1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to elections; relating to campaign finance; modifying various laws related 
1.3 	to election administration; modifying absentee voting requirements and procedures; 
1.4 	modifying timelines; modifying provisions related to voter registration; amending 
1.5 	notice provisions;  modifying requirements relating to appointing election judges; 
1.6 	formalizing the election reporting system; clarifying terminology; expanding laws 
1.7 	relating to reprisals for political activity; expanding election-related bribery and 
1.8 	solicitation prohibitions; amending fair campaign practices laws; requiring the 
1.9 	Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board to study campaign spending limits; 
1.10 	modifying the definition of expressly advocating; modifying campaign disclaimer 
1.11 	requirements; establishing and modifying disclaimer requirements; amending 
1.12 	standards for coordinated and noncoordinated expenditures and disbursements; 
1.13 	requiring reports and publications; modifying laws on transition expenses; 
1.14 	modifying requirements for charter school boards of directors and charter school 
1.15 	chief administrators; requiring all local officials and charter  school officials to file 
1.16 	statements of economic interest; modifying campaign finance definitions; modifying 
1.17 	campaign finance reporting requirements; modifying statement of economic interest 
1.18 	requirements; modifying payment for the presidential nomination primary; 
1.19 	modifying requirements for holding the presidential nomination primary; amending 
1.20 	statement of economic interest requirements; providing for a civil causes of action 
1.21 	and civil enforcement; providing criminal and civil penalties; authorizing 
1.22 	rulemaking; repealing the voting equipment grant account; transferring and 
1.23 	appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 10A.01, 
1.24 	subdivisions 16a, 18, 21, 24, 26, 35, by adding a subdivision; 10A.04, subdivision 
1.25 	4; 10A.07, subdivisions 1, 2; 10A.08, subdivision 1; 10A.09, subdivisions 1, 5, 
1.26 	5a, 6a; 10A.175, by adding a subdivision; 10A.176; 10A.177; 10A.20, by adding 
1.27 	a subdivision; 10A.201, subdivision 6; 10A.202, subdivision 4; 10A.36; 124E.03, 
1.28 	by adding a subdivision; 201.054, subdivisions 1, 2; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 
1.29 	1, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 7; 201.071, subdivisions 1, 4; 201.091, subdivisions 5, 8; 201.121, 
1.30 	subdivisions 1, 3; 201.13, subdivision 3; 201.14; 201.161, subdivisions 4, 5, 8; 
1.31 	201.162; 201.225, subdivisions 2, 5; 201.275; 202A.20, subdivision 2; 203B.04, 
1.32 	subdivisions 1, 4; 203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.06, subdivision 4; 203B.07, 
1.33 	subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.08, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.081, subdivision 4; 203B.11, 
1.34 	subdivision 1; 203B.121, subdivisions 2, 4, 5; 203B.17, subdivision 3; 203B.23, 
1.35 	subdivision 2; 203B.29, subdivisions 1, 2; 203B.30, subdivisions 2, 3; 204B.06, 
1.36 	subdivisions 1, 1b; 204B.07, subdivision 2; 204B.09, subdivisions 1a, 2, 3; 204B.14, 
1.37 	subdivisions 2, 4a; 204B.16, subdivision 1a; 204B.175, subdivision 3; 204B.21, 
1.38 	subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 204B.24; 204B.25, subdivision 3; 
2.1 	204B.28, subdivision 2; 204B.44; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.05, subdivision 
2.2 	2; 204C.06, subdivisions 1, 2, 6; 204C.08, subdivision 1d; 204C.09, subdivision 
2.3 	1; 204C.10; 204C.15, subdivisions 2, 3; 204C.24, subdivision 1; 204C.32, 
2.4 	subdivision 1; 204C.33, subdivision 1; 205.07, by adding a subdivision; 205.075, 
2.5 	subdivision 4; 205.13, subdivisions 1, 1a; 205.185, subdivision 3; 205A.06, 
2.6 	subdivisions 1, 1a; 205A.10, subdivisions 2, 3; 205A.11, subdivision 2; 206.83; 
2.7 	207A.11; 211A.02, subdivisions 1, 2; 211B.04, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, by adding 
2.8 	a subdivision; 211B.13; 211B.32, subdivisions 1, 4; 211B.35, subdivision 2; 368.47; 
2.9 	375.20; 383B.041, subdivision 5; 414.09, subdivision 3; 447.32, subdivision 4; 
2.10 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 5; 6; 8; 10A; 204B; 
2.11 	207A; 211B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 206.57, subdivision 5b; 
2.12 	206.95; 209.06; 211B.04, subdivision 4; 211B.06; 211B.08; Minnesota Rules, 
2.13 	parts 4503.2000, subpart 2; 4511.1100.
2.14 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

2.15 	ARTICLE 1
2.16 	ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS

2.17	Section 1. ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS.
 	
2.18 	The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies 
2.19 	and for the purposes specified in this article. The appropriations are from the general fund, 
2.20 	or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 
2.21 	The figures "2026" and "2027" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under 
2.22 	them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or June 30, 2027, respectively. 
2.23 	"The first year" is fiscal year 2026. "The second year" is fiscal year 2027. "The biennium" 
2.24 	is fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

2.25				APPROPRIATIONS
	
2.26				Available for the Year
	
2.27				Ending June 30
	
2.28					2026
		2027

2.29	Sec. 2. SECRETARY OF STATE
 	$
	260,000
	$
	-0-

2.30
2.31	Sec. 3. CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND PUBLIC 
DISCLOSURE BOARD
 	$
	2,319,000
	$
	1,846,000
	
2.32 	$500,000 the first year is to pay fees and 
2.33 	expenses if an order granting plantiff's motion 
2.34 	for them is filed in Minnesota Chamber of 
2.35 	Commerce v. Choi (23-CV-02015). The board 
2.36 	must pay, on behalf of all defendants, all fees 
2.37 	and expenses awarded to the plaintiff.

3.1 	Sec. 4. TRANSFERS; SECRETARY OF STATE.
 3.2 	(a) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
3.3 	budget, must transfer $200,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund to the Help America 
3.4 	Vote Act (HAVA) account established in Minnesota Statutes, section 5.30. This is a onetime 
3.5 	transfer.
3.6 	(b) The secretary of state, in consultation with the commissioner of management and 
3.7 	budget, must transfer any balance remaining in the voting equipment grant account 
3.8 	established under Minnesota Statutes, section 206.95, on the effective date of this section 
3.9 	to the voting operations, technology, and election resources account established under 
3.10 	Minnesota Statutes, section 5.305.

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

3.12 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 202A.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
3.13 		Subd. 2.Reporting caucus results. If a major political party does not participate in a 
3.14 	presidential nomination primary pursuant to chapter 207A and instead conducts preference 
3.15 	balloting at precinct caucuses, the secretary of state shall promptly report to the public the 
3.16 	results of preference balloting at the precinct caucuses.

3.17 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 207A.11, is amended to read:
3.18 	207A.11 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY ESTABLISHED.
3.19 	(a) A presidential nomination primary must be held each year in which a president and 
3.20 	vice president of the United States are to be nominated and elected, except as provided in 
3.21 	section 207A.17, paragraph (b).
3.22 	(b) The party chairs must jointly submit to the secretary of state, no later than March 1 
3.23 	in a year prior to a presidential election year, the single date on which the parties have agreed 
3.24 	to conduct the presidential nomination primary in the next year. The date selected must not 
3.25 	be the date of the town general election provided in section 205.075, subdivision 1. If a date 
3.26 	is not jointly submitted by the deadline, the presidential nomination primary must be held 
3.27 	on the first Tuesday in March in the year of the presidential election. No other election may 
3.28 	be conducted on the date of the presidential nomination primary.
3.29 	(c) The secretary of state must adopt rules to implement the provisions of this chapter. 
3.30 	The secretary of state shall consult with the party chairs throughout the rulemaking process, 
3.31 	including seeking advice about possible rules before issuing a notice of intent to adopt rules, 
3.32 	consultation before the notice of comment is published, consultation on the statement of 
4.1 	need and reasonableness, consultation in drafting and revising the rules, and consultation 
4.2 	regarding any modifications to the rule being considered.
4.3 	(d) This chapter only applies to a major political party that selects delegates at the 
4.4 	presidential nomination primary to send to a national convention. A major political party 
4.5 	that does not participate in a national convention is not eligible to participate in the 
4.6 	presidential nomination primary.
4.7 	(e) For purposes of this chapter, "political party" or "party" means a major political party 
4.8 	as defined in section 200.02, subdivision 7, that is eligible to participate in the presidential 
4.9 	nomination primary.

4.10 	Sec. 7. [207A.17] PARTY PAYMENT FOR COSTS.
4.11 	(a) No later than September 1 of the year preceding a presidential election year, the 
4.12 	secretary of state must notify each major political party of the estimated state and local costs 
4.13 	of conducting the presidential nomination primary and invoice each party for its portion of 
4.14 	the costs. Each party's portion of the costs is calculated by dividing the amount originally 
4.15 	certified to the commissioner of management and budget under section 207A.15, subdivision 
4.16 	1, paragraph (b), by the number of parties eligible to participate in the presidential nomination 
4.17 	primary. The secretary of state must deposit payments received from parties for amounts 
4.18 	billed under this paragraph in the general fund.
4.19 	(b) If at least one party pays the secretary of state the amount invoiced to it under 
4.20 	paragraph (a) by October 1 of the year preceding a presidential election year, then a 
4.21 	presidential nomination primary must be held the following year. If a party does not pay 
4.22 	the amount invoiced to it under paragraph (a) by October 1 of the year preceding a 
4.23 	presidential election year, then section 207A.13 does not apply to that party in the following 
4.24 	year, and a presidential nomination primary ballot must not be prepared for that party. If 
4.25 	no party pays the secretary of state the amount invoiced to it under paragraph (a) by October 
4.26 	1 of the year preceding a presidential election year, then a presidential nomination primary 
4.27 	must not be held.

4.28 	Sec. 8. WORKING GROUP ON LOCAL CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE 
4.29 	REPORTING.
 4.30 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms have the meanings 
4.31 	given.
4.32 	(b) "Board" means the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
5.1 	(c) "Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or election to a county, 
5.2 	municipal, school district, or other political subdivision office. This definition does not 
5.3 	include an individual seeking a judicial office.
5.4 	(d) "Local campaign report" means any report that a candidate is required to file pursuant 
5.5 	to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 211A.
5.6 		Subd. 2.Membership. (a) The working group consists of the following 12 members:
5.7 	(1) two members of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board affiliated with 
5.8 	different political parties appointed by the board's chair;
5.9 	(2) the executive director of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board;
5.10 	(3) two members appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities, one of whom must be 
5.11 	from a city of the fourth class;
5.12 	(4) one member appointed by the Association of Minnesota Counties;
5.13 	(5) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships;
5.14 	(6) one member appointed by the Minnesota School Boards Association;
5.15 	(7) one senator appointed by the senate majority leader and one senator appointed by 
5.16 	the senate minority leader; and
5.17 	(8) one representative appointed by the speaker of the house and one representative 
5.18 	appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
5.19 	(b) Appointments to the working group must be made within two weeks after the effective 
5.20 	date of this section.
5.21 	(c) Public member compensation and reimbursement for expenses are governed by 
5.22 	Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, 
5.23 	section 15.0595, the source of payment for compensation and reimbursement for expenses 
5.24 	of nonlegislative members of the working group is appropriations available to the Campaign 
5.25 	Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Legislative members may receive per diem and be 
5.26 	reimbursed for their expenses according to the rules of their respective bodies.
5.27 		Subd. 3.Chairs; meetings. (a) The executive director of the board must convene the 
5.28 	first meeting of the working group no later than six weeks after the effective date of this 
5.29 	section. At the first meeting, members must elect a chair from among the legislative members 
5.30 	of the working group members.
6.1 	(b) Working group meetings are subject to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law under 
6.2 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
6.3 		Subd. 4.Administrative support. The Legislative Coordinating Commission must 
6.4 	provide administrative support and meeting space for the working group. Upon request of 
6.5 	the working group, the staff of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board must 
6.6 	provide technical support.
6.7 		Subd. 5.Duties. At a minimum, the working group must:
6.8 	(1) examine and make recommendations on whether any or all local candidate campaign 
6.9 	finance reports should be filed with the board instead of with a local filing officer;
6.10 	(2) assess the extent to which local filing officers are currently able to provide support 
6.11 	to local candidates and the public related to their duty to accept campaign finance reports 
6.12 	from local candidates;
6.13 	(3) review the reporting requirements for local candidates in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
6.14 	211A, and recommend any changes to those requirements that should be made, especially 
6.15 	if the reports were to be filed with the  board;
6.16 	(4) study the impact of the potential increase of reports being made to the board in terms 
6.17 	of budgetary and staffing needs and the ability of the board to support the local candidates 
6.18 	in filing the reports;
6.19 	(5) study local campaign finance reporting requirements and make any recommendations 
6.20 	on changes to the laws; and
6.21 	(6) propose draft legislation to implement any of the working group's recommendations.
6.22 		Subd. 6.Report. No later than January 15, 2026, the working group must submit a 
6.23 	written report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and 
6.24 	divisions with jurisdiction over elections. The report must outline a description of the 
6.25 	working group's activities, how the working group addressed each duty described in 
6.26 	subdivision 5, any recommendations made by the working group, and any proposed 
6.27 	legislation recommended by the working group.
6.28 		Subd. 7.Expiration. The working group expires upon submission of the report required 
6.29 	under subdivision 6, or January 16, 2026, whichever is later.

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

7.1 	Sec. 9. VOTER OUTREACH; SECRETARY OF STATE.
 7.2 	The secretary of state must conduct voter outreach efforts across the state with the goal 
7.3 	of increasing voter turnout. The secretary must focus on counties with the lowest voter 
7.4 	turnout in the 2022 and 2024 general elections. At a minimum, these efforts must include 
7.5 	publicizing the methods of registering to vote or updating a voter registration, the ways to 
7.6 	vote on or before election day, and recent changes to laws relating to voter registration and 
7.7 	early voting. The secretary of state must provide these voter outreach materials in the three 
7.8 	most common non-English languages and any other language required for a language 
7.9 	minority district in a county, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 204B.295.

7.10 	Sec. 10. REPEALER.
 7.11 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.95, is repealed.

7.12 	ARTICLE 2
7.13 	CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLICY

7.14 	Section 1. [5.51] EXPENSES OF SECRETARY OF STATE-ELECT.
7.15 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
7.16 	meanings given them.
7.17 	(b) "Secretary of state-elect" means the person who is not currently secretary of state 
7.18 	and is the apparent successful candidate for the Office of Secretary of State following a 
7.19 	general election.
7.20 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
7.21 	Budget.
7.22 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for secretary of state and 
7.23 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $50,000 from the 
7.24 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
7.25 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
7.26 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the secretary of state-elect, the 
7.27 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the secretary of state-elect 
7.28 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as secretary of state. The 
7.29 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
7.30 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
7.31 	the incumbent secretary of state is reelected or after the inauguration of a new secretary of 
7.32 	state. Expenses of the secretary of state-elect may include suitable office space and 
8.1 	equipment, communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation 
8.2 	and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees 
8.3 	hired to support the secretary of state-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the 
8.4 	secretary of state-elect shall be determined by the secretary of state-elect.
8.5 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the secretary 
8.6 	of state-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
8.7 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
8.8 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the secretary 
8.9 	of state-elect.

8.10 	Sec. 2. [6.93] EXPENSES OF STATE AUDITOR-ELECT.
8.11 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
8.12 	meanings given them.
8.13 	(b) "State auditor-elect" means the person who is not currently state auditor and is the 
8.14 	apparent successful candidate for the Office of State Auditor following a general election.
8.15 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
8.16 	Budget.
8.17 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for state auditor and 
8.18 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $50,000 from the 
8.19 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
8.20 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
8.21 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the state auditor-elect, the 
8.22 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the state auditor-elect 
8.23 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as state auditor. The 
8.24 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
8.25 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
8.26 	the incumbent state auditor is reelected or after the inauguration of a new state auditor. 
8.27 	Expenses of the state auditor-elect may include suitable office space and equipment, 
8.28 	communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation and travel 
8.29 	costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees hired 
8.30 	to support the state auditor-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the state 
8.31 	auditor-elect shall be determined by the state auditor-elect.
8.32 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the state 
8.33 	auditor-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
9.1 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
9.2 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the state 
9.3 	auditor-elect.

9.4 	Sec. 3. [8.40] EXPENSES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL-ELECT.
9.5 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined have the 
9.6 	meanings given them.
9.7 	(b) "Attorney general-elect" means the person who is not currently attorney general and 
9.8 	is the apparent successful candidate for the Office of Attorney General following a general 
9.9 	election.
9.10 	(c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Management and 
9.11 	Budget.
9.12 		Subd. 2.Transition expenses. In the fiscal year of an election for attorney general and 
9.13 	subject to availability of funds, the commissioner shall transfer up to $75,000 from the 
9.14 	general contingent account in the general fund to the Department of Management and 
9.15 	Budget. This transfer is subject to the review and advice of the Legislative Advisory 
9.16 	Commission pursuant to section 3.30. In consultation with the attorney general-elect, the 
9.17 	commissioner shall use the transferred funds to pay expenses of the attorney general-elect 
9.18 	associated with preparing for the assumption of official duties as attorney general. The 
9.19 	commissioner may use the transferred funds for expenses necessary and prudent for 
9.20 	establishment of a transition office prior to the election and for dissolution of the office if 
9.21 	the incumbent attorney general is reelected or after the inauguration of a new attorney 
9.22 	general. Expenses of the attorney general-elect may include suitable office space and 
9.23 	equipment, communications and technology support, consulting services, compensation 
9.24 	and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. Compensation rates for temporary employees 
9.25 	hired to support the attorney general-elect and rates paid for consulting services for the 
9.26 	attorney general-elect shall be determined by the attorney general-elect.
9.27 		Subd. 3.Unused funds. No new obligations shall be incurred for expenses of the attorney 
9.28 	general-elect after the date of the inauguration. By March 31 of the year of the inauguration, 
9.29 	the commissioner shall return to the general contingent account any funds transferred under 
9.30 	this section that the commissioner determines are not needed to pay expenses of the attorney 
9.31 	general-elect.

10.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 16a, is amended to read:
10.2 		Subd. 16a.Expressly advocating advocates. "Expressly advocating advocates" means 
10.3 	that a communication:
10.4 	(1) clearly identifies a candidate or a local candidate and uses words or phrases of express 
10.5 	advocacy; or
10.6 	(2) when taken as a whole and with limited reference to external events, such as the 
10.7 	proximity to the election, could only be interpreted by a reasonable person as containing 
10.8 	advocacy of the election or defeat of one or more clearly identified candidates because:
10.9 	(i) the electoral portion of the communication is unmistakable, unambiguous, and 
10.10 	suggestive of only one meaning; and
10.11 	(ii) reasonable minds could not differ as to whether the communication encourages 
10.12 	actions to elect or defeat one or more clearly identified candidates or encourages some other 
10.13 	kind of action.

10.14 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
10.15 	read:
10.16 		Subd. 16c.Expert witness. "Expert witness" means an individual preparing or delivering 
10.17 	testimony or a report consisting of information, data, or professional opinions on which the 
10.18 	individual has particular expertise gained through formal education, professional or 
10.19 	occupational training, or experience in a field in which the individual is or has been 
10.20 	employed.

10.21 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
10.22 		Subd. 18.Independent expenditure. (a) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure 
10.23 	expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or local candidate, 
10.24 	if the expenditure is made without the express or implied consent, authorization, or 
10.25 	cooperation of, and not in concert with or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate or 
10.26 	any candidate's principal campaign committee or agent or any local candidate or local 
10.27 	candidate's agent. and:
10.28 	(1) expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate or local 
10.29 	candidate; or
11.1 	(2) promotes, supports, attacks, or opposes the nomination, election, or defeat of a clearly 
11.2 	identified candidate or local candidate, regardless of whether the expenditure expressly 
11.3 	advocates for or against a candidate or local candidate.
11.4 	(b) An independent expenditure is not a contribution to that candidate or local candidate.
11.5 	(c) An independent expenditure does not include the act of announcing a formal public 
11.6 	endorsement of a candidate or local candidate for public office, unless the act is 
11.7 	simultaneously accompanied by an expenditure that would otherwise qualify as an 
11.8 	independent expenditure under this subdivision.

11.9 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 21, is amended to read:
11.10 		Subd. 21.Lobbyist. (a) "Lobbyist" means an individual:
11.11 	(1) engaged for pay or other consideration of more than $3,000 from all sources in any 
11.12 	year:
11.13 	(i) for the purpose of attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the 
11.14 	official action of a political subdivision, by communicating with public or local officials; 
11.15 	or
11.16 	(ii) from a business whose primary source of revenue is derived from facilitating 
11.17 	government relations or government affairs services if the individual's job duties include 
11.18 	offering direct or indirect consulting or advice that helps the business provide those services 
11.19 	to clients; or
11.20 	(2) who spends more than $3,000 of the individual's personal funds, not including the 
11.21 	individual's own traveling expenses and membership dues, in any year for the purpose of 
11.22 	attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, or the official action of a political 
11.23 	subdivision, by communicating with public or local officials.
11.24 	(b) "Lobbyist" does not include:
11.25 	(1) a public official;
11.26 	(2) an employee of the state, including an employee of any of the public higher education 
11.27 	systems;
11.28 	(3) an elected local official;
11.29 	(4) a nonelected local official or an employee of a political subdivision acting in an 
11.30 	official capacity, unless the nonelected official or employee of a political subdivision spends 
11.31 	more than 50 hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action, 
12.1 	or the official action of a political subdivision other than the political subdivision employing 
12.2 	the official or employee, by communicating or urging others to communicate with public 
12.3 	or local officials, including time spent monitoring legislative or administrative action, or 
12.4 	the official action of a political subdivision, and related research, analysis, and compilation 
12.5 	and dissemination of information relating to legislative or administrative policy in this state, 
12.6 	or to the policies of political subdivisions local official or employee spends more than 50 
12.7 	hours in any month attempting to influence legislative or administrative action or the official 
12.8 	action of a metropolitan governmental unit, other than a political subdivision employing 
12.9 	the official or employee, by communicating with public or local officials;
12.10 	(5) a party or the party's representative appearing in a proceeding before a state board, 
12.11 	commission, or agency of the executive branch unless the board, commission, or agency is 
12.12 	taking administrative action;
12.13 	(6) an individual while engaged in selling goods or services to be paid for by public 
12.14 	funds;
12.15 	(7) a news medium or its employees or agents while engaged in the publishing or 
12.16 	broadcasting of news items, editorial comments, or paid advertisements which directly or 
12.17 	indirectly urge official action;
12.18 	(8) a paid expert witness whose testimony is requested by the body before which the 
12.19 	witness is appearing, but only to the extent of preparing or delivering testimony an expert 
12.20 	witness who communicates with public or local officials, other than the Public Utilities 
12.21 	Commission, if the communication occurs at a public meeting or is made available to the 
12.22 	general public;
12.23 	(9) a party or the party's representative appearing to present a claim to the legislature 
12.24 	and communicating to legislators only by the filing of a claim form and supporting documents 
12.25 	and by appearing at public hearings on the claim; or
12.26 	(10) an individual providing information or advice to members of a collective bargaining 
12.27 	unit when the unit is actively engaged in the collective bargaining process with a state 
12.28 	agency or a political subdivision.
12.29 	(c) An individual who volunteers personal time to work without pay or other consideration 
12.30 	on a lobbying campaign, and who does not spend more than the limit in paragraph (a), clause 
12.31 	(2), need not register as a lobbyist.
12.32 	(d) An individual who provides administrative support to a lobbyist and whose salary 
12.33 	and administrative expenses attributable to lobbying activities are reported as lobbying 
13.1 	expenses by the lobbyist, but who does not communicate or urge others to communicate 
13.2 	with public or local officials, need not register as a lobbyist.

13.3 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
13.4 		Subd. 24.Metropolitan governmental unit. "Metropolitan governmental unit" means 
13.5 	any of the seven counties in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 
13.6 	2, a regional railroad authority established by one or more of those counties under section 
13.7 	398A.03, a city with a population of over 50,000 located in the seven-county metropolitan 
13.8 	area, a county in the metropolitan area as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2; the 
13.9 	Metropolitan Council, or a metropolitan agency as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 
13.10 	5a; the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission; the Metropolitan Airports 
13.11 	Commission; or the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

13.12 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 26, is amended to read:
13.13 		Subd. 26.Noncampaign disbursement. (a) "Noncampaign disbursement" means a 
13.14 	purchase or payment of money or anything of value made, or an advance of credit incurred, 
13.15 	or a donation in kind received, by a principal campaign committee for any of the following 
13.16 	purposes:
13.17 	(1) payment for accounting and legal services related to operating the candidate's 
13.18 	campaign committee, serving in office, or security for the candidate or the candidate's 
13.19 	immediate family, including but not limited to seeking and obtaining a harassment restraining 
13.20 	order;
13.21 	(2) return of a contribution to the source;
13.22 	(3) repayment of a loan made to the principal campaign committee by that committee;
13.23 	(4) return of a public subsidy;
13.24 	(5) payment for food, beverages, and necessary utensils and supplies, entertainment, 
13.25 	and facility rental for a fundraising event;
13.26 	(6) services for a constituent by a member of the legislature or a constitutional officer 
13.27 	in the executive branch as provided in section 10A.173, subdivision 1;
13.28 	(7) payment for food and beverages consumed by a candidate or volunteers while they 
13.29 	are engaged in campaign activities;
13.30 	(8) payment for food or a beverage consumed while attending a reception or meeting 
13.31 	directly related to legislative duties;
14.1 	(9) payment of expenses incurred by elected or appointed leaders of a legislative caucus 
14.2 	in carrying out their leadership responsibilities;
14.3 	(10) payment by a principal campaign committee of the candidate's expenses for serving 
14.4 	in public office, other than for personal uses;
14.5 	(11) costs of child care for the candidate's children when campaigning;
14.6 	(12) fees paid to attend a campaign school;
14.7 	(13) costs of a postelection party during the election year when a candidate's name will 
14.8 	no longer appear on a ballot or the general election is concluded, whichever occurs first;
14.9 	(14) interest on loans paid by a principal campaign committee on outstanding loans;
14.10 	(15) filing fees;
14.11 	(16) post-general election holiday or seasonal cards, thank-you notes, or advertisements 
14.12 	in the news media mailed or published prior to the end of the election cycle;
14.13 	(17) the cost of campaign material purchased to replace defective campaign material, if 
14.14 	the defective material is destroyed without being used;
14.15 	(18) contributions to a party unit;
14.16 	(19) payments for funeral gifts or memorials;
14.17 	(20) the cost of a magnet less than six inches in diameter containing legislator contact 
14.18 	information and distributed to constituents;
14.19 	(21) costs associated with a candidate attending a political party state or national 
14.20 	convention in this state;
14.21 	(22) other purchases or payments specified in board rules or advisory opinions as being 
14.22 	for any purpose other than to influence the nomination or election of a candidate or to 
14.23 	promote or defeat a ballot question;
14.24 	(23) costs paid to a third party for processing contributions made by a credit card, debit 
14.25 	card, or electronic check;
14.26 	(24) costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee to support the candidate's 
14.27 	participation in a recount of ballots affecting the candidate's election;
14.28 	(25) a contribution to a fund established to support a candidate's participation in a recount 
14.29 	of ballots affecting that candidate's election;
15.1 	(26) costs paid by a candidate's principal campaign committee for a single reception 
15.2 	given in honor of the candidate's retirement from public office after the filing period for 
15.3 	affidavits of candidacy for that office has closed;
15.4 	(27) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to the state general 
15.5 	fund;
15.6 	(28) a donation from a terminating principal campaign committee to a county obligated 
15.7 	to incur special election expenses due to that candidate's resignation from state office;
15.8 	(29) during a period starting January 1 in the year following a general election and ending 
15.9 	on December 31 of the year of general election, total payments of up to $3,000 for 
15.10 	detection-related security monitoring expenses for a candidate, including home security 
15.11 	hardware, maintenance of home security monitoring hardware, identity theft monitoring 
15.12 	services, and credit monitoring services; and
15.13 	(30) costs paid to repair or replace campaign property that was: (i) lost or stolen, or (ii) 
15.14 	damaged or defaced to such a degree that the property no longer serves its intended purpose. 
15.15 	For purposes of this clause, campaign property includes but is not limited to campaign lawn 
15.16 	signs. The candidate must document the need for these costs in writing or with photographs; 
15.17 	and
15.18 	(31) transition expenses and inaugural event expenses as defined in section 10A.174.
15.19 	(b) The board must determine whether an activity involves a noncampaign disbursement 
15.20 	within the meaning of this subdivision.
15.21 	(c) A noncampaign disbursement is considered to be made in the year in which the 
15.22 	candidate made the purchase of goods or services or incurred an obligation to pay for goods 
15.23 	or services.

15.24 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.01, subdivision 35, is amended to read:
15.25 		Subd. 35.Public official. "Public official" means any:
15.26 	(1) member of the legislature;
15.27 	(2) individual employed by the legislature as secretary of the senate, legislative auditor, 
15.28 	director of the Legislative Budget Office, chief clerk of the house of representatives, revisor 
15.29 	of statutes, or researcher, legislative analyst, fiscal analyst, or attorney in the Office of 
15.30 	Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis, House Research, or the House Fiscal Analysis 
15.31 	Department;
16.1 	(3) constitutional officer in the executive branch and the officer's chief administrative 
16.2 	deputy;
16.3 	(4) solicitor general or deputy, assistant, or special assistant attorney general;
16.4 	(5) commissioner, deputy commissioner, or assistant commissioner of any state 
16.5 	department or agency as listed in section 15.01 or 15.06, or the state chief information 
16.6 	officer;
16.7 	(6) member, chief administrative officer, or deputy chief administrative officer of a state 
16.8 	board or commission that has either the power to adopt, amend, or repeal rules under chapter 
16.9 	14, or the power to adjudicate contested cases or appeals under chapter 14;
16.10 	(7) individual employed in the executive branch who is authorized to adopt, amend, or 
16.11 	repeal rules under chapter 14 or adjudicate contested cases under chapter 14;
16.12 	(8) executive director of the State Board of Investment;
16.13 	(9) deputy of any official listed in clauses (7) and (8);
16.14 	(10) judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals;
16.15 	(11) administrative law judge or compensation judge in the State Office of Administrative 
16.16 	Hearings or unemployment law judge in the Department of Employment and Economic 
16.17 	Development;
16.18 	(12) member, regional administrator, division director, general counsel, or operations 
16.19 	manager of the Metropolitan Council;
16.20 	(13) member or chief administrator of a metropolitan agency;
16.21 	(14) director of the Division of Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement in the Department 
16.22 	of Public Safety;
16.23 	(15) member or executive director of the Higher Education Facilities Authority;
16.24 	(16) member of the board of directors or president of Enterprise Minnesota, Inc.;
16.25 	(17) member of the board of directors or executive director of the Minnesota State High 
16.26 	School League;
16.27 	(18) member of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority established in section 473.755;
16.28 	(19) citizen member of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources;
16.29 	(20) manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management organization 
16.30 	as defined under section 103B.205, subdivision 13;
17.1 	(21) supervisor of a soil and water conservation district;
17.2 	(22) (20) director of Explore Minnesota Tourism;
17.3 	(23) (21) citizen member of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council established in 
17.4 	section 97A.056;
17.5 	(24) (22) citizen member of the Clean Water Council established in section 114D.30;
17.6 	(25) (23) member or chief executive of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority 
17.7 	established in section 473J.07;
17.8 	(26) (24) district court judge, appeals court judge, or supreme court justice;
17.9 	(27) county commissioner;
17.10 	(28) (25) member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission;
17.11 	(29) (26) member of the Destination Medical Center Corporation established in section 
17.12 	469.41; or
17.13 	(30) (27) chancellor or member of the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges 
17.14 	and Universities.

17.15 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
17.16 		Subd. 4.Content. (a) A report under this section must include information the board 
17.17 	requires from the registration form and the information required by this subdivision for the 
17.18 	reporting period.
17.19 	(b) A lobbyist must report the specific subjects of interest for an entity represented by 
17.20 	the lobbyist on each report submitted under this section. A lobbyist must describe a specific 
17.21 	subject of interest in the report with enough information to show the particular issue of 
17.22 	importance to the entity represented.
17.23 	(c) A lobbyist must report every state agency that had administrative action that the 
17.24 	represented entity sought to influence during the reporting period. The lobbyist must report 
17.25 	the specific subjects of interest for each administrative action and the revisor of statutes 
17.26 	rule draft number assigned to the administrative rulemaking.
17.27 	(d) A lobbyist must report every political subdivision that considered official action that 
17.28 	the represented entity sought to influence during the reporting period. The lobbyist must 
17.29 	report the specific subjects of interest for each action.
17.30 	(e) A lobbyist must report general lobbying categories and up to four specific subjects 
17.31 	of interest related to each general lobbying category on which the lobbyist attempted to 
18.1 	influence legislative action during the reporting period. If the lobbyist attempted to influence 
18.2 	legislative action on more than four specific subjects of interest for a general lobbying 
18.3 	category, the lobbyist, in consultation with the represented entity, must determine which 
18.4 	four specific subjects of interest were the entity's highest priorities during the reporting 
18.5 	period and report only those four subjects.
18.6 	(f) A lobbyist must report the Public Utilities Commission project name for each rate 
18.7 	setting, power plant and powerline siting, or granting of certification of need before the 
18.8 	Public Utilities Commission that the represented entity sought to influence during the 
18.9 	reporting period.
18.10 	(g) A lobbyist must report the amount and nature of each gift, item, or benefit, excluding 
18.11 	contributions to a candidate, equal in value to $5 or more, given or paid to any official, as 
18.12 	defined in section 10A.071, subdivision 1, by the lobbyist or an employer or employee of 
18.13 	the lobbyist. The list must include the name and address of each official to whom the gift, 
18.14 	item, or benefit was given or paid and the date it was given or paid.
18.15 	(h) A lobbyist must report each original source of money in excess of $500 in any year 
18.16 	used for the purpose of lobbying to influence legislative action, administrative action, or 
18.17 	the official action of a political subdivision. The list must include the name, address, and 
18.18 	employer, or, if self-employed, the occupation and principal place of business, of each payer 
18.19 	of money in excess of $500.
18.20 	(i) On each report, a lobbyist must disclose the general lobbying categories that were 
18.21 	lobbied on in the reporting period.
18.22 	(j) A lobbyist must report each expert witness that the lobbyist requested to communicate 
18.23 	with public or local officials as described in section 10A.01, subdivision 21, paragraph (b), 
18.24 	clause (8). The lobbyist must report the name of the expert witness; the employer, if any, 
18.25 	of the expert witness; the government entity that received the communication from the 
18.26 	expert witness; and the specific subject on which the expert witness communicated. The 
18.27 	designated lobbyist must also report this information if the expert witness is requested to 
18.28 	communicate by the principal or association that the lobbyist represents.

18.29 	Sec. 12. [10A.066] HANDBOOK FOR LOBBYING.
18.30 	(a) The board must publish on the board's website a handbook for lobbying written in 
18.31 	plain language. At a minimum, the handbook must clearly explain:
18.32 	(1) lobbyist registration requirements, including:
19.1 	(i) an explanation of when a person is required to register as a lobbyist and what specific 
19.2 	types of activities count toward reaching the dollar amount thresholds in section 10A.01, 
19.3 	subdivision 21; and
19.4 	(ii) how registration requirements apply if a person is employed by a government entity;
19.5 	(2) which activities and expenses do not count toward the dollar amount thresholds in 
19.6 	section 10A.01, subdivision 21, but are required to be reported as lobbying disbursements 
19.7 	on a principal's report; and
19.8 	(3) any differences between lobbying the legislature, the executive branch, a political 
19.9 	subdivision, and the Public Utilities Commission.
19.10 	(b) The board must regularly update the handbook to reflect changes to statutes and 
19.11 	rules. In developing and updating the handbook, the board must consult individuals who 
19.12 	are registered lobbyists but who are not full-time professional lobbyists, including lobbyists 
19.13 	for nonprofit organizations, small organizations, and organizations led by individuals who 
19.14 	are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

19.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
19.16 	that the board is not required to publish the handbook until January 15, 2026.

19.17 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.18 		Subdivision 1.Disclosure of potential conflicts. (a) A public official or a local official 
19.19 	elected to or appointed by a metropolitan governmental unit or by a political subdivision 
19.20 	who in the discharge of official duties would be required to take an action or make a decision 
19.21 	that would substantially affect the official's financial interests or those of an associated 
19.22 	business, unless the effect on the official is no greater than on other members of the official's 
19.23 	business classification, profession, or occupation, must take the following actions:
19.24 	(1) prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring action or decision and 
19.25 	the nature of the potential conflict of interest;
19.26 	(2) deliver copies of the statement to the official's immediate superior, if any; and
19.27 	(3) if a member of the legislature or of the, a governing body of a metropolitan 
19.28 	governmental unit, or a political subdivision, deliver a copy of the statement to the presiding 
19.29 	officer of the body of service.
19.30 	If a potential conflict of interest presents itself and there is insufficient time to comply 
19.31 	with clauses (1) to (3), the public or local official must orally inform the superior or the 
19.32 	official body of service or committee of the body of the potential conflict.
20.1 	(b) For purposes of this section, "financial interest" means any ownership or control in 
20.2 	an asset that has the potential to produce a monetary return.

20.3 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
20.4 		Subd. 2.Required actions. (a) If the official is not a member of the legislature or of the 
20.5 	governing body of a metropolitan governmental unit or by a political subdivision, the superior 
20.6 	must assign the matter, if possible, to another employee who does not have a potential 
20.7 	conflict of interest.
20.8 	(b) If there is no immediate superior, the official must abstain, if possible, by assigning 
20.9 	the matter to a subordinate for disposition or requesting the appointing authority to designate 
20.10 	another to determine the matter. The official shall not chair a meeting, participate in any 
20.11 	vote, or offer any motion or discussion on the matter giving rise to the potential conflict of 
20.12 	interest.
20.13 	(c) If the official is a member of the legislature, the house of service may, at the member's 
20.14 	request, excuse the member from taking part in the action or decision in question.
20.15 	(d) If an official is not permitted or is otherwise unable to abstain from action in 
20.16 	connection with the matter, the official must file a statement describing the potential conflict 
20.17 	and the action taken. A public official must file the statement with the board and a local 
20.18 	official must file the statement with the governing body of the official's political subdivision. 
20.19 	The statement must be filed within a week of the action taken.

20.20 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
20.21 		Subdivision 1.Disclosure required. (a) A public official or elected local official who 
20.22 	represents a client for a fee before an individual, board, commission, or agency that has 
20.23 	rulemaking authority in a hearing conducted under chapter 14, must disclose the official's 
20.24 	participation in the action to the board within 14 days after the public official's initial 
20.25 	appearance at a hearing. If the public official fails to disclose the participation by the date 
20.26 	that the disclosure was due, the board may impose a late filing fee of $25 per day, not to 
20.27 	exceed $1,000, starting on the day after the disclosure was due. The board must send notice 
20.28 	by certified mail to a public official who fails to disclose the participation within ten business 
20.29 	days after the disclosure was due that the public official may be subject to a civil penalty 
20.30 	for failure to disclose the participation. A public official who fails to disclose the participation 
20.31 	within seven days after the certified mail notice was sent by the board is subject to a civil 
20.32 	penalty imposed by the board of up to $1,000.
21.1 	(b) A public official or elected local official required to disclose representation under 
21.2 	this section shall provide the following information: name, address, and office held; name 
21.3 	and address of each client represented at the hearing; the name of the individual, board, 
21.4 	commission, or agency conducting the hearing and the date and location of the initial 
21.5 	appearance at the hearing; and a general description of the subject or subjects on which the 
21.6 	public official represented the client in the hearing.

21.7 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.8 		Subdivision 1.Time for filing.  An individual must file a statement of economic interest:
21.9 	(1) within 60 days of accepting employment as a public official or a local official in a 
21.10 	metropolitan governmental unitundertaking the duties of office or accepting employment 
21.11 	as a public official or as a local official in a political subdivision or metropolitan 
21.12 	governmental unit;
21.13 	(2) within 60 days of accepting employment by a charter school in a position in which 
21.14 	the person has authority to make or recommend major decisions regarding the expenditure 
21.15 	or investment of public money;
21.16 	(3) within 60 days of assuming office as a district court judge, appeals court judge, 
21.17 	supreme court justice, or county commissioneror member of a watershed management 
21.18 	organization as defined in section 103B.205, subdivision 13;
21.19 	(3) (4) within 14 days after filing the end of the filing period for a candidate who filed
21.20 	an affidavit of candidacy or petition to appear on the ballot for an elective state constitutional 
21.21 	or legislative office or an elective local office in a metropolitan governmental unit other 
21.22 	than county commissioner;
21.23 	(5) in the case of an individual running for a charter school board, at least 14 days before 
21.24 	the election;
21.25 	(6) in the case of an initial member of a charter school board, within 14 days of taking 
21.26 	office;
21.27 	(4) (7) in the case of a public official requiring the advice and consent of the senate, 
21.28 	within 14 days after undertaking the duties of office; or
21.29 	(5) (8) in the case of members of the Minnesota Racing Commission, the director of the 
21.30 	Minnesota Racing Commission, chief of security, medical officer, inspector of pari-mutuels, 
21.31 	and stewards employed or approved by the commission or persons who fulfill those duties 
21.32 	under contract, within 60 days of accepting or assuming duties.

22.1 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
22.2 		Subd. 5.Form; general requirements. (a) A statement of economic interest required 
22.3 	by this section must be on a form prescribed by the board. Except as provided in subdivision 
22.4 	5b, the individual filing must provide the following information:
22.5 	(1) the individual's name, address, occupation, and principal place of business;
22.6 	(2) a listing of the name of each associated business and the nature of that association;
22.7 	(3) a listing of all real property within the state, excluding homestead property, in which 
22.8 	the individual or the individual's spouse holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, a contract 
22.9 	for deed as buyer or seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the interest is 
22.10 	valued in excess of $2,500; or (ii) an option to buy, if the property has a fair market value 
22.11 	of more than $50,000;
22.12 	(4) a listing of all real property within the state in which a partnership of which the 
22.13 	individual or the individual's spouse is a member holds: (i) a fee simple interest, a mortgage, 
22.14 	a contract for deed as buyer or seller, or an option to buy, whether direct or indirect, if the 
22.15 	individual's share of the partnership interest is valued in excess of $2,500; or (ii) an option 
22.16 	to buy, if the property has a fair market value of more than $50,000. A listing under this 
22.17 	clause or clause (3) must indicate the street address and the municipality or the section, 
22.18 	township, range and approximate acreage, whichever applies, and the county in which the 
22.19 	property is located;
22.20 	(5) a listing of any investments, ownership, or interests in property connected with 
22.21 	pari-mutuel horse racing in the United States and Canada, including a racehorse, in which 
22.22 	the individual directly or indirectly holds a partial or full interest or an immediate family 
22.23 	member holds a partial or full interest;
22.24 	(6) a listing of the principal business or professional activity category of each business 
22.25 	from which the individual or the individual's spouse receives more than $250 in any month 
22.26 	during the reporting period as an employee, if the individual or the individual's spouse has 
22.27 	an ownership interest of 25 percent or more in the business;
22.28 	(7) a listing of each principal business or professional activity category from which the 
22.29 	individual or the individual's spouse received compensation of more than $2,500 in the past 
22.30 	12 months as an independent contractor;
22.31 	(8) a listing of the full name of each security with a value of more than $10,000 owned 
22.32 	in part or in full by the individual or the individual's spouse, at any time during the reporting 
22.33 	period; and
23.1 	(9) for each stock or stock option reported under clause (8), a listing of the date or dates 
23.2 	and value as provided in paragraph (h) of each purchase or sale of stock or exercise, sale, 
23.3 	or transaction involving the stock option in that entity during the reporting period, regardless 
23.4 	of the value of the transaction;
23.5 	(10) a listing of the full name of each virtual currency with a value of more than $10,000 
23.6 	owned in part or in full by the individual or the individual's spouse at any time during the 
23.7 	reporting period;
23.8 	(11) for each virtual currency reported under clause (10), a listing of the date or dates 
23.9 	and value as provided in paragraph (h) of each purchase or sale of that virtual currency 
23.10 	during the reporting period, regardless of the value of the purchase or sale; and
23.11 	(12) a listing of any contract, professional license, lease, or franchise that:
23.12 	(i) is held by the individual or the individual's spouse or any business in which the 
23.13 	individual has an ownership interest of 25 percent or more; and
23.14 	(ii) is entered into with, or issued by, the government agency on which the individual 
23.15 	serves as a public or local official.
23.16 	(b) The business or professional categories for purposes of paragraph (a), clauses (6) 
23.17 	and (7), must be the general topic headings used by the federal Internal Revenue Service 
23.18 	for purposes of reporting self-employment income on Schedule C. This paragraph does not 
23.19 	require an individual to report any specific code number from that schedule. Any additional 
23.20 	principal business or professional activity category may only be adopted if the category is 
23.21 	enacted by law.
23.22 	(c) For the purpose of calculating the amount of compensation received from any single 
23.23 	source in a single month, the amount shall include the total amount received from the source 
23.24 	during the month, whether or not the amount covers compensation for more than one month.
23.25 	(d) For the purpose of determining the value of an individual's interest in real property, 
23.26 	the value of the property is the market value shown on the property tax statement.
23.27 	(e) For the purpose of this section, "date of appointment" means the effective date of 
23.28 	appointment to a position.
23.29 	(f) For the purpose of this section, "accepting employment as a public official" means 
23.30 	the effective date of the appointment to the position, as stated in the appointing authority's 
23.31 	notice to the board.
24.1 	(g) The listings required in paragraph (a), clauses (3) to (9) (12), must not identify 
24.2 	whether the individual or the individual's spouse is associated with or owns the listed item.
24.3 	(h) For the purposes of paragraph (a), clauses (9) and (11), the statement must allow the 
24.4 	filer to select one of the following ranges for each reported purchase, sale, exercise, or 
24.5 	transaction:
24.6 	(1) $1 to $10,000;
24.7 	(2) $10,001 to $50,000;
24.8 	(3) $50,001 to $100,000;
24.9 	(4) $100,001 to $250,000;
24.10 	(5) $250,001 to $500,000;
24.11 	(6) $500,001 to $1,000,000;
24.12 	(7) $1,000,001 to $5,000,000;
24.13 	(8) $5,000,001 to $25,000,000;
24.14 	(9) $25,000,001 to $50,000,000; and
24.15 	(10) over $50,000,000.

24.16 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
24.17 		Subd. 5a.Original statement; reporting period. (a) An original statement of economic 
24.18 	interest required under subdivision 1, clause (1), must cover the calendar month before the 
24.19 	month in which the individual accepted employment as a public official or a local official 
24.20 	in a metropolitan governmental unit. (4), must cover the calendar month before the month 
24.21 	in which the candidate filed the affidavit  of candidacy. An original statement of economic 
24.22 	interest required under subdivision 1, clause (5), must cover the month before the month in 
24.23 	which the candidates' names are provided to eligible voters in accordance with section 
24.24 	124E.07, subdivision 5, paragraph (d). In all other cases an original statement of economic 
24.25 	interest must cover the calendar month before the month in which the individual assumed 
24.26 	the duties of office or accepted the position that required the filing of the statement.
24.27 	(b) An original statement of economic interest required under subdivision 1, clauses (2), 
24.28 	(4), and (5), must cover the calendar month before the month in which the individual assumed 
24.29 	or undertook the duties of office.
25.1 	(c) An original statement of economic interest required under subdivision 1, clause (3), 
25.2 	must cover the calendar month before the month in which the candidate filed the affidavit 
25.3 	of candidacy.

25.4 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.09, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
25.5 		Subd. 6a.Place of filing. A public official required to file a statement under this section 
25.6 	must file it with the board. A county commissioner, soil and water conservation district 
25.7 	supervisor, manager of a watershed district, or member of a watershed management 
25.8 	organization as defined in section 103B.205, subdivision 13, must file the statement with 
25.9 	the board. A local candidate or local official required to file a statement under this section 
25.10 	must file it with the governing body of the official's political subdivision. The governing 
25.11 	body must maintain statements filed with it under this subdivision as public data. If an 
25.12 	official position is defined as both a public official and as a local official of a metropolitan 
25.13 	governmental unit under this chapter, the official must file the statement with the board.

25.14 	Sec. 20. [10A.174] INAUGURAL EVENT AND TRANSITION EXPENSES.
25.15 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
25.16 	the meanings given.
25.17 	(b) "Inaugural event expenses" means expenses incurred for any event related to the 
25.18 	individual's inauguration held between the date of the general election at which an individual 
25.19 	is elected to a statewide office and January 31 of the year in which the officeholder takes 
25.20 	office. In the event that an individual fills a vacancy in a constitutional office, "inaugural 
25.21 	event expenses" means expenses incurred for any event related to the individual's 
25.22 	inauguration between the time that it was confirmed that the individual would assume the 
25.23 	constitutional office and the date four weeks after the individual is sworn into office.
25.24 	(c) "Transition expenses" means expenses incurred in preparing for the assumption of 
25.25 	official duties as governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney 
25.26 	general. Expenses include but are not limited to establishment of a transition office, the 
25.27 	dissolution of the office, office space and equipment, communications and technology 
25.28 	support, consulting services, compensation and travel costs, and other reasonable expenses. 
25.29 	Transition expenses do not include expenses that are incurred after the officeholder takes 
25.30 	office.
25.31 		Subd. 2.Inaugural event and transition expenses; contributions. A candidate or a 
25.32 	candidate's principal campaign committee must not solicit or accept any contributions for 
26.1 	or make any expenditure for inaugural event expenses or transition expenses except through 
26.2 	the candidate's principal campaign committee or as otherwise prescribed by law.

26.3 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.175, is amended by adding a subdivision 
26.4 	to read:
26.5 		Subd. 5a.Disbursement. "Disbursement" means a purchase or payment subject to this 
26.6 	chapter made by any person.

26.7 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.176, is amended to read:
26.8 	10A.176 COORDINATED EXPENDITURES.
26.9 		Subdivision 1.Definition; scope. An expenditure described in this section that expressly 
26.10 	advocates for the election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate's opponent is a 
26.11 	coordinated expenditure and is not independent under section 10A.01, subdivision 18. A 
26.12 	disbursement is a coordinated expenditure and is not independent under section 10A.01, 
26.13 	subdivision 18, where it:
26.14 	(1) satisfies at least one of the content standards in subdivision 1a; and
26.15 	(2) satisfies at least one of the conduct standards in subdivisions 2 to 8.
26.16 		Subd. 1a.Content standards. A disbursement for any of the content outlined in this 
26.17 	subdivision satisfies the content standard of this section if it is:
26.18 	(1) a communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of the candidate, 
26.19 	as defined under section 10A.01, subdivision 16a;
26.20 	(2) a communication that promotes, supports, attacks, or opposes the nomination, election, 
26.21 	or defeat of the clearly identified candidate; or
26.22 	(3) an electioneering communication, as defined under section 10A.201.
26.23 		Subd. 2.Conduct standard; fundraising. (a) An expenditure is a coordinated 
26.24 	expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the expenditure
26.25 	disbursement is made on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear on the ballot 
26.26 	by a spender for which the candidate, on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear 
26.27 	on the ballot, has engaged in fundraising of money that is not general treasury money, as 
26.28 	defined in section 10A.01, subdivision 17c, of the spender.
26.29 	(b) For purposes of this subdivision, candidate fundraising includes:
27.1 	(1) soliciting or collecting money for or to the spender that is not general treasury money; 
27.2 	and
27.3 	(2) appearing for the spender as a speaker at an event raising money that is not general 
27.4 	treasury money.
27.5 	(c) This subdivision does not apply to a candidate's fundraising on behalf of a party unit.
27.6 		Subd. 3.Conduct standard; relationship with spender. An expenditure is a coordinated 
27.7 	expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the expenditure
27.8 	disbursement is made on or after January 1 of the year the office will appear on the ballot 
27.9 	by a spender that:
27.10 	(1) is not a party unit; and
27.11 	(2) is an association, political committee, political fund, independent expenditure political 
27.12 	committee, or independent expenditure political fund, in which the candidate was a 
27.13 	chairperson, deputy chairperson, treasurer, or deputy treasurer on or after January 1 of the 
27.14 	year the office will appear on the ballot.
27.15 		Subd. 4.Conduct standard; consulting services. (a) An expenditure is a coordinated 
27.16 	expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the expenditure
27.17 	disbursement is made during an election segment for consulting services from a consultant 
27.18 	who has also provided consulting services to the candidate or the candidate's opponent 
27.19 	during that same election segment.
27.20 	(b) This subdivision does not apply when the following conditions are met:
27.21 	(1) the consultant assigns separate personnel to the spender and the candidate;
27.22 	(2) the consultant has a written policy that describes the measures that the consultant 
27.23 	has taken to prohibit the flow of information between the personnel providing services to 
27.24 	the spender and the personnel providing services to the candidate;
27.25 	(3) the written policy has been distributed to all personnel and clients covered by the 
27.26 	policy, including the candidate and the spender;
27.27 	(4) the consultant has implemented the measures described in the written policy; and
27.28 	(5) no information has been shared between the spender and the personnel that provided 
27.29 	services to the spender and the candidate and the personnel providing services to the 
27.30 	candidate.
27.31 		Subd. 5.Conduct standard; receiving information not publicly available. An 
27.32 	expenditure is a coordinated expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of 
28.1 	this section if the expenditure disbursement is made after the spender receives from the 
28.2 	candidate information that is not publicly available regarding the candidate's campaign 
28.3 	plans, strategy, or needs.
28.4 		Subd. 6.Conduct standard; spender-provided information.  An expenditure is a 
28.5 	coordinated expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the 
28.6 	expenditure disbursement is made when:
28.7 	(1) the spender provides information to the candidate regarding the expenditure's
28.8 	disbursement's contents, intended audience, timing, location or mode, volume, or frequency; 
28.9 	and
28.10 	(2) the information is provided to the candidate before the expenditure disbursement is 
28.11 	communicated to the public.
28.12 		Subd. 7.Conduct standard; candidate's participation. An expenditure is a coordinated 
28.13 	expenditure A disbursement satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the expenditure
28.14 	disbursement is made with the candidate's participation in the following:
28.15 	(1) any of the processes required for the creation and development of the expenditure
28.16 	disbursement, including budgeting decisions, media design, acquisition of graphics and 
28.17 	text, production, and distribution of the final product; or
28.18 	(2) any decision regarding the content, timing, location, intended audience, volume of 
28.19 	distribution, or frequency of the expenditure disbursement.
28.20 		Subd. 8.Conduct standard; instructions or directions from candidate. A disbursement 
28.21 	satisfies the conduct standard of this section if the disbursement is materially consistent 
28.22 	with instructions or directions from a candidate regarding the making of disbursements, 
28.23 	regardless of whether the instructions or directions are publicly available. The factors the 
28.24 	board must consider in determining whether a disbursement is consistent with instructions 
28.25 	or directions from a candidate under this clause include but are not limited to:
28.26 	(1) noticeable placement of instructions or directions on a discrete webpage or portion 
28.27 	of a webpage containing one or more other factors identified in this paragraph;
28.28 	(2) whether the instructions or directions include language indicating that information 
28.29 	should be communicated to others or indicates information is intended for voters, including 
28.30 	but not limited to the phrase "voters need to know";
28.31 	(3) whether the instructions or directions include targeted audience information, such 
28.32 	as specific demographics or the location of intended or suggested recipients;
29.1 	(4) whether the instructions or directions include suggested methods of communication, 
29.2 	including indications that recipients need to hear, see, see on the go, or receive information 
29.3 	in other similar manners; and
29.4 	(5) whether there are additional documents linked to the instructions or directions to 
29.5 	provide verification that the recommended messaging would be effective.

29.6 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.177, is amended to read:
29.7 	10A.177 NONCOORDINATED EXPENDITURES DISBURSEMENTS.
29.8 	(a) Any of the following actions, taken alone, do not establish that an expenditure a 
29.9 	disbursement made by the spender is coordinated with the candidate:
29.10 	(1) a candidate asks a spender not to make any expenditure to support the candidate or 
29.11 	oppose the candidate's opponent or any disbursement for an electioneering communication 
29.12 	that references the candidate or the candidate's opponent;
29.13 	(2) a candidate provides to a spender names of potential donors, as long as the spender 
29.14 	does not state or suggest to the candidate that funds received from use of the donor list will 
29.15 	be used for independent expenditures to benefit the candidate;
29.16 	(3) an expenditure a disbursement uses a photograph, video, or audio recording obtained 
29.17 	from a publicly available source or public event;
29.18 	(4) an expenditure a disbursement uses information obtained from a biography, position 
29.19 	paper, press release, or similar material about the candidate from a publicly available source 
29.20 	or public event;
29.21 	(5) the spender contributes to the candidate, makes an in-kind donation to the candidate, 
29.22 	or endorses the candidate;
29.23 	(6) an expenditure a disbursement includes a hyperlink to the candidate's website or 
29.24 	social media page;
29.25 	(7) an expenditure a disbursement appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial 
29.26 	distributed through the facilities of any broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, or other 
29.27 	periodical publication by any broadcasting station, including a cable or streaming television 
29.28 	operator, programmer, or producer; website; newspaper; magazine; or other periodical 
29.29 	publication, including any Internet or electronic publication. If the facility is owned or 
29.30 	controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, the news story must:
29.31 	(i) represent a bona fide news account communicated in a publication of general 
29.32 	circulation or on a licensed broadcasting facility; and
30.1 	(ii) be part of a general pattern of campaign-related news accounts that give reasonably 
30.2 	equal coverage to all opposing candidates in the circulation or listening area;
30.3 	(8) the spender discusses the candidate's position on a legislative or policy matter with 
30.4 	the candidate. This clause includes the sending, completion, and return of a survey conducted 
30.5 	by the spender to determine whether to endorse the candidate; or
30.6 	(9) the spender invites the candidate to appear before the spender's members, employees, 
30.7 	or shareholders, including the candidate's participation in the event, unless the event promotes 
30.8 	the election of the candidate or the defeat of the candidate's opponent, or the candidate 
30.9 	requests or accepts campaign contributions at the event.
30.10 	(b) Paragraph (a), clause (4), does not apply to publicly available instructions or directions 
30.11 	from a candidate regarding the making of expenditures under section 10A.176, subdivision 
30.12 	8.

30.13 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
30.14 	read:
30.15 		Subd. 5a.Report on personal contributions. A candidate for constitutional or legislative 
30.16 	office that makes a contribution or loan to the candidate's principal campaign committee 
30.17 	that, in aggregate, exceeds the amount permitted by section 10A.27, subdivision 10, must 
30.18 	report the contribution or loan to the board by the next business day. A candidate must file 
30.19 	a new report each time that the reporting threshold is exceeded during an election cycle 
30.20 	segment.

30.21 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.201, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
30.22 		Subd. 6.Electioneering communication. (a) "Electioneering communication" means 
30.23 	any broadcast, cable, satellite, telephone, or digital communication that:
30.24 	(1) refers to a clearly identified candidate for state office;
30.25 	(2) is publicly distributed within 60 days before a general election for the office sought 
30.26 	by the candidate, within 30 days before a after the start of the absentee voting period prior 
30.27 	to the state or special primary election for the office sought by the candidate when the office 
30.28 	sought will be on the general or special election ballot through the date of the general or 
30.29 	special election for that office, or within 30 days before a convention of a political party 
30.30 	unit that has authority to endorse a candidate for the office sought by the candidate; and
30.31 	(3) is targeted to the relevant electorate.
31.1 	(b) A communication is not an electioneering communication if it:
31.2 	(1) is publicly disseminated through a means of communication other than a broadcast, 
31.3 	cable, satellite television, or radio station, by telephone, in a digital format online, or by 
31.4 	other electronic means;
31.5 	(2) appears in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities 
31.6 	of any broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station, unless such facilities are 
31.7 	owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate, provided that 
31.8 	a news story distributed through a broadcast, cable, or satellite television or radio station 
31.9 	owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate is not an 
31.10 	electioneering communication if the news story meets the requirements described in Code 
31.11 	of Federal Regulations, title 11, section 100.132 (a) and (b);
31.12 	(3) constitutes an expenditure or independent expenditure, provided that the expenditure 
31.13 	or independent expenditure is required to be reported under this chapter;
31.14 	(4) constitutes a candidate debate or forum, or that solely promotes such a debate or 
31.15 	forum and is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum;
31.16 	(5) is paid for by a candidate;
31.17 	(6) is a noncommercial solicitation for the purposes of opinion research, including but 
31.18 	not limited to opinion research designed for understanding the impact of exposure to political 
31.19 	messages and content, provided that the solicitation is not designed to influence respondents' 
31.20 	views by presenting biased or manipulative content under the guise of it being an opinion 
31.21 	poll, survey, or other form of scientific data collection; or
31.22 	(7) is a communication disseminated by telephone, in a digital format online, or by other 
31.23 	electronic means that the recipient has affirmatively and voluntarily consented to receive 
31.24 	from the sender.

31.25 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.202, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
31.26 		Subd. 4.Disclaimer required. An electioneering communication must include a 
31.27 	disclaimer in the same manner as required for campaign material under as required by
31.28 	section 211B.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (c) 2a.

32.1 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 10A.36, is amended to read:
32.2 	10A.36 REPRISALS PROHIBITED; PENALTY.
32.3 	(a) An employer, individual, or association must not engage in economic reprisals or 
32.4 	threaten loss of employment or physical coercion against an individual or association because 
32.5 	of that individual's or association's:
32.6 	(1) political contributions or political activity including for becoming a candidate or 
32.7 	local candidate for elected public office, unless precluded by other law; or
32.8 	(2) refusal to communicate with public or local officials to influence a decision about a 
32.9 	legislative or administrative action or the official action of a political subdivision.
32.10 	(b) This subdivision section does not apply to compensation for employment or, loss of 
32.11 	employment if, or economic reprisals:
32.12 	(1) if the political affiliation or viewpoint of the employee is a bona fide occupational 
32.13 	qualification of the employment; or
32.14 	(2) for communications described in paragraph (a), clause (2), if the individual's 
32.15 	responsibilities, through employment or contract, include communicating with public or 
32.16 	local officials.
32.17 	(c) An individual or association injured by a violation of this section may bring a civil 
32.18 	action in district court for damages, injunctive relief, costs and reasonable attorney fees, 
32.19 	and any other relief the court deems just and equitable, including reinstatement of 
32.20 	employment.
32.21 	(d) An employer, individual, or association that violates this section is guilty of a gross 
32.22 	misdemeanor. The board may refer a violation of this section to the appropriate county 
32.23 	attorney.
32.24 	(e) For purposes of this section, "employer" means a person or entity that employs one 
32.25 	or more employees and includes an individual, corporation, partnership, association, business, 
32.26 	trust, nonprofit organization, group of persons, legislature, judicial branch, state, county, 
32.27 	town, city, school district, or other governmental subdivision.

32.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to violations 
32.29 	committed on or after that date and to causes of action accruing on or after that date.

33.1 	Sec. 28. [10A.52] MAJOR DECISION OF NONELECTED LOCAL OFFICIALS.
33.2 		Subdivision 1.Major decision regarding the expenditure of public money. (a) 
33.3 	Attempting to influence a nonelected local official is lobbying if the nonelected local official 
33.4 	may make, recommend, or vote on as a member of the political subdivision's governing 
33.5 	body, a major decision regarding an expenditure or investment of public money.
33.6 	(b) The mere act of submitting an application for a grant or responding to a request for 
33.7 	proposals is not lobbying. Communications of a purely administerial or technical nature 
33.8 	regarding the submission of a grant application or response to requests for proposals are 
33.9 	not lobbying.
33.10 		Subd. 2.Actions that are a major decision regarding public funds. A major decision 
33.11 	regarding the expenditure or investment of public money includes but is not limited to a 
33.12 	decision on:
33.13 	(1) the development and ratification of operating and capital budgets of a political 
33.14 	subdivision, including development of the budget request for an office or department within 
33.15 	the political subdivision;
33.16 	(2) whether to apply for or accept state, federal, or private grant funding;
33.17 	(3) selecting recipients for government grants from the political subdivision; or
33.18 	(4) tax abatement, tax increment financing, or expenditures on public infrastructure used 
33.19 	to support private housing or business developments.
33.20 		Subd. 3.Actions that are not a major decision. A major decision regarding the 
33.21 	expenditure of public money does not include:
33.22 	(1) the purchase of goods or services with public funds in the operating or capital budget 
33.23 	of a political subdivision;
33.24 	(2) collective bargaining of a labor contract on behalf of a political subdivision; or
33.25 	(3) participating in discussions with a party or a party's representative regarding litigation 
33.26 	between the party and the political subdivision of the local official.

33.27 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124E.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 
33.28 	to read:
33.29 		Subd. 11.Statement of economic interest. Members of charter school boards and 
33.30 	persons employed as charter school directors and chief administrators are subject to the 
33.31 	requirements of section 10A.09.

34.1 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
34.2 		Subdivision 1.When and where filed by committees or candidates. (a) A committee 
34.3 	or a candidate who receives contributions or makes disbursements of more than $750 in a 
34.4 	calendar year shall submit an initial report to the filing officer within 14 days after the 
34.5 	candidate or committee receives or makes disbursements of more than $750 and must 
34.6 	continue to make the reports required by this subdivision until a final report is filed.
34.7 	(b) In a year in which a candidate receives contributions or makes disbursements of 
34.8 	more than $750 or the candidate's name appears on the ballot, the candidate must file a 
34.9 	report:
34.10 	(1) ten days before the primary or special primary if a primary is held in the jurisdiction, 
34.11 	regardless of whether the candidate is on the primary ballot. If a primary is not conducted, 
34.12 	the report is due ten days before the primary date specified in section 205.065;
34.13 	(2) ten days before the general election or special election; and
34.14 	(3) 30 days after a general or special election.
34.15 	The reporting obligations in this paragraph begin with the first report due after the reporting 
34.16 	period in which the candidate reaches the spending threshold specified in paragraph (a). A 
34.17 	candidate who did not file for office is not required to file reports required by this paragraph 
34.18 	that are due after the end of the filing period. A candidate whose name will not be on the 
34.19 	general election ballot is not required to file the reports required by clauses (2) and (3).
34.20 	(c) Until a final report is filed, a candidate must file a report by January 31 of each year. 
34.21 	Notwithstanding subdivision 2, clause (4), the report required by this subdivision must only 
34.22 	include the information from the previous calendar year.

34.23 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
34.24 		Subd. 2.Information required. The report to be filed by a candidate or committee must 
34.25 	include:
34.26 	(1) the name of the candidate and office sought;
34.27 	(2) the printed name, address, telephone number, signature, and email address, if available,
34.28 	of the person responsible for filing the report. If the person responsible for filing the report 
34.29 	does not have an email address, the person must include an attestation to that effect;
34.30 	(3) the total cash on hand designated to be used for political purposes;
35.1 	(4) the total amount of contributions received and the total amount of disbursements for 
35.2 	the period from the last previous report to five days before the current report is due;
35.3 	(5) if disbursements made to the same vendor exceed $100 in the aggregate during the 
35.4 	period covered by the report, the name and address for the vendor and the amount, date, 
35.5 	and purpose for each disbursement; and
35.6 	(6) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any individual 
35.7 	or entity that during the period covered by the report has made one or more contributions 
35.8 	that in the aggregate exceed $100, and the amount and date of each contribution. The filing 
35.9 	officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a 
35.10 	contribution that exceeds $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a written statement 
35.11 	signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from the financial report 
35.12 	is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.

35.13 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
35.14 		Subdivision 1.Campaign material. (a) A person who participates in the preparation or 
35.15 	dissemination of campaign material other than as provided in section 211B.05, subdivision 
35.16 	1, that does not prominently include the name and address of the person or committee 
35.17 	causing the material to be prepared or disseminated in a disclaimer substantially in the form 
35.18 	provided in paragraph (b) or (c) is guilty of a misdemeanor.
35.19 	(b) Except in cases covered by paragraph (c), the required form of disclaimer is: "Prepared 
35.20 	and Paid for by the ....... committee, ....... (address)" for material prepared and paid for by 
35.21 	a principal campaign committee, or "Prepared and Paid for by the ....... committee, ....... 
35.22 	(address)" for material prepared and paid for by a person or committee other than a principal 
35.23 	campaign committee. The address must be either the committee's mailing address or the 
35.24 	committee's website, if the website includes the committee's mailing address. If the material 
35.25 	is produced and disseminated without cost, the words "paid for" may be omitted from
35.26 	"Prepared by" may be used in place of "Paid for by" in the disclaimer. Except as required 
35.27 	by paragraph (c), in the case of a candidate's or committee's website or social media page, 
35.28 	the requirements of this subdivision are satisfied for the entire website or social media page 
35.29 	when the disclaimer appears once on the website or social media home page.
35.30 	(c) In the case of broadcast audio or video media, including audio or video media posted 
35.31 	on a candidate or principal campaign committee's website, the required form of disclaimer 
35.32 	is: "Paid for by the ....... committee." If the material is produced and broadcast without cost, 
35.33 	the required form of the disclaimer is: "The ....... committee is responsible for the content 
35.34 	of this message."

36.1 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
36.2 		Subd. 2.Independent expenditures. (a) The required form of the disclaimer on a written
36.3 	Except in cases covered by paragraph (b), the required form of disclaimer for an independent 
36.4 	expenditure is: "This is an independent expenditure prepared and paid for by ....... (name 
36.5 	of entity participating in the expenditure), ....... (address). It is not coordinated with or 
36.6 	approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it." The address must be 
36.7 	either the entity's mailing address or the entity's website, if the website includes the entity's 
36.8 	mailing address. When a written independent expenditure is produced and disseminated 
36.9 	without cost, the words "and paid for" may be omitted from the disclaimer.
36.10 	(b) The required form of the disclaimer on a broadcast an audio or video media
36.11 	independent expenditure is: "This independent expenditure is paid for by ....... (name of 
36.12 	entity participating in the expenditure). It is not coordinated with or approved by any 
36.13 	candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it." When a broadcast an audio or video media
36.14 	independent expenditure is produced and disseminated without cost, the following disclaimer 
36.15 	may be used: "....... (name of entity participating in the expenditure) is responsible for the 
36.16 	contents of this independent expenditure. It is not coordinated with or approved by any 
36.17 	candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it."

36.18 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, is amended by adding a subdivision 
36.19 	to read:
36.20 		Subd. 2a.Electioneering communication. (a) Except in cases covered by paragraph 
36.21 	(b), the required form of disclaimer for an electioneering communication is: "Paid for by 
36.22 	....... (name of entity participating in the communication), ....... (address). It is not coordinated 
36.23 	with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it." The address 
36.24 	must be either the entity's mailing address or the entity's website, if the website includes 
36.25 	the entity's mailing address. When an electioneering communication is produced and 
36.26 	disseminated without cost, the words "Prepared by" may be used in place of "Paid for by" 
36.27 	in the disclaimer.
36.28 	(b) The required form of the disclaimer on an audio or video media electioneering 
36.29 	communication is: " paid for by ....... (name of entity participating in the communication). 
36.30 	It is not coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible 
36.31 	for it." When an audio or video media electioneering communication is produced and 
36.32 	disseminated without cost, the following disclaimer may be used: "....... (name of entity 
36.33 	participating in the expenditure) is responsible for the contents of this communication. It is 
36.34 	not coordinated with or approved by any candidate nor is any candidate responsible for it."

37.1 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
37.2 		Subd. 3.Material that does not need a disclaimer. (a) This section does not apply to 
37.3 	fundraising tickets, business cards, personal letters, or similar items that are clearly being 
37.4 	distributed by the candidate.
37.5 	(b) This section does not apply to an individual or association that is not required to 
37.6 	register or report under chapter 10A or 211A.
37.7 	(c) This section does not apply to the following:
37.8 	(1) bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, or similar small items on which the disclaimer 
37.9 	cannot be conveniently printed;
37.10 	(2) skywriting, wearing apparel, or other means of displaying an advertisement of such 
37.11 	a nature that the inclusion of a disclaimer would be impracticable; and
37.12 	(3) online banner ads and similar electronic communications that for which it would be 
37.13 	technologically infeasible. In this case, the communication must state the name of the person 
37.14 	who paid for, or in the case of a communication that is produced and disseminated without 
37.15 	cost, who is responsible for the communication and link directly to an online page that 
37.16 	includes only the disclaimer. The person who paid for or is responsible for the communication 
37.17 	must, at the request of the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board or the Office of 
37.18 	Administrative Hearings, demonstrate why it was technologically infeasible to include a 
37.19 	disclaimer in the form required by subdivision 1, 2, or 2a.
37.20 	(d) This section does not modify or repeal section 211B.06.

37.21 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.04, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
37.22 		Subd. 5.Font size. For written communications other than an outdoor sign, website, or 
37.23 	social media page, (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the disclaimer must be 
37.24 	printed in 8-point font or larger with sufficient color contrast to be reasonably legible.
37.25 	(b) For an outdoor sign, the font of the disclaimer must be a height of at least five percent 
37.26 	of the vertical height of the sign with sufficient color contrast to be reasonably legible.
37.27 	(c) For websites and social media, the font of the disclaimer must be displayed large 
37.28 	enough and with sufficient color contrast to be reasonably legible.

37.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION. Paragraph (b) applies to outdoor signs printed 
37.30 	on or after January 1, 2026.

38.1 	Sec. 37. [211B.065] MISREPRESENTATION OF CAMPAIGN AUTHORITY.
38.2 		Subdivision 1.Misrepresentation prohibited. (a) A person must not:
38.3 	(1) misrepresent the person or any committee or organization as speaking or writing or 
38.4 	otherwise acting for or on behalf of any real, potential, spurious, or nonexistent candidate, 
38.5 	political party, committee, fund, or organization with the intent to defraud; or
38.6 	(2) willfully and knowingly participate in or conspire to participate in any plan, scheme, 
38.7 	or design to violate clause (1).
38.8 	(b) A person must not:
38.9 	(1) misrepresent the person as speaking, writing, or otherwise acting for or on behalf of 
38.10 	any real, potential, spurious, or nonexistent candidate, political party, committee, fund, or 
38.11 	organization or employee or agent of any such candidate, political party, or political 
38.12 	committee or organization when soliciting money or any other thing of value with the intent 
38.13 	to defraud; or
38.14 	(2) willfully and knowingly participate in or conspire to participate in any plan, scheme, 
38.15 	or design to violate clause (1).
38.16 		Subd. 2.Criminal penalties; civil remedies. (a) Except as otherwise provided, a person 
38.17 	who violates this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
38.18 	(b) The attorney general, a county attorney, or a party injured by a violation of subdivision 
38.19 	1 may bring a civil action pursuant to section 8.31 to recover damages, together with costs 
38.20 	of investigation and reasonable attorney fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined 
38.21 	by the court. An action brought by an injured party under section 8.31, subdivision 3a, 
38.22 	benefits the public. In addition to all other damages, the court may impose a civil penalty 
38.23 	of up to $1,000 for each violation.
38.24 	(c) Civil remedies allowable under this section are cumulative and do not restrict any 
38.25 	other right or remedy otherwise available. The complaint process provided in sections 
38.26 	211B.31 to 211B.36 does not apply to violations of this section.

38.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes 
38.28 	committed on or after that date and causes of action accruing on or after that date.

38.29 	Sec. 38. [211B.066] DISTRIBUTION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS 
38.30 	AND SAMPLE BALLOTS.
38.31 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have 
38.32 	the meanings given.
39.1 	(b) "Person or entity" means any individual, committee, or association as defined in 
39.2 	section 10A.01, subdivision 6.
39.3 	(c) "Sample ballot" means a document that is formatted and printed in a manner that so 
39.4 	closely resembles an official ballot that it could lead a reasonable person to believe the 
39.5 	document is an official ballot. A document that contains the names of particular candidates 
39.6 	or ballot questions alongside illustrations of a generic ballot or common ballot markings is 
39.7 	not a sample ballot as long as the document does not closely resemble an official ballot and 
39.8 	would not lead a reasonable person to believe the document is an official ballot.
39.9 		Subd. 2.Requirements. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, any person 
39.10 	or entity that mails an absentee ballot application or sample ballot to anyone in the state 
39.11 	must comply with this section. This section does not apply to a unit of government or 
39.12 	employee of that unit of government when discharging official election duties.
39.13 	(b) The person or entity mailing the absentee ballot application or sample ballot must 
39.14 	include the following statement: "This mailing is not an official election communication 
39.15 	from a unit of government. This [absentee ballot application or sample ballot] has not been 
39.16 	included at the request of a government official." If a sample ballot is enclosed, the statement 
39.17 	must also include the following: "This is a sample ballot, not an official ballot. You cannot 
39.18 	cast the enclosed sample ballot."
39.19 	(c) The statement required in paragraph (b) must be printed in a typeface and format 
39.20 	designed to be clearly visible at the time the mailing is opened. The person or entity sending 
39.21 	the sample ballot or absentee ballot application must include the person or entity's name 
39.22 	and street address in the return address position on the mailing envelope.
39.23 	(d) If an absentee ballot application is included, the application fields must be blank and 
39.24 	must not include the voter's name, address, or any other required information. 
39.25 	Notwithstanding this subdivision, the county auditor or municipal clerk must not reject an 
39.26 	absentee ballot application solely because of the inclusion of printed information on the 
39.27 	application.

39.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

39.29 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.13, is amended to read:
39.30 	211B.13 BRIBERY, TREATING, AND SOLICITATION.
39.31 		Subdivision 1.Bribery, advancing money, and treating prohibited. (a) A person who
39.32 	is guilty of a felony if the person willfully, directly or indirectly, advances, pays, gives, 
39.33 	promises, provides a chance to win, or lends any money, food, liquor, clothing, entertainment, 
40.1 	or other thing of monetary value, or who offers, promises, or endeavors to obtain any money, 
40.2 	position, appointment, employment, or other valuable consideration, to or for a person, in 
40.3 	order to induce:
40.4 	(1) a voter to vote, to refrain from voting, or to vote in a particular way, at an election, 
40.5 	is guilty of a felony;
40.6 	(2) an individual to register to vote; or
40.7 	(3) a registered or eligible voter to sign a petition that is directly related to an election 
40.8 	during the period beginning on the first day of the absentee voting period for that election 
40.9 	and ending on election day.
40.10 	(b) This section does not prevent a candidate from stating publicly preference for or 
40.11 	support of another candidate to be voted for at the same primary or election. Refreshments 
40.12 	of Food or, nonalcoholic beverages, or items having a value up to $5 are not prohibited 
40.13 	under this section if consumed on the premises at a private gathering or public meeting are 
40.14 	not prohibited under this section or if offered on equal terms to individuals without regard 
40.15 	to whether the recipient takes a specified action.
40.16 		Subd. 2.Certain solicitations prohibited. A person may not knowingly solicit, receive, 
40.17 	or accept any money, property, or other thing of monetary value, or a promise or, pledge, 
40.18 	or opportunity to win any of these that is a disbursement prohibited by this section or section 
40.19 	211B.15.
40.20 		Subd. 3.Civil enforcement. In addition to other remedies, the attorney general or county 
40.21 	attorney may enforce this section pursuant to section 8.31.

40.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes 
40.23 	committed on or after that date.

40.24 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
40.25 		Subdivision 1.Administrative remedy; exhaustion. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs 
40.26 	(b) and (c), a complaint alleging a violation of chapter 211A or 211B must be filed with the 
40.27 	office. The complaint must be finally disposed of by the office before the alleged violation 
40.28 	may be prosecuted by a county attorney.
40.29 	(b) Complaints arising under those sections and related to those individuals and 
40.30 	associations specified in section 10A.022, subdivision 3, must be filed with the Campaign 
40.31 	Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
41.1 	(c) Violations of sections 211B.065, 211B.075, and 211B.076 may be enforced as 
41.2 	provided in those sections.

41.3 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
41.4 		Subd. 4.Proof of claim. The burden of proving the allegations in the complaint is on 
41.5 	the complainant. The standard of proof of a violation of section 211B.06, relating to false 
41.6 	statements in paid political advertising or campaign material, is clear and convincing 
41.7 	evidence. The standard of proof of any other a violation of chapter 211A or 211B is a 
41.8 	preponderance of the evidence.

41.9 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 211B.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
41.10 		Subd. 2.Disposition of complaint. The panel must determine whether the violation 
41.11 	alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following dispositions:
41.12 	(a) The panel may dismiss the complaint.
41.13 	(b) The panel may issue a reprimand.
41.14 	(c) The panel may find that a statement made in a paid advertisement or campaign 
41.15 	material violated section 211B.06.
41.16 	(d) The panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for any violation of chapter 
41.17 	211A or 211B.
41.18 	(e) (d) The panel may refer the complaint to the appropriate county attorney.

41.19 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 383B.041, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
41.20 		Subd. 5.Economic interest disclosure; Special School District No. 1. Every candidate 
41.21 	for school board in Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file an original statement 
41.22 	of economic interest with the school district within 14 days of the filing of an affidavit or 
41.23 	petition to appear on the ballot the end of the candidate filing period. An elected official in 
41.24 	Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, must file the annual statement required in section 
41.25 	10A.09, subdivision 6, with the school district for every year that the individual serves in 
41.26 	office. An original and annual statement must contain the information listed in section 
41.27 	10A.09, subdivision 5. The provisions of section 10A.09, subdivisions 6a, 7, and 9, apply 
41.28 	to statements required under this subdivision.

42.1 	Sec. 44. CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMITS STUDY.
 42.2 	The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board must study the voluntary campaign 
42.3 	spending limits as provided in this section. By January 15, 2026, the board must report to 
42.4 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
42.5 	over the board with its findings and recommendations. At a minimum, the board must study 
42.6 	and report on:
42.7 	(1) the number of candidates that participate in the public subsidy program, broken down 
42.8 	by office;
42.9 	(2) the number of candidates that do not participate in the public subsidy program, broken 
42.10 	down by office;
42.11 	(3) historic trend data for the past ten years for the information in clauses (1) and (2);
42.12 	(4) for candidates that do not participate in the public subsidy program, how much the 
42.13 	candidate and the candidate's opponent spent and how much is spent on independent 
42.14 	expenditures in the race;
42.15 	(5) how other states set voluntary campaign spending limits, including:
42.16 	(i) if other states distinguish between highly contested races and other races in the amount 
42.17 	of funding provided or spending allowed;
42.18 	(ii) if other states have an automatic inflator on the subsidies and limits; and
42.19 	(iii) the level of candidate participation over time in the programs; and
42.20 	(6) any recommendations the board has regarding the current public subsidy program 
42.21 	in Minnesota and whether the current spending limits are appropriate.

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

42.23 	Sec. 45. RULEMAKING.
 42.24 	The Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board must amend Minnesota Rules, part 
42.25 	4503.0900, to conform to the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 10A.174, regarding 
42.26 	transition expenses. The board may use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, 
42.27 	section 14.388, for purposes of this section.

42.28 	Sec. 46. REPEALER.
 42.29 	(a) Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 211B.04, subdivision 4; 211B.06; and 211B.08,
42.30 	are repealed.
43.1 	(b) Minnesota Rules, part 4503.2000, subpart 2, is repealed.
43.2 	(c) Minnesota Rules, part 4511.1100, is repealed.

43.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (b) is effective the day following final enactment.

43.4 	Sec. 47. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 43.5 	Unless otherwise provided, this article is effective January 1, 2026.

43.6 	ARTICLE 3
43.7 	ELECTION POLICY

43.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.054, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.9 		Subdivision 1.Registration. (a) An individual may register to vote or update a voter 
43.10 	registration:
43.11 	(1) at any time before the 20th day preceding any election as provided in section 201.061, 
43.12 	subdivision 1;
43.13 	(2) on the day of an election as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3; or
43.14 	(3) when submitting an absentee ballot, by enclosing a completed registration application 
43.15 	as provided in section 203B.04, subdivision 4.
43.16 	(b) An individual who is under the age of 18, but who is at least 16 years of age and 
43.17 	otherwise eligible, may submit a voter registration application as provided in section 201.061, 
43.18 	subdivisions 1 and 1b.

43.19 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.054, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
43.20 		Subd. 2.Prohibitions; penalty. No An individual shall must not intentionally:
43.21 	(1) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered in any precinct if the 
43.22 	individual is not eligible to vote, except as permitted by section 201.061, subdivision 1b;
43.23 	(2) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered for the purpose of 
43.24 	voting in more than one precinct;
43.25 	(3) misrepresent the individual's identity when attempting to register to vote or to update 
43.26 	a registration; or
43.27 	(4) aid, abet, counsel, or procure any other individual to violate this subdivision.
43.28 	A violation of this subdivision is a felony.

44.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.056, is amended to read:
44.2 	201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.
44.3 	An individual who is unable to write the individual's name shall be required to must
44.4 	sign a registration application in the manner provided by section 645.44, subdivision 14. If 
44.5 	the individual registers in person and signs by making a mark, the clerk or election judge 
44.6 	accepting the registration shall or update must certify the mark by signing the individual's 
44.7 	name. If the individual registers or updates a registration by mail and signs by making a 
44.8 	mark, the mark shall must be certified by having a voter registered in the individual's precinct 
44.9 	sign the individual's name and the voter's own name and give the voter's own address.

44.10 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.11 		Subdivision 1.Prior to election day. (a) At any time except during the 20 days 
44.12 	immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual 
44.13 	who will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register or update a 
44.14 	registration to vote in the precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a 
44.15 	voter registration application as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1. A completed 
44.16 	application may be submitted:
44.17 	(1) in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the Secretary of State's 
44.18 	Office; or
44.19 	(2) electronically through a secure website that shall must be maintained by the secretary 
44.20 	of state for this purpose, if the applicant has an email address and provides the applicant's 
44.21 	verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota state identification card number, 
44.22 	or the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
44.23 	(b) A registration or update to a registration that is received in person or by mail no later 
44.24 	than 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election, or a registration or update to a 
44.25 	registration received electronically through the secretary of state's secure website no later 
44.26 	than 11:59 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election, shall must be accepted. An 
44.27 	improperly addressed or delivered registration application shall must be forwarded within 
44.28 	two working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county where the voter maintains 
44.29 	residence. A state or local agency or an individual that accepts completed voter registration 
44.30 	applications from a voter must submit the completed applications to the secretary of state 
44.31 	or the appropriate county auditor within ten calendar days after the applications are dated 
44.32 	by the voter.
45.1 	(c) An application submitted electronically under paragraph (a), clause (2), may only 
45.2 	be transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the 
45.3 	application information matches the information in a government database associated with 
45.4 	the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security 
45.5 	number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable voter registration applications 
45.6 	submitted electronically for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such 
45.7 	application to an appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.
45.8 	(d) An individual may not electronically submit a voter registration application on behalf 
45.9 	of any other individual, except that the secretary of state may provide features on the secure 
45.10 	website established under paragraph (a), clause (2), that allow third parties to connect 
45.11 	application programming interfaces that facilitate an individual's submission of voter 
45.12 	registration information while interacting with the third party.
45.13 	(e) For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration 
45.14 	application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the 
45.15 	United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.

45.16 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
45.17 		Subd. 3.Election day registration. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register 
45.18 	or update a registration on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the 
45.19 	precinct in which the individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, 
45.20 	making an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of 
45.21 	residence. An individual may prove residence for purposes of registering or updating a 
45.22 	registration by:
45.23 	(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to 
45.24 	section 171.07;
45.25 	(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
45.26 	(3) presenting a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address 
45.27 	in the precinct together with a picture identification card; or
45.28 	(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or an employee who provides 
45.29 	proof that they are employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and 
45.30 	vouching for a resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge 
45.31 	vouching that the voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of 
45.32 	the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of 
45.33 	residence oath vouching for any other individual on that election day. A voter who is 
46.1 	registered to vote in the precinct may sign up to eight proof-of-residence oaths on any 
46.2 	election day. This limitation does not apply to an employee of a residential facility described 
46.3 	in this clause. The secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in 
46.4 	recording the number of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on 
46.5 	election day. The form must include space for the maximum number of individuals for 
46.6 	whom a voter may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form 
46.7 	must include a statement that the individual: (i) is registered to vote in the precinct or is an 
46.8 	employee of a residential facility in the precinct, (ii) personally knows that the voter is a 
46.9 	resident of the precinct, and (iii) is making the statement on oath. The form must include a 
46.10 	space for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.
46.11 	The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be 
46.12 	attached to the voter registration application.
46.13 	(b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees 
46.14 	currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The 
46.15 	operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than 
46.16 	20 days before each election for use in election day registration.
46.17 	(c) (b) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256K.48, 
46.18 	subdivision 1; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under 
46.19 	section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 
46.20 	5; an assisted living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under chapter 144G; a 
46.21 	veterans home operated by the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under 
46.22 	chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a 
46.23 	residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for 
46.24 	persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services 
46.25 	under section 252.28; setting authorized to provide housing support as defined in section 
46.26 	256I.03, subdivision 10a; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, 
46.27 	subdivision 4; a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to 
46.28 	provide temporary living accommodations for the homeless; a facility where a provider 
46.29 	operates a residential treatment program as defined in section 245.462, subdivision 23; or 
46.30 	a facility where a provider operates an adult foster care program as defined in section 
46.31 	245A.02, subdivision 6c.
46.32 	(d) (c) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of 
46.33 	registering or updating a registration by:
47.1 	(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized 
47.2 	by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the 
47.3 	name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
47.4 	(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized 
47.5 	by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the 
47.6 	name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents 
47.7 	listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
47.8 	(e) (d) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge 
47.9 	responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

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

47.11 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
47.12 		Subd. 3a.Additional proofs of residence permitted for students. (a) If an eligible 
47.13 	voter's name; student identification number, if available; and address within the precinct 
47.14 	appear on a current residential housing list under section 135A.17 certified to the county 
47.15 	auditor by the postsecondary educational institution, the voter may prove residence by 
47.16 	presenting a current valid photo identification issued by a postsecondary educational 
47.17 	institution in Minnesota; identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause 
47.18 	(1) or (2); or identification authorized in subdivision 3, paragraph (d) (c), clause (1) or (2).
47.19 	(b) This additional proof of residence for students must not be allowed unless the 
47.20 	postsecondary educational institution submits to the county auditor no later than 60 days 
47.21 	prior to the election a written agreement that the postsecondary educational institution will 
47.22 	certify for use at the election accurate updated residential housing lists under section 135A.17. 
47.23 	A written agreement is effective for the election and all subsequent elections held in that 
47.24 	calendar year, including the November general election.
47.25 	(c) The additional proof of residence for students must be allowed on an equal basis for 
47.26 	voters who reside in housing meeting the requirements of section 135A.17, if the residential 
47.27 	housing lists certified by the postsecondary educational institution meet the requirements 
47.28 	of this subdivision.
47.29 	(d) An updated residential housing list must be certified to the county auditor no later 
47.30 	than 20 35 days prior to each election. The certification must be dated and signed by the 
47.31 	chief officer or designee of the postsecondary educational institution and must state that the 
47.32 	list is current and accurate and includes only the names of persons residing in the institution's 
48.1 	housing and, for students who do not live in the institution's housing, that it reflects the 
48.2 	institution's records as of the date of the certification.
48.3 	(e) This additional proof of residence for students must be allowed during the 18 days 
48.4 	before an election and on election day. The county auditor shall instruct the election judges 
48.5 	of the precinct in procedures for use of the list in conjunction with photo identification. The 
48.6 	auditor shall supply a list to the election judges with the election supplies for the precinct.
48.7 	(f) The county auditor shall notify all postsecondary educational institutions in the county 
48.8 	of the provisions of this subdivision.

48.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026, and applies to elections 
48.10 	held on or after February 6, 2026.

48.11 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
48.12 		Subd. 4.Registration by election judges; procedures. Registration and updates to 
48.13 	registrations at the polling place on election day shall must be conducted by the election 
48.14 	judges. Before registering an individual to vote or updating an individual's registration at 
48.15 	the polling place, the election judge must review any list of voters who registered or updated 
48.16 	a registration with an absentee election day registrants ballot provided by the county auditor 
48.17 	or municipal clerk to see if the person individual has already voted by absentee ballot. If 
48.18 	the person's individual's name appears on the list, the election judge must not allow the 
48.19 	individual to register, to update the individual's registration, or to vote in the polling place. 
48.20 	The election judge who registers an individual or updates an individual's registration at the 
48.21 	polling place on election day shall must not handle that voter's ballots at any time prior to 
48.22 	the opening of the ballot box after the voting ends. Registration applications and forms for 
48.23 	oaths shall must be available at each polling place. If an individual who registers or updates 
48.24 	a registration on election day proves residence by oath of a registered voter, the form 
48.25 	containing the oath shall must be attached to the individual's registration application. 
48.26 	Registration applications completed on election day shall must be forwarded to the county 
48.27 	auditor who shall must add the name of each voter to the registration system or update the 
48.28 	voter's registration unless the information forwarded is substantially deficient. A county 
48.29 	auditor who finds an election day registration or update substantially deficient shall must
48.30 	give written notice to the individual whose registration is found deficient. An election day 
48.31 	registration shall or update must not be found deficient solely because the individual who 
48.32 	provided proof of residence was ineligible to do so.

49.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
49.2 		Subd. 5.Unregistered voters; penalty. No election judge in any precinct in which 
49.3 	registration is required may receive the vote at any election of any individual whose name 
49.4 	is not registered in a manner specified in section 201.054, subdivision 1 or not recorded 
49.5 	under section 203B.19. A violation of this subdivision is a felony.

49.6 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.061, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
49.7 		Subd. 7.Record of attempted registrations. The election judge responsible for election 
49.8 	day registration shall must attempt to keep a record of the number of individuals who attempt 
49.9 	to register or update a registration on election day but who cannot provide proof of residence 
49.10 	as required by this section. The record shall must be forwarded to the county auditor with 
49.11 	the election returns for that precinct.

49.12 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
49.13 		Subdivision 1.Form. Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must 
49.14 	contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration 
49.15 	application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name, 
49.16 	middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's 
49.17 	previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence; 
49.18 	voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid 
49.19 	Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter 
49.20 	has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, the 
49.21 	last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; a box to indicate a voter's preference 
49.22 	to join the permanent absentee voter list; and voter's signature. The paper registration 
49.23 	application must provide a space for a voter to provide a physical description of the location 
49.24 	of their residence, if the voter resides in an area lacking a specific physical address. The 
49.25 	description must be sufficient for the county auditor to identify the correct precinct for the 
49.26 	voter. The description may include the closest cross street or the nearest address to the 
49.27 	described location that is identified on a precinct map, and directions from that cross street 
49.28 	or address to the described location, including but not limited to the cardinal direction and 
49.29 	approximate distance to the location. The paper registration application may include the 
49.30 	voter's email address, if provided by the voter. The electronic voter registration application 
49.31 	must include the voter's email address. The registration application may include the voter's 
49.32 	interest in serving as an election judge, if indicated by the voter. The application must also 
49.33 	contain the following certification of voter eligibility:
50.1 	"I certify that I:
50.2 	(1) am at least 16 years old and understand that I must be at least 18 years old to be 
50.3 	eligible to vote;
50.4 	(2) am a citizen of the United States;
50.5 	(3) will have maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding 
50.6 	election day;
50.7 	(4) maintain residence at the address or location given on the registration form;
50.8 	(5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my right 
50.9 	to vote;
50.10 	(6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
50.11 	(7) am not currently incarcerated for a conviction of a felony offense; and
50.12 	(8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information is a 
50.13 	felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than 
50.14 	$10,000, or both."
50.15 	The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following questions:
50.16 	"(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
50.17 	"(2) Are you at least 16 years old and will you be at least 18 years old on or before the 
50.18 	day of the election in which you intend to vote?"
50.19 	And the instruction:
50.20 	"If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
50.21 	The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility 
50.22 	must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter 
50.23 	registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted 
50.24 	as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not 
50.25 	deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
50.26 	An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in 
50.27 	Minnesota or to changeupdate information on an existing registration.

50.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2025, except that this section is 
50.29 	effective January 1, 2026, for the secretary of state's online voter registration application.

51.1 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.071, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
51.2 		Subd. 4.Change of registration. A county auditor who receives a registration application 
51.3 	indicating that an individual was previously registered in a different county in Minnesota 
51.4 	shall must update the voter's record electronically through the statewide registration system 
51.5 	in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state. A county auditor who receives a 
51.6 	registration application or notification requiring a change an update of registration records 
51.7 	under this subdivision as a result of an a voter updating the voter's registration on election 
51.8 	day registration shall must also check the statewide registration system to determine whether 
51.9 	the individual voted in more than one precinct in the most recent election.

51.10 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.091, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
51.11 		Subd. 5.Copy of list to registered voter. The county auditors and the secretary of state 
51.12 	shall must provide copies of the public information lists in electronic or other media to any 
51.13 	voter registered in Minnesota within ten five business days of receiving a complete written 
51.14 	or electronic request accompanied by payment of the cost of reproduction. The county 
51.15 	auditors and the secretary of state shall must make a copy of the list available for public 
51.16 	inspection without cost. An individual who inspects or acquires a copy of a public information 
51.17 	list may must not use any information contained in it for purposes unrelated to elections, 
51.18 	political activities, or law enforcement.

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

51.20 	Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.091, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
51.21 		Subd. 8.Registration places. (a) Each county auditor shall must designate a number of 
51.22 	public buildings in those political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of voters 
51.23 	is allowed as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may register 
51.24 	to vote or update the voter's registration as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1.
51.25 	(b) An adequate supply of registration applications and instructions must be maintained 
51.26 	at each designated location, and a designated individual must be available there to accept 
51.27 	registration applications and transmit them to the county auditor.
51.28 	(c) A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to determine eligibility 
51.29 	or, to register must, or to update a voter registration may be assisted by a designated 
51.30 	individual. Assistance includes but is not limited to reading the registration form and 
51.31 	instructions and filling out the registration form as directed by the eligible voter.

52.1 	Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
52.2 		Subdivision 1.Entry of registration information. (a) At the time a voter registration 
52.3 	application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections 
52.4 	201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall must enter or update the information contained 
52.5 	on it into the statewide registration system. Voter registration applications completed before 
52.6 	election day must be entered into the statewide registration system within ten days after 
52.7 	they have been submitted to the county auditor. Voter registration applications completed 
52.8 	on election day must be entered into the statewide registration system within 42 days after 
52.9 	the election, unless the county auditor notifies the secretary of state before the deadline has 
52.10 	expired that the deadline will not be met. Upon receipt of a notification under this paragraph, 
52.11 	the secretary of state must extend the deadline for that county auditor by an additional 28 
52.12 	days. The secretary of state may waive a county's obligations under this paragraph if, on 
52.13 	good cause shown, the county demonstrates its permanent inability to comply.
52.14 	The secretary of state must post data on each county's compliance with this paragraph on 
52.15 	the secretary of state's website including, as applicable, the date each county fully complied 
52.16 	or the deadline by which a county's compliance must be complete.
52.17 	(b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may 
52.18 	electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor 
52.19 	as soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into or update in the 
52.20 	statewide registration system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration 
52.21 	application to the county auditor.
52.22 	(c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered or updated information from a 
52.23 	voter registration application into in the statewide registration system, the secretary of state 
52.24 	shall must compare the voter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state 
52.25 	identification number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number with the same 
52.26 	information contained in the Department of Public Safety database.
52.27 	(d) The secretary of state shall must provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly 
52.28 	basis that includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have 
52.29 	been compared with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and 
52.30 	cannot be verified as provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those 
52.31 	voters who have submitted a voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a 
52.32 	federal election in this state.
52.33 	(e) The county auditor shall must compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor 
52.34 	and the secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration 
53.1 	application and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database 
53.2 	relate to the same person.
53.3 	(f) The county auditor shall must send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter 
53.4 	whose name appears on the list and change the voter's status to "challenged." A voter who 
53.5 	receives a notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide the 
53.6 	information required to clear the challenge at least 21 days before the next election or at 
53.7 	the polling place on election day.

53.8 	Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.121, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
53.9 		Subd. 3.Postelection sampling. (a) Within ten days after an election, the county auditor 
53.10 	shall must send the notice required by subdivision 2 to a random sampling of the individuals 
53.11 	who registered or updated voter registration information on election day. The random 
53.12 	sampling shall must be determined in accordance with the rules of the secretary of state. 
53.13 	As soon as practicable after the election, the county auditor shall must mail the notice 
53.14 	required by subdivision 2 to all other individuals who registered or updated voter registration 
53.15 	information on election day. If a notice is returned as not deliverable, the county auditor 
53.16 	shall must attempt to determine the reason for the return. A county auditor who does not 
53.17 	receive or obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote shall must
53.18 	immediately notify the county attorney of all of the relevant information. By February 15 
53.19 	of each year, the county auditor must notify the secretary of state of the following information 
53.20 	for each election held in the previous year by each precinct:
53.21 	(1) the total number of all notices that were returned as nondeliverable;
53.22 	(2) the total number of nondeliverable notices that the county auditor was able to 
53.23 	determine the reason for the return along with the reason for each return; and
53.24 	(3) the total number of individuals for whom the county auditor does not receive or 
53.25 	obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote.
53.26 	(b) By March 1 of every year, the secretary of state shall must report to the chair and 
53.27 	ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections the 
53.28 	following information for each election held in the previous year by each precinct and each 
53.29 	county:
53.30 	(1) the total number of all notices that were returned as nondeliverable;
53.31 	(2) the total number of nondeliverable notices that a county auditor was able to determine 
53.32 	the reason for the return along with the reason for each return; and
54.1 	(3) the total number of individuals for whom the county auditor does not receive or 
54.2 	obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to vote.

54.3 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
54.4 		Subd. 3.Use of change of address system. (a) At least once each month the secretary 
54.5 	of state shall must obtain a list of individuals registered to vote in this state who have filed 
54.6 	with the United States Postal Service a change of their permanent address. The secretary 
54.7 	of state may also periodically obtain a list of individuals with driver's licenses or state 
54.8 	identification cards to identify those who are registered to vote who have applied to the 
54.9 	Department of Public Safety for a replacement driver's license or state identification card 
54.10 	with a different address, and a list of individuals for whom the Department of Public Safety 
54.11 	received notification of a driver's license or state identification card cancellation due to a 
54.12 	change of residency out of state. However, the secretary of state shall must not load data 
54.13 	derived from these lists into the statewide voter registration system within the 47 days before 
54.14 	the state primary or 47 days before a November general election.
54.15 	(b) If the address is changed to another address in this state, the secretary of state shall
54.16 	must locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, if possible. If the secretary 
54.17 	of state is able to locate the precinct in which the voter maintains residence, the secretary 
54.18 	must transmit the information about the changed address by electronic means to the county 
54.19 	auditor of the county in which the new address is located. For addresses for which the 
54.20 	secretary of state is unable to determine the precinct, the secretary may forward information 
54.21 	to the appropriate county auditors for individual review. If the voter has not voted or 
54.22 	submitted a voter registration application since the address change, upon receipt of the 
54.23 	information, the county auditor shall must update the voter's address in the statewide voter 
54.24 	registration system. The county auditor shall must mail to the voter a notice stating the 
54.25 	voter's name, address, precinct, and polling place, unless the voter's record is challenged 
54.26 	due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a court's 
54.27 	revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, in which case the auditor 
54.28 	must not mail the notice. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address 
54.29 	has been changed updated and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days 
54.30 	if the new address is not the voter's address of residence. The notice must state that it must 
54.31 	be returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address.
54.32 	(c) If the change of permanent address is to an address outside this state, the secretary 
54.33 	of state shall must notify by electronic means the auditor of the county where the voter 
54.34 	formerly maintained residence that the voter has moved to another state. If the voter has 
55.1 	not voted or submitted a voter registration application since the address change, the county 
55.2 	auditor shall must promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice advising 
55.3 	the voter that the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system will be changed to 
55.4 	"inactive" unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the voter is retaining 
55.5 	the former address as the voter's address of residence, except that if the voter's record is 
55.6 	challenged due to a felony conviction, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a 
55.7 	court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, the auditor must not 
55.8 	mail the notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall must
55.9 	change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter registration system.
55.10 	(d) If, in order to maintain voter registration records, the secretary of state enters an 
55.11 	agreement to share information or data with an organization governed exclusively by a 
55.12 	group of states, the secretary must first determine that the data security protocols are sufficient 
55.13 	to safeguard the information or data shared. If required by such an agreement, the secretary 
55.14 	of state may share the following data from the statewide voter registration system and data 
55.15 	released to the secretary of state under section 171.12, subdivision 7a:
55.16 	(1) name;
55.17 	(2) date of birth;
55.18 	(3) address;
55.19 	(4) driver's license or state identification card number;
55.20 	(5) the last four digits of an individual's Social Security number; and
55.21 	(6) the date that an individual's record was last updated.
55.22 	If the secretary of state enters into such an agreement, the secretary and county auditors 
55.23 	must process changes updates to voter records based upon that data in accordance with this 
55.24 	section. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when data is shared with the 
55.25 	secretary of state by another state, the secretary of state must maintain the same data 
55.26 	classification that the data had while it was in the possession of the state providing the data.

55.27 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.14, is amended to read:
55.28 	201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT CHANGES 
55.29 	OF NAMES.
55.30 	The state court administrator shall must regularly report by electronic means to the 
55.31 	secretary of state the name, address, and, if available, driver's license or state identification 
55.32 	card number of each individual, 18 years of age or over, whose name was changed since 
56.1 	the last report, by marriage, divorce, or any order or decree of the court. The secretary of 
56.2 	state shall must determine if any of the persons individuals in the report are registered to 
56.3 	vote under their previous name and shall must prepare a list of those registrants for each 
56.4 	county auditor. Upon receipt of the list, the county auditor shall make the change in must 
56.5 	update the voter's record with this information and mail to the voter the notice of registration 
56.6 	required by section 201.121, subdivision 2. A notice must not be mailed if the voter's record 
56.7 	is challenged due to a felony conviction, lack of United States citizenship, legal 
56.8 	incompetence, or court-ordered revocation of voting rights of persons under guardianship.

56.9 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
56.10 		Subd. 4.Department of Human Services. (a) If permitted by the federal government, 
56.11 	the commissioner of human services, in consultation with the secretary of state, must ensure 
56.12 	the applications described in subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), also serve as voter 
56.13 	registration applications for applicants 18 years of age or older whose United States 
56.14 	citizenship has been verified as part of the application. The commissioner must transmit 
56.15 	information required to register to vote, as prescribed by the secretary of state, daily by 
56.16 	electronic means to the secretary of state for an individual whose United States citizenship 
56.17 	has been verified. The commissioner must submit data to the secretary of state identifying 
56.18 	the total number of individuals who completed qualifying transactions under this section 
56.19 	and the total number of individuals whose records were ultimately transferred for registration
56.20 	or updates to registrations. At a minimum, the commissioner must submit the data to the 
56.21 	secretary of state on the same day each month.
56.22 	(b) No applicant may be registered to vote or have a registration updated under this 
56.23 	subdivision until (1) the commissioner of human services has certified that the department's 
56.24 	systems have been tested and can accurately provide the required data and accurately exclude 
56.25 	from transmission data on individuals who have not provided documentary evidence of 
56.26 	United States citizenship, and (2) the secretary of state has certified that the system for 
56.27 	automatic registration of those applicants has been tested and is capable of properly 
56.28 	determining whether an applicant is eligible to vote. The department's systems must be 
56.29 	tested and accurately provide the necessary data no later than September 30 of the year 
56.30 	following the year in which federal approval or permission is given, contingent on 
56.31 	appropriations being available for this purpose.

57.1 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
57.2 		Subd. 5.Other agencies and units of government. (a) The commissioner of management 
57.3 	and budget must, in consultation with the secretary of state, identify any other state agency 
57.4 	that is eligible to implement automatic voter registration. The commissioner must consider 
57.5 	a state agency eligible if the agency collects, processes, or stores the following information 
57.6 	as part of providing assistance or services: name, residential address, date of birth, and 
57.7 	citizenship verification. An eligible agency must submit a report to the governor and secretary 
57.8 	of state no later than December 1, 2024, describing steps needed to implement automatic 
57.9 	voter registration, barriers to implementation and ways to mitigate them, and applicable 
57.10 	federal and state privacy protections for the data under consideration. By June 1, 2025, the 
57.11 	governor, at the governor's sole discretion, must make final decisions, as to which agencies 
57.12 	will implement automatic voter registration by December 31, 2025, and which agencies 
57.13 	could implement automatic voter registration if provided with additional resources or if the 
57.14 	legislature changed the law to allow data to be used for automatic voter registration. The 
57.15 	governor must notify the commissioner of management and budget of the governor's 
57.16 	decisions related to automatic voter registration. By October 1, 2025, the commissioner of 
57.17 	management and budget must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the 
57.18 	legislative committees with jurisdiction over election policy and finance. The report must 
57.19 	include:
57.20 	(1) the agencies that will implement automatic voter registration by December 31, 2025;
57.21 	(2) the agencies which could implement automatic voter registration if provided with 
57.22 	additional resources and recommendations on the necessary additional resources; and
57.23 	(3) the agencies that could implement automatic voter registration if the legislature 
57.24 	changed the law to allow data to be used for voter registration and recommendations on 
57.25 	how the law could be changed to allow the use of the data for this purpose.
57.26 	(b) An agency may not begin verifying citizenship as part of an agency transaction for 
57.27 	the sole purpose of providing automatic voter registration. Once an agency has implemented 
57.28 	automatic voter registration, it must continue to provide automatic voter registration unless 
57.29 	otherwise expressly required by law. For each individual whose United States citizenship 
57.30 	has been verified, the commissioner or agency head must transmit information required to 
57.31 	register to vote, as prescribed by the secretary of state, to the secretary of state by electronic 
57.32 	means. The governor must determine the frequency of the transmissions for each agency.
57.33 	(c) No applicant may be registered to vote or have a registration updated under this 
57.34 	subdivision until (1) the agency's commissioner or agency head has certified that the 
58.1 	necessary systems have been tested and can accurately provide the required data and 
58.2 	accurately exclude from transmission data on individuals whose United States citizenship 
58.3 	has not been verified, and (2) the secretary of state has certified that the system for automatic 
58.4 	registration of those applicants has been tested and is capable of properly determining 
58.5 	whether an applicant is eligible to vote.

58.6 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.161, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
58.7 		Subd. 8.Effective date of registration. Unless the applicant declines registration, the 
58.8 	effective date for the voter registration or update to a voter registration is the date that the 
58.9 	county auditor processes the application. This subdivision does not limit the ability of a 
58.10 	person to register to vote or update their registration on election day as provided in section 
58.11 	201.061, subdivision 3. Any person who submits a qualifying application under subdivision 
58.12 	1 that is dated during the 20 days before an election must be provided, at the time of 
58.13 	application, with a notice advising the applicant of the procedures to register to vote or 
58.14 	update a voter registration on election day.

58.15 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.162, is amended to read:
58.16 	201.162 DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES.
58.17 	The commissioner or chief administrative officer of each state agency or 
58.18 	community-based public agency or nonprofit corporation that contracts with the state agency 
58.19 	to carry out obligations of the state agency shall must provide voter registration services 
58.20 	for employees and the public, including, as applicable, automatic voter registration or 
58.21 	information on voter eligibility and, registration procedures, and updating registrations as 
58.22 	required under section 201.161. A person An individual may complete a voter registration 
58.23 	application or apply to change update a voter registration name or address if the person
58.24 	individual has the proper qualifications on the date of application. Nonpartisan voter 
58.25 	registration assistance, including routinely asking members of the public served by the 
58.26 	agency whether they would like to register to vote or update a voter registration and, if 
58.27 	necessary, assisting them in preparing the registration forms must be part of the job of 
58.28 	appropriate agency employees.

58.29 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
58.30 		Subd. 2.Technology requirements. An electronic roster must:
58.31 	(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file 
58.32 	format prescribed by the secretary of state;
59.1 	(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
59.2 	(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or 
59.3 	identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that 
59.4 	would be printed and signed and dated by the voter. The printed registration application 
59.5 	can be a printed form, a label printed with voter information to be affixed to a preprinted 
59.6 	form, a combination of a form and label, or an electronic record that the voter signs 
59.7 	electronically and is printed following its completion at the polling place;
59.8 	(4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's 
59.9 	license or identification card;
59.10 	(5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned 
59.11 	driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter 
59.12 	or an election judge;
59.13 	(6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates 
59.14 	that the voter is not eligible to vote;
59.15 	(7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has 
59.16 	already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the 
59.17 	voter maintains residence in a different precinct;
59.18 	(8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when 
59.19 	a voter's record is challenged;
59.20 	(9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address 
59.21 	of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10, 
59.22 	and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be 
59.23 	a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an 
59.24 	electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion 
59.25 	at the polling place;
59.26 	(10) contain only preregisteredregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain 
59.27 	preregisteredregistered voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being 
59.28 	utilized for a combined polling place pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, absentee 
59.29 	or early voting under chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section 
59.30 	204B.45, subdivision 2a;
59.31 	(11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose 
59.32 	of updating absentee ballot records;
60.1 	(12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the 
60.2 	Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information 
60.3 	Technology Services;
60.4 	(13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and
60.5 	(14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration 
60.6 	of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
60.7 	Electronic rosters used only for election day registrationregistering voters and updating 
60.8 	voters' registration do not need to comply with clauses (1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters 
60.9 	used only for preregistered voter processing voters who are registered and do not need to 
60.10 	update a registration do not need to comply with clauses (4) and (5).

60.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on June 1, 2025.

60.12 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.225, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
60.13 		Subd. 5.Election day. (a) Precincts may use electronic rosters for registering voters 
60.14 	and updating registrations on election day registration, to process preregistered registered
60.15 	voters, or both. The printed election day registration applications must be reviewed when 
60.16 	electronic records are processed in the statewide voter registration system. The election 
60.17 	judges shall must determine the number of ballots to be counted by counting the number 
60.18 	of original voter signature certificates or the number of voter receipts.
60.19 	(b) Each precinct using electronic rosters shall must have a paper backup system approved 
60.20 	by the secretary of state present at the polling place to use in the event that the election 
60.21 	judges are unable to use the electronic roster.

60.22 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 201.275, is amended to read:
60.23 	201.275 INVESTIGATIONS; PROSECUTIONS.
60.24 	(a) A law enforcement agency that is notified by affidavit of an alleged violation of this 
60.25 	chapter shall must promptly investigate. Upon receiving an affidavit alleging a violation of 
60.26 	this chapter, a county attorney shall must promptly forward it to a law enforcement agency 
60.27 	with jurisdiction for investigation. If there is probable cause for instituting a prosecution, 
60.28 	the county attorney shall must proceed according to the generally applicable standards 
60.29 	regarding the prosecutorial functions and duties of a county attorney, provided that the 
60.30 	county attorney is not required to proceed with the prosecution if the complainant withdraws 
60.31 	the allegation. A county attorney who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this 
61.1 	or any other duty imposed by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction 
61.2 	shall must forfeit office.
61.3 	(b) Willful violation of this chapter by any public employee constitutes just cause for 
61.4 	suspension without pay or dismissal of the public employee.
61.5 	(c) Where the matter relates to a voter registration application submitted electronically 
61.6 	through the secure website established in section 201.061, subdivision 1, alleged violations 
61.7 	of this chapter may be investigated and prosecuted in the county in which the individual 
61.8 	registered, updated a voter registration, or attempted to register.

61.9 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
61.10 		Subdivision 1.Application procedures. (a) Except as otherwise allowed by subdivision 
61.11 	2 or by section 203B.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (4);203B.11, subdivision 4,;
61.12 	or 203B.29, an application for absentee ballots for any election:
61.13 	(1) may be submitted in person at any time not later than the day before the election; or
61.14 	(2) must be received by electronic facsimile device, by email, by mail, or by an individual 
61.15 	delivering an application on behalf of another voter at any time not less than one day five 
61.16 	days before the day of that election.
61.17 	The county auditor shall prepare absentee ballot application forms in the format provided 
61.18 	by the secretary of state and shall furnish them to any person on request. By January 1 of 
61.19 	each even-numbered year, the secretary of state shall make the forms to be used available 
61.20 	to auditors through electronic means. An application submitted pursuant to this subdivision 
61.21 	shall be in writing. An application may be submitted in person, by electronic facsimile 
61.22 	device, by electronic mail, or by mail to:
61.23 	(1) the county auditor of the county where the applicant maintains residence; or
61.24 	(2) the municipal clerk of the municipality, or school district if applicable, where the 
61.25 	applicant maintains residence.
61.26 	(b) An absentee ballot application may alternatively be submitted electronically through 
61.27 	a secure website that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this purpose. After 
61.28 	5:00 p.m. seven days prior to a primary, general, or special election, the secretary of state 
61.29 	must replace the electronic application with information detailing the available options to 
61.30 	vote before and on the upcoming election day. Notwithstanding paragraph (d), the secretary 
61.31 	of state must require applicants using the website to submit the applicant's email address 
61.32 	and the applicant's:
62.1 	(1) verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, or Minnesota state identification card 
62.2 	number, or; and
62.3 	(2) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number.
62.4 	If an applicant does not possess both types of documents, the applicant must include the 
62.5 	number for one type of document and must affirmatively certify that the applicant does not 
62.6 	possess the other type of documentation. This paragraph does not apply to a town election 
62.7 	held in March.
62.8 	(c) An application submitted electronically under this paragraph (b) may only be 
62.9 	transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary of state has verified the 
62.10 	application information matches the information in a government database associated with 
62.11 	the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card number, or Social Security 
62.12 	number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable applications for evidence of 
62.13 	suspicious activity and must forward any such application to an appropriate law enforcement 
62.14 	agency for investigation.
62.15 	(d) An application shall be approved if it is timely received, signed and dated by the 
62.16 	applicant, contains the applicant's name and residence and mailing addresses, date of birth, 
62.17 	and at least one of the following:
62.18 	(1) the applicant's Minnesota driver's license number;
62.19 	(2) Minnesota state identification card number;
62.20 	(3) the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number; or
62.21 	(4) a statement that the applicant does not have any of these numbers.
62.22 	The county auditor or the municipal clerk or school district clerk, if applicable, must retain 
62.23 	all applications. For an application received after the deadline in paragraph (a), the official 
62.24 	in charge of the ballot board must, within one day of receipt of the application, attempt to 
62.25 	contact the applicant by telephone or email to notify the applicant of opportunities to vote 
62.26 	in the election. The official must document the attempts made to contact the applicant.
62.27 	(e) To be approved, the application must contain an oath that the information contained 
62.28 	on the form is accurate, that the applicant is applying on the applicant's own behalf, and 
62.29 	that the applicant is signing the form under penalty of perjury.
62.30 	(f) An applicant's full date of birth, Minnesota driver's license or state identification 
62.31 	number, and the last four digits of the applicant's Social Security number must not be made 
62.32 	available for public inspection. An application may be submitted to the county auditor or 
63.1 	municipal clerk by an electronic facsimile device. An application mailed or returned in 
63.2 	person to the county auditor or municipal clerk on behalf of a voter by a person other than 
63.3 	the voter must be deposited in the mail or returned in person to the county auditor or 
63.4 	municipal clerk within ten seven days after it has been dated by the voter and the application 
63.5 	must be received no later than six days before the election the deadline in paragraph (a).
63.6 	(g) An application under this subdivision may must contain an application under 
63.7 	subdivision 5 a space to apply to automatically receive an absentee ballot under subdivision 
63.8 	5.
63.9 	(h) For purposes of this section, "mail" means an absentee ballot application delivered 
63.10 	to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the United States Postal 
63.11 	Service or a commercial carrier.

63.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (g) is effective on January 1, 2026, as it applies to the 
63.13 	secretary of state's online absentee ballot website. Paragraph (g) is effective July 1, 2025, 
63.14 	as it applies to all other absentee ballot applications. The remainder of this section is effective 
63.15 	July 1, 2025.

63.16 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
63.17 		Subd. 4.Registration at time of application; updating registration. An eligible voter 
63.18 	who is not registered to vote or needs to update the voter's registration but who is otherwise 
63.19 	eligible to vote by absentee ballot may register or update a registration by including a 
63.20 	completed voter registration application with the absentee ballot. The individual shall must
63.21 	present proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the individual 
63.22 	who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots. A military voter, as defined in section 
63.23 	203B.01, may register in this manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, or 
63.24 	may register pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.

63.25 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
63.26 		Subdivision 1.Generally. The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer the 
63.27 	provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if:
63.28 	(1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them; or
63.29 	(2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to administer 
63.30 	them.
63.31 	The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the 
63.32 	administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121 and whether the 
64.1 	municipality's office will be designated an absentee voting location pursuant to section 
64.2 	203B.081, subdivision 1, or only for early voting pursuant to section 203B.081, subdivision 
64.3 	1a, or the alternative procedure pursuant to section 203B.081, subdivision 3.
64.4 	A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the 
64.5 	provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has been designated 
64.6 	by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county auditors that the 
64.7 	city will administer absentee voting. A clerk may only administer the provisions of sections 
64.8 	203B.04 to 203B.15 and 203B.30 if the clerk has technical capacity to access the statewide 
64.9 	voter registration system in the secure manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The 
64.10 	secretary of state must identify hardware, software, security, or other technical prerequisites 
64.11 	necessary to ensure the security, access controls, and performance of the statewide voter 
64.12 	registration system. A clerk must receive training approved by the secretary of state on the 
64.13 	use of the statewide voter registration system before administering this section. A clerk may 
64.14 	not use the statewide voter registration system until the clerk has received the required 
64.15 	training. The county auditor must notify the secretary of state of any municipal clerk who 
64.16 	will be administering the provisions of this section and the duties that the clerk will 
64.17 	administer.

64.18 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.06, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
64.19 		Subd. 4.Registration check. Upon receipt of an application for ballots, the county 
64.20 	auditor, municipal clerk, or election judge acting pursuant to section 203B.11, who receives 
64.21 	the application shall must determine whether the applicant is a registered voter. If the 
64.22 	applicant is not registered to vote or needs to update the voter's registration, the county 
64.23 	auditor, municipal clerk, or election judge shall must include a voter registration application 
64.24 	among the election materials provided to the applicant.

64.25 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
64.26 		Subdivision 1.Delivery of envelopes, directions. The county auditor or the municipal 
64.27 	clerk shall must prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a signature envelope, a ballot 
64.28 	envelope, and a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose 
64.29 	application for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The county auditor 
64.30 	or municipal clerk shall must provide first class postage for the return envelope. The 
64.31 	directions for casting an absentee ballot shall must be printed in at least 14-point bold type 
64.32 	with heavy leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the 
64.33 	directions in Braille or on audio file, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall must provide 
65.1 	them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall must prepare Braille and audio file 
65.2 	copies and make them available.
65.3 	When a voter registration application is sent to the applicant as provided in section 
65.4 	203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration application shall must include 
65.5 	instructions for registering to vote or updating a voter's registration.

65.6 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
65.7 		Subd. 3.Eligibility certificate. A certificate of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot 
65.8 	shall must be printed on the back of the signature envelope. The certificate shall must contain 
65.9 	space for the voter's Minnesota driver's license number, state identification number, or the 
65.10 	last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, or to indicate that the voter does not 
65.11 	have one of these numbers. The space must be designed to ensure that the voter provides 
65.12 	the same type of identification as provided on the voter's absentee ballot application for 
65.13 	purposes of comparison. The certificate must also contain a statement to be signed and 
65.14 	sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the requirements established by law 
65.15 	for voting by absentee ballot and space for a statement signed by a person who is at least 
65.16 	18 years of age on or before the day of the election and a citizen of the United States or by 
65.17 	a notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths stating that:
65.18 	(1) the ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;
65.19 	(2) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how they 
65.20 	were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter directed 
65.21 	another individual to mark them; and
65.22 	(3) if the voter was not previously registered or needed to update the voter's registration, 
65.23 	the voter has provided proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.

65.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2026.

65.25 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
65.26 		Subdivision 1.Marking and return by voter. (a) An eligible voter who receives absentee 
65.27 	ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions 
65.28 	for casting the absentee ballots. The return signature envelope containing marked ballots 
65.29 	may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left 
65.30 	with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, 
65.31 	or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the 
66.1 	return signature envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 
66.2 	8:00 p.m. on election day.
66.3 	(b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot 
66.4 	return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return
66.5 	signature envelope in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return signature envelopes 
66.6 	of not more than three voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers 
66.7 	with either the return signature envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail 
66.8 	or deliver the return signature envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty 
66.9 	of a misdemeanor.

66.10 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
66.11 		Subd. 3.Procedures on receipt of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a 
66.12 	county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
66.13 	signature envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked 
66.14 	space with other return signature envelopes received by that office. Within five days after 
66.15 	receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots
66.16 	signature envelopes received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an 
66.17 	election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots signature envelopes
66.18 	received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots Signature envelopes received on 
66.19 	election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or 
66.20 	municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.

66.21 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.081, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
66.22 		Subd. 4.Temporary locations. (a) A county auditor or municipal clerk authorized under 
66.23 	section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day may designate additional polling 
66.24 	places with days and hours that differ from those required by section 203B.085. A designation 
66.25 	authorized by this subdivision must be made at least 47 days before the election. As soon 
66.26 	as practicable and no later than five business days after designating an additional polling 
66.27 	place under this subdivision, the county auditor or municipal clerk must post on the county's 
66.28 	or municipality's website the address of the polling place and the dates and times the polling 
66.29 	place will be available for voting. The county auditor or municipal clerk must provide notice 
66.30 	to the secretary of state at the time that the designations are made. As soon as practicable 
66.31 	and no later than five business days after receiving the notice, the secretary of state must 
66.32 	post on the secretary of state's website the address of the polling place and the dates and 
66.33 	times the polling place will be available for voting.
67.1 	(b) At the request of a federally recognized Indian Tribe with a reservation or 
67.2 	off-reservation Tribal lands in the county, the county auditor must establish an additional 
67.3 	polling place for at least one day on the Indian reservation or off-reservation Tribal lands 
67.4 	on a site agreed upon by the Tribe and the county auditor that is accessible to the county 
67.5 	auditor by a public road.
67.6 	(c) At the request of a postsecondary institution or the student government organization 
67.7 	of a postsecondary institution in the county or municipality, the county auditor or a municipal 
67.8 	clerk authorized to administer absentee voting under section 203B.05 must establish an 
67.9 	additional temporary polling place for the state general election or the odd-year city general 
67.10 	election for at least one day at a location agreed upon by the institution and the county 
67.11 	auditor or municipal clerk that:
67.12 	(1) is accessible to the public;
67.13 	(2) satisfies the requirements of state and federal law; and
67.14 	(3) is on the institution's campus or is within one-half mile of the institution's campus 
67.15 	and is reasonably accessible to the institution's students.
67.16 	A request must be made no later than May 31 before an election and the request is valid 
67.17 	only for that election. This paragraph only applies to a postsecondary institution that provides 
67.18 	on-campus student housing to 100 or more students. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the 
67.19 	county auditor or municipal clerk from engaging in a dialogue with the entity that made the 
67.20 	request regarding potential alternative locations for a temporary polling place that does not 
67.21 	meet the requirements of clause (3). An entity that made a request for a temporary polling 
67.22 	place may withdraw its request by notifying the county auditor or municipal clerk.

67.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

67.24 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
67.25 		Subdivision 1.Generally. (a) Each full-time municipal clerk or school district clerk 
67.26 	who has authority under section 203B.05 to administer absentee voting laws must designate 
67.27 	election judges to deliver absentee ballots in accordance with this section. The county auditor 
67.28 	must also designate election judges to perform the duties in this section. A ballot may be 
67.29 	delivered only to an eligible voter who is a temporary or permanent resident or patient in 
67.30 	one of the following facilities located in the municipality in which the voter maintains 
67.31 	residence: a health care facility, hospital, or veterans home operated by the board of directors 
67.32 	of the Minnesota veterans homes under chapter 198. The ballots must be delivered by two 
67.33 	election judges, each of whom is affiliated with a different major political party. When the 
68.1 	election judges deliver or return ballots as provided in this section, they must travel together 
68.2 	in the same vehicle. Both election judges must be present when an applicant completes the 
68.3 	certificate of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as 
68.4 	provided in section 204C.15. The election judges must deposit the return envelopes containing 
68.5 	the marked absentee ballots in a sealed container and return them to the clerk on the same 
68.6 	day that they are delivered and marked.
68.7 	(b) If a health care professional at the facility or hospital determines it is necessary to 
68.8 	ensure the health and safety of election judges, the voter, or others at the facility or hospital, 
68.9 	two employees of the facility or hospital may receive a ballot from the election judges and 
68.10 	deliver the ballot to an individual voter in place of election judges, notwithstanding other 
68.11 	requirements of this section. The employees must not in any manner request, persuade, 
68.12 	induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to vote for any particular political party 
68.13 	or candidate. Both employees must be present when an applicant completes the certificate 
68.14 	of eligibility and marks the absentee ballots, and may assist an applicant as provided in 
68.15 	section 204C.15. The employees must return the ballot to the election judges immediately 
68.16 	after the voter has finished voting.
68.17 	(b) (c) At the discretion of a full-time municipal clerk, school district clerk, or county 
68.18 	auditor, absentee ballots may be delivered in the same manner as prescribed in paragraph 
68.19 	(a) to a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, or to an 
68.20 	assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G.

68.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

68.22 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
68.23 		Subd. 2.Duties of ballot board; absentee ballots. (a) The members of the ballot board 
68.24 	shall take possession of all signature envelopes delivered to them in accordance with section 
68.25 	203B.08. Upon receipt from the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk, 
68.26 	two or more members of the ballot board shall examine each signature envelope and shall 
68.27 	mark it accepted or rejected in the manner provided in this subdivision. Election judges 
68.28 	performing the duties in this section must be of different major political parties, unless they 
68.29 	are exempt from that requirement under section 204B.21, subdivision 2a; section 205.07, 
68.30 	subdivision 4; section 205.075, subdivision 4,; or section 205A.10, subdivision 2.
68.31 	(b) The members of the ballot board shall mark the signature envelope "Accepted" and 
68.32 	initial or sign the signature envelope below the word "Accepted" if a majority of the members 
68.33 	of the ballot board examining the envelope are satisfied that:
69.1 	(1) the voter's name and address on the signature envelope are the same as the information 
69.2 	provided on the absentee ballot application or voter record;
69.3 	(2) the voter signed the certification on the envelope;
69.4 	(3) the voter's Minnesota driver's license, state identification number, or the last four 
69.5 	digits of the voter's Social Security number are the same as a number on the voter's absentee 
69.6 	ballot application or voter record. If the number does not match, the election judges must 
69.7 	compare the signature provided by the applicant to determine whether the ballots were 
69.8 	returned by the same person to whom they were transmitted;
69.9 	(4) the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a properly 
69.10 	completed voter registration application in the signature envelope;
69.11 	(5) the certificate has been completed as prescribed in the directions for casting an 
69.12 	absentee ballot; and
69.13 	(6) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or, if it is after the 
69.14 	close of business on the 19th day before the election, as provided by section 203B.081.
69.15 	The signature envelope from accepted ballots must be preserved and returned to the 
69.16 	county auditor.
69.17 	(c)(1) If a majority of the members of the ballot board examining a signature envelope 
69.18 	find that an absentee voter has failed to meet one of the requirements provided in paragraph 
69.19 	(b), they shall mark the signature envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the word 
69.20 	"Rejected," list the reason for the rejection on the envelope, and return it to the county 
69.21 	auditor. There is no other reason for rejecting an absentee ballot beyond those permitted by 
69.22 	this section. Failure to place the ballot within the ballot envelope before placing it in the 
69.23 	outer white envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee ballot.
69.24 	(2) If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the envelope 
69.25 	must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board shall provide the voter with 
69.26 	a replacement absentee ballot and signature envelope in place of the rejected ballot.
69.27 	(3) If an envelope is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain 
69.28 	sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter to 
69.29 	notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected by the method or methods of 
69.30 	communication provided by the voter on the voter's application for an absentee ballot or 
69.31 	voter registration. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
69.32 	(d) The official in charge of the absentee ballot board must mail the voter a written notice 
69.33 	of absentee ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. If the official 
70.1 	determines that the voter has otherwise cast a ballot in the election, no notice is required. 
70.2 	If an absentee ballot arrives after the deadline for submission provided by this chapter, the 
70.3 	notice must be provided between six to ten weeks after receipt of the ballot. A notice of 
70.4 	absentee ballot rejection must contain the following information:
70.5 	(1) the date on which the absentee ballot was rejected or, if the ballot was received after 
70.6 	the required deadline for submission, the date on which the ballot was received;
70.7 	(2) the reason for rejection; and
70.8 	(3) the name of the appropriate election official to whom the voter may direct further 
70.9 	questions, along with appropriate contact information.
70.10 	(e) An absentee ballot signature envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or 
70.11 	subject to further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.

70.12 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
70.13 		Subd. 4.Opening of envelopes. (a) After the close of business on the 19th day before 
70.14 	the election, the ballots from secrecy ballot envelopes within the signature envelopes marked 
70.15 	"Accepted" may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, 
70.16 	subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate 
70.17 	ballot box. If more than one voted ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must 
70.18 	be returned in the manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and 
70.19 	may not be counted.
70.20 	(b) Accepted signature envelopes must be segregated by precinct and processed in 
70.21 	accordance with this subdivision on a precinct-by-precinct basis. Precincts within a combined 
70.22 	polling place established in section 205A.11, subdivision 2, may be processed together. At 
70.23 	each step, members of the ballot board must notify the official responsible for the ballot 
70.24 	board if there is a discrepancy in any count required by paragraphs (c) to (e) and note it in 
70.25 	the ballot board incident log.
70.26 	(c) Before opening accepted signature envelopes, two members of the ballot board must 
70.27 	count and record the number of envelopes and ensure that the count matches either the 
70.28 	number of accepted signature envelopes provided by the official responsible for the ballot 
70.29 	board or the number of signature envelopes accepted by the ballot board that day.
70.30 	(d) Two members of the ballot board must remove the ballots from the ballot envelopes. 
70.31 	The governing body responsible for the ballot board must retain all ballot envelopes through 
70.32 	the contest period of that election.
71.1 	(e) After ballots have been removed from the ballot envelopes, two members of the 
71.2 	ballot board must count and record the number of ballots to ensure the count matches the 
71.3 	number of accepted signature envelopes, accounting for any empty envelopes or spoiled 
71.4 	ballots, which must be noted on the ballot board incident log.

71.5 	Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
71.6 		Subd. 5.Storage and counting of absentee ballots. (a) On a day on which absentee 
71.7 	ballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members of the ballot board must:
71.8 	(1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;
71.9 	(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the 
71.10 	ballot box is equal to the number of voters whose absentee ballots were accepted from the 
71.11 	tally in subdivision 4 that were to be inserted into the ballot box that day; and
71.12 	(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of 
71.13 	the day.
71.14 	(b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board must 
71.15 	count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter and 
71.16 	the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general elections, 
71.17 	the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in each precinct 
71.18 	and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count must be recorded on a 
71.19 	summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in section 204C.26. The 
71.20 	ballot board shall must submit at least one completed summary statement to the county 
71.21 	auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may require the ballot 
71.22 	board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to comply with the 
71.23 	provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk may certify reports 
71.24 	containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the recipients of the summary 
71.25 	statements designated in section 204C.27.
71.26 	In state primary and state general elections, These vote totals shall must be added to the 
71.27 	vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other 
71.28 	elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of 
71.29 	returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.
71.30 	The count shall must be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before 
71.31 	the close of voting on election day.
71.32 	(c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been 
71.33 	completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but 
72.1 	no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee ballots 
72.2 	arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated and whose 
72.3 	ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee ballot submitted 
72.4 	by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All other accepted 
72.5 	absentee ballots must be opened in accordance with the procedures outlined in subdivision 
72.6 	4, except for the absentee ballots cast using the alternative procedure in section 203B.081, 
72.7 	subdivision 3, duplicated if necessary, and counted by members of the ballot board. The 
72.8 	vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into the totals with the other absentee 
72.9 	ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).

72.10 	Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
72.11 		Subd. 3.Website security. (a) The secretary of state shall maintain a log of each Internet 
72.12 	Protocol address used to submit an absentee ballot application electronically under this 
72.13 	section, and must monitor the log, volume of website use, and other appropriate indicators 
72.14 	for suspicious activity. Evidence of suspicious activity that cannot be resolved by the 
72.15 	secretary of state must be forwarded to an appropriate law enforcement agency for 
72.16 	investigation.
72.17 	(b) The electronic absentee ballot application system must be secure. The website shall 
72.18 	maintain the confidentiality of all users and preserve the integrity of the data submitted. 
72.19 	The secretary of state shall employ security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity 
72.20 	of absentee ballot applications submitted electronically pursuant to this section. All data 
72.21 	sent and received through the website must be encrypted.
72.22 	(c) The secretary of state must provide ongoing testing and monitoring to ensure continued 
72.23 	security. The secretary of state must work with the chief information officer as defined in 
72.24 	section 16E.01, subdivision 1, or another security expert to annually assess the security of 
72.25 	the system. The security assessment must include a certification signed by the secretary of 
72.26 	state that states that adequate security measures are in place. The certification must also be 
72.27 	signed by the chief information officer or another security expert affirming that the 
72.28 	assessment is accurate. The secretary of state must submit the security assessment to the 
72.29 	legislative auditor and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the 
72.30 	senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections by January 1 
72.31 	of each year, except that the first annual security assessment must be submitted by September 
72.32 	30, 2014, and no report is required for January 1, 2015.
73.1 	(d) In developing the electronic absentee ballot application system, the secretary of state 
73.2 	must consult with the chief information officer or the chief's designee to ensure the site is 
73.3 	secure.

73.4 	Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
73.5 		Subd. 2.Duties. (a) The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot 
73.6 	envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the 
73.7 	absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter 
73.8 	eligibility is not printed on the signature envelope, the certificate must be attached to the 
73.9 	ballot envelope.
73.10 	(b) The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the signature envelopes or 
73.11 	certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes and mark them 
73.12 	"accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been 
73.13 	rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered 
73.14 	spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter 
73.15 	with a replacement absentee ballot and envelopes in place of the spoiled ballot.
73.16 	(c) If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to 
73.17 	a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the 
73.18 	appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board, except as otherwise provided in this 
73.19 	paragraph. If a municipality and county agree that the county's ballot board retains 
73.20 	responsibility for ballots issued pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, absentee ballots 
73.21 	issued pursuant to these sections that are accepted must be opened, counted, and retained 
73.22 	by the county's absentee ballot board. The absentee ballot board with the authority to open 
73.23 	and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions 4 and 
73.24 	5.

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

73.26 	Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
73.27 		Subdivision 1.Emergency response providers. Any eligible Minnesota voter who is 
73.28 	a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in 
73.29 	response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any 
73.30 	governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for 
73.31 	absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate 
73.32 	of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly 
73.33 	completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must 
74.1 	electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee ballot application 
74.2 	deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this subdivision. The county 
74.3 	auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted 
74.4 	electronically.

74.5 	Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.29, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
74.6 		Subd. 2.Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability. Any eligible Minnesota 
74.7 	voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the 
74.8 	effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions, 
74.9 	and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible 
74.10 	format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements. 
74.11 	Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the 
74.12 	county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The absentee 
74.13 	ballot application deadlines in section 203B.04, subdivision 1, do not apply to this 
74.14 	subdivision. The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section 
74.15 	203B.07.

74.16 	Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
74.17 		Subd. 2.Voting procedure. (a) When a voter appears in an early voting polling place, 
74.18 	the voter must state the voter's name, address, and, if requested, the voter's date of birth to 
74.19 	the early voting official. The early voting official must confirm that the voter's registration 
74.20 	is current in the statewide voter registration system and that the voter has not already cast 
74.21 	a ballot in the election. If the voter's status is challenged, the voter may resolve the challenge 
74.22 	as provided in section 204C.12. An individual who is not registered to vote or must register 
74.23 	and a voter whose name or address has changed must register update the voter's registration
74.24 	in the manner provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3. A voter who has already cast a 
74.25 	ballot in the election must not be provided with a ballot.
74.26 	(b) Each voter must sign the certification provided in section 204C.10. The signature of 
74.27 	an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence 
74.28 	of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. After the voter signs the certification, 
74.29 	two early voting officials must initial the ballot and issue it to the voter. The voter must 
74.30 	immediately retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to 
74.31 	mark the ballot. The voter must not take a ballot from the polling place. If the voter spoils 
74.32 	the ballot, the voter may return it to the early voting official in exchange for a new ballot. 
74.33 	After completing the ballot, the voter must deposit the ballot into the ballot counter and 
75.1 	ballot box. The early voting official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the 
75.2 	manner provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.

75.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of 
75.4 	the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the 
75.5 	revisor of statutes receives the certification.

75.6 	Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
75.7 		Subd. 3.Processing of ballots. Each day when early voting occurs, the early voting 
75.8 	officials must:
75.9 	(1) remove and secure ballots cast during the early voting period following the procedures 
75.10 	in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (a)., noting the date, voting location, and 
75.11 	number of ballots cast;
75.12 	(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from the 
75.13 	ballot box is equal to the number of voter certificates that were signed by voters in subdivision 
75.14 	2, paragraph (b); and
75.15 	(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end of 
75.16 	the day.
75.17 	The absentee ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election 
75.18 	day following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).

75.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of 
75.20 	the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after the 85th day after the 
75.21 	revisor of statutes receives the certification.

75.22 	Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
75.23 		Subdivision 1.Form of affidavit. (a) An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of 
75.24 	the office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:
75.25 	(1) is an eligible voter;
75.26 	(2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary or 
75.27 	next ensuing general election, except as authorized by subdivision 9; and
75.28 	(3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have maintained 
75.29 	residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days before the 
75.30 	general election.
76.1 	(b) An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as 
76.2 	written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by 
76.3 	which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the community. and:
76.4 	(1) the phonetic spelling or an explanation for the pronunciation of the full name 
76.5 	designated for the ballot; or
76.6 	(2) a certification that the candidate is directing the official responsible for programming 
76.7 	materials for the election to use the applicable technology's default pronunciation of the 
76.8 	candidate's name.
76.9 	(c) An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the candidate's 
76.10 	political party or political principle, stated in three words or less.

76.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

76.12 	Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
76.13 		Subd. 1b.Address, electronic mail address, and telephone number. (a) An affidavit 
76.14 	of candidacy must state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An 
76.15 	affidavit must also state the candidate's or campaign's nongovernment issued electronic 
76.16 	mail address or an attestation that the candidate and the candidate's campaign do not possess 
76.17 	an electronic mail address. Except for affidavits of candidacy for (1) judicial office, (2) the 
76.18 	office of county attorney, or (3) county sheriff, an affidavit must also state the candidate's 
76.19 	current address of residence as determined under section 200.031, or at the candidate's 
76.20 	request in accordance with paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact address. When 
76.21 	filing the affidavit, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid 
76.22 	driver's license or state identification card that contains the candidate's current address of 
76.23 	residence, or documentation of proof of residence authorized for election day registration 
76.24 	in section 201.061, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2); clause (3), item (ii); or paragraph 
76.25 	(d). If an original bill is shown, the due date on the bill must be within 30 days before or 
76.26 	after the beginning of the filing period or, for bills without a due date, dated within 30 days 
76.27 	before the beginning of the filing period. If the address on the affidavit and the documentation 
76.28 	do not match, the filing officer must not accept the affidavit. The form for the affidavit of 
76.29 	candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if eligible, that the candidate's address of 
76.30 	residence be classified as private data, and to provide the certification required under 
76.31 	paragraph (c) for classification of that address.
76.32 	(b) If an affidavit for an office where a residency requirement must be satisfied by the 
76.33 	close of the filing period is filed as provided by paragraph (c), the filing officer must, within 
77.1 	one business day of receiving the filing, determine whether the address provided in the 
77.2 	affidavit of candidacy is within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. 
77.3 	For all other candidates who filed for an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied 
77.4 	by the close of the filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that 
77.5 	the filing officer receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this 
77.6 	paragraph, at any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the 
77.7 	filing officer must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is 
77.8 	within the area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer 
77.9 	determines that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer 
77.10 	must immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the 
77.11 	ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is subject 
77.12 	to judicial review under section 204B.44.
77.13 	(c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified as 
77.14 	private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate form 
77.15 	to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that either: 
77.16 	(1) a police report has been submitted, an order for protection has been issued, or the 
77.17 	candidate has a reasonable fear in regard to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's 
77.18 	family; or (2) the candidate's address is otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law. The 
77.19 	address of residence provided by a candidate who makes a request for classification on the 
77.20 	candidate's affidavit of candidacy and provides the certification required by this paragraph 
77.21 	is classified as private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be reviewed 
77.22 	by the filing officer as provided in this subdivision.
77.23 	(d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a 
77.24 	candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.

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

77.26 	Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
77.27 		Subd. 2.Petitions for presidential electors and alternates. (a) This subdivision section
77.28 	does not apply to candidates for presidential elector or alternate nominated by major political 
77.29 	parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector or alternate are certified under section 
77.30 	208.03. Other presidential electors or alternates are nominated by petition pursuant to this 
77.31 	section.
77.32 	(b) On petitions nominating presidential electors or alternates, the names of the candidates 
77.33 	for president and vice-president shall be added to the political party or political principle 
77.34 	stated on the petition. One petition may be filed to nominate a slate of presidential electors 
78.1 	equal in number to the number of electors to which the state is entitled and an alternate for 
78.2 	each elector nominee.
78.3 	(c) In addition to the petition, each nominated candidate must submit a signed, notarized 
78.4 	affidavit of candidacy for president or vice president that includes the following information:
78.5 	(1) the candidate's name in the form as it should appear on the ballot;
78.6 	(2) the candidate's campaign address, website, phone number, and email address;
78.7 	(3) the name of the political party or political principle stated on the petition;
78.8 	(4) the office sought by the candidate; and
78.9 	(5) a declaration that the candidate is aware of and will follow all applicable election 
78.10 	laws and campaign finance laws.

78.11 	Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
78.12 		Subd. 1a.Absent candidates. (a) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal 
78.13 	office who will be absent from the state during the filing period may submit a properly 
78.14 	executed affidavit of candidacy, the appropriate filing fee, and any necessary petitions in 
78.15 	person to the filing officer. The candidate shall state in writing the reason for being unable 
78.16 	to submit the affidavit during the filing period. The affidavit, filing fee, if any, and petitions 
78.17 	must be submitted to the filing officer during the seven days immediately preceding the 
78.18 	candidate's absence from the state. Nominating petitions may be signed during the 14 days 
78.19 	immediately preceding the date when the affidavit of candidacy is filed.
78.20 	(b) A candidate for special district, county, state, or federal office who will be absent 
78.21 	from the state during the entire filing period or who must leave the state for the remainder 
78.22 	of the filing period and who certifies to the secretary of state that the circumstances constitute 
78.23 	an emergency and were unforeseen, may submit a properly executed affidavit of candidacy 
78.24 	by facsimile device or by transmitting electronically a scanned image of the affidavit and 
78.25 	proof of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, to the secretary of state 
78.26 	during the filing period. The candidate shall state in writing the specific reason for being 
78.27 	unable to submit the affidavit by mail or by hand during the filing period or in person prior 
78.28 	to the start of the filing period. The affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary 
78.29 	petitions must be received by the secretary of state by 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing. 
78.30 	If the candidate is filing for a special district or county office, the secretary of state shall 
78.31 	forward the affidavit of candidacy, filing fee, if any, and any necessary petitions to the 
78.32 	appropriate filing officer. Copies of a proof of residence submitted under this subdivision 
78.33 	are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.

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

79.2 	Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
79.3 		Subd. 2.Other elections. (a) Affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions for city, 
79.4 	town or other elective offices shall be filed during the time and with the official specified 
79.5 	in chapter 205 or other applicable law or charter, except as provided for a special district 
79.6 	candidate under subdivision 1a. Affidavits of candidacy and applications filed on behalf of 
79.7 	eligible voters for school board office shall be filed during the time and with the official 
79.8 	specified in chapter 205A or other applicable law. Affidavits of candidacy, including proof 
79.9 	of residence required in section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, and nominating petitions filed 
79.10 	under this subdivision must be submitted by mail or by hand, notwithstanding chapter 325L, 
79.11 	or any other law to the contrary, and must be received by the appropriate official within the 
79.12 	specified time for the filing of affidavits and petitions for the office. Copies of a proof of 
79.13 	residence submitted by mail are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, 
79.14 	subdivision 12.
79.15 	(b) The official receiving the filing shall notify the official responsible for preparing the 
79.16 	ballot of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, or 
79.17 	other information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
79.18 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
79.19 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
79.20 	notification timeline.

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

79.22 	Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
79.23 		Subd. 3.Write-in candidates. (a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office who 
79.24 	wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the 
79.25 	filing office for the office sought not more than 84 days before the primary and no later 
79.26 	than the seventh 19th day before the general election. The filing officer shall provide copies 
79.27 	of the form to make the request. The filing officer shall not accept a written request later 
79.28 	than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing a written request.
79.29 	(b) The governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city may adopt a resolution 
79.30 	governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may:
80.1 	(1) require the candidate to file a written request with the chief election official no later 
80.2 	than the seventh 19th day before the city election if the candidate wants to have the 
80.3 	candidate's write-in votes individually recorded; or
80.4 	(2) require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded 
80.5 	if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest 
80.6 	number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate.
80.7 	If the governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city adopts a resolution authorized 
80.8 	by this paragraph, the resolution must be adopted and the city clerk must notify the county 
80.9 	auditor before the first day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph 
80.10 	remains in effect until a subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the 
80.11 	governing body of the statutory or home rule charter city.
80.12 	(c) The governing body of a township, school district, hospital district, park district, soil 
80.13 	and water district, or other ancillary elected district may adopt a resolution governing the 
80.14 	counting of write-in votes for local elective office. The resolution may require that write-in 
80.15 	votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in 
80.16 	votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for 
80.17 	a ballot candidate. If a governing body adopts a resolution authorized by this paragraph, 
80.18 	the resolution must be adopted and the clerk must notify the county auditor before the first 
80.19 	day of filing for office. A resolution adopted under this paragraph remains in effect until a 
80.20 	subsequent resolution on the same subject is adopted by the governing body.
80.21 	(d) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this 
80.22 	subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice president of the United States. 
80.23 	The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector. 
80.24 	The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not 
80.25 	exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential election.
80.26 	(e) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly 
80.27 	with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for lieutenant governor. A 
80.28 	candidate for lieutenant governor who files a request under this subdivision must file jointly 
80.29 	with another individual seeking nomination as a candidate for governor.

80.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on January 1, 2026.

80.31 	Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
80.32 		Subd. 2.Separate precincts; combined polling place. (a) The following shall constitute 
80.33 	at least one election precinct:
81.1 	(1) each city ward; and
81.2 	(2) each town and each statutory city.
81.3 	(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than 
81.4 	November 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the following 
81.5 	year or May 1 of any other year:
81.6 	(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more 
81.7 	than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;
81.8 	(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;
81.9 	(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan 
81.10 	area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county; 
81.11 	or
81.12 	(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.
81.13 	Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place 
81.14 	may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency.
81.15 	A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be 
81.16 	filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body, and the 
81.17 	county auditor must provide notice within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner 
81.18 	and including information prescribed by the secretary of state. A polling place combined 
81.19 	under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality. 
81.20 	A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each 
81.21 	participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the 
81.22 	noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined 
81.23 	polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no 
81.24 	later than October 1 if a presidential nomination primary is scheduled to occur in the 
81.25 	following year or April 1 of any other year, and the county auditor must provide notice 
81.26 	within ten days to the secretary of state, in a manner and including information prescribed 
81.27 	by the secretary of state.
81.28 	The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct 
81.29 	served by the combined polling place, except that. In a precinct that uses electronic rosters,
81.30 	the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct and the election 
81.31 	official responsible for the electronic rosters may combine the files as necessary to be loaded 
81.32 	onto one or more electronic rosters, provided that the requirements under section 201.225, 
81.33 	subdivision 2, are met. A single set of election judges may be appointed to serve at a 
82.1 	combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be based on the total 
82.2 	number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to be voting at the 
82.3 	combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the ballots from each 
82.4 	precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each precinct served by 
82.5 	the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under clause (2) where 
82.6 	one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the results of that 
82.7 	precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state.
82.8 	(c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the 
82.9 	safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent, 
82.10 	the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant 
82.11 	to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the 
82.12 	election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that:
82.13 	(1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election 
82.14 	day;
82.15 	(2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling 
82.16 	place under this paragraph;
82.17 	(3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish 
82.18 	the combined polling place;
82.19 	(4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved 
82.20 	by the local election official of each participating municipality;
82.21 	(5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the 
82.22 	secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination 
82.23 	and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections 
82.24 	official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of 
82.25 	the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's website, 
82.26 	if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request 
82.27 	that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location 
82.28 	of the combined polling place; and
82.29 	(6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a 
82.30 	conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating 
82.31 	the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the 
82.32 	notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as 
82.33 	provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to 
82.34 	section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph 
83.1 	must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be 
83.2 	extended until the specified time.

83.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

83.4 	Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.14, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
83.5 		Subd. 4a.Municipal boundary adjustment procedure. A change in the boundary of 
83.6 	an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a municipal boundary adjustment made 
83.7 	under chapter 414 that is effective more than 21 46 days before a regularly scheduled election 
83.8 	takes effect at the scheduled election.
83.9 	A change in the boundary of an election precinct that has occurred as a result of a 
83.10 	municipal boundary adjustment made under chapter 414 that is effective less than 21 46  or 
83.11 	fewer days before a regularly scheduled election takes effect the day after the scheduled 
83.12 	election.

83.13 	Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.16, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
83.14 		Subd. 1a.Notice to voters. (a) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the 
83.15 	governing body establishing the polling place shall send to every affected household with 
83.16 	at least one registered voter in the precinct a nonforwardable mailed notice stating the 
83.17 	location of the new polling place at least 25 days before the next election. The secretary of 
83.18 	state shall prepare a sample of this notice. A notice that is returned as undeliverable must 
83.19 	be forwarded immediately to the county auditor. This subdivision does not apply to a polling 
83.20 	place location that is changed on election day under section 204B.175.
83.21 	(b) If the location of a polling place has been changed, the local official for the governing 
83.22 	body establishing the polling place must post a notice in large print and in a conspicuous 
83.23 	place at the closed polling place, if practical, stating the location of the new polling place. 
83.24 	The local election official must also post the notice, if practical, in a location visible by 
83.25 	voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. 
83.26 	The notice must be in all languages required under section 204B.295 for that precinct. The 
83.27 	notice must be posted for each special, primary, and general election until a November 
83.28 	presidential election or redistricting has occurred. The secretary of state shall prepare a 
83.29 	sample of this notice.

83.30 	Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.175, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
83.31 		Subd. 3.Notice. (a) Upon making the determination to relocate a polling place, the local 
83.32 	election official must immediately notify the county auditor and the secretary of state. The 
84.1 	notice must include the reason for the relocation and the reason for the location of the new 
84.2 	polling place. As soon as possible, the local election official must also post a notice stating 
84.3 	the reason for the relocation and the location of the new polling place. The notice must also 
84.4 	be posted on the website of the public body, if there is one. The local election official must 
84.5 	also notify the election judges and request that local media outlets publicly announce the 
84.6 	reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place. If the relocation occurs more 
84.7 	than 14 days prior to the election, the local election official must mail a notice to the impacted 
84.8 	voters of the reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place.
84.9 	(b) On election day, the local election official must post a notice in large print in a 
84.10 	conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating 
84.11 	the location of the new polling place. The local election official must also post the notice, 
84.12 	if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided 
84.13 	in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to section 
84.14 	204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph must 
84.15 	include a statement that the polling place hours at the new polling place will be extended 
84.16 	until the specified time. Notices required by this paragraph must be in all languages required 
84.17 	under section 204B.295 for that precinct.

84.18 	Sec. 54. [204B.182] CHAIN OF CUSTODY PLANS.
84.19 	(a) The county auditor must develop a county elections chain of custody plan to be used 
84.20 	in all state, county, municipal, school district, and special district elections held in that 
84.21 	county. If any of the political subdivisions cross county lines, the affected counties must 
84.22 	make efforts to ensure that the elections chain of custody procedures affecting the local 
84.23 	jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. County auditors must file the elections 
84.24 	chain of custody plans with the secretary of state.
84.25 	(b) The chain of custody plan must account for both the physical and cyber security of 
84.26 	elections-related materials.  The plan must include sample chain of custody documentation.
84.27 	(c) The secretary of state may provide additional guidance to counties on elections chain 
84.28 	of custody best practices and planning.
84.29 	(d) A municipal clerk, school district clerk, or special district clerk must utilize either 
84.30 	the county chain of custody plan or create a local chain of custody plan for use in local 
84.31 	elections not held in conjunction with federal, state, or county elections that meets or exceeds 
84.32 	the requirements of the county elections chain of custody plan. Any plan adopted under this 
84.33 	paragraph must be adopted and filed with the secretary of state and the county auditor at 
84.34 	least 84 days before the first election in which it will be used.
85.1 	(e) Each political subdivision clerk who develops a local elections chain of custody plan 
85.2 	pursuant to paragraph (d) and each county auditor must review their respective elections 
85.3 	chain of custody plan prior to each state primary election. Any revisions to the elections 
85.4 	chain of custody plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by June 1 prior 
85.5 	to the state primary election.

85.6 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
85.7 	county auditors must file an elections chain of custody plan with the secretary of state by 
85.8 	June 1, 2026.

85.9 	Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
85.10 		Subdivision 1.Appointment lists; duties of political parties and secretary of state. (a) 
85.11 	On May March 1 in a year in which there is an election for a partisan political office, each 
85.12 	major political party shall must prepare a list of eligible voters who have indicated within 
85.13 	the last 24 months they are willing to act as election judges in each election precinct. The 
85.14 	list provided by the party must indicate:
85.15 	(1) which eligible voters are willing to travel to a precinct outside of their home 
85.16 	jurisdiction to act as an election judge, and the jurisdictions to which each eligible voter is 
85.17 	willing to travel for that purpose;
85.18 	(2) which eligible voters are willing to serve on a ballot board; and
85.19 	(3) each eligible voter's residential address, telephone number, and email address, along 
85.20 	with the date the eligible voter indicated their willingness to act as an election judge.
85.21 	(b) The political parties shall must furnish the lists electronically to the secretary of state, 
85.22 	in a format specified by the secretary of state. The secretary of state must combine the data 
85.23 	received from each political party under this subdivision and must process the data to locate 
85.24 	the precinct in which the address provided for each potential election judge is located. If 
85.25 	the data submitted by a political party is insufficient for the secretary of state to locate the 
85.26 	proper precinct or does not include the eligible voter's telephone number, email address, 
85.27 	and date the eligible voter indicated their willingness to act as an election judge, the 
85.28 	associated name must not appear in any list forwarded to an appointing authority under this 
85.29 	subdivision. The secretary of state shall must notify political parties of any proposed election 
85.30 	judges with addresses that could not be located in a precinct.
85.31 	(c) By May March 15, the secretary of state shall must furnish electronically to the 
85.32 	county auditor a list of the appropriate names for each election precinct and ballot board in 
85.33 	the jurisdiction of the appointing authority, and a list of the names of individuals residing 
86.1 	outside of the jurisdiction who indicated a willingness to travel to that jurisdiction to act as 
86.2 	an election judge, noting the political party affiliation of each individual on the list. The 
86.3 	county auditor must promptly forward the appropriate names to the appropriate municipal 
86.4 	clerk within seven days of receipt.

86.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

86.6 	Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
86.7 		Subd. 2.Appointing authority; powers and duties. (a) Election judges for precincts 
86.8 	in a municipality shall and for a municipality's ballot board must be appointed by the 
86.9 	governing body of the municipality. Election judges for a county ballot board, for precincts 
86.10 	in unorganized territory, and for performing other election-related duties assigned by the 
86.11 	county auditor shall must be appointed by the county board. Election judges for a precinct 
86.12 	composed of two or more municipalities must be appointed by the governing body of the 
86.13 	municipality or municipalities responsible for appointing election judges as provided in the 
86.14 	agreement to combine for election purposes. Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
86.15 	appointments shall be made from the list of voters who maintain residence in each precinct, 
86.16 	furnished pursuant to subdivision 1, subject to the eligibility requirements and other 
86.17 	qualifications established or authorized under section 204B.19. At least two election judges 
86.18 	in each precinct must be affiliated with different major political parties. If no lists have been 
86.19 	furnished or if additional election judges are required after all listed names in that 
86.20 	municipality have been exhausted, the appointing authority may appoint other individuals 
86.21 	who meet the qualifications to serve as an election judge, including persons on the list 
86.22 	furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 who indicated a willingness to travel to the municipality, 
86.23 	and persons who are not affiliated with a major political party. Election judges must meet 
86.24 	all eligibility requirements and other qualifications established or authorized under section 
86.25 	204B.19.
86.26 	(b) At least two election judges in each precinct and serving on the ballot board must 
86.27 	be affiliated with different major political parties.
86.28 	(c) Within 30 days of receipt of the list furnished pursuant to this section, the appointing 
86.29 	authority must contact each voter who maintains residence in the jurisdiction about their 
86.30 	interest in serving as an election judge in the next 24 months. The communication must:
86.31 	(1) identify the opportunities available for the person to serve as an election judge;
87.1 	(2) include the qualifications necessary to serve as an election judge, information about 
87.2 	the required training, and the dates and times at which the person must be available to 
87.3 	perform those duties; and
87.4 	(3) explain how the person may apply for appointment as an election judge.
87.5 	Any person on the list furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 who does not respond to the 
87.6 	appointing authority within 14 days or does not apply to become an election judge and 
87.7 	complete election judge training before the next state general election is deemed to have 
87.8 	waived their interest in appointment to any election judge position.
87.9 	(d) Prior to each election, when appointing election judges, an appointing authority must 
87.10 	first exhaust the list of individuals who responded to the communication in paragraph (c) 
87.11 	who maintain residence in each precinct or, for appointment to a ballot board, who maintain 
87.12 	residence in a jurisdiction covered by the ballot board. An appointing authority may exhaust 
87.13 	the list furnished pursuant to subdivision 1 by contacting each person once who appears on 
87.14 	the list. This communication must include the specific dates, times, and locations at which 
87.15 	the person must be available to perform the various duties. Any individual from the list who 
87.16 	does not respond within seven days to express an availability to serve is deemed to have 
87.17 	waived interest in serving for that election. For legislative special elections, this period is 
87.18 	shortened to three days.
87.19 	(e) If no lists have been furnished, or when lists have been furnished, after the processes 
87.20 	in paragraphs (c) and (d) are complete, an appointing authority may appoint other individuals 
87.21 	who meet the qualifications to serve as an election judge.
87.22 	(f) An individual who is appointed from a source other than the list furnished pursuant 
87.23 	to subdivision 1 must provide to the appointing authority the individual's major political 
87.24 	party affiliation or a statement that the individual does not affiliate with any major political 
87.25 	party. An individual who refuses to provide the individual's major political party affiliation 
87.26 	or a statement that the individual does not affiliate with a major political party must not be 
87.27 	appointed as an election judge.
87.28 	(g) The appointments shall must be made at least 25 days before the election at which 
87.29 	the election judges will serve, except that the appointing authority may pass a resolution 
87.30 	authorizing the appointment of additional election judges within the 25 days before the 
87.31 	election if the appointing authority determines that additional election judges will be required.

87.32 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

88.1 	Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.21, is amended by adding a subdivision 
88.2 	to read:
88.3 		Subd. 2a.Election judges; party balance. The provisions of sections 204B.19, 
88.4 	subdivision 5; 204B.21, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) to (f); 204C.15; 204C.19; 206.83; 
88.5 	and 206.86, subdivision 2, relating to party balance in the appointment of judges and to 
88.6 	duties to be performed by judges of different major political parties do not apply to a county 
88.7 	election not held in conjunction with a state or federal election.

88.8 	Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.24, is amended to read:
88.9 	204B.24 ELECTION JUDGES; OATH.
88.10 	Each election judge shall sign the following oath before assuming the duties of the office:
88.11 	"I .......... solemnly swear (or affirm) that:
88.12 	(1) I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability 
88.13 	and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election.
88.14 	(2) I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an 
88.15 	advantage for my party or for any candidate.
88.16 	(3) In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.075, I will not share information 
88.17 	about voting that I know to be materially false and will not intentionally hinder, interfere 
88.18 	with, or prevent a person from voting, registering to vote, or aiding another person in casting 
88.19 	a ballot or registering to vote, except as specifically required by law."
88.20 	The oath shall be attached to the summary statement of the election returns of that 
88.21 	precinct. If there is no individual present who is authorized to administer oaths, the election 
88.22 	judges may administer the oath to each other.

88.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

88.24 	Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.25, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
88.25 		Subd. 3.Trained election judges; number required. Each election precinct in which 
88.26 	less than 100 individuals voted at the last state general election shall have at least two 
88.27 	election judges who are members of different major political parties who have received 
88.28 	training as required in this section. In every other election precinct, No individual may serve 
88.29 	as an election judge who has not received training as required by subdivision 1.

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

89.1 	Sec. 60. [204B.275] ELECTION REPORTING SYSTEM.
89.2 		Subdivision 1.Definition. "Election reporting system" means the computerized central 
89.3 	statewide database for offices, candidates, ballot questions, and unofficial results developed 
89.4 	and maintained by the secretary of state. The system facilitates the collection, aggregation, 
89.5 	reporting, and secure sharing of unofficial election results to the public.
89.6 		Subd. 2.Authority. The secretary of state must maintain an election reporting system 
89.7 	as provided in this section.
89.8 		Subd. 3.Entry of names. (a) For federal and state elections, the county auditor must 
89.9 	enter in the election reporting system the names of all candidates who have filed for office 
89.10 	with the county auditor no later than one day after the filing is received. Within one day of 
89.11 	receiving notification and no later than one day after the withdrawal period closes, the 
89.12 	county auditor must enter in the election reporting system the names of candidates for city, 
89.13 	town, school district, or other elective office for which the county auditor has been notified. 
89.14 	For any candidate who files by nominating petition or a petition in place of filing fee, the 
89.15 	county auditor must enter in the election reporting system the name of the candidate within 
89.16 	one day after the petition has been reviewed and determined to meet all legal requirements.
89.17 	(b) The secretary of state must enter in the election reporting system the names of all 
89.18 	candidates who have filed for office with the secretary of state no later than one day after 
89.19 	the filing is received. For any candidate who files by nominating petition or a petition in 
89.20 	place of filing fee, the secretary of state must enter in the election reporting system the name 
89.21 	of the candidate within one day after the petition has been reviewed and determined to meet 
89.22 	all legal requirements.
89.23 		Subd. 4.Results reporting testing. At least seven days prior to any federal or state 
89.24 	primary, general, or special election, the county auditor must test the results reporting 
89.25 	functions in the election reporting system maintained by the secretary of state. The test must 
89.26 	include the entry of vote totals for all candidates or ballot question responses within each 
89.27 	contest or ballot question, and the county auditor must verify that the predetermined test 
89.28 	results are displayed. The county auditor must report to the secretary of state that the test 
89.29 	has been conducted, and no errors are apparent. If errors occur during the test, the county 
89.30 	auditor must work with the secretary of state to resolve all issues and retest until resolved.
89.31 		Subd. 5.Reporting results. For federal and state elections, as soon as practicable after 
89.32 	delivery of the returns, the county auditor must report all unofficial election results in the 
89.33 	elections reporting system.
90.1 		Subd. 6.Unofficial results. Results reported to the election reporting system are unofficial 
90.2 	results. Election results are not official until after the canvassing board certifies the result 
90.3 	of the election.

90.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective on June 1, 2025.

90.5 	Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
90.6 		Subd. 2.Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks. (a) Except as 
90.7 	otherwise provided in this section and for absentee ballots in section 204B.35, subdivision 
90.8 	4, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which the 
90.9 	auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general election. 
90.10 	At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor but not later 
90.11 	than four days the day before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from the county 
90.12 	auditor:
90.13 	(1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;
90.14 	(2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;
90.15 	(3) any other instructions for election officers; and
90.16 	(4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for ballot 
90.17 	returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to comply with 
90.18 	the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may furnish the election 
90.19 	supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are furnished to precincts 
90.20 	in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
90.21 	(b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early 
90.22 	voting to municipal clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05 on 
90.23 	or before the 19th day before the election.

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

90.25 	Sec. 62. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.44, is amended to read:
90.26 	204B.44 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS; REMEDY.
90.27 	(a) Any individual may file a petition in the manner provided in this section for the 
90.28 	correction of any of the following errors, omissions, or wrongful acts which have occurred 
90.29 	or are about to occur:
91.1 	(1) an error or omission in the placement or printing of the name or description of any 
91.2 	candidate or any question on any official ballot, including the placement of a candidate on 
91.3 	the official ballot who is not eligible to hold the office for which the candidate has filed;
91.4 	(2) any other error in preparing or printing any official ballot;
91.5 	(3) failure of the chair or secretary of the proper committee of a major political party to 
91.6 	execute or file a certificate of nomination;
91.7 	(4) any wrongful act, omission, or error of any election judge, municipal clerk, county 
91.8 	auditor, canvassing board or any of its members, the secretary of state, or any other individual 
91.9 	charged with any duty concerning an election.
91.10 	(b) The petition shall describe the error, omission, or wrongful act and the correction 
91.11 	sought by the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with any judge of the supreme court in 
91.12 	the case of an election for state or federal office or any judge of the district court in that 
91.13 	county in the case of an election for county, municipal, or school district office. The petitioner 
91.14 	shall serve a copy of the petition on the officer, board or individual charged with the error, 
91.15 	omission, or wrongful act, on all candidates for the office in the case of an election for state, 
91.16 	federal, county, municipal, or school district office, and on any other party as required by 
91.17 	the court. Upon receipt of the petition the court shall immediately set a time for a hearing 
91.18 	on the matter and order the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission or 
91.19 	wrongful act to correct the error or wrongful act or perform the duty or show cause for not 
91.20 	doing so. In the case of a review of a candidate's eligibility to hold office, the court may 
91.21 	order the candidate to appear and present sufficient evidence of the candidate's eligibility. 
91.22 	The court shall issue its findings and a final order for appropriate relief as soon as possible 
91.23 	after the hearing. Failure to obey the order is contempt of court.
91.24 	(c) Any service required by this section on a candidate may be accomplished by electronic 
91.25 	mail sent to the address the candidate provided on their affidavit of candidacy pursuant to 
91.26 	section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, or by any other means permitted by law.
91.27 	(d) If all candidates for an office and the officer, board, or individual charged with the 
91.28 	error, omission, or wrongful act unanimously agree in writing:
91.29 	(1) that an error, omission, or wrongful act occurred; and
91.30 	(2) on the appropriate correction for the error, omission, or wrongful act,
91.31 	then the officer, board, or individual charged with the error, omission, or wrongful act must 
91.32 	correct the error in the manner agreed to without an order from the court. Such agreement 
91.33 	must address, at a minimum, how the correction will take place and, if the correction involves 
92.1 	a change to a ballot, how voters who have received or returned an incomplete ballot will 
92.2 	be notified of the change and what, if any, steps voters who have returned an incorrect ballot 
92.3 	can take to receive a corrected replacement ballot.
92.4 	The officer, board, or individual must notify the secretary of state in writing of the error 
92.5 	and proposed correction within one business day of receiving notification of the candidate's 
92.6 	written agreement and must not distribute any ballots reflecting the proposed correction for 
92.7 	two business days unless the secretary of state waives this notice period. Nothing in this 
92.8 	paragraph shall be construed to preclude any person from filing a petition under this section 
92.9 	alleging that the written agreement constitutes an error, omission, or wrongful act that 
92.10 	requires correction by the court.
92.11 	(e) Any candidate for an office who does not enter into an agreement under paragraph 
92.12 	(d) and who does not prevail at any subsequent proceeding involving a petition filed under 
92.13 	this section must pay the costs and disbursements of the prevailing party or parties unless 
92.14 	the court determines that the candidate's position was substantially justified or such costs 
92.15 	and disbursements would impose undue hardship or otherwise be inequitable.
92.16 	(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an official may correct any 
92.17 	official ballot without order from the court if the ballot is not in compliance with sections 
92.18 	204B.35 to 204B.37 or any rules promulgated under sections 204B.35 to 204B.37.

92.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

92.20 	Sec. 63. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
92.21 		Subd. 2.Procedure; voting prior to election day. Notice of the election and the special 
92.22 	mail procedure must be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days 
92.23 	nor later than 14 28 days before a regularly scheduled any election and not more than 30 
92.24 	days nor later than 14 days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by 
92.25 	nonforwardable mail to all voters registered in the city, town, or unorganized territory. No 
92.26 	later than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots 
92.27 	to those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before 
92.28 	the election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for 
92.29 	ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, 
92.30 	must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or 
92.31 	in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot 
92.32 	board to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" 
92.33 	or "rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, 
92.34 	or within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board 
93.1 	may consist of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received training 
93.2 	in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with a major 
93.3 	political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of different 
93.4 	major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 204B.21, 
93.5 	subdivision 2a; 205.07, subdivision 4;205.075, subdivision 4,; or section205A.10. If an 
93.6 	envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope 
93.7 	must remain sealed and the auditor or clerk shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot 
93.8 	and return envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days 
93.9 	of the election, the envelope must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board 
93.10 	must attempt to contact the voter by telephone or email to notify the voter that the voter's 
93.11 	ballot has been rejected. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.
93.12 	If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to 
93.13 	indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business 
93.14 	on the 19th day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" 
93.15 	may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86, subdivision 
93.16 	5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.
93.17 	In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing deposit 
93.18 	and counting of ballots apply.
93.19 	The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported as 
93.20 	one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before the 
93.21 	close of voting on election day.
93.22 	The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter 
93.23 	maintains residence. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be 
93.24 	counted.

93.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective November 15, 2025, for elections held 
93.26 	on or after January 1, 2026.

93.27 	Sec. 64. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
93.28 		Subd. 2.Voters in line at closing. (a) At or before the hour when voting is scheduled 
93.29 	to begin, the election judges shall must agree upon the standard of time they will use to 
93.30 	determine when voting will begin and end. Voting shall must not be allowed after the time 
93.31 	when it is scheduled to end, unless individuals are waiting in the polling place or waiting 
93.32 	in line at the door to register, to update the voter's registration, or to vote. The voting shall
93.33 	must continue until those individuals have been allowed to vote. No An individual who 
94.1 	comes to the polling place or to a line outside the polling place after the time when voting 
94.2 	is scheduled to end shall must not be allowed to vote.
94.3 	(b) The local election official may extend polling place hours to accommodate voters 
94.4 	that would have been in line at the regular polling place if the polling place had not been 
94.5 	combined or moved on election day pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or 204B.175. 
94.6 	Polling place hours may be extended at the new polling place for one hour. The local election 
94.7 	official must immediately provide notice to the county auditor, secretary of state, and election 
94.8 	judges of the extension in polling place hours. The local election official must also request 
94.9 	that the local media outlets publicly announce the extended polling place hours. Voters in 
94.10 	the polling place or waiting in line at the door to register, to update the voter's registration,
94.11 	or to vote at the end of the extended polling place hours shall must be allowed to vote 
94.12 	pursuant to paragraph (a).

94.13 	Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
94.14 		Subdivision 1.Persons allowed near polling place. An individual shall must be allowed 
94.15 	to go to and from the polling place for the purpose of voting without unlawful interference. 
94.16 	No one Except an election official or an individual who is waiting to register, to update the 
94.17 	voter's registration, or to vote or an individual who is conducting exit polling shall, an 
94.18 	individual must not stand within 100 feet of the building in which a polling place is located.

94.19 	Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
94.20 		Subd. 2.Individuals allowed in polling place; identification. (a) Representatives of 
94.21 	the secretary of state's office, the county auditor's office, and the municipal or school district 
94.22 	clerk's office may be present at the polling place to observe election procedures. Except for 
94.23 	these representatives, election judges, sergeants-at-arms, and challengers, an individual may 
94.24 	remain inside the polling place during voting hours only while voting or, updating the voter's 
94.25 	registration, registering to vote, providing proof of residence for an individual who is 
94.26 	registering to vote or updating a registration, or assisting a disabled voter with a disability 
94.27 	or a voter who is unable to read English. During voting hours no one except individuals 
94.28 	receiving, marking, or depositing ballots shall approach within six feet of a voting booth, 
94.29 	ballot counter, or electronic voting equipment, unless lawfully authorized to do so by an 
94.30 	election judge or the individual is an election judge monitoring the operation of the ballot 
94.31 	counter or electronic voting equipment.
95.1 	(b) Teachers and elementary or secondary school students participating in an educational 
95.2 	activity authorized by section 204B.27, subdivision 7, may be present at the polling place 
95.3 	during voting hours.
95.4 	(c) Each official on duty in the polling place must wear an identification badge that 
95.5 	shows their role in the election process. The badge must not show their party affiliation.

95.6 	Sec. 67. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.06, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
95.7 		Subd. 6.Peace officers. Except when summoned by an election judge to restore the 
95.8 	peace or when voting, updating a registration, or registering to vote, no peace officer shall 
95.9 	enter or remain in a polling place or stand within 50 feet of the entrance of a polling place.

95.10 	Sec. 68. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:
95.11 		Subd. 1d.Voter's Bill of Rights. The county auditor shall prepare and provide to each 
95.12 	polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set forth 
95.13 	in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall 
95.14 	post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill of Rights 
95.15 	is as follows:
95.16 	"VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS
95.17 	For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:
95.18 	(1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a state, federal, 
95.19 	or regularly scheduled election without reduction to your pay, personal leave, or vacation 
95.20 	time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place, cast a ballot, 
95.21 	and return to work.
95.22 	(2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the right 
95.23 	to vote.
95.24 	(3) If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register to 
95.25 	vote or to update your registration and to vote on election day.
95.26 	(4) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your identity 
95.27 	with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.
95.28 	(5) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.
95.29 	(6) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a person 
95.30 	of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.
96.1 	(7) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into the 
96.2 	voting booth with you.
96.3 	(8) You have the right to vote if you are not currently incarcerated for conviction of a 
96.4 	felony offense.
96.5 	(9) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court order 
96.6 	revokes your right to vote.
96.7 	(10) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to influence 
96.8 	your vote.
96.9 	(11) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the right 
96.10 	to receive a replacement ballot and vote.
96.11 	(12) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are 
96.12 	dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.
96.13 	(13) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.
96.14 	(14) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting booth 
96.15 	with you."

96.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment, except 
96.17 	that the change in clause (3) is effective January 1, 2026.

96.18 	Sec. 69. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
96.19 		Subdivision 1.Counting and initialing. (a) Before the voting begins, at least two election 
96.20 	judges must certify the number of ballots delivered to the precinct. Election judges may 
96.21 	conduct this count, presuming that the total count provided for prepackaged ballots is correct. 
96.22 	As each package is opened, two judges must count the ballots in the package to ensure that 
96.23 	the total count provided for the package is correct. Any discrepancy must be noted on the 
96.24 	incident log.
96.25 	(b) Before the voting begins, or as soon as possible after it begins, at least two election 
96.26 	judges shall each initial the backs of all the ballots. The election judges shall not otherwise 
96.27 	mark the ballots.

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

97.1 	Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.10, is amended to read:
97.2 	204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE; 
97.3 	VOTER RECEIPT.
97.4 	(a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature 
97.5 	certificate which states that the individual:
97.6 	(1) is at least 18 years old;
97.7 	(2) is a citizen of the United States;
97.8 	(3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;
97.9 	(4) maintains residence at the address or location shown;
97.10 	(5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to 
97.11 	vote;
97.12 	(6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;
97.13 	(7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual 
97.14 	is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;
97.15 	(8) is registered; and
97.16 	(9) has not already voted in the election.
97.17 	The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information 
97.18 	is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than 
97.19 	$10,000, or both."
97.20 	(b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I 
97.21 	am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to 
97.22 	vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a). 
97.23 	The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.
97.24 	(c) A judge may, before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, 
97.25 	confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth.
97.26 	(d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give 
97.27 	the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in 
97.28 	charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to 
97.29 	the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of 
97.30 	filing an election contest.
98.1 	(e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, an election judge 
98.2 	must ensure that the challenge is concealed or hidden from the view of any voter other than 
98.3 	the voter whose status is challenged.

98.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

98.5 	Sec. 71. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
98.6 		Subd. 2.Outside the polling place. An individual who is unable to enter a polling place 
98.7 	where paper ballots or an electronic voting system are used may register or update the voter's 
98.8 	registration and vote without leaving a motor vehicle. Upon request of the voter, two election 
98.9 	judges who are members of different major political parties shall must assist the voter to 
98.10 	register or to update a registration, as applicable, and to complete a voter's certificate and 
98.11 	shall must provide the necessary ballots. The voter may request additional assistance in 
98.12 	marking ballots as provided in subdivision 1.

98.13 	Sec. 72. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
98.14 		Subd. 3.Voting lines. In all polling places, upon request of the voter, two election judges 
98.15 	shall must assist a disabled voter with a disability to enter the polling place and go through 
98.16 	the registration and voting lines lines to register to vote or update the voter's registration, 
98.17 	as applicable, and to vote. The voter may also request the assistance of election judges or 
98.18 	any other individual in marking ballots, as provided in subdivision 1.

98.19 	Sec. 73. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
98.20 		Subdivision 1.Information requirements. Precinct summary statements shall must be 
98.21 	submitted by the election judges in every precinct. For all elections, the election judges 
98.22 	shall must complete three or more copies of the summary statements, and each copy shall
98.23 	must contain the following information for each kind of ballot:
98.24 	(1) the number of ballots delivered to the precinct as adjusted by the actual count made 
98.25 	by the election judges, the number of unofficial ballots made, and the number of absentee 
98.26 	ballots delivered to the precinct;
98.27 	(2) the number of votes each candidate received or the number of yes and no votes on 
98.28 	each question, the number of undervotes, the number of overvotes, and the number of 
98.29 	defective ballots with respect to each office or question;
99.1 	(3) the number of spoiled ballots, the number of duplicate ballots made, the number of 
99.2 	absentee ballots rejected, and the number of unused ballots, presuming that the total count 
99.3 	provided on each package of unopened prepackaged ballots is correct;
99.4 	(4) the number of voted ballots indicating only a voter's choices as provided by section 
99.5 	206.80, paragraph (b), clause (2), item (ii), in precincts that use an assistive voting device 
99.6 	that produces this type of ballot;
99.7 	(5) the number of individuals who voted at the election in the precinct which must equal 
99.8 	the total number of ballots cast in the precinct, as required by sections 204C.20 and 206.86, 
99.9 	subdivision 1;
99.10 	(6) the number of voters registering or updating registrations on election day in that 
99.11 	precinct;
99.12 	(7) the signatures of the election judges who counted the ballots certifying that all of the 
99.13 	ballots cast were properly piled, checked, and counted; and that the numbers entered by the 
99.14 	election judges on the summary statements correctly show the number of votes cast for each 
99.15 	candidate and for and against each question;
99.16 	(8) the number of election judges that worked in that precinct on election day; and
99.17 	(9) the number of voting booths used in that precinct on election day.
99.18 	At least two copies of the summary statement must be prepared for elections not held 
99.19 	on the same day as the state elections.

99.20 	Sec. 74. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.32, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
99.21 		Subdivision 1.County canvass. The county canvassing board shall must meet at the 
99.22 	county auditor's office on either the second or third day following the state primary. After 
99.23 	taking the oath of office, the canvassing board shall must publicly canvass the election 
99.24 	returns delivered to the county auditor. The board shall must complete the canvass by the 
99.25 	third day following the state primary and shall must promptly prepare and file with the 
99.26 	county auditor a report that states:
99.27 	(a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county, and in each precinct;
99.28 	(b) for each precinct, the number of individuals registering to vote or updating 
99.29 	registrations on election day and the number of individuals who were registered before 
99.30 	election day in each precinct and did not need to update the voter's registration;
99.31 	(c) for each major political party, the names of the candidates running for each partisan 
99.32 	office and the number of votes received by each candidate in the county and in each precinct;
100.1 	(d) the names of the candidates of each major political party who are nominated; and
100.2 	(e) the number of votes received by each of the candidates for nonpartisan office in each 
100.3 	precinct in the county and the names of the candidates nominated for nonpartisan office.
100.4 	Upon completion of the canvass, the county auditor shall must mail or deliver a notice 
100.5 	of nomination to each nominee for county office voted for only in that county. The county 
100.6 	auditor shall must transmit one of the certified copies of the county canvassing board report 
100.7 	for state and federal offices to the secretary of state by express mail or similar service 
100.8 	immediately upon conclusion of the county canvass. The secretary of state shall must mail 
100.9 	a notice of nomination to each nominee for state or federal office.

100.10 	Sec. 75. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 204C.33, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
100.11 		Subdivision 1.County canvass. The county canvassing board shall must meet at the 
100.12 	county auditor's office between the third and eighth days following the state general election. 
100.13 	After taking the oath of office, the board shall must promptly and publicly canvass the 
100.14 	general election returns delivered to the county auditor. Upon completion of the canvass, 
100.15 	the board shall must promptly prepare and file with the county auditor a report which states:
100.16 	(a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county and in each precinct;
100.17 	(b) for each precinct, the number of individuals registering to vote or updating 
100.18 	registrations on election day and the number of individuals who were registered before 
100.19 	election day in each precinct and did not need to update the voter's registration;
100.20 	(c) the names of the candidates for each office and the number of votes received by each 
100.21 	candidate in the county and in each precinct;
100.22 	(d) the number of votes counted for and against a proposed change of county lines or 
100.23 	county seat; and
100.24 	(e) the number of votes counted for and against a constitutional amendment or other 
100.25 	question in the county and in each precinct.
100.26 	The result of write-in votes cast on the general election ballots must be compiled by the 
100.27 	county auditor before the county canvass, except that write-in votes for a candidate for 
100.28 	federal, state, or county office must not be counted unless the candidate has timely filed a 
100.29 	request under section 204B.09, subdivision 3. The county auditor shall must arrange for 
100.30 	each municipality to provide an adequate number of election judges to perform this duty or 
100.31 	the county auditor may appoint additional election judges for this purpose. The county 
100.32 	auditor may open the envelopes or containers in which the voted ballots have been sealed 
101.1 	in order to count and record the write-in votes and must reseal the voted ballots at the 
101.2 	conclusion of this process. The county auditor must prepare a separate report of votes 
101.3 	received by precinct for write-in candidates for federal, state, and county offices who have 
101.4 	requested under section 204B.09 that votes for those candidates be tallied.
101.5 	Upon completion of the canvass, the county canvassing board shall must declare the 
101.6 	candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each county and state 
101.7 	office voted for only within the county. The county auditor shall must transmit a certified 
101.8 	copy of the county canvassing board report for state and federal offices to the secretary of 
101.9 	state by messenger, express mail, or similar service immediately upon conclusion of the 
101.10 	county canvass.

101.11 	Sec. 76. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
101.12 	read:
101.13 		Subd. 4.Election judges; party balance. The provisions of sections 204B.19, subdivision 
101.14 	5; 204B.21, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) to (f); 204C.15; 204C.19; 206.83; and 206.86, 
101.15 	subdivision 2, relating to party balance in the appointment of judges and to duties to be 
101.16 	performed by judges of different major political parties do not apply to a city election not 
101.17 	held in conjunction with a state or federal election.

101.18 	Sec. 77. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.075, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
101.19 		Subd. 4.Election judges; party balance. The provisions of sections 204B.19, subdivision 
101.20 	5; 204B.21, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) to (f); 204C.15; 204C.19; 206.83; and 206.86, 
101.21 	subdivision 2, relating to party balance in the appointment of judges and to duties to be 
101.22 	performed by judges of different major political parties do not apply to a town election not 
101.23 	held in conjunction with a statewide state or federal election.

101.24 	Sec. 78. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
101.25 		Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy. (a) An individual who is eligible and desires to 
101.26 	become a candidate for an office to be voted for at the municipal general election shall file 
101.27 	an affidavit of candidacy with the municipal clerk. Candidates for a special election to fill 
101.28 	a vacancy held as provided in section 412.02, subdivision 2a, must file an affidavit of 
101.29 	candidacy for the specific office to fill the unexpired portion of the term. Subject to the 
101.30 	approval of the county auditor, the town clerk may authorize candidates for township offices 
101.31 	to file affidavits of candidacy with the county auditor. The affidavit shall be in the same 
101.32 	form as that in section 204B.06. The municipal clerk shall also accept an application signed 
102.1 	by not less than five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the municipality whom 
102.2 	they desire to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the 
102.3 	candidate and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. Upon receipt of 
102.4 	the proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot 
102.5 	without partisan designation.
102.6 	(b) The municipal clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot of 
102.7 	the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other 
102.8 	information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
102.9 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
102.10 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
102.11 	notification timeline.

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

102.13 	Sec. 79. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.13, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
102.14 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In a city nominating candidates at a primary, an affidavit of 
102.15 	candidacy for a city office voted on in November must be filed no more than 84 days nor 
102.16 	less than 70 days before the city primary. In municipalities that do not hold a primary, an 
102.17 	affidavit of candidacy must be filed no more than 70 days and not less than 56 days before 
102.18 	the municipal general election held in March in any year, or a special election not held in 
102.19 	conjunction with another election, and no more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days 
102.20 	before the municipal general election held in November of any year. The municipal clerk's 
102.21 	office must be open for filing from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.

102.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

102.23 	Sec. 80. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205.185, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
102.24 		Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition. (a) Between 
102.25 	the third and tenth 14th days after an election, the governing body of a city conducting any 
102.26 	election including a special municipal election, or the governing body of a town conducting 
102.27 	the general election in November shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the returns, and 
102.28 	declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest number of votes for each 
102.29 	municipal office and the results of the election any ballot questions. The governing body 
102.30 	of a town conducting the general election in March shall act as the canvassing board, canvass 
102.31 	the returns, and shall declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest number 
102.32 	of votes for each town office and the results of the election any ballot question within two 
102.33 	days after an election.
103.1 	(b) After the time for contesting elections has passed, the municipal clerk shall issue a 
103.2 	certificate of election to each successful candidate. In case of a contest, the certificate shall 
103.3 	not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court.
103.4 	(c) In case of a tie vote, the canvassing board having jurisdiction over the municipality 
103.5 	shall determine the result by lot. The clerk of the canvassing board shall certify the results 
103.6 	of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots 
103.7 	and the returns of the election.

103.8 	Sec. 81. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
103.9 		Subdivision 1.Affidavit of candidacy. (a) An individual who is eligible and desires to 
103.10 	become a candidate for an office to be voted on at the election must file an affidavit of 
103.11 	candidacy with the school district clerk. The affidavit must be in the form prescribed by 
103.12 	section 204B.06. The school district clerk shall also accept an application signed by at least 
103.13 	five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the school district whom they desire 
103.14 	to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the candidate 
103.15 	and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. No individual shall be 
103.16 	nominated by nominating petition for a school district elective office. Upon receipt of the 
103.17 	proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot without 
103.18 	partisan designation.
103.19 	(b) The school district clerk shall notify the official responsible for preparing the ballot 
103.20 	of the names of the candidates placed on the ballot, any changes to candidates, and other 
103.21 	information necessary to prepare the ballot. The notification must be made within one 
103.22 	business day of receiving the filing or change or immediately following the close of the 
103.23 	filing period, whichever is sooner, unless the clerk and official agree to an alternative 
103.24 	notification timeline.

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

103.26 	Sec. 82. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.06, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
103.27 		Subd. 1a.Filing period. In school districts that have adopted a resolution to choose 
103.28 	nominees for school board by a primary election, affidavits of candidacy must be filed with 
103.29 	the school district clerk no earlier than the 84th day and no later than the 70th day before 
103.30 	the second Tuesday in August in the year when the school district general election is held. 
103.31 	In all other school districts, affidavits of candidacy must be filed no earlier than the 98th
103.32 	112th day and no later than the 84th 98th day before the school district general election.

104.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2026.

104.2 	Sec. 83. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
104.3 		Subd. 2.Election, conduct. A school district election must be by secret ballot and must 
104.4 	be held and the returns made in the manner provided for the state general election, as far as 
104.5 	practicable. The vote totals from a ballot board established pursuant to section 203B.121
104.6 	may be tabulated and reported by the school district as a whole rather than by precinct. For 
104.7 	school district elections not held in conjunction with a statewide election, the school board 
104.8 	shall appoint election judges as provided in section 204B.21, subdivision 2. The provisions 
104.9 	of sections 204B.19, subdivision 5; 204B.21, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) to (f); 204C.15; 
104.10 	204C.19; 206.83; and 206.86, subdivision 2, relating to party balance in appointment of 
104.11 	judges and to duties to be performed by judges of different major political parties do not 
104.12 	apply to school district elections not held in conjunction with a statewide state or federal
104.13 	election.

104.14 	Sec. 84. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
104.15 		Subd. 3.Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition. Between the 
104.16 	third and tenth 14th days after a school district election other than a recount of a special 
104.17 	election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59, the school board shall 
104.18 	canvass the returns and declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest number 
104.19 	of votes for each school district office and the results of the election any ballot question. 
104.20 	The recounted results of a referendum conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 
104.21 	475.59, must be certified by the canvassing board. After the time for contesting elections 
104.22 	has passed, the school district clerk shall issue a certificate of election to each successful 
104.23 	candidate. If there is a contest, the certificate of election to that office must not be issued 
104.24 	until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court. If there is a tie 
104.25 	vote, the school board shall determine the result by lot. The clerk shall deliver the certificate 
104.26 	of election to the successful candidate by personal service or certified mail. The successful 
104.27 	candidate shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days 
104.28 	of the date of mailing or personal service. A person who fails to qualify prior to the time 
104.29 	specified shall be deemed to have refused to serve, but that filing may be made at any time 
104.30 	before action to fill the vacancy has been taken. The school district clerk shall certify the 
104.31 	results of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the 
104.32 	ballots and the returns of the election.
105.1 	A school district canvassing board shall perform the duties of the school board according 
105.2 	to the requirements of this subdivision for a recount of a special election conducted under 
105.3 	section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59.

105.4 	Sec. 85. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 205A.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
105.5 		Subd. 2.Combined polling place. (a) When no other election is being held in a school 
105.6 	district, the school board may designate combined polling places at which the voters in 
105.7 	those precincts may vote in the school district election.
105.8 	(b) By December 31 of each year, the school board must designate, by resolution, any 
105.9 	changes to combined polling places. The combined polling places designated in the resolution 
105.10 	are the polling places, unless a change is made in accordance with this paragraph or:
105.11 	(1) pursuant to section 204B.175; or
105.12 	(2) because a polling place has become unavailable.
105.13 	(c) If the school board designates combined polling places pursuant to this subdivision, 
105.14 	polling places must be designated throughout the district, taking into account both 
105.15 	geographical distribution and population distribution. A combined polling place must be at 
105.16 	a location designated for use as a polling place by a county or municipality, except as 
105.17 	provided in this paragraph. If the municipality conducts elections by mail balloting pursuant 
105.18 	to section 204B.45, the school board may designate a polling place not used by the 
105.19 	municipality if the polling place satisfies the requirements in section 204B.16, subdivisions 
105.20 	4 to 7.
105.21 	(d) In school districts that have organized into separate board member election districts 
105.22 	under section 205A.12, a combined polling place for a school general election must be 
105.23 	arranged so that it does not include more than one board member election district.

105.24 	Sec. 86. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.83, is amended to read:
105.25 	206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.
105.26 	At least three days before voting equipment is used, the official in charge of elections 
105.27 	shall have the voting system tested to ascertain that the system will correctly mark ballots 
105.28 	using all methods supported by the system, including through assistive technology, and 
105.29 	count the votes cast for all candidates and on all questions. Public notice of the time and 
105.30 	place of the test must be given at least two five days in advance by publication once in 
105.31 	official newspapers. The test must be observed by at least two election judges, who are not 
105.32 	of the same major political party, and must be open to representatives of the political parties, 
106.1 	candidates, the press, and the public. The test must be conducted by (1) processing a 
106.2 	preaudited group of ballots punched or marked to record a predetermined number of valid 
106.3 	votes for each candidate and on each question in the contest, and must include for each 
106.4 	office one or more ballot cards which have votes in excess of the number allowed by law 
106.5 	in order to test the ability of the voting system tabulator and electronic ballot marker to 
106.6 	reject those votes; and (2) processing an additional test deck of ballots marked using the 
106.7 	electronic ballot marker for the precinct, including ballots marked using the electronic ballot 
106.8 	display, audio ballot reader, and any assistive voting technology used with the electronic 
106.9 	ballot marker. If any error is detected, the cause must be ascertained and corrected and an 
106.10 	errorless count must be made before the voting system may be used in the election. After 
106.11 	the completion of the test, the programs used and ballot cards must be sealed, retained, and 
106.12 	disposed of as provided for paper ballots.

106.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2025.

106.14 	Sec. 87. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 368.47, is amended to read:
106.15 	368.47 TOWNS MAY BE DISSOLVED.
106.16 	(1) When the voters residing within a town have failed to elect any town officials for 
106.17 	more than ten years continuously;
106.18 	(2) when a town has failed for a period of ten years to exercise any of the powers and 
106.19 	functions of a town;
106.20 	(3) when the estimated market value of a town drops to less than $165,000;
106.21 	(4) when the tax delinquency of a town, exclusive of taxes that are delinquent or unpaid 
106.22 	because they are contested in proceedings for the enforcement of taxes, amounts to 12 
106.23 	percent of its market value; or
106.24 	(5) when the state or federal government has acquired title to 50 percent of the real estate 
106.25 	of a town,
106.26 	which facts, or any of them, may be found and determined by the resolution of the county 
106.27 	board of the county in which the town is located, according to the official records in the 
106.28 	office of the county auditor, the county board by resolution may declare the town, naming 
106.29 	it, dissolved and no longer entitled to exercise any of the powers or functions of a town.
106.30 	In Cass, Itasca, and St. Louis Counties, before the dissolution is effective the voters of 
106.31 	the town shall express their approval or disapproval. The town clerk shall, upon a petition 
106.32 	signed by a majority of the registered voters of the town, filed with the clerk at least 60 84
107.1 	days before a regular or special town election, give notice at the same time and in the same 
107.2 	manner of the election that the question of dissolution of the town will be submitted for 
107.3 	determination at the election. At the election the question shall be voted upon by a separate 
107.4 	ballot. The form of the question under this chapter shall be substantially in the following 
107.5 	form: "Shall the town of ... be dissolved?" The ballot shall be deposited in a separate ballot 
107.6 	box and The result of the voting canvassed, certified, and returned in the same manner and 
107.7 	at the same time as other facts and returns of the election. If a majority of the votes cast at 
107.8 	the election are for dissolution, the town shall be dissolved. If a majority of the votes cast 
107.9 	at the election are against dissolution, the town shall not be dissolved.
107.10 	When a town is dissolved under sections 368.47 to 368.49 the county shall acquire title 
107.11 	to any telephone company or other business conducted by the town. The business shall be 
107.12 	operated by the board of county commissioners until it can be sold. The subscribers or 
107.13 	patrons of the business shall have the first opportunity of purchase. If the town has any 
107.14 	outstanding indebtedness chargeable to the business, the county auditor shall levy a tax 
107.15 	against the property situated in the dissolved town to pay the indebtedness as it becomes 
107.16 	due.

107.17 	Sec. 88. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 375.20, is amended to read:
107.18 	375.20 BALLOT QUESTIONS.
107.19 	If the county board may do an act, incur a debt, appropriate money for a purpose, or 
107.20 	exercise any other power or authority, only if authorized by a vote of the people, the question 
107.21 	may be submitted at a special or general election, by a resolution specifying the matter or 
107.22 	question to be voted upon. If the question is to authorize the appropriation of money, creation 
107.23 	of a debt, or levy of a tax, it shall state the amount. Notice of the election shall be given as 
107.24 	in the case of special elections. If the question submitted is adopted, the board shall pass an 
107.25 	appropriate resolution to carry it into effect. In the election the form of the ballot shall be: 
107.26 	"Shall (here state the substance of the resolution to be submitted)?, Yes ...... No......,". The 
107.27 	county board may call a special county election upon a question to be held within 74 84
107.28 	days after a resolution to that effect is adopted by the county board. Upon the adoption of 
107.29 	the resolution the county auditor shall post and publish notices of the election, as required 
107.30 	by section 204D.22, subdivisions 2 and 3. The election shall be conducted and the returns 
107.31 	canvassed in the manner prescribed by sections 204D.20 to 204D.27, so far as practicable.

108.1 	Sec. 89. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 414.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
108.2 		Subd. 3.Elections of municipal officers. (a) An order approving an incorporation or 
108.3 	consolidation pursuant to this chapter, or an order requiring an election under section 414.031, 
108.4 	subdivision 4a, shall set a date for an election of new municipal officers not less than 45 
108.5 	days nor more than 60 days after the issuance of such order in accordance with the uniform 
108.6 	election dates defined in section 205.10, subdivision 3a.
108.7 	(b) The chief administrative law judge shall appoint an acting clerk for election purposes, 
108.8 	at least three election judges who shall be residents of the new municipality, and shall 
108.9 	designate polling places within the new municipality.
108.10 	(c) The acting clerk shall prepare the official election ballot pursuant to section 205.17.
108.11 	(d) Any person eligible to hold municipal office may file an affidavit of candidacy not 
108.12 	more than four weeks nor less than two weeks before the date designated in the order for 
108.13 	the election pursuant to section 205.13.
108.14 	(e) The election shall be conducted in conformity with the charter and the laws for 
108.15 	conducting municipal elections insofar as applicable.
108.16 	(f) Any person eligible to vote at a township or municipal election within the area of the 
108.17 	new municipality, is eligible to vote at such election.
108.18 	(g) Any excess in the expense of conducting the election over receipts from filing fees 
108.19 	shall be a charge against the new municipality; any excess of receipts shall be deposited in 
108.20 	the treasury of the new municipality.

108.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective June 1, 2025.

108.22 	Sec. 90. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
108.23 		Subd. 4.Candidates; ballots; certifying election. (a) A person who wants to be a 
108.24 	candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either 
108.25 	as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate 
108.26 	maintains residence. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk 
108.27 	not more than 98 112 days nor less than 84 98 days before the first Tuesday after the first 
108.28 	Monday in November of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town 
108.29 	clerk must forward the affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the 
108.30 	first election, the clerk of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of 
108.31 	the filing period. A candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of 
109.1 	withdrawal with the clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day 
109.2 	to file affidavits of candidacy.
109.3 	(b) Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the district, 
109.4 	necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be prepared as provided in the 
109.5 	rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked and initialed by at least two judges 
109.6 	as official ballots and used exclusively at the election. Any proposition to be voted on may 
109.7 	be printed on the ballot provided for the election of officers. The hospital board may also 
109.8 	authorize the use of voting systems subject to chapter 206. Enough election judges may be 
109.9 	appointed to receive the votes at each polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks 
109.10 	of election, count the ballots cast, and submit them to the board for canvass.
109.11 	(c) Between the third and 14th days after an election, the board must act as the canvassing 
109.12 	board, canvass the returns, and declare the candidate duly elected who received the highest 
109.13 	number of votes for each hospital district office and the results of any ballot questions.
109.14 	(d) After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the 
109.15 	candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall 
109.16 	deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person 
109.17 	certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30 days 
109.18 	after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office as 
109.19 	provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but qualification 
109.20 	is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

109.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. Paragraph (a) is effective January 1, 2026.

109.22 	Sec. 91. TRANSITION TO NEW VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS; 
109.23 	ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS.
 109.24 	(a) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 10, a completed voter registration 
109.25 	application submitted by a voter is not deficient for purposes of registering that voter if the 
109.26 	application form was printed or provided to the voter prior to July 1, 2025. On or after July 
109.27 	1, 2025, an election official must not print or copy a blank voter registration application 
109.28 	that does not include the modifications required by section 10. An election official may 
109.29 	distribute copies of registration applications that were printed prior to the effective date.
109.30 	(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of section 25, a completed absentee ballot 
109.31 	application submitted by a voter is not deficient for purposes of applying for an absentee 
109.32 	ballot if the application was printed or provided to the voter prior to July 1, 2025. On or 
110.1 	after July 1, 2025, an election official must not print, copy, or distribute a blank absentee 
110.2 	ballot  application that does not include the modifications required by section 25.

110.3 	Sec. 92. REPEALER.
 110.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 206.57, subdivision 5b; and 209.06, are repealed.

110.5 	Sec. 93. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 110.6 	Unless otherwise provided, this article is effective July 1, 2025.

	ARTICLE 1	ELECTIONS APPROPRIATIONS........	Page.Ln 2.15	
	ARTICLE 2	CAMPAIGN FINANCE POLICY........	Page.Ln 7.12	
	ARTICLE 3	ELECTION POLICY........	Page.Ln 43.6	

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S3096-1 

206.57 EXAMINATION OF NEW VOTING SYSTEMS.Subd. 5b.Township voting equipment study. 
(a) Beginning in 2009 and at least once every other year until 2016, the secretary of state shall consult with interested parties, including, but not limited to, members of the legislature, town officers, county election officials, the National Federation of the Blind, the Minnesota State Council on Disability, and the Disability Law Center regarding: 

(1) options for full compliance with subdivision 5; and 

(2) ongoing costs of compliance with subdivision 5 and methods of reducing those costs. 

(b) Beginning January 15, 2010, and until January 15, 2017, the secretary of state shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over elections policy and finance regarding the findings, discussions, and developments under paragraph (a). 

206.95 VOTING EQUIPMENT GRANT ACCOUNT.Subdivision 1.Voting equipment grant account. 
A voting equipment grant account is established in the special revenue fund. Funds in the account are appropriated to the secretary of state to provide grants to political subdivisions as authorized by this section. Funds in the account are available until expended. 

Subd. 2.Authorized equipment. 
A political subdivision may apply to receive a grant under this section for the purchase or lease of the following: 

(1) an electronic voting system, or any individual components of an electronic voting system as provided in section 206.56, subdivision 8; 

(2) assistive voting technology; 

(3) an electronic roster system meeting the technology requirements of section 201.225, subdivision 2; and 

(4) any other equipment or technology approved by the secretary of state for use in conducting a state or local election in Minnesota consistent with the requirements of law. 

Subd. 3.Application. 
(a) The secretary of state may make a grant from the account to a political subdivision only after receiving an application from the political subdivision. The application must contain the following information: 

(1) the date the application is submitted; 

(2) the name of the political subdivision; 

(3) the name and title of the individual who prepared the application; 

(4) the type of voting system currently used in each precinct in the political subdivision; 

(5) the date the system currently used was acquired and at what cost; 

(6) the total number of registered voters, as of the date of the application, in each precinct in the political subdivision; 

(7) the total amount of the grant requested; 

(8) the total amount and source of the political subdivision's money to be used to match a grant from the account; 

(9) the type of voting system to be acquired with the grant money and whether the voting system will permit individuals with disabilities to cast a secret ballot; 

(10) the proposed schedule for purchasing and implementing the new voting system and the precincts in which the new voting system would be used; 

(11) whether the political subdivision has previously applied for a grant from the account and the disposition of that application; 

(12) a certified statement by the political subdivision that the grant will be used only to purchase authorized equipment under subdivision 2 and that the political subdivision has insufficient resources to purchase the voting system without obtaining a grant from the account; and 

(13) any other information required by the secretary of state. 

(b) The secretary of state must establish a deadline for receipt of grant applications, a procedure for awarding and distributing grants, and a process for verifying the proper use of the grants after distribution. 

Subd. 4.Amount of grant. 
A political subdivision is eligible to receive a grant of no more than 75 percent of the total cost of electronic roster equipment and 50 percent of the total cost of all other equipment or technology authorized for a grant under subdivision 2. In evaluating the application, the secretary of state shall consider only the information set forth in the application and is not subject to chapter 14. If the secretary of state determines that the application has been fully and properly completed, and that there is a sufficient balance in the account to fund the grant, either in whole or in part, the secretary of state may approve the application. 

Subd. 5.Report to legislature. 
No later than January 15, 2018, and annually thereafter until the appropriations provided for grants under this section have been exhausted, the secretary of state must submit a report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections policy on grants awarded by this section. The report must detail each grant awarded, including the jurisdiction, the amount of the grant, and the type of equipment purchased. 

209.06 INSPECTION OF BALLOTS.Subdivision 1.Appointment of inspectors. 
After a contest has been instituted, either party may have the ballots inspected before preparing for trial. The party requesting an inspection shall file with the district court where the contest is brought a verified petition, stating that the case cannot properly be prepared for trial without an inspection of the ballots and designating the precincts in which an inspection is desired. A judge of the court in which the contest is pending shall then appoint as many sets of three inspectors for a contest of any office or question as are needed to count and inspect the ballots expeditiously. One inspector must be selected by each of the parties to the contest and a third must be chosen by those two inspectors. If either party neglects or refuses to name an inspector, the judge shall appoint the inspector. The compensation of inspectors is the same as for referees, unless otherwise stipulated. 

Subd. 2.Bond, taxing of costs. 
The party applying for the inspection shall file with the court administrator of district court a bond in the sum of $250 if the contest is in a single county. In other cases the bond shall be in a sum set by the court with sureties approved by the court, and conditioned that the party seeking inspection will pay the administrative costs and expenses of the inspection if that party loses the contest. 

Subd. 3.Report of inspectors. 
An inspection must be made in the office and in the presence of the legal custodian of the ballots. The inspectors shall recanvass the votes cast for the parties to the contest or the question in issue in accordance with the rules for counting ballots in the Minnesota Election Law. They shall make a written report of the inspection indicating the number of votes cast for each candidate or each side of the question in each precinct where the ballots were inspected and indicating any disputed ballots upon which the inspectors cannot agree. 

211B.04 CAMPAIGN MATERIAL MUST INCLUDE DISCLAIMER.Subd. 4.Websites. 
The requirements of this section are satisfied for an entire website or social media page when the disclaimer required in subdivision 1 or 2 appears once on the home page of the site. 

211B.06 FALSE POLITICAL AND CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.Subdivision 1.Gross misdemeanor. 
(a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the preparation, dissemination, or broadcast of paid political advertising or campaign material with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat a candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false. 

(b) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the drafting of a letter to the editor with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat any candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false. 

Subd. 2.Exception. 
Subdivision 1 does not apply to any person or organization whose sole act is, in the normal course of their business, the printing, manufacturing, or dissemination of the false information. 

211B.08 SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS PROHIBITED.
A religious, charitable, or educational organization may not request a candidate or committee to contribute to the organization, to subscribe for the support of a club or organization, to buy tickets to entertainment, or to pay for space in a publication. This section does not apply to: 

(1) the solicitation of a business advertisement in periodicals in which the candidate was a regular contributor, before candidacy; 

(2) ordinary business advertisements; 

(3) regular payments to a religious, charitable, or educational organization, of which the candidate was a member, or to which the candidate was a contributor for more than six months before candidacy; or 

(4) ordinary contributions at church services. 

4503.2000DISCLAIMERS. Subp. 2.Material linked to a disclaimer.  
Minnesota Statutes, section 211B.04, does not apply to the following communications that link directly to an online page that includes a disclaimer in the form required by that section if the communication is made by or on behalf of a candidate, principal campaign committee, political committee, political fund, political party unit, or person who has made an electioneering communication, as those terms are defined in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 10A: 

A. 
text, images, video, or audio disseminated via a social media platform; 

B. 
a text or multimedia message disseminated only to telephone numbers; 

C. 
text, images, video, or audio disseminated using an application accessed primarily via mobile phone, excluding email messages, telephone calls, and voicemail messages; and 

D. 
paid electronic advertisements disseminated via the internet by a third party, including but not limited to online banner advertisements and advertisements appearing within the electronic version of a newspaper, periodical, or magazine. 

The link must be conspicuous and when selected must result in the display of an online page that prominently includes the required disclaimer. 

4511.1100MAJOR DECISION OF NONELECTED LOCAL OFFICIALS. Subpart 1.Major decision regarding the expenditure of public money.  
Attempting to influence a nonelected local official is lobbying if the nonelected local official may make, recommend, or vote on as a member of the political subdivision's governing body, a major decision regarding an expenditure or investment of public money. 

Subp. 2.Actions that are a major decision regarding public funds.  
A major decision regarding the expenditure or investment of public money includes but is not limited to a decision on: 

A. 
the development and ratification of operating and capital budgets of a political subdivision, including development of the budget request for an office or department within the political subdivision; 

B. 
whether to apply for or accept state or federal funding or private grant funding; 

C. 
selecting recipients for government grants from the political subdivision; or 

D. 
tax abatement, tax increment financing, or expenditures on public infrastructure, used to support private housing or business developments. 

Subp. 3.Actions that are not a major decision.  
A major decision regarding the expenditure of public money does not include: 

A. 
the purchase of goods or services with public funds in the operating or capital budget of a political subdivision; 

B. 
collective bargaining of a labor contract on behalf of a political subdivision; or 

C. 
participating in discussions with a party or a party's representative regarding litigation between the party and the political subdivision of the local official.