 <br/>
</td>
<td align="center" valign="bottom">2009 <br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var><br/>
</td>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">General <br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom">6,175,000 <br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom">6,497,000 <br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var><br/>
</td>
<td align="left" valign="bottom">Special Revenue <br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom">2,844,000 <br/>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="bottom"></td>
</tr>
</table><a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>(a) $310,000 of this appropriation must be <br/>
<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>transferred to the Help America Vote Act <br/>
<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>account and is designated as a portion of the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>match required by section 253(b)(5) of the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>Help America Vote Act. <br/>
<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var>(b) $2,844,000 the first year is appropriated <br/>
<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>from the Help America Vote Act account for <br/>
<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>the purposes and uses authorized by federal <br/>
<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>law. This appropriation is available until <br/>
<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>June 30, 2009. <br/>
<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>(c) Notwithstanding Laws 2005, chapter <br/>
<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>162, section 34, subdivision 7, any balance <br/>
<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>remaining in the Help America Vote Act <br/>
<a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>account after previous appropriations and the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>appropriations in this section is appropriated <br/>
<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>to the secretary of state for the purposes of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var>the account. This appropriation is available <br/>
<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>until June 30, 2011.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>(d) The amount necessary to meet federal <br/>
<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>requirements for interest payments and the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>additional match for the Help America Vote <br/>
<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>Act account is transferred from the general <br/>
<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>fund appropriation to the Help America Vote <br/>
<a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>Act account.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>