HF 894

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014)

Posted on 05/16/2013 11:12 a.m.

1.1A bill for an act 1.2relating to elections; making policy, technical, and clarifying changes to 1.3various provisions related to election law, including provisions related to 1.4redistricting, voting, vacancies in nomination, and other election administration 1.5provisions; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 1.6103C.225, subdivision 3; 103C.305, subdivision 3; 103C.311, subdivision 1.72; 204B.18, subdivision 2; 204B.32, subdivision 1; 204B.36, subdivision 1; 1.8204C.19, subdivision 2; 204C.25; 204C.27; 204D.08, subdivision 6; 204D.11, 1.9subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6; 204D.13, subdivision 3; 204D.14, subdivisions 1, 3; 1.10204D.15, subdivision 3; 204D.16; 204D.165; 205.17, subdivisions 1, 3; 205A.08, 1.11subdivision 1; 206.61, subdivision 4; 208.04, subdivisions 1, 2; proposing coding 1.12for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 2; 204B; repealing Minnesota 1.13Statutes 2012, sections 2.444; 2.484; 204B.12, subdivision 2a; 204B.13, 1.14subdivision 6; 204B.42; 204D.11, subdivisions 2, 3; 205.17, subdivisions 2, 4; 1.15205A.08, subdivision 4. 1.16BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.17ARTICLE 1 1.18REDISTRICTING 1.19    Section 1. new text begin [2.395] THIRTY-NINTH DISTRICT. new text end 1.20     new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Senate district. new text end new text begin Senate District 39 consists of that district as new text end 1.21 new text begin described in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, new text end 1.22 new text begin No. A11-152 (February 21, 2012). new text end 1.23     new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin House of representatives districts. new text end new text begin Notwithstanding the order of the new text end 1.24 new text begin Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, No. A11-152 (February new text end 1.25 new text begin 21, 2012), Senate District 39, as described in that order, is divided into two house of new text end 1.26 new text begin representatives districts as follows: new text end 2.1 new text begin (a) House of Representatives District 39A consists of that district as described in new text end 2.2 new text begin file L39A-1, on file with the Geographic Information Systems Office of the Legislative new text end 2.3 new text begin Coordinating Commission and published on its Web site on March 9, 2012. new text end 2.4 new text begin (b) House of Representatives District 39B consists of that district as described in new text end 2.5 new text begin file L39B-1, on file with the Geographic Information Systems Office of the Legislative new text end 2.6 new text begin Coordinating Commission and published on its Web site on March 9, 2012. new text end 2.7    Sec. 2. new text begin [2.495] FORTY-NINTH DISTRICT. new text end 2.8     new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Senate district. new text end new text begin Senate District 49 consists of that district as new text end 2.9 new text begin described in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, new text end 2.10 new text begin No. A11-152 (February 21, 2012). new text end 2.11     new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin House of representatives districts. new text end new text begin Notwithstanding the order of the new text end 2.12 new text begin Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, No. A11-152 (February 21, new text end 2.13 new text begin 2012), Senate District 49 is divided into two house of representatives districts as follows: new text end 2.14 new text begin (a) House of Representatives District 49A consists of the district as described in new text end 2.15 new text begin that order, with the modification contained in file L49A-2, on file with the Geographic new text end 2.16 new text begin Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission and published on new text end 2.17 new text begin its Web site on March 28, 2012. new text end 2.18 new text begin (b) House of Representatives District 49B consists of the district as described in new text end 2.19 new text begin that order, with the modification contained in file L49B-2, on file with the Geographic new text end 2.20 new text begin Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission and published on new text end 2.21 new text begin its Web site on March 28, 2012. new text end 2.22    Sec. 3. new text begin REPEALER. new text end 2.23 new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 2.444; and 2.484, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end 2.24    Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end 2.25 new text begin This article is effective for the state primary and state general elections conducted new text end 2.26 new text begin in 2014 for terms of office beginning on the first Monday in January of 2015, and for all new text end 2.27 new text begin elections held thereafter. new text end 2.28ARTICLE 2 2.29VACANCIES IN NOMINATION 2.30    Section 1. new text begin [204B.131] VACANCY IN NOMINATION; NONPARTISAN OFFICE. new text end 3.1     new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Applicability. new text end new text begin A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan office new text end 3.2 new text begin must be filled in the manner provided by this section. A vacancy in nomination for a new text end 3.3 new text begin nonpartisan office exists when: new text end 3.4 new text begin (1) a candidate for any nonpartisan office, for which one or two candidates filed, new text end 3.5 new text begin withdraws as provided in section 204B.12, subdivision 1; or new text end 3.6 new text begin (2) a candidate for any nonjudicial nonpartisan office, for which only one or two new text end 3.7 new text begin candidates filed or who was nominated at a primary, dies more than 79 days before the new text end 3.8 new text begin date of the general election. new text end 3.9     new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Procedure for filling vacancy. new text end new text begin A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan new text end 3.10 new text begin office may be filled by filing an affidavit of candidacy and paying a filing fee, or by filing new text end 3.11 new text begin an affidavit of candidacy and filing a petition in place of a filing fee, in the manner new text end 3.12 new text begin provided in sections 204B.06, 204B.09, and 204B.11. All documents and fees required by new text end 3.13 new text begin this subdivision must be filed within five days after the vacancy in nomination occurs. new text end 3.14 new text begin There must be a two-day period for withdrawal of candidates after the last day for filing. new text end 3.15 new text begin If the vacancy in nomination resulted from a withdrawal during the withdrawal new text end 3.16 new text begin period held on the 68th to 69th day before the primary, and if, at the end of the withdrawal new text end 3.17 new text begin period to fill the vacancy in nomination, there are more than two candidates, the new text end 3.18 new text begin candidates' names must appear on the primary ballot. In all other cases, the candidates' new text end 3.19 new text begin names must appear on the general election ballot. new text end 3.20    Sec. 2. new text begin REPEALER. new text end 3.21 new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 204B.12, subdivision 2a; and 204B.13, new text end 3.22 new text begin subdivision 6, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end 3.23    Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end 3.24 new text begin This article is effective the day following final enactment and applies to vacancies in new text end 3.25 new text begin nomination occurring on or after that date. new text end 3.26ARTICLE 3 3.27ELECTION ADMINISTRATION 3.28    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.225, subdivision 3, is amended to 3.29read: 3.30    Subd. 3. Referendum. (a) Within 60 days after the petition is received by the state 3.31board, it shall give due notice of the holding of a referendum, schedule the referendum at 3.32the next general election, and cooperate with county election officials to accomplish the 3.33election in the most expedient manner. new text begin Upon receipt of a petition, the state board shall new text end 4.1 new text begin provide written notice to the secretary of state and the county auditor of each county in new text end 4.2 new text begin which the district is located no later than 74 days before the state general election. The new text end 4.3 new text begin notice must include the date of the election and the title and text of the question to be new text end 4.4 new text begin placed on the ballot. new text end Prior to the referendum, the state board shall facilitate the preparation 4.5of a plan to continue the administration of the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the 4.6district, including the functions of the district board. 4.7(b) The question shall be submitted by ballots, upon which the words "For terminating 4.8the existence of new text begin appear on the ballot in the following form: "Shall new text end the .................. (name 4.9of the soil and water conservation district to be here inserted)" and "Against terminating 4.10the existence of the .................. (name of the soil and water conservation district to be here 4.11inserted)" shall be printed, with a square before each proposition and a direction to insert 4.12an X mark in the square before one or the other new text begin be terminated?" new text end . 4.13(c) Only eligible voters in the district may vote in the referendum. 4.14(d) Informalities in the conduct of the referendum or matters relating to the 4.15referendum do not invalidate the referendum, or result of the referendum, if due notice has 4.16been given and the referendum has been fairly conducted. 4.17(e) The state board shall publish the result of the referendum. 4.18    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.305, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 4.19    Subd. 3. Ballots. Ballots shall be prepared by the county auditor. The names of 4.20candidates shall be placed on the "canary ballot" described in section 204D.11, subdivision 4.213 new text begin state general election ballot new text end . The office title printed on the ballot must be either "Soil 4.22and Water Conservation District Supervisor" or "Conservation District Supervisor," based 4.23upon the district from which the supervisor is to be elected. 4.24    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.311, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 4.25    Subd. 2. Supervisors elected by districts. (a) The district board, with the approval 4.26of the state board, may by resolution provide that supervisors will be elected by supervisor 4.27districts as provided in this subdivision. 4.28(b) The supervisor districts must be composed of precincts established by county and 4.29municipal governing bodies under section 204B.14. The districts must be compact, include 4.30only contiguous territory, and be substantially equal in population. The districts must be 4.31numbered in a regular series. The districts must be drawn by the county board of the county 4.32containing the largest area of the soil and water conservation district, in consultation with 4.33the district board and with the approval of the state board. The boundaries of the districts 4.34must be redrawn after each decennial federal census as provided in section 204B.135. A 5.1certified copy of the resolution establishing supervisor districts must be filed by the chair 5.2of the district board with the county auditor of the counties where the soil and water 5.3conservation district is located, with the state board, and with the secretary of state at least 5.430 days before the first date candidates may file for the office of supervisor. new text begin , and the filings new text end 5.5 new text begin must occur within 80 days of the time when the legislature has been redistricted or at least new text end 5.6 new text begin 15 weeks before the state primary election in a year ending in two, whichever comes first. new text end 5.7(c) Each supervisor district is entitled to elect one supervisor. A supervisor must be a 5.8resident of the district from which elected. 5.9(d) The district board shall provide staggered terms for supervisors elected by 5.10district. After each redistricting, there shall be a new election of supervisors in all the 5.11districts at the next general election, except that if the change made in the boundaries of a 5.12district is less than five percent of the average population of all the districts, the supervisor 5.13in office at the time of the redistricting shall serve for the full term for which elected. The 5.14district board shall determine by lot the seats to be filled for a two-year term, a four-year 5.15term, and a six-year term. 5.16    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 5.17    Subd. 2. Ballot boxes. Each polling place shall be provided with one ballot box for 5.18each kind of ballot to be cast at the election. The boxes shall be substantially the same color 5.19as the ballots to be deposited in them. Each box shall be of sufficient size and shall have a 5.20sufficient opening to receive and contain all the ballots likely to be deposited in it. When 5.21buff or goldenrod ballot boxes are required, a separate box must be provided for each school 5.22district for which ballots are to be cast at that polling place. The number and name of the 5.23school district must appear conspicuously on the top of each buff or goldenrod ballot box. 5.24    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 5.25    Subdivision 1. Payment. (a) The secretary of state shall pay the compensation for 5.26presidential electors, the cost of printing the pink paper ballots, and all necessary expenses 5.27incurred by the secretary of state in connection with elections. 5.28(b) The counties shall pay the compensation prescribed in section 204B.31, clauses 5.29(b) and (c), the cost of printing the canary ballots, the white ballots, the pink new text begin state general new text end 5.30 new text begin election new text end ballots when machines are used, the state partisan primary ballots, and the 5.31state and county nonpartisan primary ballots, all necessary expenses incurred by county 5.32auditors in connection with elections, and the expenses of special county elections. 5.33(c) Subject to subdivision 2, the municipalities shall pay the compensation prescribed 5.34for election judges and sergeants at arms, the cost of printing the municipal ballots, 6.1providing ballot boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses 6.2of the municipal clerks in connection with elections, except special county elections. 6.3(d) The school districts shall pay the compensation prescribed for election judges 6.4and sergeants-at-arms, the cost of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot 6.5boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses of the school 6.6district clerks in connection with school district elections not held in conjunction with 6.7state elections. When school district elections are held in conjunction with state elections, 6.8the school district shall pay the costs of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot 6.9boxes and all necessary expenses of the school district clerk. 6.10All disbursements under this section shall be presented, audited, and paid as in 6.11the case of other public expenses. 6.12    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 6.13    Subdivision 1. Type. All ballots shall be printed with black ink on paper of sufficient 6.14thickness to prevent the printing from being discernible from the back. All ballots of the 6.15same color shall be substantially uniform in style of printing, size, thickness and shade of 6.16color. When the ballots of a particular color vary in shade, those used in any one precinct 6.17shall be of the same shade. All ballots shall be printed in easily readable type with suitable 6.18lines dividing candidates, offices, instructions and other matter printed on ballots. The 6.19name of each candidate shall be printed in capital letters. The same type shall be used for 6.20the names of all candidates on the same ballot. 6.21    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 6.22    Subd. 2. Ballots; order of counting. Except as otherwise provided in this 6.23subdivision, the ballot boxes shall be opened, the votes counted, and the total declared one 6.24box at a time in the following order: the white box, the pink box, the canary box, the light 6.25green box, the blue box, the buff box, the goldenrod box, the gray box, and then the other 6.26kinds of ballots voted at the election. If enough election judges are available to provide 6.27counting teams of four or more election judges for each box, more than one box may be 6.28opened and counted at the same time. The election judges on each counting team shall be 6.29evenly divided between the major political parties. The numbers entered on the summary 6.30sheet shall not be considered final until the ballots in all the boxes have been counted and 6.31corrections have been made if ballots have been deposited in the wrong boxes. 6.32    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.25, is amended to read: 6.33204C.25 DISPOSITION OF BALLOTS. 7.1After the count and the summary statements have been completed, in the presence 7.2of all the election judges, the counted, defective, and blank ballots shall be placed in 7.3envelopes marked or printed to distinguish the color of the ballots contained, and the 7.4envelopes shall be sealed. The election judges shall sign each envelope over the sealed part 7.5so that the envelope cannot be opened without disturbing the continuity of the signatures. 7.6The number and kind of ballots in each envelope, the name of the town or city, and the 7.7name of the precinct shall be plainly written upon the envelopes. The number and name of 7.8the district must be plainly written on envelopes containing school district ballots. The 7.9spoiled ballots shall be placed in separate envelopes and returned with the unused ballots 7.10to the county auditor or municipal or school district clerk from whom they were received. 7.11    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.27, is amended to read: 7.12204C.27 DELIVERY OF RETURNS TO COUNTY AUDITORS. 7.13One or more of the election judges in each precinct shall deliver two sets of 7.14summary statements; all spoiled white, pink, canary, and gray ballots; and the envelopes 7.15containing the white, pink, canary, and gray ballots either directly to the municipal clerk 7.16for transmittal to the county auditor's office or directly to the county auditor's office as 7.17soon as possible after the vote counting is completed but no later than 24 hours after the 7.18end of the hours for voting. One or more election judges shall deliver the remaining set 7.19of summary statements and returns, all unused and spoiled municipal and school district 7.20ballots, the envelopes containing municipal and school district ballots, and all other things 7.21furnished by the municipal or school district clerk, to the municipal or school district 7.22clerk's office within 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting. The municipal or school 7.23district clerk shall return all polling place rosters and completed voter registration cards to 7.24the county auditor within 48 hours after the end of the hours for voting. 7.25    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 7.26    Subd. 6. State and county nonpartisan primary ballot. The state and county 7.27nonpartisan primary ballot shall be headed "State and County Nonpartisan Primary 7.28Ballot." It shall be printed on canary paper new text begin in the manner provided in the rules of the new text end 7.29 new text begin secretary of state new text end . The names of candidates for nomination to the Supreme Court, Court of 7.30Appeals, district court, and all county offices shall be placed on this ballot. 7.31No candidate whose name is placed on the state and county nonpartisan primary 7.32ballot shall be designated or identified as the candidate of any political party or in any 7.33other manner except as expressly provided by law. 8.1    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 8.2    Subdivision 1. White new text begin State general election new text end ballot; rules. The names of 8.3the candidates for all partisan new text begin state and federal new text end offices new text begin , all proposed constitutional new text end 8.4 new text begin amendments, all county offices and questions, and all judicial offices new text end voted on at the state 8.5general election shall be placed on a single ballot printed on white paper which new text begin that new text end shall 8.6be known as the "white new text begin state general election new text end ballot." This ballot shall be prepared by the 8.7county auditor subject to the rules of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall 8.8adopt rules for preparation and time of delivery of the white new text begin state general election new text end ballot. 8.9    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 8.10    Subd. 4. Special federal white ballot. (a) The names of all candidates for the 8.11offices of president and vice-president of the United States and senator and representative 8.12in Congress shall be placed on a ballot printed on white paper which new text begin that new text end shall be known 8.13as the "special federal white ballot." 8.14(b) This ballot shall be prepared by the county auditor in the same manner as 8.15the white new text begin state general election new text end ballot and shall be subject to the rules adopted by the 8.16secretary of state pursuant to subdivision 1. This ballot must be prepared and furnished 8.17in accordance with the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 8.18United States Code, title 42, section 1973ff. 8.19(c) The special federal white ballot shall be the only ballot sent to citizens of 8.20the United States who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot for federal candidates in 8.21Minnesota. 8.22    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read: 8.23    Subd. 5. Ballot headings. The white, pink, and special federal white ballot 8.24 new text begin containing the offices and questions in subdivisions 1 and 4, new text end shall be headed with the 8.25words "State General Election Ballot." The canary ballot shall be headed with the words 8.26"County and Judicial Nonpartisan General Election Ballot." 8.27    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 6, is amended to read: 8.28    Subd. 6. Gray new text begin Judicial new text end ballot. When the canary ballot would be longer than 30 8.29inches or when it would not be possible to place all offices on a single ballot card new text begin for the new text end 8.30 new text begin state general election new text end , the judicial offices that should be placed on the canary ballot may be 8.31placed instead on a separate gray new text begin judicial new text end ballot. The gray new text begin judicial new text end ballot shall be prepared 8.32by the county auditor in the manner provided in the rules of the secretary of state. 9.1The gray new text begin judicial new text end ballot must be headed with the words: "Judicial Nonpartisan 9.2General Election Ballot." Separate ballot boxes must be provided for these gray new text begin judicial new text end 9.3ballots. 9.4    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 9.5    Subd. 3. Nominees by petition; placement on ballot. The names of candidates 9.6nominated by petition for a partisan office voted on at the state general election shall be 9.7placed on the white new text begin state general election new text end ballot after the names of the candidates for that 9.8office who were nominated at the state primary. Prior to the state primary new text begin No later than new text end 9.9 new text begin 11 weeks before the state general election new text end , the secretary of state shall determine by lot 9.10the order of candidates nominated by petition. The drawing of lots must be by political 9.11party or principle. The political party or political principle of the candidate as stated on 9.12the petition shall be placed after the name of a candidate nominated by petition. The word 9.13"nonpartisan" shall not be used to designate any partisan candidate whose name is placed 9.14on the white new text begin state general election new text end ballot by nominating petition. 9.15    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 9.16    Subdivision 1. Rotation of names. The names of candidates for nonpartisan offices 9.17on the canary new text begin state general election ballot and the judicial nonpartisan general election new text end 9.18ballot shall be rotated in the manner provided for rotation of names on state partisan 9.19primary ballots by section 204D.08, subdivision 3. 9.20    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.14, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 9.21    Subd. 3. Uncontested judicial offices. Judicial offices for a specific court for 9.22which there is only one candidate filed must appear after all other judicial offices for that 9.23same court on the canary ballot. 9.24    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 9.25    Subd. 3. Sample pink ballot new text begin ; constitutional amendments new text end . Four weeks before the 9.26state general election the secretary of state shall file sample copies of the pink ballot 9.27 new text begin portion of the state general election ballot that contains the proposed constitutional new text end 9.28 new text begin amendments new text end in the Secretary of State's Office for public inspection. Three weeks before 9.29the state general election the secretary of state shall mail new text begin transmit new text end sample copies of the 9.30pink new text begin sample new text end ballot to each county auditor. Each auditor shall post the sample ballot in a 9.31conspicuous place in the auditor's office. 10.1    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.16, is amended to read: 10.2204D.16 SAMPLE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS; POSTING; 10.3PUBLICATION. 10.4Two weeks before the state general election the county auditor shall prepare sample 10.5copies of the white and canary ballots and new text begin At least 46 days before the state general new text end 10.6 new text begin election, the county auditor new text end shall post copies of these sample ballots and a sample of the 10.7pink ballot new text begin for each precinct new text end in the auditor's office for public inspection new text begin and transmit an new text end 10.8 new text begin electronic copy of these sample ballots to the secretary of state new text end . No earlier than 15 days 10.9and no later than two days before the state general election the county auditor shall cause 10.10the sample white and canary ballots new text begin state general election ballots new text end to be published in at 10.11least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. 10.12    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.165, is amended to read: 10.13204D.165 SAMPLE BALLOTS TO SCHOOLS. 10.14Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in section or , The county 10.15auditor, two weeks before the applicable primary or general election, shall provide one 10.16copy of the new text begin an appropriate new text end sample partisan primary, nonpartisan primary, canary, white, 10.17or pink ballot to a school district upon request. The school district may have the sample 10.18ballots reproduced at its expense for classroom educational purposes and for educational 10.19activities authorized under section 204B.27, subdivision 7. 10.20    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 10.21    Subdivision 1. Second, third, and fourth class cities; towns new text begin Municipal offices; new text end 10.22 new text begin questions; general election ballot new text end . In all statutory and home rule charter cities of the 10.23second, third, and fourth class, and in all towns, for the municipal general election, the 10.24municipal clerk shall have printed on light green paper the official ballot containing the 10.25names of all candidates for municipal offices new text begin and municipal ballot questions new text end . The ballot 10.26shall be printed in quantities of 25, 50, or 100, shall be headed "City or Town Election 10.27Ballot," shall state the name of the city or town and the date of the election, and shall 10.28conform in other respects to the white ballot used at the state general election new text begin ballot new text end . The 10.29names shall be arranged on city ballots in the manner provided for the state elections. On 10.30town ballots names of the candidates for each office shall be arranged either: 10.31(1) alphabetically according to the candidates' surnames; or 10.32(2) in the manner provided for state elections if the town electors chose at the town's 10.33annual meeting to arrange the names in that way for at least two consecutive years. 11.1    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 11.2    Subd. 3. Primary ballots. The municipal primary ballot in cities of the second, 11.3third, and fourth class and towns and the nonpartisan primary ballot in cities of the first 11.4class shall conform as far as practicable with the municipal general election ballot except 11.5that it shall be printed on light green paper. No blank spaces shall be provided for writing 11.6in the names of candidates. The partisan primary ballot in cities of the first class shall 11.7conform as far as practicable with the state partisan primary ballot. 11.8    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 11.9    Subdivision 1. Buff new text begin General election new text end ballot. The names of all candidates for offices 11.10 new text begin and all ballot questions new text end to be voted on at a school district general election must be placed 11.11on a single ballot printed on buff paper and known as the "buff ballot." new text begin . new text end 11.12    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.61, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 11.13    Subd. 4. Order of candidates. On the "State Partisan Primary Ballot" prepared for 11.14primary elections, and on the white new text begin state general election new text end ballot prepared for the general 11.15election, the order of the names of nominees or names of candidates for election shall be 11.16the same as required for paper ballots. More than one column or row may be used for the 11.17same office or party. Electronic ballot display and audio ballot readers must conform to 11.18the candidate order on the optical scan ballot used in the precinct. 11.19    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 11.20    Subdivision 1. Form of presidential ballots. When presidential electors and 11.21alternates are to be voted for, a vote cast for the party candidates for president and vice 11.22president shall be deemed a vote for that party's electors and alternates as filed with the 11.23secretary of state. The secretary of state shall certify the names of all duly nominated 11.24presidential and vice presidential candidates to the county auditors of the counties of 11.25the state. Each county auditor, subject to the rules of the secretary of state, shall cause 11.26the names of the candidates of each major political party and the candidates nominated 11.27by petition to be printed in capital letters, set in type of the same size and style as for 11.28candidates on the state white new text begin general election new text end ballot, before the party designation. To the 11.29left of, and on the same line with the names of the candidates for president and vice 11.30president, near the margin, shall be placed a square or box, in which the voters may 11.31indicate their choice by marking an "X." 11.32The form for the presidential ballot and the relative position of the several candidates 11.33shall be determined by the rules applicable to other state officers. The state ballot, with 12.1the required heading, shall be printed on the same piece of paper and shall be below the 12.2presidential ballot with a blank space between one inch in width. 12.3    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 12.4    Subd. 2. Applicable rules. The rules for preparation, state contribution to the cost 12.5of printing, and delivery of presidential ballots are the same as the rules for white new text begin state new text end 12.6 new text begin general election new text end ballots under section 204D.11, subdivision 1. 12.7    Sec. 27. new text begin REPEALER. new text end 12.8 new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 204B.42; 204D.11, subdivisions 2 and 3; 205.17, new text end 12.9 new text begin subdivisions 2 and 4; and 205A.08, subdivision 4, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end