SF 2232

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/07/2025 10:02 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to elections; modifying various laws related to election administration;
modifying absentee voting requirements and procedures; modifying timelines;
requiring a notice to be sent with absentee ballot applications and sample ballots
sent by nongovernment entities; modifying the filing period for certain local offices;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 201.225, subdivision 2; 203B.04,
subdivision 1; 203B.11, subdivision 1; 203B.121, subdivision 1; 203B.23,
subdivision 2; 203B.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.06, subdivision 1; 204B.09,
subdivisions 2, 3; 204B.14, subdivision 2; 204B.28, subdivision 2; 204B.45,
subdivision 2; 205.13, subdivisions 1, 1a; 205A.06, subdivisions 1, 1a; 447.32,
subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 211B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Technology requirements.

An electronic roster must:

(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file
format prescribed by the secretary of state;

(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;

(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or
identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that
would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The printed registration application
can be a printed form, a label printed with voter information to be affixed to a preprinted
form, a combination of a form and label, or an electronic record that the voter signs
electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling place;

(4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's
license or identification card;

(5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned
driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter
or an election judge;

(6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates
that the voter is not eligible to vote;

(7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has
already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the
voter maintains residence in a different precinct;

(8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when
a voter's record is challenged;

(9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address
of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10,
and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be
a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an
electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion
at the polling place;

(10) contain only preregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain preregistered
voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being utilized for new text begin a combined
polling place pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, new text end absentee or early voting under
chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section 204B.45, subdivision
2a;

(11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose
of updating absentee ballot records;

(12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the
Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information
Technology Services;

(13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and

(14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration
of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.

Electronic rosters used only for election day registration do not need to comply with clauses
(1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters used only for preregistered voter processing do not need
to comply with clauses (4) and (5).

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Application procedures.

(a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision
2 or by section 203B.11, subdivision 4, new text begin or 203B.29, new text end an application for absentee ballots for
any election new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end may be submitted new text begin in person at any time not later than the day before the election; or
new text end

new text begin (2) if not submitted in-person as provided in clause (1), must be received new text end at any time
not less than deleted text begin one day deleted text end new text begin seven days new text end before the day of that election.

The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided
by the secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of
each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available
to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision
shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile
device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:

(1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or

(2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the
applicant maintains residence.

(b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through
a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose. new text begin After
5:00 p.m. seven days prior to an election, the secretary of state must replace the electronic
application with information detailing the available options to vote before and on the
upcoming election day. new text end Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary of state must require
applicants using the website to submit the applicant's email address and new text begin the applicant's:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end verifiable Minnesota driver's license number deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin or new text end Minnesota state identification card
number deleted text begin , or deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.

new text begin If an applicant does not possess both types of documents, the applicant must include the
number for one type of document and must affirmatively certify that the applicant does not
possess the other type of documentation. new text end This paragraph does not apply to a town election
held in March.

(c) An application submitted electronically under deleted text begin this deleted text end paragraph new text begin (b) new text end may only be
transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the
application information matches the information in a government database associated with
the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security
number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of
suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement
agency for investigation.

(d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the
applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth,
and at least one of the following:

(1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;

(2) Minnesota state identification card number;

(3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or

(4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.

new text begin All applications must be retained by the county auditor or the municipal clerk or school
district clerk, if applicable. If an application is received after 5:00 p.m. seven days prior to
the election, the official in charge of the ballot board must, within one day of receipt of the
application, attempt to contact the applicant by telephone or email to notify the applicant
of opportunities to vote in the election. The official must document the attempts made to
contact the applicant.
new text end

(e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained
on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and
that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.

(f) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification
number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made
available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or
municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in
person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than
the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or
municipal clerk within deleted text begin ten deleted text end new text begin seven new text end days after it has been dated by the voter and no later than
deleted text begin six deleted text end new text begin seven new text end days before the election.

(g) An application under this subdivision may contain an application under subdivision
5 to automatically receive an absentee ballot.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Generally.

(a) Each full-time municipal clerk or school district clerk
who has authority under section 203B.05 to administer absentee voting laws must designate
election judges to deliver absentee ballots in accordance with this section. The county auditor
must also designate election judges to perform the duties in this section. A ballot may be
delivered only to an eligible voter who is a temporary or permanent resident or patient in
one of the following facilities located in the municipality in which the voter maintains
residence: a health care facility, hospital, or veterans home operated by the board of directors
of the Minnesota veterans homes under chapter 198. The ballots must be delivered by two
election judges, each of whom is affiliated with a different major political party. When the
election judges deliver or return ballots as provided in this section, they must travel together
in the same vehicle. Both election judges must be present when an applicant completes the
certificate of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as
provided in section 204C.15. The election judges must deposit the return envelopes containing
the marked absentee ballots in a sealed container and return them to the clerk on the same
day that they are delivered and marked.

new text begin (b) If a health care professional at the facility or hospital determines it is necessary to
ensure the health and safety of election judges, the voter, or others at the facility or hospital,
two employees of the facility or hospital may receive a ballot from the election judges and
deliver the ballot to an individual voter in place of election judges, notwithstanding other
requirements of this section. The employees must not in any manner request, persuade,
induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to vote for any particular political party
or candidate. Both employees must be present when an applicant completes the certificate
of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as provided in
section 204C.15. The employees must return the ballot to the election judges immediately
after the voter has finished voting.
new text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end At the discretion of a full-time municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county
auditor, absentee ballots may be delivered in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph
(a) to a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, or to an
assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; applicable laws.

(a) The governing body of each county,
municipality, and school district with responsibility to accept and reject absentee ballots or
to administer early voting must, by ordinance or resolution, establish a ballot board. The
board must consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as provided in sections
204B.19 to 204B.22 new text begin , except the provisions of section 204B.19, subdivision 5, relating to
party balance in the appointment of judges and to duties to be performed by judges of
different major political parties do not apply to a county election not held in conjunction
with a state election new text end . The board may include deputy county auditors or deputy city clerks
who have received training in the processing and counting of absentee ballots. Each member
of the ballot board must be provided adequate training on the processing and counting of
absentee ballots, including but not limited to instruction on accepting and rejecting absentee
ballots, storage of absentee ballots, timelines and deadlines, the role of the ballot board,
procedures for opening absentee ballot envelopes, procedures for counting absentee ballots,
and procedures for reporting absentee ballot totals.

(b) Each jurisdiction must pay a reasonable compensation to each member of that
jurisdiction's ballot board for services rendered during an election.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, all provisions of the Minnesota Election
Law apply to a ballot board.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Duties.

(a) The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot
envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the
absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter
eligibility is not printed on the signature envelope, the certificate must be attached to the
ballot envelope.

(b) The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the signature envelopes or
certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes and mark them
"accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been
rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered
spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter
with a replacement absentee ballot and envelopes in place of the spoiled ballot.

(c) If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to
a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the
appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board new text begin , except as otherwise provided in this
paragraph. If a municipality and county agree that the county's ballot board retains
responsibility for ballots issued pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, absentee ballots
issued pursuant to these sections that are accepted must be opened, counted, and retained
by the county's absentee ballot board new text end . The absentee ballot board with the authority to open
and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions 4 and
5.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Emergency response providers.

Any eligible Minnesota voter who is
a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in
response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any
governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for
absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate
of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly
completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must
electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. new text begin The absentee ballot application
deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this subdivision. new text end The county
auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted
electronically.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability.

Any eligible Minnesota
voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the
effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions,
and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible
format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements.
Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the
county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. new text begin The absentee
ballot application deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this
subdivision. new text end The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section
203B.07.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Form of affidavit.

new text begin (a) new text end An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of
the office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:

(1) is an eligible voter;

(2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or
next ensuing general election, except as authorized by subdivision 9; and

(3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have maintained
residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the
general election.

new text begin (b) new text end An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as
written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by
which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the community deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin and:
new text end

new text begin (1) the phonetic spelling or an explanation for the pronunciation of the full name
designated for the ballot; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a certification that the candidate is directing the official responsible for programming
materials for the election to use the applicable technology's default pronunciation of the
candidate's name.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the candidate's
political party or political principle, stated in three words or less.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Other elections.

new text begin (a) new text end Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city,
town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified
in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district
candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of
eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official
specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy and nominating
petitions filed under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding
chapter 325L, or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate
official within the specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office.

new text begin (b) The official receiving the filing shall notify the official responsible for preparing the
ballot of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, or
other information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
notification timeline.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Write-in candidates.

(a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who
wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the
filing office for the office sought not more than 84 days before the primary and no later
than the deleted text begin seventh deleted text end new text begin 19th new text end day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies
of the form to make the request. The filing officer shall not accept a written request later
than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing a written request.

(b) The governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city may adopt a resolution
governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may:

(1) require the candidate to file a written request with the chief election official no later
than the deleted text begin seventh deleted text end new text begin 19th new text end day before the city election if the candidate wants to have the
candidate's write-in votes individually recorded; or

(2) require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded
if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest
number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate.

If the governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city adopts a resolution authorized
by this paragraph, the resolution must be adopted and the city clerk must notify the county
auditor before the first day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph
remains in effect until a subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the
governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city.

(c) The governing body of a township, school district, hospital district, park district, soil
and water district, or other ancillary elected district may adopt a resolution governing the
counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may require that write-in
votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in
votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for
a ballot candidate. If a governing body adopts a resolution authorized by this paragraph,
the resolution must be adopted and the clerk must notify the county auditor before the first
day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph remains in effect until a
subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the governing body.

(d) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this
subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice president of the United States.
The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector.
The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not
exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.

(e) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly
with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for lieutenant governor. A
candidate for lieutenant governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly
with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for governor.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Separate precincts; combined polling place.

(a) The following shall constitute
at least one election precinct:

(1) each city ward; and

(2) each town and each statutory city.

(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than
November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following
year or May 1 of any other year:

(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more
than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;

(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;

(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan
area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county;
or

(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.

Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place
may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.

A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be
filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body, and the
county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner
and including information prescribed by the secretary of state. A polling place combined
under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality.
A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each
participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the
noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined
polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no
later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the
following year or April 1 of any other year, and the county auditor must provide notice
within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed
by the secretary of state.

The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct
served by the combined polling place deleted text begin , except that deleted text end new text begin . new text end In a precinct that uses electronic rosters new text begin , new text end
the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct new text begin and the election
official responsible for the electronic rosters may combine the files as necessary to be loaded
onto one or more electronic rosters provided that the requirements under section 201.225,
subdivision 2, are met new text end . A single set of election judges may be appointed to serve at a
combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be based on the total
number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to be voting at the
combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the ballots from each
precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each precinct served by
the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under clause (2) where
one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the results of that
precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state.

(c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the
safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent,
the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant
to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the
election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:

(1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election
day;

(2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling
place under this paragraph;

(3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish
the combined polling place;

(4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved
by the local election official of each participating municipality;

(5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the
secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination
and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections
official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of
the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website,
if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request
that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location
of the combined polling place; and

(6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a
conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating
the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the
notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as
provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to
section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph
must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be
extended until the specified time.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks.

(a) Except as
otherwise provided in this section and for absentee ballots in section 204B.35, subdivision
4, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which the
auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general election.
At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor but not later
than deleted text begin four days deleted text end new text begin the day new text end before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from the county
auditor:

(1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;

(2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;

(3) any other instructions for election officers; and

(4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for ballot
returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to comply with
the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may furnish the election
supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are furnished to precincts
in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.

(b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early
voting to municipal clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05 on
or before the 19th day before the election.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Procedure; voting prior to election day.

Notice of the election and the special
mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days
nor later than 14 days before a regularly scheduled election and not more than 30 days nor
later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by nonforwardable
mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No later than 14 days
before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters
who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election.
Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots as
provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, must be
preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or in person
to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot board to
examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected"
within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, or within five
days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board may consist
of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training in the
processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major political
party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different major
political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075,
subdivision 4, or deleted text begin section deleted text end 205A.10 new text begin , or they are performing duties for a county election not
held in conjunction with a state election new text end . If an envelope has been rejected at least five days
before the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk
shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of the spoiled
ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain
sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter by
telephone or email to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The official
must document the attempts made to contact the voter.

If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted"
may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision
5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.

In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit
and counting of ballots apply.

The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as
one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the
close of voting on election day.

The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter
maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be
counted.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Affidavit of candidacy.

new text begin (a) new text end An individual who is eligible and desires to
become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the municipal general election shall file
an affidavit of candidacy with the municipal clerk. Candidates for a special election to fill
a vacancy held as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a, must file an affidavit of
candidacy for the specific office to fill the unexpired portion of the term. Subject to the
approval of the county auditor, the town clerk may authorize candidates for township offices
to file affidavits of candidacy with the county auditor. The affidavit shall be in the same
form as that in section 204B.06. The municipal clerk shall also accept an application signed
by not less than five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the municipality whom
they desire to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the
candidate and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. Upon receipt of
the proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot
without partisan designation.

new text begin (b) The municipal clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot of
the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other
information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
notification timeline.
new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Filing period.

In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of
candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor
less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an
affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before
the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in
conjunction with another election, and no more than deleted text begin 98 deleted text end new text begin 112 new text end days nor less than deleted text begin 84 deleted text end new text begin 98 new text end days
before the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's
office must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Affidavit of candidacy.

new text begin (a) new text end An individual who is eligible and desires to
become a candidate for an office to be voted on at the election must file an affidavit of
candidacy with the school district clerk. The affidavit must be in the form prescribed by
section 204B.06. The school district clerk shall also accept an application signed by at least
five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the school district whom they desire
to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the candidate
and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. No individual shall be
nominated by nominating petition for a school district elective office. Upon receipt of the
proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot without
partisan designation.

new text begin (b) The school district clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot
of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other
information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one
business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the
filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative
notification timeline.
new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Filing period.

In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose
nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed with
the school district clerk no earlier than the 84th day and no later than the 70th day before
the second Tuesday in August in the year when the school district general election is held.
In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier than the deleted text begin 98th deleted text end new text begin
112th new text end day and no later than the deleted text begin 84th deleted text end new text begin 98th new text end day before the school district general election.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [211B.065] DISTRIBUTION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS
AND SAMPLE BALLOTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Person or entity" means any individual, committee, or association as defined in
section 10A.01, subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Sample ballot" means a document that is formatted and printed in a manner that so
closely resembles an official ballot that it could lead a reasonable person to believe the
document is an official ballot. A document that contains the names of particular candidates
or ballot questions alongside illustrations of a generic ballot or common ballot markings is
not a sample ballot as long as the document does not closely resemble an official ballot and
would not lead a reasonable person to believe the document is an official ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any person
or entity that mails an absentee ballot application or sample ballot to anyone in the state
must comply with this section. This section does not apply to a unit of government or
employee of that unit of government when discharging official election duties.
new text end

new text begin (b) The person or entity mailing the absentee ballot application or sample ballot must
also include a statement that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the mailing is not an official election communication from a unit of government;
new text end

new text begin (2) the application or ballot has not been included at the request of a government official;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) if a sample ballot is enclosed, the sample ballot is not an official ballot and the voter
must not cast the enclosed sample ballot.
new text end

new text begin (c) The statement required in paragraph (b) must be printed in a typeface and format
designed to be clearly visible at the time the mailing is opened. The mailing envelope must
include markings to clearly distinguish it from official election mail sent by a unit of
government.
new text end

new text begin (d) If an absentee ballot application is included, the application fields must be blank and
must not include the voter's name, address, or any other required information.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Candidates; ballots; certifying election.

new text begin (a) new text end A person who wants to be a
candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either
as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate
maintains residence. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk
not more than deleted text begin 98 deleted text end new text begin 112 new text end days nor less than deleted text begin 84 deleted text end new text begin 98 new text end days before the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town
clerk must forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the
first election, the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of
the filing period. A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of
withdrawal with the clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day
to file affidavits of candidacy.

new text begin (b) new text end Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district,
necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the
rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges
as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may
be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also
authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be
appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks
of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.

new text begin (c) new text end After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the
candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall
deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person
certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days
after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as
provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification
is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2026.
new text end