HF 636

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/01/2021 03:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to elections; limiting the use of schools as polling places; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 204B.16, subdivision 6.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 204B.16, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Public facilities new text begin ; schools new text end .

new text begin (a) new text end Every statutory city, home rule charter city,
county, town, school district, and other public agency, including the University of Minnesota
and other public colleges and universities, shall make their facilities, including parking,
available for the holding of city, county, school district, state, and federal elections, subject
to the approval of the local election official. A charge for the use of the facilities may be
imposed in an amount that does not exceed the lowest amount charged to any public or
private group.

new text begin (b) A governing body of a municipality or county must only designate a school as a
polling place when no other public or private location is reasonably available for use as a
polling place. If the governing body of a municipality or county has designated a school as
a polling place, the municipality or county election staff must work with school staff to
ensure that contact between students and voters is minimized. For purposes of this paragraph,
a school is any public or private school, college, or university.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for elections held on or after January 1,
2022.
new text end