1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to elections; making policy, technical, and clarifying changes to various 
1.3 	provisions related to election law, including provisions related to redistricting, 
1.4 	voting, absentee voting, vacancies in nomination, recounts, challengers, 
1.5 	and election administration; providing early voting; modifying eligibility 
1.6 	requirements for voting by absentee ballot; establishing the Uniform Faithful 
1.7 	Presidential Electors Act; changing the date of the state primary from August 
1.8 	to June; establishing a pilot project for conducting elections using electronic 
1.9 	roster technology; creating the Electronic Roster Task Force; requiring a 
1.10 	report; appropriating money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 
1.11 	13.851, subdivision 10; 103C.225, subdivision 3; 103C.305, subdivision 3; 
1.12 	103C.311, subdivision 2; 123A.48, subdivision 14; 201.022, subdivision 
1.13 	1; 201.054, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 2; 
1.14 	201.091, subdivision 8; 201.12, subdivision 3; 201.13, subdivision 1a; 201.14; 
1.15 	201.157; 201.275; 202A.14, subdivision 1; 203B.001; 203B.01, by adding 
1.16 	a subdivision; 203B.02, subdivision 1; 203B.03, subdivision 1; 203B.04, 
1.17 	subdivisions 1, 5; 203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.06, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.08, 
1.18 	subdivision 3; 203B.081; 203B.085; 203B.121, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 5, by adding 
1.19 	a subdivision; 203B.227; 203B.28; 204B.04, by adding a subdivision; 204B.07, 
1.20 	subdivision 2; 204B.13, subdivisions 1, 2, 5, by adding subdivisions; 204B.14, 
1.21 	subdivisions 2, 4; 204B.18, subdivision 2; 204B.21, subdivision 1; 204B.22, 
1.22 	subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.28, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.32, subdivision 1; 204B.33; 
1.23 	204B.35, subdivision 4; 204B.36, subdivision 1; 204B.45, subdivisions 1, 2; 
1.24 	204B.46; 204C.07, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, by adding a subdivision; 204C.14; 
1.25 	204C.15, subdivision 1; 204C.19, subdivision 2; 204C.25; 204C.27; 204C.35, 
1.26 	subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 204C.36, subdivision 1; 204D.03, 
1.27 	subdivision 1; 204D.08, subdivision 6; 204D.09, subdivisions 1, 2; 204D.11, 
1.28 	subdivisions 1, 4, 5, 6; 204D.13, subdivision 3; 204D.14, subdivisions 1, 3; 
1.29 	204D.15, subdivision 3; 204D.16; 204D.165; 204D.19, subdivision 2, by 
1.30 	adding a subdivision; 204D.28, subdivision 5; 205.02, subdivision 2; 205.065, 
1.31 	subdivisions 1, 2; 205.10, subdivision 3; 205.13, subdivision 1a, by adding a 
1.32 	subdivision; 205.16, subdivisions 4, 5; 205.17, subdivisions 1, 3; 205A.03, 
1.33 	subdivisions 1, 2; 205A.04, by adding a subdivision; 205A.05, subdivisions 1, 
1.34 	2; 205A.06, subdivision 1a, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 3, 
1.35 	3a, 3b; 205A.08, subdivision 1; 205A.11, subdivision 2a; 206.57, by adding a 
1.36 	subdivision; 206.61, subdivisions 4, 5; 206.82, subdivisions 1, 2; 206.83; 206.89, 
1.37 	subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 206.895; 206.90, subdivision 6; 208.02; 
1.38 	208.03; 208.04, subdivisions 1, 2; 208.06; 209.01, subdivision 2; 211B.045; 
1.39 	211B.37; 241.065, subdivision 2; 340A.416, subdivisions 2, 3; 340A.602; 
2.1 	375.20; 447.32, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; Laws 1963, chapter 276, section 2, 
2.2 	subdivision 2, as amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
2.3 	chapters 2; 203B; 204B; 208; 244; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 
2.4 	2.444; 2.484; 203B.04, subdivision 6; 204B.12, subdivision 2a; 204B.13, 
2.5 	subdivisions 4, 6; 204B.42; 204D.11, subdivisions 2, 3; 205.17, subdivisions 2, 
2.6 	4; 205A.08, subdivision 4; 208.07; 208.08.
2.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.8 	ARTICLE 1
2.9 	REDISTRICTING

2.10 	Section 1. [2.395] THIRTY-NINTH DISTRICT.
2.11 		Subdivision 1.Senate district. Senate District 39 consists of that district as 
2.12 	described in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, 
2.13 	No. A11-152 (February 21, 2012).
2.14 		Subd. 2.House of representatives districts. Notwithstanding the order of the 
2.15 	Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, No. A11-152 (February 
2.16 	21, 2012), Senate District 39, as described in that order, is divided into two house of 
2.17 	representatives districts as follows:
2.18 	(a) House of Representatives District 39A consists of that district as described in 
2.19 	file L39A-1, on file with the Geographic Information Systems Office of the Legislative 
2.20 	Coordinating Commission and published on its Web site on March 9, 2012.
2.21 	(b) House of Representatives District 39B consists of that district as described in 
2.22 	file L39B-1, on file with the Geographic Information Systems Office of the Legislative 
2.23 	Coordinating Commission and published on its Web site on March 9, 2012.

2.24 	Sec. 2. [2.495] FORTY-NINTH DISTRICT.
2.25 		Subdivision 1.Senate district. Senate District 49 consists of that district as 
2.26 	described in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, 
2.27 	No. A11-152 (February 21, 2012).
2.28 		Subd. 2.House of representatives districts. Notwithstanding the order of the 
2.29 	Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel in Hippert v. Ritchie, No. A11-152 (February 21, 
2.30 	2012), Senate District 49 is divided into two house of representatives districts as follows:
2.31 	(a) House of Representatives District 49A consists of the district as described in 
2.32 	that order, with the modification contained in file L49A-2, on file with the Geographic 
2.33 	Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission and published on 
2.34 	its Web site on March 28, 2012.
3.1 	(b) House of Representatives District 49B consists of the district as described in 
3.2 	that order, with the modification contained in file L49B-2, on file with the Geographic 
3.3 	Information Systems Office of the Legislative Coordinating Commission and published on 
3.4 	its Web site on March 28, 2012.

3.5 	Sec. 3.  REPEALER.
 3.6 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 2.444; and 2.484, are repealed.

3.7 	Sec. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 3.8 	This article is effective for the state primary and state general elections conducted 
3.9 	in 2014 for terms of office beginning on the first Monday in January of 2015, and for all 
3.10 	elections held thereafter.

3.11 	ARTICLE 2
3.12 	EARLY VOTING

3.13 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.022, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.14 		Subdivision 1.Establishment. The secretary of state shall maintain a statewide 
3.15 	voter registration system to facilitate voter registration and to provide a central database 
3.16 	containing voter registration information from around the state. The system must be 
3.17 	accessible to the county auditor of each county in the state. The system must also:
3.18 	(1) provide for voters to submit their voter registration applications to any county 
3.19 	auditor, the secretary of state, or the Department of Public Safety;
3.20 	(2) provide for the definition, establishment, and maintenance of a central database 
3.21 	for all voter registration information;
3.22 	(3) provide for entering data into the statewide registration system;
3.23 	(4) provide for electronic transfer of completed voter registration applications from 
3.24 	the Department of Public Safety to the secretary of state or the county auditor;
3.25 	(5) assign a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the state;
3.26 	(6) provide for the acceptance of the Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota 
3.27 	state identification number, and last four digits of the Social Security number for each 
3.28 	voter record;
3.29 	(7) coordinate with other agency databases within the state;
3.30 	(8) allow county auditors and the secretary of state to add or modify information in 
3.31 	the system to provide for accurate and up-to-date records;
4.1 	(9) allow county auditors, municipal and school district clerks, and the secretary 
4.2 	of state to have electronic access to the statewide registration system for review and 
4.3 	search capabilities;
4.4 	(10) provide security and protection of all information in the statewide registration 
4.5 	system and ensure that unauthorized access is not allowed;
4.6 	(11) provide access to municipal clerks to use the system;
4.7 	(12) provide a system for each county to identify the precinct to which a voter 
4.8 	should be assigned for voting purposes;
4.9 	(13) provide daily reports accessible by county auditors on the driver's license 
4.10 	numbers, state identification numbers, or last four digits of the Social Security numbers 
4.11 	submitted on voter registration applications that have been verified as accurate by the 
4.12 	secretary of state; and
4.13 	(14) provide reports on the number of absentee ballots transmitted to and returned 
4.14 	and cast by voters under section 203B.16.; and
4.15 	(15) provide reports necessary for early voting.
4.16 	The appropriate state or local official shall provide security measures to prevent 
4.17 	unauthorized access to the computerized list established under section 201.021.

4.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.001, is amended to read:
4.19 	203B.001 ELECTION LAW APPLICABILITY.
4.20 	The Minnesota Election Law is applicable to voting by absentee ballot and early 
4.21 	voting unless otherwise provided in this chapter.

4.22 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision 
4.23 	to read:
4.24 		Subd. 5.Early voting. "Early voting" means voting in person before election day 
4.25 	at polling places designated in the county auditor's offices in county-owned or operated 
4.26 	buildings or at the municipal clerk's office within the time period provided in section 
4.27 	203B.31.

4.28 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.085, is amended to read:
4.29 	203B.085 COUNTY AUDITOR'S AND MUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICES TO 
4.30 	REMAIN OPEN DURING CERTAIN HOURS PRECEDING ELECTION.
4.31 	The county auditor's office in each county and the clerk's office in each city or 
4.32 	town authorized under section 203B.05 to administer absentee balloting must be open 
4.33 	for acceptance of absentee ballot applications and casting of absentee ballots from 8:00 
5.1 	a.m. to 12:00 noon on the day immediately preceding a federal, state, or county election, 
5.2 	unless that day falls on a Sunday. When performing the duties of the county auditor in 
5.3 	an election not held in conjunction with a federal, state, or county election, the clerk's 
5.4 	office must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and until 5:00 p.m. on the 
5.5 	day immediately preceding a primary, special, or general election unless that day falls 
5.6 	on a Saturday or Sunday. Town clerks' offices must be open for absentee voting from 
5.7 	10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday before a town general election held in March. 
5.8 	The school district clerk, when performing the county auditor's election duties, need not 
5.9 	comply with this section.

5.10 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
5.11 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; applicable laws. (a) The governing body of each 
5.12 	county, municipality, and school district with responsibility to accept and reject absentee 
5.13 	ballots or to administer early voting must, by ordinance or resolution, establish a ballot 
5.14 	board. The board must consist of a sufficient number of election judges trained in the 
5.15 	handling of absentee ballots and appointed as provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22. 
5.16 	The board may include staff trained as election judges.
5.17 	(b) Each jurisdiction must pay a reasonable compensation to each member of that 
5.18 	jurisdiction's ballot board for services rendered during an election.
5.19 	(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, all provisions of the Minnesota 
5.20 	Election Law apply to a ballot board.

5.21 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.121, is amended by adding a 
5.22 	subdivision to read:
5.23 		Subd. 2a.Duties of ballot board; early voting. The members of the ballot board 
5.24 	shall administer the process of early voting as prescribed in section 203B.35, and shall 
5.25 	make a record of voters who cast ballots early and count those ballots as provided in 
5.26 	subdivisions 4 and 5.

5.27 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.121, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.28 		Subd. 3.Record of voting. (a) When applicable, the county auditor or municipal 
5.29 	clerk must immediately record that a voter's absentee ballot has been accepted or that the 
5.30 	voter has cast a ballot pursuant to the early voting procedures provided in this chapter. A 
5.31 	voter whose record indicates that the voter has cast an early ballot must not be permitted 
5.32 	to cast another ballot in that election. After the close of business on the fourth day before 
5.33 	the election day prior to the beginning of the early voting period as provided in section 
6.1 	203B.31, a voter whose record indicates that an absentee ballot has been accepted or cast 
6.2 	must not be permitted to cast another ballot at that election. In a state primary, general, or 
6.3 	state special election for federal or, state, or county office, the auditor or clerk must also 
6.4 	record this information in the statewide voter registration system.
6.5 	(b) The roster must be marked, and a supplemental report of absentee and early
6.6 	 voters who submitted a voter registration application with their ballot must be created, no 
6.7 	later than the start of voting on election day to indicate the voters that have already cast a 
6.8 	ballot at the election. The roster may be marked either:
6.9 	(1) by the county auditor or municipal clerk before election day;
6.10 	(2) by the ballot board before election day; or
6.11 	(3) by the election judges at the polling place on election day.
6.12 	The record of a voter whose absentee ballot was received after the close of business 
6.13 	on the fourth day before the election is not required to be marked on the roster or contained 
6.14 	in a supplemental report as required by this paragraph.

6.15 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
6.16 		Subd. 4.Opening of envelopes. After the close of business on the fourth day 
6.17 	before the election day prior to the beginning of the early voting period as provided in 
6.18 	section 203B.31, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" may be opened, 
6.19 	duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, subdivision 5, initialed by 
6.20 	the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate ballot box. If more than 
6.21 	one ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must be returned in the manner 
6.22 	provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and may not be counted.

6.23 	Sec. 9. [203B.30] EARLY VOTING.
6.24 	Any eligible voter may vote in person before election day in the manner provided 
6.25 	in sections 203B.31 to 203B.35.

6.26 	Sec. 10. [203B.31] TIME PERIOD FOR EARLY VOTING.
6.27 	Early voting must be available to any eligible voter as provided in section 203B.32 
6.28 	for every primary, general, and special election for federal, state, or county office from 15 
6.29 	days before the election through 5:00 p.m. on the third day before the election. All voters 
6.30 	in line at 5:00 p.m. on the third day before the election must be allowed to vote in the 
6.31 	same manner as provided in section 204C.05, subdivision 2.

6.32 	Sec. 11. [203B.32] HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING.
7.1 	Early voting must be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on 
7.2 	each weekday during the time period provided in section 203B.31, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 
7.3 	p.m. on at least one weekday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the two Saturdays 
7.4 	before the election.

7.5 	Sec. 12. [203B.33] LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING.
7.6 	(a) Early voting must be made available at polling places designated in the county 
7.7 	auditor's offices in county-owned or operated buildings and at the municipal clerk's office 
7.8 	in every municipality that has been delegated the responsibility to administer absentee 
7.9 	voting as provided in section 203B.05. At least one voting station and one ballot marking 
7.10 	device for disabled voters must be made available in each polling place.
7.11 	(b) The county auditor must make an electronic ballot counter available in each 
7.12 	polling place.

7.13 	Sec. 13. [203B.34] NOTICE TO VOTERS.
7.14 	The county auditor must prepare a notice to the voters of the days, times, and 
7.15 	locations for early voting. This notice must be posted on the county's Web site and the 
7.16 	Web site for each municipality in the county where an early voting location is designated 
7.17 	for the election at least 14 days before the first day for early voting. If a county or 
7.18 	municipality does not have a Web site, the county auditor or municipal clerk must publish 
7.19 	the notice at least once in the jurisdiction's official newspaper at least seven days and not 
7.20 	more than 14 days before the first day for early voting.

7.21 	Sec. 14. [203B.35] PROCEDURES FOR EARLY VOTING.
7.22 		Subdivision 1.Voting procedure. Each voter shall sign the certification provided in 
7.23 	section 204C.10. An individual who is not registered to vote must register in the manner 
7.24 	provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3.
7.25 	After the voter has signed the certification, a member of the ballot board must 
7.26 	provide a ballot to the voter. Ballots must be prepared and distributed by members of the 
7.27 	ballot board in the manner provided in section 204C.09. The voter must mark the ballot 
7.28 	and deposit it in a precinct voting system. A voter may not leave the polling place with 
7.29 	the ballot.
7.30 		Subd. 2.Processing of ballots. Ballots cast pursuant to sections 203B.30 to 
7.31 	203B.35 must be processed and counted by a ballot board.

7.32 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
8.1 		Subd. 2.Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks. (a) Except as 
8.2 	otherwise provided for absentee ballots in this section and in section 204B.35, subdivision 
8.3 	4, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which 
8.4 	the auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general 
8.5 	election. At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor 
8.6 	but not later than four days before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from 
8.7 	the county auditor:
8.8 	(a) (1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;
8.9 	(b) (2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;
8.10 	(c) (3) any other instructions for election officers; and
8.11 	(d) (4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for 
8.12 	ballot returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to 
8.13 	comply with the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may 
8.14 	furnish the election supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are 
8.15 	furnished to precincts in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
8.16 	(b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early 
8.17 	voting to city clerks designed to administer early voting under section 203B.05 at least 
8.18 	one day prior to the beginning of the early voting period as provided in section 203B.31.

8.19 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.82, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.20 		Subdivision 1.Program. A program or programs for use in an election conducted 
8.21 	by means of an electronic voting system or using an electronic ballot marker shall be 
8.22 	prepared at the direction of the county auditor or municipal clerk who is responsible for 
8.23 	the conduct of the election and shall be independently verified by a competent person 
8.24 	designated by that official. The term "competent person" as used in this section means a 
8.25 	person who can demonstrate knowledge as a computer programmer and who is other than 
8.26 	and wholly independent of any person operating or employed by the counting center or the 
8.27 	corporation or other preparer of the program. A test deck prepared by a competent person 
8.28 	shall be used for independent verification of the program; it shall test the maximum digits 
8.29 	used in totaling the returns and shall be usable by insertion during the tabulation process 
8.30 	as well as prior to tabulation. A test deck must also be prepared using the electronic ballot 
8.31 	marker program and must also be used to verify that all valid votes counted by the vote 
8.32 	tabulator may be selected using the electronic ballot marker. The computer program for 
8.33 	any election and an exact duplicate of the program for use as backup must be completed 
8.34 	and delivered to the election jurisdiction or the county auditor in charge of a common 
9.1 	central counting center at least 27 days prior to the election. The secretary of state shall 
9.2 	adopt rules further specifying test procedures.

9.3 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.83, is amended to read:
9.4 	206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.
9.5 	Within 14 22 days before election day, the official in charge of elections shall have 
9.6 	the voting system tested to ascertain that the system will correctly mark ballots using all 
9.7 	methods supported by the system, including through assistive technology, and count the 
9.8 	votes cast for all candidates and on all questions. Public notice of the time and place of the 
9.9 	test must be given at least two days in advance by publication once in official newspapers. 
9.10 	The test must be observed by at least two election judges, who are not of the same major 
9.11 	political party, and must be open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the 
9.12 	press, and the public. The test must be conducted by (1) processing a preaudited group 
9.13 	of ballots punched or marked to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each 
9.14 	candidate and on each question, and must include for each office one or more ballot cards 
9.15 	which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of 
9.16 	the voting system tabulator and electronic ballot marker to reject those votes; and (2) 
9.17 	processing an additional test deck of ballots marked using the electronic ballot marker 
9.18 	for the precinct, including ballots marked using the electronic ballot display, audio ballot 
9.19 	reader, and any assistive voting technology used with the electronic ballot marker. If any 
9.20 	error is detected, the cause must be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count must 
9.21 	be made before the voting system may be used in the election. After the completion of 
9.22 	the test, the programs used and ballot cards must be sealed, retained, and disposed of as 
9.23 	provided for paper ballots.

9.24 	Sec. 18. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY.
 9.25 	The provisions of this article related to early voting are effective when the secretary 
9.26 	of state has certified that:
9.27 	(1) the statewide voter registration system has been tested and shown to properly 
9.28 	allow for the tracking of the information required to conduct early voting, and can handle 
9.29 	the expected volume of use; and
9.30 	(2) precinct voting equipment that can tabulate at least 30 different ballot styles 
9.31 	has been certified for use in this state. Upon certification pursuant to this section, the 
9.32 	provisions of this article related to early voting apply to all federal, state, and county 
9.33 	elections held on August 1, 2014, and thereafter. A jurisdiction may implement the 
9.34 	requirements of this article prior to the date provided in this section, if the secretary of 
10.1 	state has made the required certifications at least 90 days prior to the date of the election at 
10.2 	which early voting will be used.

10.3 	ARTICLE 3
10.4 	ABSENTEE VOTING

10.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.6 		Subdivision 1.Unable to go to polling place Absentee voting; eligibility. (a) Any 
10.7 	eligible voter who reasonably expects to be unable to go to the polling place on election 
10.8 	day in the precinct where the individual maintains residence because of absence from the 
10.9 	precinct; illness, including isolation or quarantine under sections 144.419 to 144.4196
10.10 	 or United States Code, title 42, sections 264 to 272; disability; religious discipline; 
10.11 	observance of a religious holiday; or service as an election judge in another precinct may 
10.12 	vote by absentee ballot as provided in sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
10.13 	(b) If the governor has declared an emergency and filed the declaration with the 
10.14 	secretary of state under section 12.31, and the declaration states that the emergency has 
10.15 	made it difficult for voters to go to the polling place on election day, any voter in a 
10.16 	precinct covered by the declaration may vote by absentee ballot as provided in sections 
10.17 	203B.04 to 203B.15.

10.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.19 		Subdivision 1.Violation. No individual shall intentionally:
10.20 	(a) (1) make or sign any false certificate required by this chapter;
10.21 	(b) (2) make any false or untrue statement in any application for absentee ballots;
10.22 	(c) (3) apply for absentee ballots more than once in any election with the intent 
10.23 	to cast an illegal ballot;
10.24 	(d) (4) exhibit a ballot marked by that individual to any other individual;
10.25 	(e) (5) do any act in violation of the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of 
10.26 	casting an illegal vote in any precinct or for the purpose of aiding another to cast an 
10.27 	illegal vote;
10.28 	(f) (6) use information from absentee ballot or early voting materials or records for 
10.29 	purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement;
10.30 	(g) (7) provide assistance to an absentee or early voter except in the manner provided 
10.31 	by section 204C.15, subdivision 1;
10.32 	(h) (8) solicit the vote of an absentee or early voter while in the immediate presence 
10.33 	of the voter during the time the individual knows the absentee or early voter is voting; or
11.1 	(i) (9) alter an absentee ballot application after it has been signed by the voter, 
11.2 	except by an election official for administrative purposes.
11.3 	Before inspecting information from absentee ballot or early voting materials or 
11.4 	records, an individual shall provide identification to the public official having custody of 
11.5 	the material or information.

11.6 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.7 		Subdivision 1.Application procedures. (a) Except as otherwise allowed by 
11.8 	subdivision 2 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, an application for absentee ballots for 
11.9 	any election may be submitted at any time not less than one day before the day of that 
11.10 	election. The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format 
11.11 	provided by the secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By 
11.12 	January 1 of each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be 
11.13 	used available to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to 
11.14 	this subdivision shall be in writing and shall be submitted to:
11.15 	(1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
11.16 	(2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where 
11.17 	the applicant maintains residence.
11.18 	(b) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by 
11.19 	the applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date 
11.20 	of birth, and at least one of the following:
11.21 	(1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
11.22 	(2) Minnesota state identification card number;
11.23 	(3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
11.24 	(4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
11.25 	(c) To be approved, the application must state that the applicant is eligible to vote by 
11.26 	absentee ballot for one of the reasons specified in section 203B.02, and must contain an oath 
11.27 	that the information contained on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the 
11.28 	applicant's own behalf, and that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
11.29 	(d) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification 
11.30 	number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be 
11.31 	made available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county 
11.32 	auditor or municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or 
11.33 	returned in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a 
11.34 	person other than the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the 
11.35 	county auditor or municipal clerk within ten days after it has been dated by the voter and 
12.1 	no later than six days before the election. The absentee ballot applications or a list of 
12.2 	persons applying for an absentee ballot may not be made available for public inspection 
12.3 	until the close of voting on election day.
12.4 	(e) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under 
12.5 	subdivision 5 to automatically receive an absentee ballot application.

12.6 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.04, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
12.7 		Subd. 5.Permanent illness or disability absentee voter status. (a) An eligible 
12.8 	voter who reasonably expects to be permanently unable to go to the polling place on 
12.9 	election day because of illness or disability may apply to a county auditor or municipal 
12.10 	clerk under this section to automatically receive an absentee ballot application before each 
12.11 	election, other than an election by mail conducted under section 204B.45, and to have the 
12.12 	status as a permanent absentee voter indicated on the voter's registration record.
12.13 	(b) A voter who applies under paragraph (a), must automatically be provided an 
12.14 	absentee ballot for each eligible election. Ballots sent in accordance with this section must 
12.15 	be sent by nonforwardable mail. A voter's permanent absentee status ends and automatic 
12.16 	ballot delivery must be terminated on:
12.17 	(1) the voter's written request;
12.18 	(2) the voter's death;
12.19 	(3) return of a permanent absentee ballot as undeliverable; or
12.20 	(4) a change in the voter's status to "challenged" or "inactive" in the statewide voter 
12.21 	registration system.
12.22 	(c) The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing procedures under this 
12.23 	subdivision.

12.24 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
12.25 		Subdivision 1.Printing and delivery of forms. Each county auditor and municipal 
12.26 	clerk shall prepare and print a sufficient number of blank application forms for absentee 
12.27 	ballots. The county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver a blank application form to 
12.28 	any voter who requests one pursuant to section 203B.04. Blank application forms must be 
12.29 	mailed to eligible voters who have requested an application pursuant to section 203B.04, 
12.30 	subdivision 5 or 6, at least 60 days before:
12.31 	(1) each regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or school board 
12.32 	office;
12.33 	(2) each regularly scheduled general election for city or school board office for 
12.34 	which a primary is not held; and
13.1 	(3) a special primary to fill a federal or county office vacancy or special election to 
13.2 	fill a federal or county office vacancy, if a primary is not required to be held pursuant to 
13.3 	section 204D.03, subdivision 3, or 204D.07, subdivision 3; and
13.4 	(4) any election held in conjunction with an election described in clauses (1) to (3);
13.5 	or at least 45 days before any other primary or other election for which a primary is not held.

13.6 	Sec. 6. EXPLANATION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT CHANGES; COUNTY 
13.7 	AUDITOR DUTIES.
 13.8 	No later than 60 days prior to the date of the state primary in 2014, each county 
13.9 	auditor shall mail an explanation of the changes to the permanent absentee balloting 
13.10 	process and an updated permanent absentee voter application to every voter with permanent 
13.11 	absentee ballot status in the county auditor's county. Each county auditor shall also mail 
13.12 	this explanation to every voter in the county auditor's county with ongoing absentee ballot 
13.13 	status on the voter's voter record as of the effective date of this article. A voter must return 
13.14 	the application to maintain the voter's status as a permanent absentee voter.
13.15 	Upon receipt of a completed application, the county auditor shall scan and retain an 
13.16 	image of the application until the permanent absentee voter's status ends.

13.17 	Sec. 7.  REPEALER.
 13.18 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.04, subdivision 6, is repealed.

13.19 	Sec. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 13.20 	This article is effective January 1, 2014, and applies to voting at elections conducted 
13.21 	on the date of the state primary in 2014 and thereafter.

13.22 	ARTICLE 4
13.23 	VACANCIES IN NOMINATION

13.24 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.25 		Subdivision 1.Death or withdrawal Partisan office. (a) A vacancy in nomination 
13.26 	may for a partisan office must be filled in the manner provided by this section. A vacancy 
13.27 	in nomination exists for a partisan office when: (1) a major political party candidate 
13.28 	or nonpartisan candidate who was nominated at a primary dies or files an affidavit of 
13.29 	withdrawal as provided in section 204B.12, subdivision 2a; or(2) a candidate for a 
13.30 	nonpartisan office, for which one or two candidates filed, who has been nominated in 
13.31 	accordance with section 204D.03, subdivision 3, or 204D.10, subdivision 1:
14.1 	(1) dies;
14.2 	(2) withdraws as provided in section 204B.12, subdivision 1.; or
14.3 	(3) withdraws by filing an affidavit of withdrawal, as provided in paragraph (b), at 
14.4 	least one day prior to the general election with the same official who received the affidavit 
14.5 	of candidacy.
14.6 	(b) An affidavit of withdrawal filed under paragraph (a), clause (3), must state that 
14.7 	the candidate has been diagnosed with a catastrophic illness that will permanently and 
14.8 	continuously incapacitate the candidate and prevent the candidate from performing the 
14.9 	duties of the office sought, if elected. The affidavit must be accompanied by a certificate 
14.10 	verifying the candidate's illness meets the requirements of this paragraph, signed by at 
14.11 	least two licensed physicians. The affidavit and certificate may be filed by the candidate 
14.12 	or the candidate's legal guardian.

14.13 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
14.14 		Subd. 2.Partisan office; nomination by party; special election. (a) A vacancy in 
14.15 	nomination for partisan office shall be filled as provided in this subdivision. Except as 
14.16 	provided in subdivision 5, a major political party has the authority to may fill a vacancy 
14.17 	in nomination of that party's candidate as defined in subdivision 1, clause (1) or (3) by 
14.18 	filing a one nomination certificate with the same official who received the affidavits of 
14.19 	candidacy for that office.
14.20 	(b) A major political party may provide in its governing rules a procedure, including 
14.21 	designation of an appropriate committee, to fill vacancies a vacancy in nomination for all 
14.22 	offices elected statewide any federal or state partisan office. The nomination certificate 
14.23 	shall be prepared under the direction of and executed by the chair and secretary of the 
14.24 	political party and filed within seven days after the vacancy in nomination occurs or 
14.25 	before the 14th day before the general election, whichever is sooner. If the vacancy in 
14.26 	nomination occurs through the candidate's death or catastrophic illness, the nomination 
14.27 	certificate must be filed within seven days after the vacancy in nomination occurs but no 
14.28 	later than four days before the general election the timelines established in this section.
14.29 	 When filing the certificate the chair and secretary when filing the certificate shall attach an 
14.30 	affidavit stating that the newly nominated candidate has been selected under the rules of 
14.31 	the party and that the individuals signing the certificate and making the affidavit are the 
14.32 	chair and secretary of the party.
14.33 	(b) In the case of a vacancy in nomination for partisan office that occurs on or before 
14.34 	the 79th day before the general election, the major political party must file the nomination 
15.1 	certificate no later than 71 days before the general election. The name of the candidate 
15.2 	nominated by the party must appear on the general election ballot.
15.3 	(c) Except as provided in subdivision 5, in the case of a vacancy in nomination for 
15.4 	a partisan office that occurs after the 79th day before the general election, the general 
15.5 	election ballot shall remain unchanged, but the county and state canvassing boards must 
15.6 	not certify the vote totals for that office from the general election, and the office must be 
15.7 	filled at a special election held in accordance with this section. Except for the vacancy 
15.8 	in nomination, all other candidates whose names appeared on the general election ballot 
15.9 	for the office must appear on the special election ballot for the office. New affidavits of 
15.10 	candidacy or nominating petitions may not be accepted, and there must not be a primary to 
15.11 	fill the vacancy in nomination. The major political party may file a nomination certificate 
15.12 	as provided in paragraph (a), no later than seven days after the general election. On the 
15.13 	date of the general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall post a notice 
15.14 	in each precinct affected by a vacancy in nomination under this paragraph, informing 
15.15 	voters of the statutory reason for the vacancy in nomination as provided in subdivision 1, 
15.16 	paragraph (a), clauses (1) and (3), and the procedures for filling the vacancy in nomination 
15.17 	and conducting a special election as required by this section. The secretary of state shall 
15.18 	prepare and electronically distribute the notice to county auditors in each county affected 
15.19 	by a vacancy in nomination.

15.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, is amended by adding a subdivision 
15.21 	to read:
15.22 		Subd. 2a.Partisan office; filing period. A vacancy in nomination for a partisan 
15.23 	office due to a withdrawal of a candidate under section 204B.12, subdivision 1, may 
15.24 	be filled in the manner provided in sections 204B.06, 204B.09, and 204B.11, except 
15.25 	that all documents and fees required by those sections must be filed within five days 
15.26 	after the vacancy in nomination occurs. There must be a two-day period for withdrawal 
15.27 	of candidates after the last day for filing.
15.28 	If there is more than one candidate at the end of the withdrawal period to fill 
15.29 	the vacancy in nomination, the candidates' names must appear on the primary ballot. 
15.30 	Otherwise, the candidate's name must appear on the general election ballot.

15.31 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
15.32 		Subd. 5.Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. (a) If a vacancy in 
15.33 	nomination for a major political party occurs in the race for governor, the political party 
15.34 	must nominate the candidates for both governor and lieutenant governor. If a vacancy 
16.1 	in nomination for a major political party occurs in the race for lieutenant governor,
16.2 	 the candidate for governor determined under this section shall select the candidate for 
16.3 	lieutenant governor. If a vacancy in nomination occurs in the race for lieutenant governor, 
16.4 	due to a vacancy in nomination for governor or due to the withdrawal or death of the 
16.5 	candidate for lieutenant governor, the candidate for governor shall select the candidate for 
16.6 	lieutenant governor as provided in this subdivision.
16.7 	(b) For a vacancy in nomination for lieutenant governor that occurs on or before the 
16.8 	16th 79th day before the general election, the name of the lieutenant governor candidate 
16.9 	must be submitted by the governor candidate to the filing officer within seven days after 
16.10 	the vacancy occurs, or before the 14th day before the general election, whichever is sooner
16.11 	 no later than 71 days before the general election. If the vacancy in nomination occurs 
16.12 	through the death or catastrophic illness of the candidate for lieutenant governor occurs 
16.13 	after the 79th day before the general election, the candidate for governor shall submit the 
16.14 	name of the new lieutenant governor candidate to the secretary of state within seven days 
16.15 	after the vacancy in nomination occurs but no later than four days before the general 
16.16 	election. If the vacancy in nomination occurs through the death or catastrophic illness 
16.17 	of the candidate for governor, the new candidate for governor shall submit the name of 
16.18 	the lieutenant governor candidate within seven days after the vacancy in nomination for 
16.19 	governor is filled under section 204B.13, subdivision 2, but no later than four days before 
16.20 	the general election. occurs, but no changes may be made to the general election ballots.
16.21 	(c) When a vacancy in nomination for lieutenant governor occurs after the 79th day 
16.22 	before the general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall post a notice in 
16.23 	each precinct affected by the vacancy in nomination. The secretary of state shall prepare 
16.24 	and electronically distribute the notice to county auditors. The county auditor must ensure 
16.25 	that each precinct in the county receives the notice prior to the opening of the polls on 
16.26 	election day. The notice must include:
16.27 	(1) a statement that there is a vacancy in nomination for lieutenant governor and the 
16.28 	statutory reason for the vacancy in nomination as provided in subdivision 1, paragraph 
16.29 	(a), clauses (1) and (3);
16.30 	(2) a statement that the results for the governor and lieutenant governor will be 
16.31 	counted and that no special election will be held for that race; and 
16.32 	(3) a list of all candidates in the governor and lieutenant governor's race, listed in order 
16.33 	of the base rotation. The listing of candidates shall include the name of the candidate to 
16.34 	fill the vacancy in nomination for lieutenant governor. If the name of the candidate has not 
16.35 	yet been named, then the list must include the date by which the candidate will be named.

17.1 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.2 	to read:
17.3 		Subd. 7.Date of special election. If a special election is required under this section, 
17.4 	the governor shall issue a writ calling for a special election to be conducted on the second 
17.5 	Tuesday in February of the year following the year the vacancy in nomination occurred. 
17.6 	Except where otherwise provided in this section, the writ shall be issued and the special 
17.7 	election conducted according to the requirements of sections 204D.22 to 204D.27.

17.8 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.9 	to read:
17.10 		Subd. 8.Absentee voters. At least 46 days, but no more than 50 days, before a 
17.11 	special election conducted under this section, the county auditor shall transmit an absentee 
17.12 	ballot for the special election to each applicant for an absentee ballot whose application 
17.13 	for an absentee ballot for the preceding general election was recorded under section 
17.14 	203B.04 or 203B.17. New applicants for an absentee ballot may be provided a ballot 
17.15 	in the manner specified in chapter 203B.

17.16 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.13, is amended by adding a subdivision 
17.17 	to read:
17.18 		Subd. 9.Appropriation. In the case of a statewide special election under this 
17.19 	section, the amount necessary is appropriated from the general fund to the secretary of 
17.20 	state to cover costs incurred by the state, county, and municipal governments to conduct 
17.21 	the special election.

17.22 	Sec. 8. [204B.131] VACANCY IN NOMINATION; NONPARTISAN OFFICE.
17.23 		Subdivision 1.Applicability. A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan office 
17.24 	must be filled in the manner provided by this section. A vacancy in nomination for a 
17.25 	nonpartisan office exists when:
17.26 	(1) a candidate for any nonpartisan office, for which one or two candidates filed, 
17.27 	withdraws as provided in section 204B.12, subdivision 1; or
17.28 	(2) a candidate for any nonjudicial nonpartisan office, for which only one or two 
17.29 	candidates filed or who was nominated at a primary, dies more than 79 days before the 
17.30 	date of the general election.
17.31 		Subd. 2.Procedure for filling vacancy. A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan 
17.32 	office may be filled by filing an affidavit of candidacy and paying a filing fee, or by filing 
17.33 	an affidavit of candidacy and filing a petition in place of a filing fee, in the manner 
18.1 	provided in sections 204B.06, 204B.09, and 204B.11. All documents and fees required by 
18.2 	this subdivision must be filed within five days after the vacancy in nomination occurs. 
18.3 	There must be a two-day period for withdrawal of candidates after the last day for filing.   
18.4 	If the vacancy in nomination resulted from a withdrawal during the withdrawal 
18.5 	period held on the 68th to 69th day before the primary, and if, at the end of the withdrawal 
18.6 	period to fill the vacancy in nomination, there are more than two candidates, the 
18.7 	candidates' names must appear on the primary ballot.  In all other cases, the candidates' 
18.8 	names must appear on the general election ballot.

18.9 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.19, is amended by adding a subdivision 
18.10 	to read:
18.11 		Subd. 6.Writ when vacancy results from vacancy in nomination. If a vacancy in 
18.12 	office is due to a vacancy in nomination under section 204B.13, the governor shall issue a 
18.13 	writ in the manner provided in that section.

18.14 	Sec. 10.  REPEALER.
 18.15 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 204B.12, subdivision 2a; and 204B.13, 
18.16 	subdivisions 4 and 6, are repealed.

18.17 	Sec. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 18.18 	This article is effective the day following final enactment and applies to vacancies in 
18.19 	nomination occurring on or after that date.

18.20 	ARTICLE 5
18.21 	ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

18.22 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.225, subdivision 3, is amended to 
18.23 	read:
18.24 		Subd. 3.Referendum. (a) Within 60 days after the petition is received by the state 
18.25 	board, it shall give due notice of the holding of a referendum, schedule the referendum at 
18.26 	the next general election, and cooperate with county election officials to accomplish the 
18.27 	election in the most expedient manner.Upon receipt of a petition, the state board shall 
18.28 	provide written notice to the secretary of state and the county auditor of each county in 
18.29 	which the district is located no later than 74 days before the state general election. The 
18.30 	notice must include the date of the election and the title and text of the question to be 
18.31 	placed on the ballot. Prior to the referendum, the state board shall facilitate the preparation 
19.1 	of a plan to continue the administration of the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the 
19.2 	district, including the functions of the district board.
19.3 	(b) The question shall be submitted by ballots, upon which the words "For terminating 
19.4 	the existence ofappear on the ballot in the following form: "Shall the .................. (name 
19.5 	of the soil and water conservation district to be here inserted)" and "Against terminating 
19.6 	the existence of the .................. (name of the soil and water conservation district to be here 
19.7 	inserted)" shall be printed, with a square before each proposition and a direction to insert 
19.8 	an X mark in the square before one or the other be terminated?".
19.9 	(c) Only eligible voters in the district may vote in the referendum.
19.10 	(d) Informalities in the conduct of the referendum or matters relating to the 
19.11 	referendum do not invalidate the referendum, or result of the referendum, if due notice has 
19.12 	been given and the referendum has been fairly conducted.
19.13 	(e) The state board shall publish the result of the referendum.

19.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.305, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
19.15 		Subd. 3.Ballots. Ballots shall be prepared by the county auditor. The names of 
19.16 	candidates shall be placed on the "canary ballot" described in section 204D.11, subdivision 
19.17 	3 state general election ballot. The office title printed on the ballot must be either "Soil 
19.18 	and Water Conservation District Supervisor" or "Conservation District Supervisor," based 
19.19 	upon the district from which the supervisor is to be elected.

19.20 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103C.311, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
19.21 		Subd. 2.Supervisors elected by districts. (a) The district board, with the approval 
19.22 	of the state board, may by resolution provide that supervisors will be elected by supervisor 
19.23 	districts as provided in this subdivision.
19.24 	(b) The supervisor districts must be composed of precincts established by county and 
19.25 	municipal governing bodies under section 204B.14. The districts must be compact, include 
19.26 	only contiguous territory, and be substantially equal in population. The districts must be 
19.27 	numbered in a regular series. The districts must be drawn by the county board of the county 
19.28 	containing the largest area of the soil and water conservation district, in consultation with 
19.29 	the district board and with the approval of the state board. The boundaries of the districts 
19.30 	must be redrawn after each decennial federal census as provided in section 204B.135. A 
19.31 	certified copy of the resolution establishing supervisor districts must be filed by the chair 
19.32 	of the district board with the county auditor of the counties where the soil and water 
19.33 	conservation district is located, with the state board, and with the secretary of state at least 
19.34 	30 days before the first date candidates may file for the office of supervisor., and the filings 
20.1 	must occur within 80 days of the time when the legislature has been redistricted or at least 
20.2 	15 weeks before the state primary election in a year ending in two, whichever comes first.
20.3 	(c) Each supervisor district is entitled to elect one supervisor. A supervisor must be a 
20.4 	resident of the district from which elected.
20.5 	(d) The district board shall provide staggered terms for supervisors elected by 
20.6 	district. After each redistricting, there shall be a new election of supervisors in all the 
20.7 	districts at the next general election, except that if the change made in the boundaries of a 
20.8 	district is less than five percent of the average population of all the districts, the supervisor 
20.9 	in office at the time of the redistricting shall serve for the full term for which elected. The 
20.10 	district board shall determine by lot the seats to be filled for a two-year term, a four-year 
20.11 	term, and a six-year term.

20.12 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123A.48, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
20.13 		Subd. 14.Election. The board shall determine the date of the election, the number 
20.14 	of boundaries of voting precincts, and the location of the polling places where voting shall 
20.15 	be conducted, and the hours the polls will be open. The board shall also provide official 
20.16 	ballots which must be used exclusively and shall be in the following form:
20.17 	For consolidation ....
20.18 	Against consolidation ....Shall the (name of school district) and the (name of school 
20.19 	district) be consolidated as proposed? Yesâ€¦. Noâ€¦.
20.20 	The board must appoint election judges who shall act as clerks of election. The 
20.21 	ballots and results must be certified to the board who shall canvass and tabulate the total 
20.22 	vote cast for and against the proposal.

20.23 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.071, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
20.24 		Subd. 2.Instructions. A registration application shall be accompanied by 
20.25 	instructions specifying the manner and method of registration, the qualifications for 
20.26 	voting, the penalties for false registration, and the availability of registration and voting 
20.27 	assistance for elderly and disabled individuals and residents of health care facilities and 
20.28 	hospitals. The instructions must indicate that if the voter does not have a valid Minnesota 
20.29 	driver's license or identification card, the last four digits of the voter's Social Security 
20.30 	number must be provided, unless the voter does not have a Social Security number. If, 
20.31 	prior to election day, a person requests the instructions in Braille, on cassette tape audio 
20.32 	format, or in a version printed in 16-point bold type with 24-point leading, the county 
20.33 	auditor shall provide them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare 
20.34 	Braille and cassetteaudio copies and make them available.

21.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.091, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
21.2 		Subd. 8.Registration places. Each county auditor shall designate a number of 
21.3 	public buildings in those political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of 
21.4 	voters is allowed as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may 
21.5 	register to vote. At least one public building must be designated for each 30,000 residents 
21.6 	of the county. At least one telecommunications device for the deaf must be available for 
21.7 	voter registration information in each county seat and in every city of the first, second, 
21.8 	and third class.
21.9 	An adequate supply of registration applications and instructions must be maintained 
21.10 	at each designated location, and a designated individual must be available there to accept 
21.11 	registration applications and transmit them to the county auditor.
21.12 	A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to determine eligibility 
21.13 	or to register must be assisted by a designated individual. Assistance includes but is not 
21.14 	limited to reading the registration form and instructions and filling out the registration 
21.15 	form as directed by the eligible voter.

21.16 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.12, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
21.17 		Subd. 3.Moved out of state. If any nonforwardable mailing from an election 
21.18 	official is returned as undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding address outside this 
21.19 	state, the county auditor shall promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice 
21.20 	advising the voter that the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system will be 
21.21 	changed to "inactive" unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the 
21.22 	voter is retaining the former address as the voter's address of residence. If the voter's 
21.23 	record is challenged due to a felony conviction, lack of United States citizenship, legal 
21.24 	incompetence, or court-ordered revocation of voting rights of persons under guardianship, 
21.25 	the county auditor must not mail this notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, 
21.26 	the county auditor shall change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter 
21.27 	registration system.

21.28 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
21.29 		Subd. 1a.Social Security Administration; other reports of deceased residents.
 21.30 	The secretary of state shall determine if any of the persons listed on either the Social 
21.31 	Security Death Index or reported as deceased by the vital records department of another 
21.32 	state are registered to vote and prepare a list of those registrants for each county auditor. 
21.33 	The county auditor shall change the status of those registrants to "deceased" in the 
21.34 	statewide voter registration system.

22.1 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.14, is amended to read:
22.2 	201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT 
22.3 	CHANGES OF NAMES.
22.4 	The state court administrator shall regularly report by electronic means to the 
22.5 	secretary of state the name, address, and, if available, driver's license or state identification 
22.6 	card number of each individual, 18 years of age or over, whose name was changed since 
22.7 	the last report, by marriage, divorce, or any order or decree of the court. The secretary of 
22.8 	state shall determine if any of the persons in the report are registered to vote under their 
22.9 	previous name and shall prepare a list of those registrants for each county auditor. Upon 
22.10 	receipt of the list, the county auditor shall make the change in the voter's record and mail 
22.11 	to the voter the notice of registration required by section 201.121, subdivision 2. A notice 
22.12 	must not be mailed if the voter's record is challenged due to a felony conviction, lack of 
22.13 	United States citizenship, legal incompetence, or court-ordered revocation of voting rights 
22.14 	of persons under guardianship.

22.15 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 202A.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
22.16 		Subdivision 1.Time and manner of holding; postponement. (a) In every state 
22.17 	general election year, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the date established pursuant to paragraph 
22.18 	(b), there shall be held for every election precinct a party caucus in the manner provided 
22.19 	in sections 202A.14 to 202A.19.
22.20 	(b)(1) The chairs of the two largest major political parties shall jointly submit to 
22.21 	the secretary of state, no later than March 1 of each odd-numbered year, the single date 
22.22 	on which the two parties have agreed to conduct their precinct caucuses in the next 
22.23 	even-numbered year.
22.24 	(2) On March 1 of each odd-numbered year Within two business days after the 
22.25 	parties have agreed on a single date on which to conduct their precinct caucuses, the 
22.26 	secretary of state shall publicly announce the official state precinct caucus date for the 
22.27 	following general election year.
22.28 	(3) If the chairs of the two largest major political parties do not jointly submit a 
22.29 	single date for conducting their precinct caucuses as provided in this paragraph, then 
22.30 	for purposes of the next general election year, the first Tuesday in February shall be 
22.31 	considered the day of a major political party precinct caucus and sections 202A.19 and 
22.32 	202A.192 shall only apply on that date.
22.33 	(4) For purposes of this paragraph, the two largest major political parties shall be the 
22.34 	parties whose candidates for governor received the greatest and second greatest number of 
22.35 	votes at the most recent gubernatorial election.
23.1 	(c) In the event of severe weather a major political party may request the secretary of 
23.2 	state to postpone caucuses. If a major political party makes a request, or upon the secretary 
23.3 	of state's own initiative, after consultation with all major political parties and on the advice 
23.4 	of the federal Weather Bureau and the Department of Transportation, the secretary of state 
23.5 	may declare precinct caucuses to be postponed for a week in counties where weather 
23.6 	makes travel especially dangerous. The secretary of state shall submit a notice of the 
23.7 	postponement to news media covering the affected counties by 6:00 p.m. on the scheduled 
23.8 	day of the caucus. A postponed caucus may also be postponed pursuant to this subdivision.

23.9 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.10 		Subdivision 1.Generally. The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer 
23.11 	the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 if:
23.12 	(1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them; or
23.13 	(2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to 
23.14 	administer them.
23.15 	The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the 
23.16 	administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121.
23.17 	A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the 
23.18 	provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 to 203B.35, if the clerk has been 
23.19 	designated by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county 
23.20 	auditors that the city will administer absentee voting. A clerk may only administer the 
23.21 	provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 if the clerk has technical capacity to access the 
23.22 	statewide voter registration system in the secure manner prescribed by the secretary of 
23.23 	state. The secretary of state must identify hardware, software, security, or other technical 
23.24 	prerequisites necessary to ensure the security, access controls, and performance of 
23.25 	the statewide voter registration system. A clerk must receive training approved by the 
23.26 	secretary of state on the use of the statewide voter registration system before administering 
23.27 	this section. A clerk may not use the statewide voter registration system until the clerk 
23.28 	has received the required training. The county auditor must notify the secretary of state 
23.29 	of any municipal clerk who will be administering the provisions of this section and the 
23.30 	duties that the clerk will administer.

23.31 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
23.32 		Subd. 3.Procedures on receipt of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a 
23.33 	county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return 
23.34 	envelope and place it in a secure location with other return envelopes received by that 
24.1 	office. Within five days after receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to 
24.2 	the ballot board all ballots received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding 
24.3 	an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots received to 
24.4 	the ballot board within three days. Ballots received on election day either (1) after 3:00 
24.5 	p.m., if delivered by an agent; or (2) after the last mail delivery, if delivered by another 
24.6 	method, shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or municipal clerk, and 
24.7 	must not be delivered to the ballot board.

24.8 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.081, is amended to read:
24.9 	203B.081 LOCATIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.
24.10 	An eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot in the office of the county auditor and 
24.11 	at any other polling place designated by the county auditor during the 46 days before: the 
24.12 	election, except as provided in this subdivision.
24.13 	(1) a regularly scheduled election for federal, state, county, city, or school board 
24.14 	office;
24.15 	(2) a special election for a federal or county office; and
24.16 	(3) an election held in conjunction with an election described in clauses (1) and (2),
24.17 	andVoters casting absentee ballots in person for a town election held in March may 
24.18 	do so during the 30 days before any otherthe election. An eligible voter may not vote by 
24.19 	absentee ballot in person during the period designated for early voting, as provided in 
24.20 	section 203B.31. The county auditor shall make such designations at least 14 weeks before 
24.21 	the election. At least one voting booth in each polling place must be made available by the 
24.22 	county auditor for this purpose. The county auditor must also make available at least one 
24.23 	electronic ballot marker in each polling place that has implemented a voting system that is 
24.24 	accessible for individuals with disabilities pursuant to section 206.57, subdivision 5.

24.25 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
24.26 		Subd. 5.Storage and counting of absentee and early voting ballots. (a) On a 
24.27 	day on which absentee or early voting ballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members 
24.28 	of the ballot board must:
24.29 	(1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;
24.30 	(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from 
24.31 	the ballot box is equal to the number of voters who cast early votes and whose absentee 
24.32 	ballots were accepted or cast that day; and
24.33 	(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end 
24.34 	of the day.
25.1 	(b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board 
25.2 	must count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter 
25.3 	and the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general 
25.4 	elections, the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in each 
25.5 	precinct and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count shall be public. 
25.6 	No vote totals from ballots may be made public before the close of voting on election day
25.7 	 must be recorded on a summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in 
25.8 	section 204C.26. The ballot board shall submit at least one completed summary statement 
25.9 	to the county auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may 
25.10 	require the ballot board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to 
25.11 	comply with the provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk 
25.12 	may certify reports containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the 
25.13 	recipients of the summary statements designated in section 204C.27.
25.14 	In state primary and state general elections, these vote totals shall be added to the 
25.15 	vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other 
25.16 	elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of 
25.17 	returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.
25.18 	The count shall be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before the 
25.19 	close of voting on election day.
25.20 	(c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been 
25.21 	completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but 
25.22 	no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee 
25.23 	ballots arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated 
25.24 	and whose ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee 
25.25 	ballot submitted by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All 
25.26 	other accepted absentee ballots must be opened, duplicated if necessary, and counted by 
25.27 	members of the ballot board. The vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into 
25.28 	the totals with the other absentee ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).

25.29 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.227, is amended to read:
25.30 	203B.227 WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.
25.31 	(a) A voter described in section 203B.16, subdivision 1, may use a state write-in 
25.32 	absentee ballot or the federal write-in absentee ballot to vote in any federal, state, or local 
25.33 	election. In a state or local election, a vote for a political party without specifying the 
25.34 	name of a candidate must not be counted.
26.1 	(b) If a voter submits a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot for which a Federal Post 
26.2 	Card Application was not received, the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot serves as a voter 
26.3 	registration, for voters who are eligible to register, in lieu of the voter's Federal Post Card 
26.4 	Application. If the voter has not already voted and the accompanying certificate is properly 
26.5 	completed, the absentee ballot board must accept the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot.

26.6 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.28, is amended to read:
26.7 	203B.28 POSTELECTION REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.
26.8 	By March 1, 2011, and by January 15 of every odd-numbered year thereafter, the 
26.9 	secretary of state shall provide to the chair and ranking minority members of the legislative 
26.10 	committees with jurisdiction over elections a statistical report related to absentee voting 
26.11 	in the most recent general election cycle. The statistics must be organized by county 
26.12 	and precinct, and include:
26.13 	(1) the number of absentee ballots transmitted to voters;
26.14 	(2) the number of absentee ballots returned by voters;
26.15 	(3) the number of absentee ballots that were rejected, categorized by the reason 
26.16 	for rejection;
26.17 	(4) the number of absentee ballots submitted pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 
26.18 	203B.27, along with the number of returned ballots that were accepted, rejected, and 
26.19 	the reason for any rejections; and
26.20 	(5) the number of absentee ballots that were not counted because the ballot return 
26.21 	envelope was received after the deadlines provided in this chapter.

26.22 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.04, is amended by adding a 
26.23 	subdivision to read:
26.24 		Subd. 4.Prohibition on multiple candidacy. A candidate who files an affidavit 
26.25 	of candidacy for an office to be elected at the general election may not subsequently file 
26.26 	another affidavit of candidacy for any other office to be elected on the date of that general 
26.27 	election, unless the candidate withdraws the initial affidavit pursuant to section 204B.12. 
26.28 	The provisions in section 645.241 do not apply to this subdivision.

26.29 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
26.30 		Subd. 2.Petitions for presidential electors and alternates. This subdivision 
26.31 	does not apply to candidates for presidential elector or alternate nominated by major 
26.32 	political parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector or alternate are certified 
26.33 	under section 208.03. Other presidential electors or alternates are nominated by petition 
27.1 	pursuant to this section. On petitions nominating presidential electors or alternates, the 
27.2 	names of the candidates for president and vice-president shall be added to the political 
27.3 	party or political principle stated on the petition. One petition may be filed to nominate a 
27.4 	slate of presidential electors equal in number to the number of electors to which the state 
27.5 	is entitled and an alternate for each elector nominee.

27.6 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
27.7 		Subd. 2.Ballot boxes. Each polling place shall be provided with one ballot box for 
27.8 	each kind of ballot to be cast at the election. The boxes shall be substantially the same color 
27.9 	as the ballots to be deposited in them. Each box shall be of sufficient size and shall have a 
27.10 	sufficient opening to receive and contain all the ballots likely to be deposited in it. When 
27.11 	buff or goldenrod ballot boxes are required, a separate box must be provided for each school 
27.12 	district for which ballots are to be cast at that polling place. The number and name of the 
27.13 	school district must appear conspicuously on the top of each buff or goldenrod ballot box.

27.14 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
27.15 		Subdivision 1.Minimum number required. (a) A minimum of four election 
27.16 	judges shall be appointed for each precinct, except as provided by subdivision 2 in the 
27.17 	state general election. In all other elections, a minimum of three election judges shall 
27.18 	be appointed for each precinct. In a combined polling place under section 204B.14, 
27.19 	subdivision 2, at least one judge must be appointed from each municipality in the 
27.20 	combined polling place, provided that not less than three judges shall be appointed for 
27.21 	each combined polling place. The appointing authorities may appoint election judges for 
27.22 	any precinct in addition to the number required by this subdivision including additional 
27.23 	election judges to count ballots after voting has ended.
27.24 	(b) An election judge may serve for all or part of election day, at the discretion of the 
27.25 	appointing authority, as long as the minimum number of judges required is always present. 
27.26 	The head election judge designated under section 204B.20 must serve for all of election day 
27.27 	and be present in the polling place unless another election judge has been designated by the 
27.28 	head election judge to perform the functions of the head election judge during any absence.

27.29 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
27.30 		Subd. 2.Exception. A minimum of three election judges shall be appointed in 
27.31 	precincts not using electronic voting equipment. One additional election judge shall 
27.32 	be appointed for each 150 votes cast in that precinct at the last similar election and in 
27.33 	precincts with fewer than 500 registered voters as of 14 weeks before the state primary.

28.1 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.2 		Subdivision 1.Meeting with election officials. At least 12 weeks before each 
28.3 	regularly scheduled town general election conducted in March, and at least 18 weeks 
28.4 	before all other general elections, each county auditor shall conduct a meeting or otherwise 
28.5 	communicate with local election officials to review the procedures for the election. The 
28.6 	county auditor may require the head election judges in the county to attend this meeting.

28.7 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
28.8 		Subdivision 1.Payment. (a) The secretary of state shall pay the compensation for 
28.9 	presidential electors, the cost of printing the pink paper ballots, and all necessary expenses 
28.10 	incurred by the secretary of state in connection with elections.
28.11 	(b) The counties shall pay the compensation prescribed in section 204B.31, clauses 
28.12 	(b) and (c), the cost of printing the canary ballots, the white ballots, the pink state general 
28.13 	election ballots when machines are used, the state partisan primary ballots, and the 
28.14 	state and county nonpartisan primary ballots, all necessary expenses incurred by county 
28.15 	auditors in connection with elections, and the expenses of special county elections.
28.16 	(c) Subject to subdivision 2, the municipalities shall pay the compensation prescribed 
28.17 	for election judges and sergeants at arms, the cost of printing the municipal ballots, 
28.18 	providing ballot boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses 
28.19 	of the municipal clerks in connection with elections, except special county elections.
28.20 	(d) The school districts shall pay the compensation prescribed for election judges 
28.21 	and sergeants-at-arms, the cost of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot 
28.22 	boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses of the school 
28.23 	district clerks in connection with school district elections not held in conjunction with 
28.24 	state elections. When school district elections are held in conjunction with state elections, 
28.25 	the school district shall pay the costs of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot 
28.26 	boxes and all necessary expenses of the school district clerk.
28.27 	All disbursements under this section shall be presented, audited, and paid as in 
28.28 	the case of other public expenses.

28.29 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.33, is amended to read:
28.30 	204B.33 NOTICE OF FILING.
28.31 	(a) At least 1516 weeks before the state primary, the secretary of state shall notify 
28.32 	each county auditor of the offices to be voted for in that county at the next state general 
28.33 	election for which candidates file with the secretary of state. The notice shall include 
28.34 	the time and place of filing for those offices. Within ten days after notification by the 
29.1 	secretary of state, each county auditor shall notify each municipal clerk in the county of 
29.2 	all the offices to be voted for in the county at that election and the time and place for 
29.3 	filing for those offices. The county auditors and municipal clerks shall promptly post a 
29.4 	copy of that notice in their offices.
29.5 	(b) At least two weeksone week before the first day to file an affidavit of candidacy, 
29.6 	the county auditor shall publish a notice stating the first and last dates on which affidavits 
29.7 	of candidacy may be filed in the county auditor's office and the closing time for filing on 
29.8 	the last day for filing. The county auditor shall post a similar notice at least ten days before 
29.9 	the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.

29.10 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.35, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
29.11 		Subd. 4.Absentee ballots; preparation; delivery. At least 46 days before a 
29.12 	regularly scheduledan election for federal, state, county, city, or school board office 
29.13 	or a special election for federal office, and at least 30 days before any other election, 
29.14 	ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters shall be prepared and delivered to 
29.15 	the officials who administer the provisions of chapter 203B, except as provided in this 
29.16 	subdivision. Ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters for a town general 
29.17 	election held in March shall be prepared and delivered to the town clerk at least 30 days 
29.18 	before the election.
29.19 	This section applies to school district elections held on the same day as a statewide 
29.20 	election or an election for a county or municipality located partially or wholly within 
29.21 	the school district.

29.22 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.23 		Subdivision 1.Type. All ballots shall be printed with black ink on paper of sufficient 
29.24 	thickness to prevent the printing from being discernible from the back. All ballots of the 
29.25 	same color shall be substantially uniform in style of printing, size, thickness and shade of 
29.26 	color. When the ballots of a particular color vary in shade, those used in any one precinct 
29.27 	shall be of the same shade. All ballots shall be printed in easily readable type with suitable 
29.28 	lines dividing candidates, offices, instructions and other matter printed on ballots. The 
29.29 	name of each candidate shall be printed in capital letters. The same type shall be used for 
29.30 	the names of all candidates on the same ballot.

29.31 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.32 		Subdivision 1.Authorization. A municipality town of any size not located in a 
29.33 	metropolitan county as defined by section 473.121 or a city having fewer than 400 1,000
30.1 	 registered voters on June 1 of an election year and not located in a metropolitan county as 
30.2 	defined by section 473.121 may provide balloting by mail at any municipal, county, or 
30.3 	state election with no polling place other than the office of the auditor or clerk or other 
30.4 	locations designated by the auditor or clerk. The governing body may apply to the county 
30.5 	auditor for permission to conduct balloting by mail. The county board may provide for 
30.6 	balloting by mail in unorganized territory. The governing body of any municipality may 
30.7 	designate for mail balloting any precinct having fewer than 50 100 registered voters, 
30.8 	subject to the approval of the county auditor.
30.9 	Voted ballots may be returned in person to any location designated by the county 
30.10 	auditor or municipal clerk.

30.11 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
30.12 		Subd. 2.Procedure. Notice of the election and the special mail procedure must be 
30.13 	given at least sixten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days nor later than 14 
30.14 	days before a regularly scheduled election for federal, state, county, city, or school board 
30.15 	office or a special election for federal office and not more than 30 days nor later than 14 
30.16 	days before any other election a town election held in March, the auditor shall mail ballots 
30.17 	by nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the town or unorganized territory. No 
30.18 	later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots 
30.19 	to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before 
30.20 	the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for 
30.21 	ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, 
30.22 	must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or 
30.23 	in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot 
30.24 	board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" 
30.25 	or "rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, 
30.26 	or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board 
30.27 	may consist of staff trained as election judges. Election judges performing the duties in 
30.28 	this section must be of different major political parties, unless they are exempt from that 
30.29 	requirement under section 205.075, subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has 
30.30 	been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain 
30.31 	sealed and the auditor or clerk shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return 
30.32 	envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days of the 
30.33 	election, the envelope must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must 
30.34 	attempt to contact the voter by telephone or e-mail to notify the voter that the voter's ballot 
30.35 	has been rejected. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
31.1 	If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to 
31.2 	indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business 
31.3 	on the fourth day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" 
31.4 	may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, 
31.5 	subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
31.6 	In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing 
31.7 	deposit and counting of ballots apply.
31.8 	The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported 
31.9 	as one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before 
31.10 	the close of voting on election day.
31.11 	The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter 
31.12 	resides. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be counted.

31.13 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.46, is amended to read:
31.14 	204B.46 MAIL ELECTIONS; QUESTIONS.
31.15 	A county, municipality, or school district submitting questions to the voters at a 
31.16 	special election may conduct an election by mail with no polling place other than the office 
31.17 	of the auditor or clerk. No offices may be voted on at a mail election. Notice of the election 
31.18 	must be given to the county auditor at least 5374 days prior to the election. This notice 
31.19 	shall also fulfill the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 8210.3000. The special mail 
31.20 	ballot procedures must be posted at least six weeks prior to the election. Not more than 30
31.21 	46 nor later than 14 days prior to the election, the auditor or clerk shall mail ballots by 
31.22 	nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the county, municipality, or school district. 
31.23 	No later than 14 days before the election, the auditor or clerk must make a subsequent 
31.24 	mailing of ballots to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 
31.25 	20th day before the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed 
31.26 	may apply for ballots pursuant to chapter 203B. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot 
31.27 	board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "Accepted" 
31.28 	or "Rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, 
31.29 	or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board 
31.30 	may consist of staff trained as election judges. Election judges performing the duties in 
31.31 	this section must be of different major political parties, unless they are exempt from that 
31.32 	requirement under section 205.075, subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has 
31.33 	been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain 
31.34 	sealed and the auditor or clerk must provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return 
31.35 	envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days of the 
32.1 	election, the envelope must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must 
32.2 	attempt to contact the voter by telephone or e-mail to notify the voter that the voter's ballot 
32.3 	has been rejected. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
32.4 	If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to 
32.5 	indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business 
32.6 	on the fourth day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" 
32.7 	may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, 
32.8 	subdivision 5, initialed by the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate ballot box.
32.9 	In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing 
32.10 	deposit and counting of ballots apply.
32.11 	The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported 
32.12 	as one vote total. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before the close of 
32.13 	voting on election day.

32.14 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
32.15 		Subdivision 1.Partisan elections. At an election to fill partisan offices, the chair of 
32.16 	an authorized committee of each major political party may appoint by written certificate 
32.17 	voters from that political party to act as challengers of voters at the polling place for each 
32.18 	precinct. Only one challenger from each major political party for each precinct shall be 
32.19 	allowed to remain in the polling place at one time. A challenger may only remain in a 
32.20 	polling place while performing authorized duties of a challenger or for other purposes 
32.21 	as specified by law.

32.22 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
32.23 		Subd. 2.Nonpartisan elections. At an election to fill nonpartisan offices, each 
32.24 	nonpartisan candidate may appoint by written certificate voters to act as challengers of 
32.25 	voters at the polling place for each precinct. Only one challenger for each candidate shall 
32.26 	be allowed to remain in the polling place for each precinct at one time. A challenger 
32.27 	may only remain in a polling place while performing authorized duties of a challenger 
32.28 	or for other purposes as specified by law.

32.29 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, is amended by adding a 
32.30 	subdivision to read:
32.31 		Subd. 3b.Training requirement. (a) An individual must successfully complete 
32.32 	one hour of training prior to serving as a challenger. The individual must complete the 
32.33 	training once per two-year election cycle. The training must be approved by the secretary 
33.1 	of state. The training must include, at a minimum, information on the role of challengers 
33.2 	in the polling place, valid bases for challenges, prohibited conduct by challengers, and 
33.3 	procedures for making challenges.
33.4 	(b) Individuals seeking admission to a polling place to serve as a challenger must 
33.5 	provide a certificate issued by the secretary of state or a designee of the secretary of 
33.6 	state. The secretary of state or designee must issue a certificate to an individual that 
33.7 	successfully completes the training described in paragraph (a). The certificate must state 
33.8 	that the individual completed the required training and include the date of the training. An 
33.9 	individual that fails to present a certificate or presents a certificate dated before the current 
33.10 	two-year election cycle shall not be allowed to serve as a challenger.

33.11 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
33.12 		Subd. 4.Restrictions on conduct. (a) An election judge may not be appointed as 
33.13 	a challenger. The election judges shall permit challengers appointed pursuant to this 
33.14 	section to be present in the polling place during the hours of voting and to remain there 
33.15 	until the votes are counted and the results declared. NoA head election judge may order a 
33.16 	challenger to leave the polling place if the challenger fails to comply with the requirements 
33.17 	of this section. A challenger must comply with the order to leave and must not serve as a 
33.18 	challenger at any polling place for the remainder of the day.
33.19 	(b) A challenger shall not:
33.20 	(1) handle or inspect registration cards, files, or lists. Challengers shall not;
33.21 	(2)  prepare in any manner any list of individuals who have or have not voted. They 
33.22 	shall not;
33.23 	(3)  attempt to influence voting in any manner. They shall not;
33.24 	(4)  converse with a voter except to determine, in the presence of an election judge, 
33.25 	whether the voter is eligible to vote in the precinct. or with a person assisting a voter;
33.26 	(5) use any electronic communication device inside the polling place; or 
33.27 	(6) interfere with an election judge who is performing official duties.
33.28 	(c) Individuals seeking admission to a polling place to serve as a challenger must 
33.29 	sign a form that acknowledges the challenger is aware of the prohibited activities in 
33.30 	paragraph (b). The form shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and must, at a 
33.31 	minimum, include a list of the prohibited activities in paragraph (b).

33.32 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
33.33 		Subdivision 1. Physical assistance in marking ballots. A voter who claims a need 
33.34 	for assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot may 
34.1 	obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political parties. 
34.2 	The election judges shall mark the ballots as directed by the voter and in as secret a manner 
34.3 	as circumstances permit. If the voter is deaf or cannot speak English or understand it when 
34.4 	it is spoken, the election judges may select two individuals who are members of different 
34.5 	major political parties to provide assistance. The individuals shall assist the voter in 
34.6 	marking the ballots. A voter in need of assistance may alternatively obtain the assistance of 
34.7 	any individual the voter chooses. Only the following persons may not provide assistance 
34.8 	to a voter: the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, an officer or agent of 
34.9 	the voter's union, or a candidate for election. The person who assists the voter shall, 
34.10 	unaccompanied by an election judge, retire with that voter to a booth and mark the ballot 
34.11 	as directed by the voter. No person who assists another voter as provided in the preceding 
34.12 	sentence shall mark the ballots of more than three voters at one election. Before the ballots 
34.13 	are deposited, the voter may show them privately to an election judge to ascertain that they 
34.14 	are marked as the voter directed. An election judge or other individual assisting a voter 
34.15 	shall not in any manner request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the 
34.16 	voter to vote for any particular political party or candidate. The election judges or other 
34.17 	individuals who assist the voter shall not reveal to anyone the name of any candidate for 
34.18 	whom the voter has voted or anything that took place while assisting the voter.

34.19 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
34.20 		Subd. 2.Ballots; order of counting. Except as otherwise provided in this 
34.21 	subdivision, the ballot boxes shall be opened, the votes counted, and the total declared one 
34.22 	box at a time in the following order: the white box, the pink box, the canary box, the light 
34.23 	green box, the blue box, the buff box, the goldenrod box, the gray box, and then the other 
34.24 	kinds of ballots voted at the election. If enough election judges are available to provide 
34.25 	counting teams of four or more election judges for each box, more than one box may be 
34.26 	opened and counted at the same time. The election judges on each counting team shall be 
34.27 	evenly divided between the major political parties. The numbers entered on the summary 
34.28 	sheet shall not be considered final until the ballots in all the boxes have been counted and 
34.29 	corrections have been made if ballots have been deposited in the wrong boxes.

34.30 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.25, is amended to read:
34.31 	204C.25 DISPOSITION OF BALLOTS.
34.32 	After the count and the summary statements have been completed, in the presence 
34.33 	of all the election judges, the counted, defective, and blank ballots shall be placed in 
34.34 	envelopes marked or printed to distinguish the color of the ballots contained, and the 
35.1 	envelopes shall be sealed. The election judges shall sign each envelope over the sealed part 
35.2 	so that the envelope cannot be opened without disturbing the continuity of the signatures. 
35.3 	The number and kind of ballots in each envelope, the name of the town or city, and the 
35.4 	name of the precinct shall be plainly written upon the envelopes. The number and name of 
35.5 	the district must be plainly written on envelopes containing school district ballots. The 
35.6 	spoiled ballots shall be placed in separate envelopes and returned with the unused ballots 
35.7 	to the county auditor or municipal or school district clerk from whom they were received.

35.8 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.27, is amended to read:
35.9 	204C.27 DELIVERY OF RETURNS TO COUNTY AUDITORS.
35.10 	One or more of the election judges in each precinct shall deliver two sets of 
35.11 	summary statements; all spoiled white, pink, canary, and gray ballots; and the envelopes 
35.12 	containing the white, pink, canary, and gray ballots either directly to the municipal clerk 
35.13 	for transmittal to the county auditor's office or directly to the county auditor's office as 
35.14 	soon as possible after the vote counting is completed but no later than 24 hours after the 
35.15 	end of the hours for voting. One or more election judges shall deliver the remaining set 
35.16 	of summary statements and returns, all unused and spoiled municipal and school district 
35.17 	ballots, the envelopes containing municipal and school district ballots, and all other things 
35.18 	furnished by the municipal or school district clerk, to the municipal or school district 
35.19 	clerk's office within 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting. The municipal or school 
35.20 	district clerk shall return all polling place rosters and completed voter registration cards to 
35.21 	the county auditor within 48 hours after the end of the hours for voting.

35.22 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
35.23 		Subdivision 1.AutomaticPublicly funded recounts. (a) In a state primary when 
35.24 	the difference between the votes cast for the candidates for nomination to:
35.25 	(1) a state legislative office is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of 
35.26 	votes counted for that nomination or is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast 
35.27 	for the nomination is 400 votes or less; or
35.28 	(2) a statewide federal office, state constitutional office, statewide judicial office, 
35.29 	congressional office, state legislative office, or district judicial office:
35.30 	(1) is less than one-half one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes 
35.31 	counted for that nomination; or
35.32 	(2) is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast for the nomination is 400 
35.33 	votes or less;
36.1 	and the difference determines the nomination, the canvassing board with responsibility 
36.2 	for declaring the results for that office shall manually recount the vote upon receiving a 
36.3 	written request from the candidate whose nomination is in question.
36.4 	Immediately following the meeting of the board that has responsibility for 
36.5 	canvassing the results of the nomination, the filing officer must notify the candidate that 
36.6 	the candidate has the option to request a recount of the votes at no cost to the candidate. 
36.7 	This written request must be received by the filing officer no later than 48 hours after the 
36.8 	canvass of the primary for which the recount is being sought.
36.9 	(b) In a state general election when the difference between the votes of a candidate 
36.10 	who would otherwise be declared elected to:
36.11 	(1) a state legislative office is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of 
36.12 	votes counted for that office or is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast for 
36.13 	the office is 400 votes or less; or
36.14 	(2) a statewide federal office, state constitutional office, statewide judicial office, 
36.15 	congressional office, state legislative office, or district judicial office and the votes of 
36.16 	any other candidate for that office:
36.17 	(1) is less than one-half one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes 
36.18 	counted for that office; or
36.19 	(2) is ten votes or less if the total number of votes cast for the office is 400 votes or less,
36.20 	the canvassing board shall manually recount the votes upon receiving a written request 
36.21 	from the candidate whose election is in question.
36.22 	Immediately following the meeting of the board that has responsibility for 
36.23 	canvassing the results of the general election, the filing officer must notify the candidate 
36.24 	that the candidate has the option to request a recount of the votes at no cost to the 
36.25 	candidate. This written request must be received by the filing officer no later than 48 hours 
36.26 	after the canvass of the election for which the recount is being sought.
36.27 	(c) A recount must not delay any other part of the canvass. The results of the recount 
36.28 	must be certified by the canvassing board as soon as possible.
36.29 	(d) Time for notice of a contest for an office which is recounted pursuant to this section 
36.30 	shall begin to run upon certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing board.
36.31 	(e) A losing candidate may waive a recount required pursuant to this section by 
36.32 	filing a written notice of waiver with the canvassing board.

36.33 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.35, is amended by adding a 
36.34 	subdivision to read:
37.1 		Subd. 4.Filing officer. For the purposes of this section, the secretary of state is 
37.2 	the filing officer for candidates for all federal offices and for state offices voted on in 
37.3 	more than one county. The county auditor is the filing officer for state offices voted on 
37.4 	in only one county.

37.5 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
37.6 		Subdivision 1.RequiredPublicly funded recounts. (a) Except as provided in 
37.7 	paragraph paragraphs (b) and (c), a losing candidate for nomination or election to a 
37.8 	county, municipal, or school district office may request a recount of the votes cast for 
37.9 	the nomination or election to that office if the difference between the vote cast for that 
37.10 	candidate and for a winning candidate for nomination or election is less than one-half
37.11 	 one-quarter of one percent of the total votes counted for that office. In case of offices where 
37.12 	two or more seats are being filled from among all the candidates for the office, the one-half
37.13 	 one-quarter of one percent difference is between the elected candidate with the fewest votes 
37.14 	and the candidate with the most votes from among the candidates who were not elected.
37.15 	(b) A losing candidate for nomination or election to a county, municipal, or school 
37.16 	district office may request a recount of the votes cast for nomination or election to that 
37.17 	office if the difference between the votes cast for that candidate and for a winning 
37.18 	candidate for nomination or election is less than one-half of one percent, and the total 
37.19 	number of votes cast for the nomination or election of all candidates is more than 400 
37.20 	but less than 50,000. In cases of offices where two or more seats are being filled from 
37.21 	among all the candidates for the office, the one-half of one percent difference is between 
37.22 	the elected candidate with the fewest votes and the candidate with the most votes from 
37.23 	among the candidates who were not elected.
37.24 	(b) (c) A losing candidate for nomination or election to a county, municipal, or 
37.25 	school district office may request a recount of the votes cast for nomination or election 
37.26 	to that office if the difference between the vote cast for that candidate and for a winning 
37.27 	candidate for nomination or election is ten votes or less, and the total number of votes cast 
37.28 	for the nomination or election of all candidates is no more than 400. In cases of offices 
37.29 	where two or more seats are being filled from among all the candidates for the office, 
37.30 	the ten vote difference is between the elected candidate with the fewest votes and the 
37.31 	candidate with the most votes from among the candidates who were not elected.
37.32 	(c) (d) Candidates for county offices shall file a written request for the recount with 
37.33 	the county auditor. Candidates for municipal or school district offices shall file a written 
37.34 	request with the municipal or school district clerk as appropriate. All requests shall be filed 
37.35 	during the time for notice of contest of the primary or election for which a recount is sought.
38.1 	(d) (e) Upon receipt of a request made pursuant to this section, the county auditor 
38.2 	shall recount the votes for a county office at the expense of the county, the governing 
38.3 	body of the municipality shall recount the votes for a municipal office at the expense of 
38.4 	the municipality, and the school board of the school district shall recount the votes for a 
38.5 	school district office at the expense of the school district.

38.6 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.08, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
38.7 		Subd. 6.State and county nonpartisan primary ballot. The state and county 
38.8 	nonpartisan primary ballot shall be headed "State and County Nonpartisan Primary 
38.9 	Ballot." It shall be printed on canary paper in the manner provided in the rules of the 
38.10 	secretary of state. The names of candidates for nomination to the Supreme Court, Court of 
38.11 	Appeals, district court, and all county offices shall be placed on this ballot.
38.12 	No candidate whose name is placed on the state and county nonpartisan primary 
38.13 	ballot shall be designated or identified as the candidate of any political party or in any 
38.14 	other manner except as expressly provided by law.

38.15 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
38.16 		Subd. 2.Sample ballot. At least two weeks 46 days before the state primary the 
38.17 	county auditor shall prepare a sample state partisan primary ballot and a sample state and 
38.18 	county nonpartisan primary ballot for each precinct for public inspection and transmit an 
38.19 	electronic copy of these sample ballots to the secretary of state. The names of all of the 
38.20 	candidates to be voted for in the county shall be placed on the sample ballots, with the 
38.21 	names of the candidates for each office arranged in the base rotation as determined by 
38.22 	section 206.61, subdivision 5. Only one sample state partisan primary ballot and one 
38.23 	sample state and county nonpartisan ballot shall be prepared for any county. The county 
38.24 	auditor shall post the sample ballots in a conspicuous place in the auditor's office and shall 
38.25 	cause them to be published at least one week before the state primary in at least one 
38.26 	newspaper of general circulation in the county.

38.27 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
38.28 		Subdivision 1.WhiteState general election ballot; rules. The names of 
38.29 	the candidates for all partisanstate and federal offices, all proposed constitutional 
38.30 	amendments, all county offices and questions, and all judicial offices voted on at the state 
38.31 	general election shall be placed on a single ballot printed on white paper which that  shall 
38.32 	be known as the "whitestate general election ballot." This ballot shall be prepared by the 
39.1 	county auditor subject to the rules of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall 
39.2 	adopt rules for preparation and time of delivery of the whitestate general election ballot.

39.3 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
39.4 		Subd. 4.Special federal white ballot. (a) The names of all candidates for the 
39.5 	offices of president and vice-president of the United States and senator and representative 
39.6 	in Congress shall be placed on a ballot printed on white paper whichthat shall be known 
39.7 	as the "special federal white ballot."
39.8 	(b) This ballot shall be prepared by the county auditor in the same manner as 
39.9 	the whitestate general election ballot and shall be subject to the rules adopted by the 
39.10 	secretary of state pursuant to subdivision 1. This ballot must be prepared and furnished 
39.11 	in accordance with the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 
39.12 	United States Code, title 42, section 1973ff.
39.13 	(c) The special federal white ballot shall be the only ballot sent to citizens of 
39.14 	the United States who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot for federal candidates in 
39.15 	Minnesota.

39.16 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
39.17 		Subd. 5.Ballot headings. The white, pink, and special federal white ballot 
39.18 	containing the offices and questions in subdivisions 1 and 4, shall be headed with the 
39.19 	words "State General Election Ballot." The canary ballot shall be headed with the words 
39.20 	"County and Judicial Nonpartisan General Election Ballot."

39.21 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.11, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
39.22 		Subd. 6.GrayJudicial ballot. When the canary ballot would be longer than 30 
39.23 	inches or when it would not be possible to place all offices on a single ballot card for the 
39.24 	state general election, the judicial offices that should be placed on the canary ballot may be 
39.25 	placed instead on a separate grayjudicial ballot. The grayjudicial ballot shall be prepared 
39.26 	by the county auditor in the manner provided in the rules of the secretary of state.
39.27 	The grayjudicial ballot must be headed with the words: "Judicial Nonpartisan 
39.28 	General Election Ballot." Separate ballot boxes must be provided for these grayjudicial 
39.29 	ballots.

39.30 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
39.31 		Subd. 3.Nominees by petition; placement on ballot. The names of candidates 
39.32 	nominated by petition for a partisan office voted on at the state general election shall be 
40.1 	placed on the whitestate general election ballot after the names of the candidates for that 
40.2 	office who were nominated at the state primary. Prior to the state primary No later than 
40.3 	11 weeks before the state general election, the secretary of state shall determine by lot 
40.4 	the order of candidates nominated by petition. The drawing of lots must be by political 
40.5 	party or principle. The political party or political principle of the candidate as stated on 
40.6 	the petition shall be placed after the name of a candidate nominated by petition. The word 
40.7 	"nonpartisan" shall not be used to designate any partisan candidate whose name is placed 
40.8 	on the whitestate general election ballot by nominating petition.

40.9 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.14, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.10 		Subdivision 1.Rotation of names. The names of candidates for nonpartisan offices 
40.11 	on the canarystate general election ballot and the judicial nonpartisan general election 
40.12 	ballot shall be rotated in the manner provided for rotation of names on state partisan 
40.13 	primary ballots by section 204D.08, subdivision 3.

40.14 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.14, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
40.15 		Subd. 3.Uncontested judicial offices. Judicial offices for a specific court for 
40.16 	which there is only one candidate filed must appear after all other judicial offices for that 
40.17 	same court on the canary ballot.

40.18 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
40.19 		Subd. 3.Sample pink ballot; constitutional amendments. Four weeks before the 
40.20 	state general election the secretary of state shall file sample copies of the pink ballot
40.21 	portion of the state general election ballot that contains the proposed constitutional 
40.22 	amendments in the Secretary of State's Office for public inspection. Three weeks before 
40.23 	the state general election the secretary of state shall mailtransmit sample copies of the 
40.24 	pinksample ballot to each county auditor. Each auditor shall post the sample ballot in a 
40.25 	conspicuous place in the auditor's office.

40.26 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.16, is amended to read:
40.27 	204D.16 SAMPLE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS; POSTING; 
40.28 	PUBLICATION.
40.29 	Two weeks before the state general election the county auditor shall prepare sample 
40.30 	copies of the white and canary ballots andAt least 46 days before the state general 
40.31 	election, the county auditor shall post copies of these sample ballots and a sample of the 
40.32 	pink ballotfor each precinct in the auditor's office for public inspection and transmit an 
41.1 	electronic copy of these sample ballots to the secretary of state. No earlier than 15 days 
41.2 	and no later than two days before the state general election the county auditor shall cause 
41.3 	the sample white and canary ballotsstate general election ballots to be published in at 
41.4 	least one newspaper of general circulation in the county.

41.5 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.165, is amended to read:
41.6 	204D.165 SAMPLE BALLOTS TO SCHOOLS.
41.7 	Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in section 204D.09 or 204D.16, The county 
41.8 	auditor, two weeks before the applicable primary or general election, shall provide one 
41.9 	copy of thean appropriate sample partisan primary, nonpartisan primary, canary, white, 
41.10 	or pink ballot to a school district upon request. The school district may have the sample 
41.11 	ballots reproduced at its expense for classroom educational purposes and for educational 
41.12 	activities authorized under section 204B.27, subdivision 7.

41.13 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
41.14 		Subd. 2.Special election when legislature will be in session. Except for 
41.15 	vacancies in the legislature which occur at any time between the last day of session in an 
41.16 	odd-numbered year and the 40th day prior to the opening day of session in the succeeding 
41.17 	even-numbered year, when a vacancy occurs and the legislature will be in session so 
41.18 	that the individual elected as provided by this section could take office and exercise the 
41.19 	duties of the office immediately upon election, the governor shall issue within five days 
41.20 	after the vacancy occurs a writ calling for a special election. The special election shall 
41.21 	be held as soon as possible, consistent with the notice requirements of section 204D.22, 
41.22 	subdivision 3, but in no event more than 35 days after the issuance of the writ. A special 
41.23 	election must not be held during the four days before or the four days after a holiday as 
41.24 	defined in section 645.44, subdivision 5.

41.25 	Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
41.26 		Subd. 2.City elections. In all statutory and home rule charter cities, the primary, 
41.27 	general and special elections held for choosing city officials and deciding public questions 
41.28 	relating to the city shall be held as provided in this chapter, except that sections 205.065, 
41.29 	subdivisions 4 to 6; 205.07, subdivision 3; 205.10; 205.121; and 205.17, subdivisions 2 
41.30 	and subdivision 3, do not apply to a city whose charter provides the manner of holding 
41.31 	its primary, general or special elections.

41.32 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
42.1 		Subd. 3.Prohibition. No special election authorized under subdivision 1 may be 
42.2 	held within 40 56  days after the state general election.

42.3 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
42.4 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of 
42.5 	candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor 
42.6 	less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an 
42.7 	affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before 
42.8 	the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in 
42.9 	conjunction with another election, and no more than 98 days nor less than 84 days before 
42.10 	the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's office 
42.11 	must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.

42.12 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.13, is amended by adding a subdivision 
42.13 	to read:
42.14 		Subd. 7.Write-in candidates for city offices. The governing body of any city 
42.15 	may, by resolution, require that a candidate for a city office who wants write-in votes for 
42.16 	the candidate to be counted file a written request with the city clerk no later than the 
42.17 	seventh day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies of the 
42.18 	form to make the request.

42.19 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.16, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
42.20 		Subd. 4.Notice to auditor. At least 6774 days before every municipal election held 
42.21 	in conjunction with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or school 
42.22 	board office or a special primary for federal office, at least 74 days before every municipal 
42.23 	election held in connection with a regularly scheduled general election for federal, state, 
42.24 	county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, and at least 53 
42.25 	days before any other municipal election, the municipal clerk shall provide a written notice 
42.26 	to the county auditor, including the date of the election, the offices to be voted on at the 
42.27 	election, and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. 
42.28 	At least 6774 days before every municipal election held in conjunction with a regularly 
42.29 	scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special 
42.30 	primary for federal office, at least 74 days before a regularly scheduled general election for 
42.31 	federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, and 
42.32 	at least 46 days before any other election, the municipal clerk must provide written notice 
42.33 	to the county auditor of any special election canceled under section 205.10, subdivision 6.

43.1 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.16, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
43.2 		Subd. 5.Notice to secretary of state. At least 67 74 days before every municipal 
43.3 	election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, 
43.4 	city, or school board office or a special primary for federal office, at least 74 days before 
43.5 	every municipal election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled general election 
43.6 	for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, 
43.7 	and at least 46 days before any other municipal election for which a notice is provided 
43.8 	to the county auditor under subdivision 4, the county auditor shall provide a notice of 
43.9 	the election to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed 
43.10 	by the secretary of state.

43.11 	Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.12 		Subdivision 1.Second, third, and fourth class cities; towns Municipal offices; 
43.13 	questions; general election ballot. In all statutory and home rule charter cities of the 
43.14 	second, third, and fourth class, and in all towns, for the municipal general election, the 
43.15 	municipal clerk shall have printed on light green paper the official ballot containing the 
43.16 	names of all candidates for municipal offices and municipal ballot questions. The ballot 
43.17 	shall be printed in quantities of 25, 50, or 100, shall be headed "City or Town Election 
43.18 	Ballot," shall state the name of the city or town and the date of the election, and shall 
43.19 	conform in other respects to the white ballot used at the state general election ballot. The 
43.20 	names shall be arranged on city ballots in the manner provided for the state elections. On 
43.21 	town ballots names of the candidates for each office shall be arranged either:
43.22 	(1) alphabetically according to the candidates' surnames; or
43.23 	(2) in the manner provided for state elections if the town electors chose at the town's 
43.24 	annual meeting to arrange the names in that way for at least two consecutive years.

43.25 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
43.26 		Subd. 3.Primary ballots. The municipal primary ballot in cities of the second, 
43.27 	third, and fourth class and towns and the nonpartisan primary ballot in cities of the first 
43.28 	class shall conform as far as practicable with the municipal general election ballot except 
43.29 	that it shall be printed on light green paper. No blank spaces shall be provided for writing 
43.30 	in the names of candidates. The partisan primary ballot in cities of the first class shall 
43.31 	conform as far as practicable with the state partisan primary ballot.

43.32 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.04, is amended by adding a 
43.33 	subdivision to read:
44.1 		Subd. 3.Change in year of general election. The school board may, by resolution, 
44.2 	change the year in which the school district general election will be held. The resolution 
44.3 	must be approved no later than four weeks before the first day to file affidavits of 
44.4 	candidacy for the general election. A plan for the orderly transition to the new election 
44.5 	year must be included in the resolution. The terms of school board members may be 
44.6 	lengthened or shortened by one year as a part of the transition process.

44.7 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.8 		Subdivision 1.Questions. Special elections must be held for a school district on a 
44.9 	question on which the voters are authorized by law to pass judgment. The school board 
44.10 	may on its own motion call a special election to vote on any matter requiring approval of 
44.11 	the voters of a district. Upon petition filed with the school board of 50 or more voters of 
44.12 	the school district or five percent of the number of voters voting at the preceding school 
44.13 	district general election, whichever is greater, the school board shall by resolution call 
44.14 	a special election to vote on any matter requiring approval of the voters of a district. A 
44.15 	question is carried only with the majority in its favor required by law. The election officials 
44.16 	for a special election are the same as for the most recent school district general election 
44.17 	unless changed according to law. Otherwise, special elections must be conducted and the 
44.18 	returns made in the manner provided for the school district general election. A special 
44.19 	election may not be held during the 3056 days before and the 3056 days after the statea 
44.20 	regularly scheduled primary, during the 30 days before and the 40 days after the stateor 
44.21 	general election. In addition, a special election may not be held during the 20 days before 
44.22 	and the 20 days after any regularly scheduled election of a municipalityconducted wholly 
44.23 	or partially within the school district. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the 
44.24 	time period in which a special election must be conducted under any other law may be 
44.25 	extended by the school board to conform with the requirements of this subdivision.

44.26 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
44.27 		Subd. 2.Vacancies in school district offices. Special elections shall be held in 
44.28 	school districts in conjunction with school district primary and general elections to fill 
44.29 	vacancies in elective school district offices. When more than one vacancy exists in an 
44.30 	office elected at-large, voters must be instructed to vote for up to the number of vacancies 
44.31 	to be filled.

44.32 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.06, is amended by adding a 
44.33 	subdivision to read:
45.1 		Subd. 6.Write-in candidates. The governing body of any school district may, by 
45.2 	resolution, require that a candidate for school district office who wants write-in votes 
45.3 	for the candidate to be counted file a written request with the filing office for the office 
45.4 	sought no later than the seventh day before the general election. The filing officer shall 
45.5 	provide copies of the form to make the request.

45.6 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
45.7 		Subd. 3.Notice to auditor. At least 6774 days before every school district election 
45.8 	held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or 
45.9 	school board office or a special primary for federal office, at least 74 days before every 
45.10 	school district election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled general election for 
45.11 	federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, 
45.12 	and at least 53 days before any other school district election, the school district clerk shall 
45.13 	provide a written notice to the county auditor of each county in which the school district is 
45.14 	located. The notice must include the date of the election, the offices to be voted on at the 
45.15 	election, and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the election. 
45.16 	For the purposes of meeting the timelines of this section, in a bond election, a notice, 
45.17 	including a proposed question, may be provided to the county auditor before receipt of a 
45.18 	review and comment from the commissioner of education and before actual initiation of 
45.19 	the election. At least 67 74 days before every school district election held in conjunction 
45.20 	with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or 
45.21 	a special primary for federal office, at least 74 days before an election held in conjunction 
45.22 	with a regularly scheduled general election for federal, state, county, city, or school board 
45.23 	office or a special election for federal office, and at least 46 days before any other election, 
45.24 	the school district clerk must provide written notice to the county auditor of any special 
45.25 	election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3.

45.26 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.07, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
45.27 		Subd. 3a.Notice to commissioner of education. At least 6774 days before every 
45.28 	school district election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, 
45.29 	state, county, city, or school board office or a special primary for federal office, at least 74 
45.30 	days before every school district election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled 
45.31 	general election for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election 
45.32 	for federal office, and at least 49 days before any other school district election, under 
45.33 	section 123B.62, 123B.63, 126C.17, 126C.69, or 475.58, the school district clerk shall 
45.34 	provide a written notice to the commissioner of education. The notice must include the 
46.1 	date of the election and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the 
46.2 	election. At least 67 74 days before every school district election held in conjunction with 
46.3 	a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a 
46.4 	special primary for federal office, at least 74 days before every school district election 
46.5 	held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled general election for federal, state, county, 
46.6 	city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, and at least 46 days 
46.7 	before any other school district election, the school district clerk must provide a written 
46.8 	notice to the commissioner of education of any special election canceled under section 
46.9 	205A.05, subdivision 3. The certified vote totals for each ballot question shall be provided 
46.10 	in a written notice to the commissioner in a timely manner.

46.11 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.07, subdivision 3b, is amended to read:
46.12 		Subd. 3b.Notice to secretary of state. At least 67 74  days before every school 
46.13 	district election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled primary for federal, state, 
46.14 	county, city, or school board office or a special primary for federal office, at least 74 
46.15 	days before every school district election held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled 
46.16 	general election for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election 
46.17 	for federal office, and at least 46 days before any other school district election for which 
46.18 	a notice is provided to the county auditor under subdivision 3, the county auditor shall 
46.19 	provide a notice of the election to the secretary of state, in a manner and including 
46.20 	information prescribed by the secretary of state.

46.21 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
46.22 		Subdivision 1.BuffGeneral election ballot. The names of all candidates for offices 
46.23 	and all ballot questions to be voted on at a school district general election must be placed 
46.24 	on a single ballot printed on buff paper and known as the "buff ballot.".

46.25 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision 
46.26 	to read:
46.27 		Subd. 8.Ballot boxes. Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 8230.4355, ballot 
46.28 	boxes used with precinct count voting systems are not required to contain two separate 
46.29 	compartments to receive ballots.

46.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

46.31 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.61, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
47.1 		Subd. 4.Order of candidates. On the "State Partisan Primary Ballot" prepared for 
47.2 	primary elections, and on the whitestate general election ballot prepared for the general 
47.3 	election, the order of the names of nominees or names of candidates for election shall be 
47.4 	the same as required for paper ballots. More than one column or row may be used for the 
47.5 	same office or party. Electronic ballot display and audio ballot readers must conform to 
47.6 	the candidate order on the optical scan ballot used in the precinct.

47.7 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.89, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
47.8 		Subd. 2.Selection for review; notice.  At the canvass of the state primary, the 
47.9 	county canvassing board in each county must set the date, time, and place for the 
47.10 	postelection review of the state general election to be held under this section. The 
47.11 	postelection review must not begin before the 11th day after the state general election and 
47.12 	must be completed no later than the 18th day after the state general election.
47.13 	At the canvass of the state general election, the county canvassing boards must select 
47.14 	the precincts to be reviewed by lot. Ballots counted centrally by a ballot board shall be 
47.15 	considered one precinct eligible to be selected for purposes of this subdivision.The ballots 
47.16 	to be reviewed for a precinct include both the ballots counted at the polling place for that 
47.17 	precinct and the absentee ballots counted centrally by a ballot board for that precinct. The 
47.18 	county canvassing board of a county with fewer than 50,000 registered voters must conduct 
47.19 	a postelection review of a total of at least two precincts. The county canvassing board of a 
47.20 	county with between 50,000 and 100,000 registered voters must conduct a review of a total 
47.21 	of at least three precincts. The county canvassing board of a county with over 100,000 
47.22 	registered voters must conduct a review of a total of at least four precincts, or three percent 
47.23 	of the total number of precincts in the county, whichever is greater. At least one precinct 
47.24 	selected in each county must have had more than 150 votes cast at the general election.
47.25 	The county auditor must notify the secretary of state of the precincts that have been 
47.26 	chosen for review and the time and place the postelection review for that county will be 
47.27 	conducted, as soon as the decisions are made. If the selection of precincts has not resulted 
47.28 	in the selection of at least four precincts in each congressional district, the secretary of state 
47.29 	may require counties to select by lot additional precincts to meet the congressional district 
47.30 	requirement. The secretary of state must post this information on the office Web site.

47.31 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.89, is amended by adding a subdivision 
47.32 	to read:
47.33 		Subd. 2a.Exception. No review is required for an office that is recounted as 
47.34 	provided in section 204C.35, subdivision 1.

48.1 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.895, is amended to read:
48.2 	206.895 SECRETARY OF STATE MONITOR.
48.3 	The secretary of state must monitor and evaluate election procedures in precincts 
48.4 	subject to the audit provided for in section 206.89 in at least four precinctsone precinct in 
48.5 	each congressional district. The precincts must be chosen by lot by the State Canvassing 
48.6 	Board at its meeting to canvass the state general election.

48.7 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.90, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
48.8 		Subd. 6.Ballots. In precincts using optical scan voting systems, a single ballot card 
48.9 	on which all ballot information is included must be printed in black ink on white colored 
48.10 	material except that marks not to be read by the automatic tabulating equipment may be 
48.11 	printed in another color ink. In state elections, a single ballot title must be used, as provided 
48.12 	in sections 204D.08, subdivision 6, and 204D.11, subdivision 1. In odd-numbered years 
48.13 	when both municipal and school district offices or questions appear on the ballot, the 
48.14 	single ballot title "City (or Town) and School District Ballot" must be used.
48.15 	On the front of the ballot must be printed the words "Official Ballot" and the date of 
48.16 	the election and lines for the initials of at least two election judges.
48.17 	When optical scan ballots are used, the offices to be elected must appear in the 
48.18 	following order: federal offices; state legislative offices; constitutional offices; proposed 
48.19 	constitutional amendments; county offices and questions; municipal offices and questions; 
48.20 	school district offices and questions; special district offices and questions; and judicial 
48.21 	offices.
48.22 	On optical scan ballots, the names of candidates and the words "yes" and "no" for 
48.23 	ballot questions must be printed as close to their corresponding vote targets as possible.
48.24 	The line on an optical scan ballot for write-in votes must contain the words "write-in, 
48.25 	if any."
48.26 	If a primary ballot contains both a partisan ballot and a nonpartisan ballot, the 
48.27 	instructions to voters must include a statement that reads substantially as follows: "THIS 
48.28 	BALLOT CARD CONTAINS A PARTISAN BALLOT AND A NONPARTISAN 
48.29 	BALLOT. ON THE PARTISAN BALLOT YOU ARE PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR 
48.30 	CANDIDATES OF ONE POLITICAL PARTY ONLY." If a primary ballot contains 
48.31 	political party columns on both sides of the ballot, the instructions to voters must include a 
48.32 	statement that reads substantially as follows: "ADDITIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES ARE 
48.33 	PRINTED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BALLOT. VOTE FOR ONE POLITICAL 
48.34 	PARTY ONLY." At the bottom of each political party column on the primary ballot, the 
48.35 	ballot must contain a statement that reads substantially as follows: "CONTINUE VOTING 
49.1 	ON THE NONPARTISAN BALLOT." The instructions in section 204D.08, subdivision 4, 
49.2 	do not apply to optical scan partisan primary ballots. Electronic ballot displays and audio 
49.3 	ballot readers must follow the order of offices and questions on the optical scan or paper 
49.4 	ballot used in the same precinct, or the sample ballot posted for that precinct.

49.5 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.02, is amended to read:
49.6 	208.02 ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS AND ALTERNATES.
49.7 	Presidential electors and alternates shall be chosen at the state general election held 
49.8 	in the year preceding the expiration of the term of the president of the United States.

49.9 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.03, is amended to read:
49.10 	208.03 NOMINATION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS AND 
49.11 	ALTERNATES.
49.12 	Presidential electors and alternates for the major political parties of this state shall be 
49.13 	nominated by delegate conventions called and held under the supervision of the respective 
49.14 	state central committees of the parties of this state. At least 71 days before the general 
49.15 	election day the chair of the major political party shall certify to the secretary of state 
49.16 	the names of the persons nominated as presidential electors, the names of eightpersons 
49.17 	nominated as alternate presidential electors, and the names of the party candidates for 
49.18 	president and vice president. The chair shall also certify that the party candidates for 
49.19 	president and vice president have no affidavit on file as a candidate for any office in 
49.20 	this state at the ensuing general election.

49.21 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
49.22 		Subdivision 1.Form of presidential ballots. When presidential electors and 
49.23 	alternates are to be voted for, a vote cast for the party candidates for president and vice 
49.24 	president shall be deemed a vote for that party's electors and alternates as filed with the 
49.25 	secretary of state. The secretary of state shall certify the names of all duly nominated 
49.26 	presidential and vice presidential candidates to the county auditors of the counties of 
49.27 	the state. Each county auditor, subject to the rules of the secretary of state, shall cause 
49.28 	the names of the candidates of each major political party and the candidates nominated 
49.29 	by petition to be printed in capital letters, set in type of the same size and style as for 
49.30 	candidates on the state whitegeneral election ballot, before the party designation. To the 
49.31 	left of, and on the same line with the names of the candidates for president and vice 
49.32 	president, near the margin, shall be placed a square or box, in which the voters may 
49.33 	indicate their choice by marking an "X."
50.1 	The form for the presidential ballot and the relative position of the several candidates 
50.2 	shall be determined by the rules applicable to other state officers. The state ballot, with 
50.3 	the required heading, shall be printed on the same piece of paper and shall be below the 
50.4 	presidential ballot with a blank space between one inch in width.

50.5 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
50.6 		Subd. 2.Applicable rules. The rules for preparation, state contribution to the cost 
50.7 	of printing, and delivery of presidential ballots are the same as the rules for whitestate 
50.8 	general election ballots under section 204D.11, subdivision 1.

50.9 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 208.06, is amended to read:
50.10 	208.06 ELECTORS AND ALTERNATES TO MEET AT STATE CAPITOL; 
50.11 	FILLING OF VACANCIES.
50.12 	The presidential electors and alternate presidential electors, before 12:00 M.noon 
50.13 	on the day before that fixed by Congress for the electors to vote for president and vice 
50.14 	president of the United States, shall notify the governor that they are at the State Capitol 
50.15 	and ready at the proper time to fulfill their duties as electors. The governor shall deliver 
50.16 	to the electors present a certificate of the names of all the electors. If any elector named 
50.17 	therein fails to appear before 9:00 a.m. on the day, and at the place, fixed for voting for 
50.18 	president and vice president of the United States, an alternate, chosen from among the 
50.19 	alternates by lot, shall be appointed to act for that elector. If more than eight alternates are 
50.20 	necessary, the electors present shall, in the presence of the governor, immediately elect 
50.21 	by ballot a person to fill the vacancy. If more than the number of persons required have 
50.22 	the highest and an equal number of votes, the governor, in the presence of the electors 
50.23 	attending, shall decide by lot which of those persons shall be elected The electors shall 
50.24 	meet at 12:00 p.m. in the executive chamber of the State Capitol and shall perform all the 
50.25 	duties imposed upon them as electors by the Constitution and laws of the United States 
50.26 	and this state in the manner provided in section 208.46.

50.27 	Sec. 81. [208.40] SHORT TITLE.
50.28 	Sections 208.40 to 208.48 may be cited as the "Uniform Faithful Presidential 
50.29 	Electors Act."

50.30 	Sec. 82. [208.41] DEFINITIONS.
50.31 	(a) The definitions in this section apply to sections 208.40 to 208.48.
51.1 	(b) "Cast" means accepted by the secretary of state in accordance with section 
51.2 	208.46, paragraph (b).
51.3 	(c) "Elector" means an individual selected as a presidential elector under this chapter.
51.4 	(d) "President" means the president of the United States.
51.5 	(e) "Unaffiliated presidential candidate" means a candidate for president who 
51.6 	qualifies for the general election ballot in this state by means other than nomination by a 
51.7 	political party.
51.8 	(f) "Vice president" means the vice president of the United States.

51.9 	Sec. 83. [208.42] DESIGNATION OF STATE'S ELECTORS.
51.10 	For each elector position in this state, a political party contesting the position, or 
51.11 	an unaffiliated presidential candidate, shall submit to the secretary of state the names of 
51.12 	two qualified individuals. One of the individuals must be designated "elector nominee" 
51.13 	and the other "alternate elector nominee."
51.14 	Except as otherwise provided in sections 208.44 to 208.47, this state's electors are 
51.15 	the winning elector nominees under the laws of this state.

51.16 	Sec. 84. [208.43] PLEDGE.
51.17 	Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee of a political party shall execute 
51.18 	the following pledge: "If selected for the position of elector, I agree to serve and to mark 
51.19 	my ballots for president and vice president for the nominees for those offices of the party 
51.20 	that nominated me." Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee of an unaffiliated 
51.21 	presidential candidate shall execute the following pledge: "If selected for the position 
51.22 	of elector as a nominee of an unaffiliated presidential candidate, I agree to serve and 
51.23 	to mark my ballots for that candidate and for that candidate's vice-presidential running 
51.24 	mate." The executed pledges must accompany the submission of the corresponding names 
51.25 	to the secretary of state.

51.26 	Sec. 85. [208.44] CERTIFICATION OF ELECTORS.
51.27 	In submitting this state's certificate of ascertainment as required by United States 
51.28 	Code, title 3, section 6, the governor shall certify this state's electors and state in the 
51.29 	certificate that:
51.30 	(1) the electors will serve as electors unless a vacancy occurs in the office of elector 
51.31 	before the end of the meeting at which elector votes are cast, in which case a substitute 
51.32 	elector will fill the vacancy; and
52.1 	(2) if a substitute elector is appointed to fill a vacancy, the governor will submit an 
52.2 	amended certificate of ascertainment stating the names on the final list of this state's 
52.3 	electors.

52.4 	Sec. 86. [208.45] PRESIDING OFFICER; ELECTOR VACANCY.
52.5 	(a) The secretary of state shall preside at the meeting of electors described in section 
52.6 	208.06.
52.7 	(b) The position of an elector not present to vote is vacant. The secretary of state 
52.8 	shall appoint an individual as a substitute elector to fill a vacancy as follows:
52.9 	(1) if the alternate elector is present to vote, by appointing the alternate elector 
52.10 	for the vacant position;
52.11 	(2) if the alternate elector for the vacant position is not present to vote, by appointing 
52.12 	an elector chosen by lot from among the alternate electors present to vote who were 
52.13 	nominated by the same political party or unaffiliated presidential candidate;
52.14 	(3) if the number of alternate electors present to vote is insufficient to fill any 
52.15 	vacant position pursuant to clauses (1) and (2), by appointing any immediately available 
52.16 	individual who is qualified to serve as an elector and chosen through nomination by a 
52.17 	plurality vote of the remaining electors, including nomination and vote by a single elector 
52.18 	if only one remains;
52.19 	(4) if there is a tie between at least two nominees for substitute elector in a vote 
52.20 	conducted under clause (3), by appointing an elector chosen by lot from among those 
52.21 	nominees; or
52.22 	(5) if all elector positions are vacant and cannot be filled pursuant to clauses (1) to 
52.23 	(4), by appointing a single presidential elector, with remaining vacant positions to be filled 
52.24 	under clause (3) and, if necessary, clause (4).
52.25 	(c) To qualify as a substitute elector under paragraph (b), an individual who has not 
52.26 	executed the pledge required under section 208.43 shall execute the following pledge: "I 
52.27 	agree to serve and to mark my ballots for president and vice president consistent with the 
52.28 	pledge of the individual to whose elector position I have succeeded."

52.29 	Sec. 87. [208.46] ELECTOR VOTING.
52.30 	(a) At the time designated for elector voting in section 208.06, and after all vacant 
52.31 	positions have been filled under section 208.45, the secretary of state shall provide each 
52.32 	elector with a presidential and a vice-presidential ballot. The elector shall mark the 
52.33 	elector's presidential and vice-presidential ballots with the elector's votes for the offices 
53.1 	of president and vice president, respectively, along with the elector's signature and the 
53.2 	elector's legibly printed name.
53.3 	(b) Except as otherwise provided by law of this state other than this chapter, each 
53.4 	elector shall present both completed ballots to the secretary of state, who shall examine 
53.5 	the ballots and accept as cast all ballots of electors whose votes are consistent with their 
53.6 	pledges executed under section 208.43 or 208.45, paragraph (c). Except as otherwise 
53.7 	provided by law of this state other than this chapter, the secretary of state may not accept 
53.8 	and may not count either an elector's presidential or vice-presidential ballot if the elector 
53.9 	has not marked both ballots or has marked a ballot in violation of the elector's pledge.
53.10 	(c) An elector who refuses to present a ballot, presents an unmarked ballot, or 
53.11 	presents a ballot marked in violation of the elector's pledge executed under section 208.43 
53.12 	or 208.45, paragraph (c), vacates the office of elector, creating a vacant position to be 
53.13 	filled under section 208.45.
53.14 	(d) The secretary of state shall distribute ballots to and collect ballots from a 
53.15 	substitute elector and repeat the process under this section of examining ballots, declaring 
53.16 	and filling vacant positions as required, and recording appropriately completed ballots from 
53.17 	the substituted electors, until all of this state's electoral votes have been cast and recorded.

53.18 	Sec. 88. [208.47] ELECTOR REPLACEMENT; ASSOCIATED CERTIFICATES.
53.19 	(a) After the vote of this state's electors is completed, if the final list of electors 
53.20 	differs from any list that the governor previously included on a certificate of ascertainment 
53.21 	prepared and transmitted under United States Code, title 3, section 6, the secretary of state 
53.22 	immediately shall prepare an amended certificate of ascertainment and transmit it to 
53.23 	the governor for the governor's signature.
53.24 	(b) The governor immediately shall deliver the signed amended certificate of 
53.25 	ascertainment to the secretary of state and a signed duplicate original of the amended 
53.26 	certificate of ascertainment to all individuals entitled to receive this state's certificate of 
53.27 	ascertainment, indicating that the amended certificate of ascertainment is to be substituted 
53.28 	for the certificate of ascertainment previously submitted.
53.29 	(c) The secretary of state shall prepare a certificate of vote. The electors on the final 
53.30 	list shall sign the certificate. The secretary of state shall process and transmit the signed 
53.31 	certificate with the amended certificate of ascertainment under United States Code, title 
53.32 	3, sections 9, 10, and 11.

53.33 	Sec. 89. [208.48] UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION.
54.1 	In applying and construing sections 208.40 to 208.48, consideration must be given 
54.2 	to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to their subject matter among 
54.3 	states that enact the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act or similar law.

54.4 	Sec. 90. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 209.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
54.5 		Subd. 2.Statewide office. For purposes of this chapter, "statewide office" means the 
54.6 	office of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state, 
54.7 	chief justice or associate justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals, 
54.8 	United States senator, or presidential elector or alternate.

54.9 	Sec. 91. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 211B.045, is amended to read:
54.10 	211B.045 NONCOMMERCIAL SIGNS EXEMPTION.
54.11 	In any municipality, whether or not the municipality has an ordinance that regulates 
54.12 	the size or number of noncommercial signs, All noncommercial signs of any size may be 
54.13 	posted in any number frombeginning 46 days before the state primary in a state general 
54.14 	election year until ten days following the state general election. Municipal ordinances 
54.15 	may regulate the size and number of noncommercial signs at other times.

54.16 	Sec. 92. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 211B.37, is amended to read:
54.17 	211B.37 COSTS ASSESSED.
54.18 	Except as otherwise provided in section 211B.36, subdivision 3, the chief
54.19 	administrative law judge shall assess the cost of considering complaints filed under 
54.20 	section 211B.32as provided in this section. Costs of complaints relating to a statewide 
54.21 	ballot question or an election for a statewide or legislative office must be assessed against 
54.22 	the appropriation from the general fund to the general account of the state elections 
54.23 	campaign fund in section 10A.31, subdivision 4. Costs of complaints relating to any 
54.24 	other ballot question or elective office must be assessed against the county or counties in 
54.25 	which the election is held. Where the election is held in more than one county, the chief 
54.26 	administrative law judge shall apportion the assessment among the counties in proportion 
54.27 	to their respective populations within the election district to which the complaint relates 
54.28 	according to the most recent decennial federal census must be paid from the appropriations 
54.29 	to the office for this purpose.

54.30 	Sec. 93. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 340A.416, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
54.31 		Subd. 2.Ballot question. The form of the question of the referendum under this 
54.32 	section must be on a separate ballot and must allow the voters to vote either "for license" 
55.1 	or "against license." either "Shall the city issue ... intoxicating liquor licenses?" or  "Shall 
55.2 	the city discontinue issuing intoxicating liquor licenses?".

55.3 	Sec. 94. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 340A.416, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
55.4 		Subd. 3.Effect of election results. If a majority of persons voting on the 
55.5 	referendum question vote "against license,"to discontinue issuing licenses, the city may 
55.6 	not issue intoxicating liquor licenses until the results of the referendum have been reversed 
55.7 	at a subsequent election where the question has been submitted as provided in this section.

55.8 	Sec. 95. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 340A.602, is amended to read:
55.9 	340A.602 CONTINUATION.
55.10 	In any city in which the report of the operations of a municipal liquor store has 
55.11 	shown a net loss prior to interfund transfer in any two of three consecutive years, the 
55.12 	city council shall, not more than 45 days prior to the end of the fiscal year following 
55.13 	the three-year period, hold a public hearing on the question of whether the city shall 
55.14 	continue to operate a municipal liquor store. Two weeks' notice, written in clear and easily 
55.15 	understandable language, of the hearing must be printed in the city's official newspaper. 
55.16 	Following the hearing the city council may on its own motion or shall upon petition of five 
55.17 	percent or more of the registered voters of the city, submit to the voters at a general or 
55.18 	special municipal election the question of whether the city shall continue or discontinue 
55.19 	municipal liquor store operations by a date which the city council shall designate. The 
55.20 	date designated by the city council must not be more than 30 months following the date 
55.21 	of the election. The form of the question shall be: "Shall the city of (name) discontinue 
55.22 	operating the municipal liquor store on (Month xx, 2xxx)?".

55.23 	Sec. 96. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 375.20, is amended to read:
55.24 	375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.
55.25 	If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, 
55.26 	or exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the 
55.27 	question may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the 
55.28 	matter or question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of 
55.29 	money, creation of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election 
55.30 	shall be given as in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the 
55.31 	board shall pass an appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form 
55.32 	of the ballot shall be: "In favor ofShall (here state the substance of the resolution to be 
55.33 	submitted)?, Yes ...... No......," with a square opposite each of the words "yes" and "no," in 
56.1 	one of which the voter shall mark an "X" to indicate a choice. The county board may call 
56.2 	a special county election upon a question to be held within 6074 days after a resolution to 
56.3 	that effect is adopted by the county board. Upon the adoption of the resolution the county 
56.4 	auditor shall post and publish notices of the election, as required by section 204D.22, 
56.5 	subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and the returns canvassed in the 
56.6 	manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as practicable.

56.7 	Sec. 97. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 447.32, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
56.8 		Subd. 2.Elections. Except as provided in this chapter, the Minnesota Election Law 
56.9 	applies to hospital district elections, as far as practicable. Regular elections must be held 
56.10 	in each hospital district at the same time, in the same election precincts, and at the same 
56.11 	polling places as general elections of state and county officers. It may establish the whole 
56.12 	district as a single election precinct or establish two or more different election precincts and 
56.13 	polling places for the elections. If there is more than one precinct, the boundaries of the 
56.14 	election precincts and the locations of the polling places must be defined in the notice of 
56.15 	election, either in full or by reference to a description or map on file in the office of the clerk.
56.16 	Special elections may be called by the hospital board to vote on any matter required 
56.17 	by law to be submitted to the voters. A special election may not be conducted either 
56.18 	during the 30 56 days before and the 30 days after the stateor the 56 days after a regularly 
56.19 	scheduled primary or state general election, or during the 20 days before and the 20 days 
56.20 	after the regularly scheduled election of any municipalityconducted wholly or partially 
56.21 	within the hospital district. Special elections must be held within the election precinct or 
56.22 	precincts and at the polling place or places designated by the board. In the case of the 
56.23 	first election of officers of a new district, precincts and polling places must be set by the 
56.24 	governing body of the most populous city or town included in the district.
56.25 	Advisory ballots may be submitted by the hospital board on any question it wishes, 
56.26 	concerning the affairs of the district, but only at a regular election or at a special election 
56.27 	required for another purpose.

56.28 	Sec. 98. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 447.32, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
56.29 		Subd. 3.Election notices. At least two weeks before the first day to file affidavits 
56.30 	of candidacy, the clerk of the district shall publish a notice stating the first and last day 
56.31 	on which affidavits of candidacy may be filed, the places for filing the affidavits and the 
56.32 	closing time of the last day for filing. The clerk shall post a similar notice in at least one 
56.33 	conspicuous place in each city and town in the district at least ten days before the first 
56.34 	day to file affidavits of candidacy.
57.1 	At least 5374 days prior to every hospital district election, the hospital district clerk 
57.2 	shall provide a written notice to the county auditor of each county in which the hospital 
57.3 	district is located. The notice must include the date of the election, the offices to be voted 
57.4 	on at the election, and the title and language for each ballot question to be voted on at the 
57.5 	election. At least 46 days before a hospital district election for which a notice is provided 
57.6 	to the county auditor under this subdivision, The county auditor shall immediately provide 
57.7 	a notice to the secretary of state in a manner and including information prescribed by 
57.8 	the secretary of state.
57.9 	The notice of each election must be posted in at least one public and conspicuous 
57.10 	place within each city and town included in the district at least ten daystwo weeks before 
57.11 	the election. It must be published in the official newspaper of the district or, if a paper has 
57.12 	not been designated, in a legal newspaper having general circulation within the district, at 
57.13 	least two weeks before the election. Failure to give notice does not invalidate the election 
57.14 	of an officer of the district. A voter may contest a hospital district election in accordance 
57.15 	with chapter 209. Chapter 209 applies to hospital district elections.

57.16 	Sec. 99. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
57.17 		Subd. 4.Candidates; ballots; certifying election. A person who wants to be a 
57.18 	candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either as 
57.19 	member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate resides. 
57.20 	The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk not more than 9198 days 
57.21 	nor less than 7784 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the 
57.22 	year in which the general election is held. The city or town clerk must forward the affidavits 
57.23 	of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the first election, the clerk of the 
57.24 	most populous city or town immediately after the last day of the filing period. A candidate 
57.25 	may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the clerk of the 
57.26 	district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day to file affidavits of candidacy.
57.27 	The governing body of any hospital district may, by resolution, require that a 
57.28 	candidate for hospital district office who wants write-in votes for the candidate to be 
57.29 	counted file a written request with the filing officer for the office sought no later than the 
57.30 	seventh day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies of the 
57.31 	form to make the request.
57.32 	Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the 
57.33 	district, necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be printed on tan paper 
57.34 	and prepared as provided in the rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked 
57.35 	and initialed by at least two judges as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. 
58.1 	Any proposition to be voted on may be printed on the ballot provided for the election 
58.2 	of officers. The hospital board may also authorize the use of voting systems subject to 
58.3 	chapter 206. Enough election judges may be appointed to receive the votes at each 
58.4 	polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks of election, count the ballots cast, 
58.5 	and submit them to the board for canvass.
58.6 	After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the 
58.7 	candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall 
58.8 	deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person 
58.9 	certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 
58.10 	days after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office 
58.11 	as provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but 
58.12 	qualification is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

58.13 	Sec. 100. Laws 1963, chapter 276, section 2, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 1992, 
58.14 	chapter 534, section 1, is amended to read:
58.15 		Subd. 2.One third of the members of the first hospital board shall be appointed for a 
58.16 	term to expire one year from December 31 next following such appointment, one third 
58.17 	for a term to expire two years from such date, and one third for a term to expire three 
58.18 	years from such date. Successors to the original board members shall each be elected for 
58.19 	terms of three years, and all members shall hold office until their successors are elected 
58.20 	and qualify. Terms of all members shall expire on December 31. In case of a vacancy 
58.21 	on the hospital board, whether due to death, removal from the district, inability to serve, 
58.22 	resignation, or other cause the majority of the remaining members of the hospital board, 
58.23 	at its next regular or special meeting, shall make an appointment to fill such vacancy for 
58.24 	the then unexpired term. The election of successors to the original board members shall 
58.25 	be elected by popular vote of the qualified voters in the hospital district.Hospital board 
58.26 	elections shall be conducted as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 447.32. The 
58.27 	hospital board shall, by resolution, adopt a plan for the orderly transition to the new 
58.28 	election schedule. The resolution must be approved no later than four weeks before the 
58.29 	first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the general election. The terms of hospital board 
58.30 	members may be lengthened or shortened by one year as a part of the transition process.

58.31 	Sec. 101.  REPEALER.
 58.32 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 204B.42; 204D.11, subdivisions 2 and 3; 205.17, 
58.33 	subdivisions 2 and 4; 205A.08, subdivision 4; 208.07; and 208.08, are repealed.

59.1 	ARTICLE 6
59.2 	LOSS AND RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS

59.3 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 13.851, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
59.4 		Subd. 10.Felony sentenceoffender data; voter registration. The use and 
59.5 	classification of felony sentenceoffender data made available to the secretary of state 
59.6 	is governed by section 201.157.

59.7 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.054, is amended by adding a subdivision 
59.8 	to read:
59.9 		Subd. 1a.Invalid registrations; notice to voter. If the county auditor has reason 
59.10 	to believe based upon records provided by another public entity that an individual who 
59.11 	has submitted a voter registration application is not eligible to vote, the county auditor 
59.12 	must notify the individual of the reason that the individual's eligibility is in question 
59.13 	and that the individual will not be registered to vote unless the individual reaffirms the 
59.14 	individual's eligibility in writing.

59.15 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.054, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
59.16 		Subd. 2.Prohibitions; penalty; affirmative defense. (a) No individual shall 
59.17 	intentionally:
59.18 	(a) (1) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered in any 
59.19 	precinct if the individual is not eligible to vote;
59.20 	(b) (2) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered for the 
59.21 	purpose of voting in more than one precinct;
59.22 	(c) (3) misrepresent the individual's identity when attempting to register to vote; or
59.23 	(d) (4) aid, abet, counsel, or procure any other individual to violate this subdivision.
59.24 	A violation of this subdivision is a felony.
59.25 	An individual who violates clause (1) but does not subsequently cast a ballot is guilty of a 
59.26 	misdemeanor. An individual who violates clause (1) and subsequently casts a ballot is 
59.27 	guilty of a felony. All other violations of this subdivision are a felony.
59.28 	(b) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution for violation of paragraph (a), clause 
59.29 	(1), if the individual:
59.30 	(1) requested, in writing, that the county auditor of the county where the individual 
59.31 	resides withdraw the registration, and the request was made before any complaint was 
59.32 	filed alleging a violation of paragraph (a), clause (1); and
60.1 	(2) did not vote at an election between the time the registration application was 
60.2 	submitted and the time the individual requested the registration be withdrawn.

60.3 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.157, is amended to read:
60.4 	201.157 USE OF DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DATA.
60.5 		Subdivision 1.Access to data. (a) As required by the Help America Vote Act of 
60.6 	2002, Public Law 107-252, The commissioner of corrections shall make electronic data 
60.7 	available to the secretary of state on individuals 18 years of age or older who are currently:
60.8 	(1) serving felony sentences under the commissioner's jurisdiction; or 
60.9 	(2) on probation for felony offenses that would result in the loss of civil rights, as 
60.10 	indicated by the statewide supervision system established under section 241.065. 
60.11 	The data must include the name, date of birth, last known residential address that is 
60.12 	not a correctional facility, and, if available, corrections' state identification number, and if 
60.13 	available, and the driver's license or state identification card number, and, if an individual 
60.14 	has completed the sentence, the date of discharge.
60.15 	(b) The secretary of state must determine if any data newly indicates that:
60.16 	(1) an individual with an active voter registration in the statewide voter registration 
60.17 	system is currently serving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction or is on 
60.18 	probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil rights and the individual's 
60.19 	voter record does not already have a challenged status due to a felony conviction;
60.20 	(2) an individual with an active voter registration in the statewide voter registration 
60.21 	system who is currently serving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction or 
60.22 	who is on probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil rights appears 
60.23 	to have registered to vote or to have voted during a period when the individual's civil 
60.24 	rights were revoked; and
60.25 	(3) an individual with a voter record that has a challenged status due to a felony 
60.26 	conviction who was serving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction
60.27 	 or who has been on probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil 
60.28 	rights has been discharged from a sentence.
60.29 	The secretary of state shall prepare a list of the registrants included under clause (1), 
60.30 	(2), or (3) for each county auditor. For individuals under clause (1), the county auditor 
60.31 	shall challenge the individual's record in the statewide voter registration system. The 
60.32 	county auditor must provide information to the county attorney about individuals under 
60.33 	clause (2) for the county attorney's investigation. For individuals under clause (3), the 
60.34 	county auditor must determine if the challenge status should be removed from the voter 
60.35 	record for the individual, and if so, must remove the challenge.
61.1 	The secretary of state must make the required determinations and provide the 
61.2 	required lists to the county auditors at least monthly.
61.3 	For each state general election that occurs prior to the statewide voter registration 
61.4 	system being programmed to generate lists as required by this section, the secretary of 
61.5 	state must make the determination and provide lists to the county auditors between 30 and 
61.6 	60 days before the election and again between six and ten weeks after the election. In the 
61.7 	year following that state election, the secretary of state must make this determination and 
61.8 	provide lists to the county auditors again as part of the annual list maintenance.
61.9 		Subd. 2.Notice to affected individuals. (a) Between 60 and 65 days prior to a state 
61.10 	general election, the Department of Corrections shall provide to the secretary of state a list 
61.11 	of offenders, who, at the time the list is prepared, are on supervised release or probation for 
61.12 	a felony offense that resulted in the loss of civil rights. The list shall also include former 
61.13 	offenders who the data indicates were discharged from all felony-level sentences since the 
61.14 	previous list was provided in accordance with this subdivision and who are not serving a 
61.15 	felony-level sentence at the time the list is prepared. The data must include the offender's 
61.16 	name; date of birth; last known residential address that is not a correctional facility; if 
61.17 	available, corrections state identification number and driver's license or state identification 
61.18 	card number; and if an offender has completed the sentence, the date the discharge occurred.
61.19 	(b) The secretary of state shall use the data provided in paragraph (a) to mail written 
61.20 	notices at least one month prior to a state general election, as follows:
61.21 	(1) a notice to each individual on probation for a felony offense that would result 
61.22 	in the loss of civil rights, informing the individual that registration or voting while on 
61.23 	probation for the offense is itself a felony offense and may result in the loss of the 
61.24 	individual's probation status; and
61.25 	(2) a notice to each individual who has completed a term of probation resulting in 
61.26 	the loss of civil rights and who has no new felony conviction, that the individual's right 
61.27 	to vote has been restored.
61.28 		Subd. 3.Data. Data on offenders submitted to the secretary of state under this 
61.29 	section are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, and 
61.30 	may be used or disseminated only for purposes authorized by this section.

61.31 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 201.275, is amended to read:
61.32 	201.275 INVESTIGATIONS; PROSECUTIONS.
61.33 	A county attorney who law enforcement agency that  is notified by affidavit of an 
61.34 	alleged violation of this chapter shall promptly investigate. If there is probable cause for 
61.35 	instituting a prosecution, the county attorney shall proceed by complaint or present the 
62.1 	charge, with whatever evidence has been found, to the grand jury. A county attorney 
62.2 	who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this or any other duty imposed by 
62.3 	this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall forfeit office. The 
62.4 	county attorney, under the penalty of forfeiture of office, shall prosecute all violations of 
62.5 	this chapter except violations of this section; if, however, a complainant withdraws an 
62.6 	allegation under this chapter, the county attorney is not required to proceed with the 
62.7 	prosecution in accordance with the second edition of the National Prosecution Standards 
62.8 	published by the National District Attorneys Association.

62.9 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 203B.06, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
62.10 		Subd. 3.Delivery of ballots. (a)  The commissioner of corrections must provide the 
62.11 	secretary of state with a list of the names and mailing addresses of state adult correctional 
62.12 	facilities. An application for an absentee ballot that provides an address included on the list 
62.13 	provided by the commissioner of corrections must not be accepted and an absentee ballot 
62.14 	must not be provided to the applicant. The county auditor or municipal clerk must promptly 
62.15 	transmit a copy of the application to the county attorney. The Department of Corrections 
62.16 	must implement procedures to ensure that absentee ballots issued under chapter 203B are 
62.17 	not received or mailed by offenders incarcerated at state adult correctional facilities.
62.18 	(b) If an application for absentee ballots is accepted at a time when absentee ballots 
62.19 	are not yet available for distribution, the county auditor, or municipal clerk accepting the 
62.20 	application shall file it and as soon as absentee ballots are available for distribution shall 
62.21 	mail them to the address specified in the application. If an application for absentee ballots 
62.22 	is accepted when absentee ballots are available for distribution, the county auditor or 
62.23 	municipal clerk accepting the application shall promptly:
62.24 	(1) mail the ballots to the voter whose signature appears on the application if the 
62.25 	application is submitted by mail and does not request commercial shipping under clause (2);
62.26 	(2) ship the ballots to the voter using a commercial shipper requested by the voter at 
62.27 	the voter's expense;
62.28 	(3) deliver the absentee ballots directly to the voter if the application is submitted in 
62.29 	person; or
62.30 	(4) deliver the absentee ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope to an agent who has 
62.31 	been designated to bring the ballots, as provided in section 203B.11, subdivision 4, to a 
62.32 	voter who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health 
62.33 	reasons, or who is disabled, or who is a patient in a health care facility, a resident of 
62.34 	a facility providing assisted living services governed by chapter 144G, a participant in 
63.1 	a residential program for adults licensed under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a 
63.2 	resident of a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4.
63.3 	(b) (c) If an application does not indicate the election for which absentee ballots are 
63.4 	sought, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall mail or deliver only the ballots for 
63.5 	the next election occurring after receipt of the application. Only one set of ballots may 
63.6 	be mailed, shipped, or delivered to an applicant for any election, except as provided in 
63.7 	section 203B.121, subdivision 2, or when a replacement ballot has been requested by the 
63.8 	voter for a ballot that has been spoiled or lost in transit.

63.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 15, 2013.

63.10 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.14, is amended to read:
63.11 	204C.14 UNLAWFUL VOTING; PENALTY.
63.12 		Subdivision 1.Violations; penalty. No individual shall intentionally:
63.13 	(a) misrepresent the individual's identity in applying for a ballot, depositing a ballot in 
63.14 	a ballot box or attempting to vote by means of a voting machine or electronic voting system;
63.15 	(b) vote more than once at the same election;
63.16 	(c) put a ballot in a ballot box for any illegal purpose;
63.17 	(d) give more than one ballot of the same kind and color to an election judge to 
63.18 	be placed in a ballot box;
63.19 	(e) aid, abet, counsel or procure another to go into any precinct for the purpose 
63.20 	of voting in that precinct, knowing that the other individual is not eligible to vote in 
63.21 	that precinct; or
63.22 	(f) aid, abet, counsel or procure another to do any act in violation of this section.
63.23 	A violation of this section is a felony.
63.24 		Subd. 2.Signature on roster as evidence of intent. For purposes of proving a 
63.25 	violation of this section, the signature of an individual on a polling place roster is prima 
63.26 	facie evidence of the intent of the individual to vote at that election.

63.27 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 241.065, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
63.28 		Subd. 2.Establishment. The Department of Corrections shall administer and 
63.29 	maintain a computerized data system for the purpose of assisting criminal justice agencies 
63.30 	in monitoring and enforcing the conditions of conditional release imposed on criminal 
63.31 	offenders by a sentencing court or the commissioner of corrections. The adult data and 
63.32 	juvenile data as defined in section 260B.171 in the statewide supervision system are 
63.33 	private data as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but are accessible to criminal 
64.1 	justice agencies as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 3a, to the Minnesota sex offender 
64.2 	program as provided in section 246B.04, subdivision 3, to public defenders as provided in 
64.3 	section 611.272, to all trial courts and appellate courts, and to criminal justice agencies in 
64.4 	other states in the conduct of their official duties. Adult data in the statewide supervision 
64.5 	system are accessible to the secretary of state for the purposes described in section 201.157.

64.6 	Sec. 9. [244.25] NOTICE OF LOSS OF VOTING RIGHTS.
64.7 	Whenever an adult felon is placed on probation supervision, the individual must be 
64.8 	provided a written notice, included in the probation agreement, that the individual may not 
64.9 	register to vote or cast a ballot in any election during the period of felony supervision. The 
64.10 	individual must acknowledge, by signature, receipt of the notice. A copy of the notice and 
64.11 	signature must be placed in the felon's probation supervision file.

64.12 	ARTICLE 7
64.13 	JUNE PRIMARY

64.14 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
64.15 		Subd. 2.Separate precincts; combined polling place. (a) The following shall 
64.16 	constitute at least one election precinct:
64.17 	(1) each city ward; and
64.18 	(2) each town and each statutory city.
64.19 	(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than 
64.20 	May March 1 of any year:
64.21 	(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in 
64.22 	more than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;
64.23 	(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;
64.24 	(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan 
64.25 	area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county; or
64.26 	(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.
64.27 	A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must 
64.28 	be filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body. A 
64.29 	polling place combined under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each 
64.30 	participating municipality. A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved 
64.31 	by the governing body of each participating municipality and the secretary of state and 
64.32 	may be located outside any of the noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing 
64.33 	from participation in a combined polling place must do so by filing a resolution of 
64.34 	withdrawal with the county auditor no later than April February 1 of any year.
65.1 	The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct 
65.2 	served by the combined polling place. A single set of election judges may be appointed 
65.3 	to serve at a combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be 
65.4 	based on the total number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to 
65.5 	be voting at the combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the 
65.6 	ballots from each precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each 
65.7 	precinct served by the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under 
65.8 	clause (2) where one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the 
65.9 	results of that precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state.

65.10 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.14, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
65.11 		Subd. 4.Boundary change procedure. Any change in the boundary of an election 
65.12 	precinct must be adopted at least ten weeks before the date of the next election and, for the 
65.13 	state primary and general election, no later than June April 1 in the year of the state general 
65.14 	election. The precinct boundary change shall not take effect until notice of the change has 
65.15 	been posted in the office of the municipal clerk or county auditor for at least 56 days.
65.16 	The county auditor must publish a notice illustrating or describing the congressional, 
65.17 	legislative, and county commissioner district boundaries in the county in one or more 
65.18 	qualified newspapers in the county at least 14 days before the first day to file affidavits of 
65.19 	candidacy for the state general election in the year ending in two.
65.20 	Alternate dates for adopting changes in precinct boundaries, posting notices 
65.21 	of boundary changes, and notifying voters affected by boundary changes pursuant 
65.22 	to this subdivision, and procedures for coordinating precinct boundary changes with 
65.23 	reestablishing local government election district boundaries may be established in the 
65.24 	manner provided in the rules of the secretary of state.

65.25 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
65.26 		Subdivision 1.Appointment lists; duties of political parties and secretary of 
65.27 	state. On May March 1 in a year in which there is an election for a partisan political 
65.28 	office, each major political party shall prepare a list of eligible voters to act as election 
65.29 	judges in each election precinct. The political parties shall furnish the lists electronically 
65.30 	to the secretary of state, in a format specified by the secretary of state. The secretary of 
65.31 	state must combine the data received from each political party under this subdivision 
65.32 	and must process the data to locate the precinct in which the address provided for each 
65.33 	potential election judge is located. If the data submitted by a political party is insufficient 
65.34 	for the secretary of state to locate the proper precinct, the associated name must not appear 
66.1 	in any list forwarded to an appointing authority under this subdivision. The secretary of 
66.2 	state shall notify political parties of any proposed election judges with addresses that 
66.3 	could not be located in a precinct.
66.4 	By May March 15, the secretary of state shall furnish electronically to the county 
66.5 	auditor a list of the appropriate names for each election precinct in the jurisdiction of 
66.6 	the appointing authority, noting the political party affiliation of each individual on the 
66.7 	list. The county auditor must promptly forward the appropriate names to the appropriate 
66.8 	municipal clerk.

66.9 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
66.10 		Subdivision 1.State primary. The state primary shall be held on the second first
66.11 	 Tuesday after the third Monday in August June in each even-numbered year to select 
66.12 	the nominees of the major political parties for partisan offices and the nominees for 
66.13 	nonpartisan offices to be filled at the state general election, other than presidential electors.

66.14 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
66.15 		Subdivision 1.Example ballot. (a) No later than May March 1 of each year, the 
66.16 	secretary of state shall supply each auditor with a copy of an example ballot. The example 
66.17 	ballot must illustrate the format required for the ballots used in the primary and general 
66.18 	elections that year.
66.19 	(b) The county auditor shall distribute copies of the example ballot to municipal and 
66.20 	school district clerks in municipalities and school districts holding elections that year. The 
66.21 	official ballot must conform in all respects to the example ballot.

66.22 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204D.28, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
66.23 		Subd. 5.Regular state primary. "Regular state primary" means:
66.24 	(a) the state primary at which candidates are nominated for offices elected at the 
66.25 	state general election; or
66.26 	(b) a primary held on the second first Tuesday after the third Monday in August June
66.27 	 of odd-numbered years.

66.28 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.065, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
66.29 		Subdivision 1.Establishing primary. A municipal primary for the purpose of 
66.30 	nominating elective officers may be held in any city on the second first Tuesday after the 
66.31 	third Monday in August June of any year in which a municipal general election is to 
66.32 	be held for the purpose of electing officers. The date of a municipal primary held in 
67.1 	an odd-numbered year may be postponed for inclement weather as provided in section 
67.2 	205.105.

67.3 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205.065, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
67.4 		Subd. 2.Resolution or ordinance. The governing body of a city may, by ordinance 
67.5 	or resolution adopted by April January 15 in the year when a municipal general election 
67.6 	is held, elect to choose nominees for municipal offices by a primary as provided in this 
67.7 	section. The resolution or ordinance, when adopted, is effective for all ensuing municipal 
67.8 	elections until it is revoked. The municipal clerk shall notify the secretary of state and the 
67.9 	county auditor within 30 days after the adoption of the resolution or ordinance.

67.10 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
67.11 		Subdivision 1.Resolution requiring primary in certain circumstances. The 
67.12 	school board of a school district may, by resolution adopted by April January 15 of any 
67.13 	year, decide to choose nominees for school board by a primary as provided in this section. 
67.14 	The resolution, when adopted, is effective for all ensuing elections of board members in 
67.15 	that school district until it is revoked. If the board decides to choose nominees by primary 
67.16 	and if there are more than two candidates for a specified school board position or more 
67.17 	than twice as many school board candidates as there are at-large school board positions 
67.18 	available, the school district must hold a primary.

67.19 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
67.20 		Subd. 2.Date. The school district primary must be held on the second first Tuesday
67.21 	 after the third Monday in August June in the year when the school district general election 
67.22 	is held. The clerk shall give notice of the primary in the manner provided in section 
67.23 	205A.07. The date of a school district primary held in an odd-numbered year may be 
67.24 	postponed for inclement weather as provided in section 205A.055.

67.25 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
67.26 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose 
67.27 	nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed 
67.28 	with the school district clerk no earlier than the 84th day and no later than the 70th day 
67.29 	before the second first Tuesday after the third Monday in August June in the year when the 
67.30 	school district general election is held. In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy 
67.31 	must be filed no earlier than the 98th day and no later than the 84th day before the school 
67.32 	district general election.

68.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 205A.11, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
68.2 		Subd. 2a.Notice of special elections. The school district clerk shall prepare a 
68.3 	notice to the voters who will be voting in a combined polling place for a school district 
68.4 	special election. The notice must include the following information: the date of the 
68.5 	election, the hours of voting, and the location of the voter's polling place. The notice must 
68.6 	be sent by nonforwardable mail to every affected household in the school district with 
68.7 	at least one registered voter. The notice must be mailed no later than 14 days before 
68.8 	the election. The mailed notice is not required for a school district special election that 
68.9 	is held on the second first Tuesday after the third Monday in August June, the Tuesday 
68.10 	following the first Monday in November, or for a special election conducted entirely by 
68.11 	mail. In addition, the mailed notice is not required for voters residing in a township if 
68.12 	the school district special election is held on the second Tuesday in March and the town 
68.13 	general election is held on that day. A notice that is returned as undeliverable must be 
68.14 	forwarded immediately to the county auditor.

68.15 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.61, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
68.16 		Subd. 5.Alternation. The provisions of the election laws requiring the alternation 
68.17 	of names of candidates must be observed as far as practicable by changing the order of the 
68.18 	names on an electronic voting system in the various precincts so that each name appears 
68.19 	on the machines or marking devices used in a municipality substantially an equal number 
68.20 	of times in the first, last, and in each intermediate place in the list or group in which 
68.21 	they belong. However, the arrangement of candidates' names must be the same on all 
68.22 	voting systems used in the same precinct. If the number of names to be alternated exceeds 
68.23 	the number of precincts, the election official responsible for providing the ballots, in 
68.24 	accordance with subdivision 1, shall determine by lot the alternation of names.
68.25 	If an electronic ballot marker is used with a paper ballot that is not an optical scan 
68.26 	ballot card, the manner of alternation of candidate names on the paper ballot must be as 
68.27 	prescribed for optical scan ballots in this subdivision.
68.28 	The rules adopted by the secretary of state for the rotation of candidate names must 
68.29 	use the number of registered voters in each precinct as of 8:00 a.m. on May March 1 of 
68.30 	the year when the rotation will be made as the basis for determining the rotation of names.

68.31 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 206.82, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
68.32 		Subd. 2.Plan.  The municipal clerk in a municipality where an electronic voting 
68.33 	system is used and the county auditor of a county in which an electronic voting system 
68.34 	is used in more than one municipality and the county auditor of a county in which a 
69.1 	counting center serving more than one municipality is located shall prepare a plan which 
69.2 	indicates acquisition of sufficient facilities, computer time, and professional services 
69.3 	and which describes the proposed manner of complying with section 206.80. The plan 
69.4 	must be signed, notarized, and submitted to the secretary of state more than 60 days 
69.5 	before the first election at which the municipality uses an electronic voting system. Before 
69.6 	May March 1 of each subsequent general election year, the clerk or auditor shall submit 
69.7 	to the secretary of state notification of any changes to the plan on file with the secretary 
69.8 	of state. The secretary of state shall review each plan for its sufficiency and may request 
69.9 	technical assistance from the Office of Enterprise Technology or other agency which may 
69.10 	be operating as the central computer authority. The secretary of state shall notify each 
69.11 	reporting authority of the sufficiency or insufficiency of its plan within 20 days of receipt 
69.12 	of the plan. The attorney general, upon request of the secretary of state, may seek a district 
69.13 	court order requiring an election official to fulfill duties imposed by this subdivision or by 
69.14 	rules promulgated pursuant to this section.

69.15 	Sec. 15. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 69.16 	This article is effective January 1, 2016, and apply to elections conducted on or 
69.17 	after that date.

69.18 	ARTICLE 8
69.19 	ELECTRONIC ROSTERS

69.20 	Section 1. ELECTRONIC ROSTER PILOT PROJECT.
 69.21 		Subdivision 1.Established. A pilot project is established to explore the use of 
69.22 	electronic rosters in conducting elections. Jurisdictions participating in the project may 
69.23 	use electronic rosters to process election day registration, to verify the registration status 
69.24 	of preregistered voters, or both. The pilot project shall apply to general elections for home 
69.25 	rule charter or statutory cities conducted in participating cities in 2013. The standards for 
69.26 	conducting the pilot project are provided in this section.
69.27 		Subd. 2.Participating cities. Precincts located in Dilworth, Minnetonka, 
69.28 	Moorhead, Saint Anthony, and Saint Paul may participate in the project. In participating 
69.29 	cities, the head elections official may designate individual precincts in the jurisdiction to 
69.30 	participate. A city is not required to use electronic rosters in all precincts.
69.31 		Subd. 3.Technology requirements. (a) In participating precincts, an electronic 
69.32 	poll book must:
69.33 	(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file 
69.34 	format prescribed by the secretary of state;
70.1 	(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
70.2 	(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license 
70.3 	or identification card to populate a voter registration application that would be printed 
70.4 	and signed and dated by the voter;
70.5 	(4) provide for a printed voter's signature certificate, containing the voter's name, 
70.6 	address of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by 
70.7 	Minnesota Statutes, section 204C.10, and a space for the voter's original signature;
70.8 	(5) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic poll book indicates that a 
70.9 	voter has already voted, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the 
70.10 	voter resides in a different precinct;
70.11 	(6) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge 
70.12 	when a voter's record is challenged; and
70.13 	(7) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration 
70.14 	of participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
70.15 	(b) In precincts using electronic rosters only for election day registration, the 
70.16 	technology does not need to comply with paragraph (a), clause (4), (5), or (6).
70.17 		Subd. 4.Minnesota election law; other law. Except as provided in this section, the 
70.18 	provisions of the Minnesota Election Law apply to this pilot project, so far as practicable. 
70.19 	Voters participating in the safe at home program must be allowed to vote pursuant to 
70.20 	Minnesota Statutes, section 5B.06. Nothing in this section shall be construed to amend 
70.21 	absentee voting provisions in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 203B.
70.22 		Subd. 5.Election records retention. All voter's signature certificates and voter 
70.23 	registration applications printed from an electronic poll book shall be retained pursuant to 
70.24 	Minnesota Statutes, section 204B.40. Data on election day registrants must be uploaded to 
70.25 	the statewide voter registration system for processing by county auditors.
70.26 		Subd. 6.Election day. Participating precincts may use electronic rosters for 
70.27 	election day registration, to verify registration status of preregistered voters, or both. In 
70.28 	precincts using electronic rosters to verify registration status of preregistered voters, the 
70.29 	election judges shall also use a paper roster.
70.30 		Subd. 7.Evaluation. The secretary of state must evaluate the pilot project and must 
70.31 	report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections by January 31, 2014, 
70.32 	on the results of the evaluation. The report must include:
70.33 	(1) a description of the technology that was used and explanation of how that 
70.34 	technology was selected;
70.35 	(2) the process used for implementing electronic poll books;
71.1 	(3) a description of training that was conducted for election judges and other election 
71.2 	officials in precincts that used electronic poll books;
71.3 	(4) the number of voters who voted in each precinct using electronic poll books;
71.4 	(5) comments, feedback, or recommendations from election judges and others in a 
71.5 	precinct using electronic poll books;
71.6 	(6) the costs associated with the use of electronic poll books, broken down by precinct; 
71.7 	(7) comments, feedback, or recommendations from the participating cities and 
71.8 	counties regarding data transfers and other exchanges of information; and 
71.9 	(8) any other feedback or recommendations the secretary of state believes are 
71.10 	relevant to evaluating the pilot project.
71.11 		Subd. 8. Expiration. The authorization for this pilot project expires upon 
71.12 	submission of the report as provided in subdivision 7.

71.13 	Sec. 2. ELECTRONIC ROSTER TASK FORCE.
 71.14 		Subdivision 1.Membership. (a) The Electronic Roster Task Force consists of the 
71.15 	following 15 members:
71.16 	(1) the director of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Vehicle Services, or 
71.17 	designee;
71.18 	(2) the secretary of state, or designee;
71.19 	(3) an individual designated by the secretary of state, from the elections division in 
71.20 	the Office of the Secretary of State;
71.21 	(4) the chief information officer of the state of Minnesota, or designee;
71.22 	(5) one county auditor appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Officers;
71.23 	(6) one town election official appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships;
71.24 	(7) one city election official appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities;
71.25 	(8) one school district election official appointed by the Minnesota School Boards 
71.26 	Association;
71.27 	(9) one representative appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
71.28 	(10) one representative appointed by the minority leader of the house of 
71.29 	representatives;
71.30 	(11) one senator appointed by the senate Subcommittee on the Committee of the 
71.31 	Committee on Rules and Administration;
71.32 	(12) one senator appointed by the senate minority leader;
71.33 	(13) one person appointed by the governor, familiar with electronic roster technology 
71.34 	but who does not represent a specific vendor of the technology; and
71.35 	(14) two election judges appointed by the governor.
72.1 	(b) Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the appointing authority for the 
72.2 	vacating member.
72.3 	(c) Members shall be appointed by June 1, 2013.
72.4 		Subd. 2.Conflict of interest. No member of the task force may have a financial 
72.5 	interest in a manufacturer or distributor of electronic roster technology.
72.6 		Subd. 3.Duties.  The task force must research the following issues:
72.7 	(1) electronic roster technology, including different types of electronic rosters; 
72.8 	(2) the ability to use photographs received from the Department of Vehicle Services;
72.9 	(3) the ability to add photographs to the roster on election day;
72.10 	(4) data security in electronic rosters, the statewide voter registration system, and the 
72.11 	Department of Vehicle Services;
72.12 	(5) reliability of Department of Vehicle Services data, including the ability to match 
72.13 	names and photographs without duplication;
72.14 	(6) ability of precincts across the state to connect an electronic roster to a secure 
72.15 	network to access the statewide voter registration system; and
72.16 	(7) direct and indirect costs associated with using electronic rosters.
72.17 		Subd. 4.First meeting. The secretary of state, or the secretary's designee, must 
72.18 	convene the initial meeting of the task force by July 1, 2013. The members of the task force 
72.19 	must elect a chair and a vice-chair from the members of the task force at the first meeting.
72.20 		Subd. 5.Compensation. Public members of the task force shall be compensated 
72.21 	pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
72.22 		Subd. 6.Staff. The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide staff 
72.23 	support, as needed, to facilitate the task force's work.
72.24 		Subd. 7.Report. The task force must submit a report by January 31, 2014, to 
72.25 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the senate and house of 
72.26 	representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections, summarizing its findings and 
72.27 	listing recommendations on the implementation of electronic rosters statewide. The report 
72.28 	shall include draft legislation to implement the recommendations of the task force. 
72.29 		Subd. 8.Sunset. The task force shall sunset the day following submission of the 
72.30 	report under subdivision 7, or January 31, 2014, whichever is earlier.

72.31 	Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 72.32 	This article is effective the day following final enactment.

73.1 	ARTICLE 9
73.2 	APPROPRIATION

73.3	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
73.4 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the 
73.5 	agencies and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the 
73.6 	general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated 
73.7 	for each purpose. The figures "2014" and "2015" used in this article mean that the 
73.8 	appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, or 
73.9 	June 30, 2015, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2014. "The second year" is fiscal 
73.10 	year 2015. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

73.11				APPROPRIATIONS
	
73.12				Available for the Year
	
73.13				Ending June 30
	
73.14					2014
		2015

73.15
73.16	Sec. 2. LEGISLATIVE COORDINATING 
COMMISSION
 	$
	21,000
	$
	-0-
	
73.17 	$21,000 the first year is for the purposes of 
73.18 	the Electronic Roster Task Force established 
73.19 	in article 8, section 2.

73.20	Sec. 3. SECRETARY OF STATE
 	$
	433,000
	$
	135,000
	
73.21 	$130,000 the first year is for early voting 
73.22 	modifications to the statewide voter 
73.23 	registration system in article 2. The base is 
73.24 	$26,000 in fiscal year 2016.
73.25 	$46,000 the first year is for computer 
73.26 	programming costs for absentee voting in 
73.27 	article 3.  The base for fiscal year 2016 is 
73.28 	$9,000.
73.29 	$20,000 the first year is for inclusion of vital 
73.30 	records death reports from other states in the 
73.31 	statewide voter registration system in article 
73.32 	5.
74.1 	$75,000 the first year to develop functionality 
74.2 	within the statewide voter registration system 
74.3 	to facilitate the processing and tracking of 
74.4 	mail ballots submitted under Minnesota 
74.5 	Statutes, sections 204B.45 and 204B.46.
74.6 	$95,000 the first year and $95,000 the second 
74.7 	year is for entering into an interagency 
74.8 	agreement with the commissioner of 
74.9 	corrections for data programming costs 
74.10 	related to the loss and restoration of voting 
74.11 	rights in article 6.
74.12 	$40,000 in the second year is for notifying 
74.13 	individuals currently on, or exiting, probation 
74.14 	before the general election as to whether their 
74.15 	right to vote has been restored as provided 
74.16 	in article 6. The base for fiscal year 2016 is 
74.17 	$40,000 and available for the biennium.
74.18 	$67,000 the first year is for implementing 
74.19 	the electronic roster pilot program in article 
74.20 	8, section 1.