HF 1006

1st Engrossment - 83rd Legislature (2003 - 2004) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to elections; providing for conformity with 
  1.3             the federal Help America Vote Act; creating a 
  1.4             complaint process; imposing a penalty; amending 
  1.5             Minnesota Statutes 2002, sections 201.021; 201.022; 
  1.6             201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 
  1.7             201.071, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding subdivisions; 
  1.8             201.091, subdivisions 1, 4, 5, by adding a 
  1.9             subdivision; 201.121, subdivision 1; 201.13, 
  1.10            subdivision 1; 201.15; 201.155; 201.161; 201.171; 
  1.11            201.221, subdivisions 2, 3; 203B.06, subdivision 4; 
  1.12            203B.08, subdivision 3; 203B.12, subdivision 2; 
  1.13            203B.16, by adding a subdivision; 203B.17; 203B.19; 
  1.14            203B.24, subdivision 2; 203B.26; 204B.47; 204C.10; 
  1.15            206.57, by adding subdivisions; 206.81; proposing 
  1.16            coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 
  1.17            200; 201; 204C. 
  1.18  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.19     Section 1.  [200.04] [HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT COMPLAINTS.] 
  1.20     Subdivision 1.  [PROCEDURE.] The secretary of state shall 
  1.21  establish a procedure for the review of complaints regarding the 
  1.22  administration of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 
  1.23  2002, Public Law 107-252, including complaints about voting 
  1.24  system standards, computerized statewide registration lists and 
  1.25  equipment, voter registration requirements, and other features 
  1.26  of state implementation of that act.  The secretary of state 
  1.27  shall provide a complaint form that requires the signature of 
  1.28  the complainant, an affidavit and notarization, and the 
  1.29  attachment of any supporting documentation. 
  1.30     Subd. 2.  [POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.] (a) The procedure in 
  1.31  this subdivision applies if a complaint under subdivision 1 
  2.1   pertains to a town, city, school, or county employee or official.
  2.2      (b) The secretary of state must provide the town clerk, 
  2.3   city clerk, school district clerk, or county auditor with a copy 
  2.4   of the complaint within three business days of receiving it. 
  2.5      (c) The town clerk, city clerk, school district clerk, or 
  2.6   county auditor has 20 days to either reach an agreement with the 
  2.7   complainant or file a written response to the complaint with the 
  2.8   secretary of state. 
  2.9      (d) The secretary of state shall provide the complainant 
  2.10  with a copy of the response and an opportunity for an informal 
  2.11  hearing. 
  2.12     (e) If an informal hearing is requested, the town clerk, 
  2.13  city clerk, school district clerk, or county auditor must be 
  2.14  given notice and the opportunity to participate. 
  2.15     (f) The secretary of state shall issue a final 
  2.16  determination, and, if necessary, a remedial plan, no later than 
  2.17  90 days after the filing of the complaint.  If the secretary of 
  2.18  state fails to issue the determination within 90 days, the 
  2.19  secretary of state must provide alternative dispute resolution 
  2.20  for the disposition of the complaint.  That process must be 
  2.21  completed within 60 days of its commencement. 
  2.22     Subd. 3.  [SECRETARY OF STATE.] (a) The procedure in this 
  2.23  subdivision applies if a complaint under subdivision 1 pertains 
  2.24  to the secretary of state. 
  2.25     (b) The secretary of state must forward the complaint to 
  2.26  the office of administrative hearings within three business days 
  2.27  of receiving it. 
  2.28     (c) The secretary of state has 20 days to either reach an 
  2.29  agreement with the complainant or file a written response to the 
  2.30  complaint with the office of administrative hearings. 
  2.31     (d) The office of administrative hearings must provide the 
  2.32  complainant with a copy of the response and an opportunity for 
  2.33  an informal hearing. 
  2.34     (e) If an informal hearing is requested, the secretary of 
  2.35  state must be given notice and an opportunity to participate. 
  2.36     (f) The office of administrative hearings must issue a 
  3.1   final determination and remedial plan if necessary no later than 
  3.2   90 days after the filing of the complaint.  If the office of 
  3.3   administrative hearings fails to issue the determination within 
  3.4   90 days, it must provide alternative dispute resolution for the 
  3.5   disposition of the complaint.  That process must be completed 
  3.6   within 60 days of its commencement. 
  3.7      (g) The office of administrative hearings may not charge a 
  3.8   fee to any party to an action under this section. 
  3.9      Subd. 4.  [APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 14.] Proceedings under 
  3.10  this section are not subject to chapter 14. 
  3.11     Subd. 5.  [APPEAL.] A determination made under subdivision 
  3.12  2 is not an agency determination subject to appellate review.  
  3.13  Either party may initiate an appeal from the secretary of 
  3.14  state's final order in the district court in the county where 
  3.15  the town, city, or county employee or official is employed. 
  3.16     Subd. 6.  [REVIEW.] A determination made under subdivision 
  3.17  3 is subject to appellate review. 
  3.18     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.021, is 
  3.19  amended to read: 
  3.20     201.021 [PERMANENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM.] 
  3.21     A permanent system of voter registration by county is 
  3.22  established, with the county systems linked together by a 
  3.23  centralized statewide system a single, official, centralized, 
  3.24  interactive computerized statewide voter registration list 
  3.25  defined, maintained, and administered at the state level that 
  3.26  contains the name and registration information of every legally 
  3.27  registered voter in the state, and assigns a unique identifier 
  3.28  to each legally registered voter in the state.  The interactive 
  3.29  computerized statewide voter registration list constitutes the 
  3.30  official list of every legally registered voter in the state.  
  3.31  The county auditor shall be chief registrar of voters and the 
  3.32  chief custodian of the official registration records in each 
  3.33  county.  The secretary of state is responsible for defining, 
  3.34  maintaining, and administering the centralized system. 
  3.35     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.022, is 
  3.36  amended to read: 
  4.1      201.022 [STATEWIDE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.] 
  4.2      Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The secretary of state 
  4.3   shall maintain a statewide voter registration system to 
  4.4   facilitate voter registration and to provide a central database 
  4.5   containing voter registration information from around the 
  4.6   state.  The system must be accessible to the county auditor of 
  4.7   each county in the state.  The system must also: 
  4.8      (1) provide for voters to submit their registration to any 
  4.9   county auditor, the secretary of state, or the department of 
  4.10  public safety; 
  4.11     (2) provide for the definition, establishment, and 
  4.12  maintenance of a central database for all voter registration 
  4.13  information; 
  4.14     (3) provide for entering data into the statewide 
  4.15  registration system; 
  4.16     (4) provide for electronic transfer of completed voter 
  4.17  registration forms from the department of public safety to the 
  4.18  secretary of state or the county auditor; 
  4.19     (5) assign a unique identifier to each legally registered 
  4.20  voter in the state; 
  4.21     (6) provide for the acceptance of the Minnesota driver's 
  4.22  license number, Minnesota state identification number, and last 
  4.23  four digits of the social security number for each voter record; 
  4.24     (7) coordinate with other agency databases within the 
  4.25  state; 
  4.26     (8) allow county auditors and the secretary of state to 
  4.27  add, modify, and delete information from the system to provide 
  4.28  for accurate and up-to-date records; 
  4.29     (9) allow county auditors, municipal and school district 
  4.30  clerks, and the secretary of state to have electronic access to 
  4.31  the statewide registration system for review and search 
  4.32  capabilities; 
  4.33     (10) provide security and protection of all information in 
  4.34  the statewide registration system and ensure that unauthorized 
  4.35  access is not allowed; and 
  4.36     (11) provide a system for each county to identify the 
  5.1   precinct to which a voter should be assigned for voting purposes.
  5.2   The appropriate state or local official shall provide security 
  5.3   measures to prevent unauthorized access to the computerized list 
  5.4   established under section 201.021.  The secretary of state shall 
  5.5   establish a system of file maintenance that makes reasonable 
  5.6   effort to remove registrants who are ineligible to vote from the 
  5.7   official list of eligible voters.  
  5.8      Subd. 2.  [RULES.] The secretary of state shall make 
  5.9   permanent rules necessary to administer the system required in 
  5.10  subdivision 1.  The rules must at least:  
  5.11     (1) provide for voters to submit their registration to any 
  5.12  county auditor, the secretary of state, or the department of 
  5.13  public safety; 
  5.14     (2) provide for the establishment and maintenance of a 
  5.15  central database for all voter registration information; 
  5.16     (3) provide procedures for entering data into the statewide 
  5.17  registration system; 
  5.18     (4) provide for interaction with the computerized driver's 
  5.19  license records of the department of public safety; 
  5.20     (5) allow the offices of all county auditors and the 
  5.21  secretary of state to add, modify, and delete information from 
  5.22  the system to provide for accurate and up-to-date records; 
  5.23     (6) allow the offices of all county auditors and the 
  5.24  secretary of state's office to have access to the statewide 
  5.25  registration system for review and search capabilities; 
  5.26     (7) provide security and protection of all information in 
  5.27  the statewide registration system and to ensure that 
  5.28  unauthorized entry is not allowed; 
  5.29     (8) provide a system for each county to identify the 
  5.30  precinct to which a voter should be assigned for voting 
  5.31  purposes; and 
  5.32     (9) prescribe a procedure for the return of completed voter 
  5.33  registration forms from the department of public safety to the 
  5.34  secretary of state or the county auditor. 
  5.35     [EFFECTIVE DATE.] This section is effective January 1, 
  5.36  2006, if a federal waiver is requested and approved, or January 
  6.1   1, 2004, if a federal waiver is not requested or not approved. 
  6.2      Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.061, 
  6.3   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  6.4      Subdivision 1.  [REGISTRATION IN PERSON PRIOR TO ELECTION 
  6.5   DAY.] At any time except during the 20 days immediately 
  6.6   preceding any election, an eligible voter or any individual who 
  6.7   will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may 
  6.8   register to vote in the precinct in which the voter maintains 
  6.9   residence by completing a registration card and submitting it in 
  6.10  person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the 
  6.11  secretary of state's office.  A registration that is received no 
  6.12  later than 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any election 
  6.13  shall be accepted.  An improperly addressed or delivered 
  6.14  registration card shall be forwarded within two working days 
  6.15  after receipt to the county auditor of the county where the 
  6.16  voter maintains residence.  A state or local agency or an 
  6.17  individual that accepts completed voter registration cards from 
  6.18  a voter must submit the completed cards to the secretary of 
  6.19  state or the appropriate county auditor within ten days after 
  6.20  the cards are dated by the voter. 
  6.21     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.061, is 
  6.22  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  6.23     Subd. 1a.  [REGISTRATION BY MAIL PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.] At 
  6.24  any time except during the 20 days immediately preceding any 
  6.25  election, an eligible voter or any individual who will be an 
  6.26  eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to 
  6.27  vote in the precinct in which the voter maintains residence by 
  6.28  completing a registration card and submitting it by mail to the 
  6.29  county auditor of that county or to the secretary of state's 
  6.30  office.  If the voter has not previously voted in Minnesota for 
  6.31  federal office, the voter must also provide a copy of current 
  6.32  and valid photo identification or copy of current utility bill, 
  6.33  bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 
  6.34  document that shows the name and address of the voter. 
  6.35     If the county auditor determines that a voter who has 
  6.36  submitted a registration card by mail and has not previously 
  7.1   voted in Minnesota for a federal office has also not provided a 
  7.2   copy of current utility bill, bank statement, government check, 
  7.3   paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and 
  7.4   address of the voter to the auditor, then the county auditor 
  7.5   must notify the voter to complete registration by using one of 
  7.6   the following methods: 
  7.7      (1) present or provide to the auditor prior to 20 days 
  7.8   before the election a copy of current and valid photo 
  7.9   identification or copy of current utility bill, bank statement, 
  7.10  government check, paycheck, or other government document that 
  7.11  shows the name and address of the voter; 
  7.12     (2) prior to voting in person on election day, present to 
  7.13  the election judges in the precinct, a current and valid photo 
  7.14  identification or a current utility bill, bank statement, 
  7.15  government check, paycheck, or other government document that 
  7.16  shows the name and address of the voter; 
  7.17     (3) register in person prior to or on election day; 
  7.18     (4) if voting by mail, include a copy of current and valid 
  7.19  photo identification or copy of current utility bill, bank 
  7.20  statement, government check, paycheck, or other government 
  7.21  document that shows the name and address of the voter; or 
  7.22     (5) if voting by mail, follow election day registration 
  7.23  procedures for absentee voters as described in section 203B.04, 
  7.24  subdivision 4. 
  7.25     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.061, is 
  7.26  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  7.27     Subd. 1b.  [DUTY TO FORWARD.] A registration that is 
  7.28  received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any 
  7.29  election shall be accepted.  An improperly addressed or 
  7.30  delivered registration card shall be forwarded within two 
  7.31  working days after receipt to the county auditor of the county 
  7.32  where the voter maintains residence.  A state or local agency or 
  7.33  an individual that accepts completed voter registration cards 
  7.34  from a voter must submit the completed cards to the secretary of 
  7.35  state or the appropriate county auditor within ten days after 
  7.36  the cards are dated by the voter. 
  8.1      Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.061, 
  8.2   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  8.3      Subd. 3.  [ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION.] An individual who is 
  8.4   eligible to vote may register on election day by appearing in 
  8.5   person at the polling place for the precinct in which the 
  8.6   individual maintains residence, by completing a registration 
  8.7   card, making an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of 
  8.8   state and providing proof of residence.  An individual may prove 
  8.9   identity and residence for purposes of registering by: 
  8.10     (1) showing a driver's license or Minnesota identification 
  8.11  card issued pursuant to section 171.07; 
  8.12     (2) showing any picture identification document approved by 
  8.13  the secretary of state as proper identification; 
  8.14     (3) showing one of the following: 
  8.15     (i) a current valid student picture identification card 
  8.16  from a post-secondary educational institution in Minnesota, if a 
  8.17  list of students from that institution has been prepared under 
  8.18  section 135A.17 and certified to the county auditor in the 
  8.19  manner provided in rules of the secretary of state; or 
  8.20     (ii) a current student fee statement that contains the 
  8.21  student's valid address in the precinct together with a picture 
  8.22  identification card; 
  8.23     (4) showing a picture identification card or document 
  8.24  listed in clause (1), (2), or (3), and proving current residence 
  8.25  in the precinct by having a voter who is registered to vote in 
  8.26  the precinct sign an oath in the presence of the election judge 
  8.27  vouching that the voter personally knows that the individual is 
  8.28  a resident of the precinct.  A voter who has been vouched for on 
  8.29  election day may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for 
  8.30  any other individual on that election day; or 
  8.31     (5) for tribal band members living on an Indian 
  8.32  reservation, an individual may prove residence for purposes of 
  8.33  registering by showing an identification card issued by the 
  8.34  tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian 
  8.35  Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains 
  8.36  the name, street address, signature, and picture of the 
  9.1   individual.  The county auditor of each county having territory 
  9.2   within the reservation shall maintain a record of the number of 
  9.3   election day registrations accepted under this section. 
  9.4      A county, school district, or municipality may require that 
  9.5   an election judge responsible for election day registration 
  9.6   initial each completed registration card. 
  9.7      Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.071, 
  9.8   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  9.9      Subdivision 1.  [FORM.] A registration card must be of 
  9.10  suitable size and weight for mailing and contain spaces for the 
  9.11  following required information:  voter's first name, middle 
  9.12  name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's 
  9.13  current address; voter's previous address, if any; voter's date 
  9.14  of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence; voter's 
  9.15  telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of 
  9.16  registration; valid Minnesota driver's license number or 
  9.17  Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter has no 
  9.18  Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, 
  9.19  the last four digits of the voter's social security number; and 
  9.20  voter's signature.  The card must also contain a certification 
  9.21  of voter eligibility. 
  9.22     The form of the voter registration card and the 
  9.23  certification of voter eligibility must be as provided in the 
  9.24  rules of the secretary of state.  Voter registration forms 
  9.25  authorized by the National Voter Registration Act may also be 
  9.26  accepted as valid. 
  9.27     Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.071, 
  9.28  subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  9.29     Subd. 3.  [DEFICIENT REGISTRATION.] Except as provided in 
  9.30  subdivision 4a, no registration is deficient if it contains the 
  9.31  voter's name, address, date of birth, valid Minnesota driver's 
  9.32  license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if 
  9.33  the voter has no Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state 
  9.34  identification number, last four digits of the voter's social 
  9.35  security number, prior registration, if any, and signature.  The 
  9.36  absence of a zip code number does not cause the registration to 
 10.1   be deficient.  The election judges shall request an individual 
 10.2   to correct a registration card if it is deficient or illegible 
 10.3   or if the name or number of the voter's school district is 
 10.4   missing or obviously incorrect.  No eligible voter may be 
 10.5   prevented from voting unless the voter's registration card is 
 10.6   deficient or the voter is duly and successfully challenged in 
 10.7   accordance with section 201.195 or 204C.12. 
 10.8      A registration card accepted prior to August 1, 1983, is 
 10.9   not deficient for lack of date of birth.  The county or 
 10.10  municipality may attempt to obtain the date of birth for a 
 10.11  registration card accepted prior to August 1, 1983, by a request 
 10.12  to the voter at any time except at the polling place.  Failure 
 10.13  by the voter to comply with this request does not make the 
 10.14  registration deficient.  
 10.15     A registration card accepted before January 1, 2004, is not 
 10.16  deficient for lack of a valid driver's license number or last 
 10.17  four digits of a social security number.  A county or 
 10.18  municipality may attempt to obtain this information for a 
 10.19  registration card accepted before January 1, 2004, by a request 
 10.20  to the voter at any time except at the polling place.  Failure 
 10.21  by the voter to comply with this request does not make the 
 10.22  registration deficient. 
 10.23     Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.071, is 
 10.24  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 10.25     Subd. 4a.  [DEFICIENT IDENTIFICATION OR RESIDENCE 
 10.26  INFORMATION.] The voter registration for a voter described in 
 10.27  section 201.061, subdivision 1a, who has not provided a copy of 
 10.28  current and valid photo identification or copy of current 
 10.29  utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or 
 10.30  other government document that shows the name and address of the 
 10.31  voter to the county auditor must be considered deficient until 
 10.32  remedied by the voter in the manner described in section 
 10.33  201.061, subdivision 1a. 
 10.34     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.071, is 
 10.35  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 10.36     Subd. 9.  [EXISTING CARDS.] Existing stocks of registration 
 11.1   cards printed before August 1, 2003, that do not contain the 
 11.2   social security information required under this section may 
 11.3   continue to be used until the stock is exhausted.  All 
 11.4   registration cards printed after July 31, 2003, must conform 
 11.5   with this section. 
 11.6      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.071, is 
 11.7   amended by adding a subdivision to read:  
 11.8      Subd. 10.  [RULES.] The secretary of state shall adopt 
 11.9   rules to provide for registration cards that conform with this 
 11.10  section. 
 11.11     Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.091, 
 11.12  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 11.13     Subdivision 1.  [MASTER LIST.] Each county auditor shall 
 11.14  prepare and maintain a current list of registered voters in each 
 11.15  precinct in the county which is known as the master list.  The 
 11.16  master list must be created by entering each completed voter 
 11.17  registration card received by the county auditor into the 
 11.18  statewide registration system.  It must show the name, residence 
 11.19  address, and date of birth of each voter registered in the 
 11.20  precinct.  The information contained in the master list may only 
 11.21  be made available to public officials for purposes related to 
 11.22  election administration, jury selection, and in response to a 
 11.23  law enforcement inquiry concerning a violation of or failure to 
 11.24  comply with any criminal statute or state or local tax statute.  
 11.25  If a copy of the master list is provided to a public official 
 11.26  for jury selection or in response to a law enforcement inquiry 
 11.27  described in this subdivision, the list may not include the 
 11.28  final four digits of the social security number of any voter. 
 11.29     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.091, is 
 11.30  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 11.31     Subd. 1a.  [POLLING PLACE ROSTER.] A polling place roster 
 11.32  produced from data maintained in the statewide voter 
 11.33  registration file may not include the final four digits of the 
 11.34  social security number of any voter. 
 11.35     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.091, 
 11.36  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 12.1      Subd. 4.  [PUBLIC INFORMATION LISTS.] The county auditor 
 12.2   shall make available for inspection a public information list 
 12.3   which must contain the name, address, year of birth, and voting 
 12.4   history of each registered voter in the county.  The telephone 
 12.5   number must be included on the list if provided by the voter.  
 12.6   The public information list may also include information on 
 12.7   voting districts.  The list must not contain the final four 
 12.8   digits of the social security number of any voter.  The county 
 12.9   auditor may adopt reasonable rules governing access to the 
 12.10  list.  No individual inspecting the public information list 
 12.11  shall tamper with or alter it in any manner.  No individual who 
 12.12  inspects the public information list or who acquires a list of 
 12.13  registered voters prepared from the public information list may 
 12.14  use any information contained in the list for purposes unrelated 
 12.15  to elections, political activities, or law enforcement.  The 
 12.16  secretary of state may provide copies of the public information 
 12.17  lists and other information from the statewide registration 
 12.18  system for uses related to elections, political activities, or 
 12.19  in response to a law enforcement inquiry from a public official 
 12.20  concerning a failure to comply with any criminal statute or any 
 12.21  state or local tax statute. 
 12.22     Before inspecting the public information list or obtaining 
 12.23  a list of voters or other information from the list, the 
 12.24  individual shall provide identification to the public official 
 12.25  having custody of the public information list and shall state in 
 12.26  writing that any information obtained from the list will not be 
 12.27  used for purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, 
 12.28  or law enforcement.  Requests to examine or obtain information 
 12.29  from the public information lists or the statewide registration 
 12.30  system must be made and processed in the manner provided in the 
 12.31  rules of the secretary of state. 
 12.32     Upon receipt of a written request and a copy of the court 
 12.33  order, the secretary of state may must withhold from the public 
 12.34  information list the name of any registered voter placed under 
 12.35  court-ordered protection. 
 12.36     Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.091, 
 13.1   subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
 13.2      Subd. 5.  [COPY OF LIST TO REGISTERED VOTER.] The county 
 13.3   auditors and the secretary of state shall provide paper copies 
 13.4   of the public information lists and may provide the lists in 
 13.5   some other form in electronic or other media to any voter 
 13.6   registered in Minnesota within ten days of receiving a written 
 13.7   request accompanied by payment of the cost of reproduction.  The 
 13.8   county auditors and the secretary of state shall make a copy of 
 13.9   the list available for public inspection without cost.  An 
 13.10  individual who inspects or acquires a copy of a public 
 13.11  information list may not use any information contained in it for 
 13.12  purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law 
 13.13  enforcement.  No list made available for public inspection or 
 13.14  purchase may include the date of birth of a registered voter. 
 13.15     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.121, 
 13.16  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 13.17     Subdivision 1.  [ENTRY OF REGISTRATION INFORMATION.] Upon 
 13.18  receiving At the time a voter registration card is properly 
 13.19  completed and, submitted, and received in accordance with 
 13.20  sections 201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall enter in 
 13.21  the information contained on it into the statewide registration 
 13.22  system the information contained on it on an expedited basis, 
 13.23  but no later than 42 days after receipt.  Voter registration 
 13.24  cards completed before election day must be entered into the 
 13.25  statewide registration system within ten days after they have 
 13.26  been submitted to the county auditor. 
 13.27     Upon receiving a completed voter registration card or form, 
 13.28  the secretary of state may electronically transmit the 
 13.29  information on the card or form to the appropriate county 
 13.30  auditor as soon as possible for review by the county auditor 
 13.31  before final entry into the statewide registration system.  The 
 13.32  secretary of state may mail the registration card or form to the 
 13.33  county auditor.  
 13.34     Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.13, 
 13.35  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 13.36     Subdivision 1.  [COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH, REPORTS OF 
 14.1   DECEASED RESIDENTS.] Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 
 14.2   2002, Public Law 107-252, the commissioner of health shall 
 14.3   report monthly by electronic means to the secretary of state the 
 14.4   name, address, date of birth, and county of residence of each 
 14.5   individual 18 years of age or older who has died while 
 14.6   maintaining residence in Minnesota since the last previous 
 14.7   report.  The secretary of state shall determine if any of the 
 14.8   persons listed in the report are registered to vote and shall 
 14.9   prepare a list of those registrants for each county auditor.  
 14.10  Within 60 days after receiving the list from the secretary of 
 14.11  state, the county auditor shall change the status of those 
 14.12  registrants to "deceased" in the statewide registration system. 
 14.13     Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.15, is 
 14.14  amended to read: 
 14.15     201.15 [DISTRICT JUDGE, REPORT GUARDIANSHIPS AND 
 14.16  COMMITMENTS.] 
 14.17     Subdivision 1.  [GUARDIANSHIPS AND INCOMPETENTS.] Pursuant 
 14.18  to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the 
 14.19  state court administrator shall report monthly by electronic 
 14.20  means to the secretary of state the name, address, and date of 
 14.21  birth of each individual 18 years of age or over, who during the 
 14.22  month preceding the date of the report:  
 14.23     (a) was placed under a guardianship of the person; or 
 14.24     (b) was adjudged legally incompetent. 
 14.25     The court administrator shall also report the same 
 14.26  information for each individual transferred to the jurisdiction 
 14.27  of the court who meets a condition specified in clause (a) or 
 14.28  (b).  The secretary of state shall determine if any of the 
 14.29  persons in the report is registered to vote and shall prepare a 
 14.30  list of those registrants for the county auditor.  The county 
 14.31  auditor shall change the status on the record in the statewide 
 14.32  registration system of any individual named in the report to 
 14.33  indicate that the individual is not eligible to reregister or 
 14.34  vote. 
 14.35     Subd. 2.  [RESTORATION TO CAPACITY.] Pursuant to the Help 
 14.36  America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the state court 
 15.1   administrator shall report monthly by electronic means to the 
 15.2   secretary of state the name, address, and date of birth of each 
 15.3   individual transferred from guardianship to conservatorship or 
 15.4   who is restored to capacity by the court after being ineligible 
 15.5   to vote for any of the reasons specified in subdivision 1.  The 
 15.6   secretary of state shall determine if any of the persons in the 
 15.7   report is registered to vote and shall prepare a list of those 
 15.8   registrants for the county auditor.  The county auditor shall 
 15.9   change the status on the voter's record in the statewide 
 15.10  registration system to "active."  
 15.11     Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.155, is 
 15.12  amended to read: 
 15.13     201.155 [REPORT ON FELONY CONVICTIONS.] 
 15.14     Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 
 15.15  107-252, the state court administrator shall report at least 
 15.16  monthly by electronic means to the secretary of state the name, 
 15.17  address, final four digits of the voter's social security number 
 15.18  (or the statement "NONE" if the voter has no social security 
 15.19  number), date of birth, date of sentence, effective date of the 
 15.20  sentence, and county in which the conviction occurred of each 
 15.21  person who has been convicted of a felony.  The state court 
 15.22  administrator shall also report the name, address, final four 
 15.23  digits of the voter's social security number (or the statement 
 15.24  "NONE" if the voter has no social security number), and date of 
 15.25  birth of each person previously convicted of a felony whose 
 15.26  civil rights have been restored.  The secretary of state 
 15.27  shall determine if any of the persons in the report is 
 15.28  registered to vote and shall prepare forward a list of those 
 15.29  registrants for individuals to each county auditor.  The county 
 15.30  auditor shall determine if any person identified in the report 
 15.31  as a resident of the county is registered to vote in the county 
 15.32  and change the status of those registrants each registrant in 
 15.33  the appropriate manner in the statewide registration system. 
 15.34     Sec. 21.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.161, is 
 15.35  amended to read: 
 15.36     201.161 [DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION CARD 
 16.1   APPLICATIONS.] 
 16.2      The department of public safety shall change its 
 16.3   applications for an original, duplicate, or change of address 
 16.4   driver's license or identification card so that the forms may 
 16.5   also serve as voter registration cards.  The forms must contain 
 16.6   spaces for the information required in section 201.071, 
 16.7   subdivision 1, and applicable rules of the secretary of state.  
 16.8   Applicants for driver's licenses or identification cards must be 
 16.9   asked if they want to register to vote at the same time.  A copy 
 16.10  of each application containing a completed voter registration 
 16.11  must be sent to the county auditor of the county in which the 
 16.12  voter maintains residence or to the secretary of state as soon 
 16.13  as possible.  Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 
 16.14  Public Law 107-252, the computerized driver's license record 
 16.15  information relating to containing the voter's name, address, 
 16.16  date of birth, driver's license number or state identification 
 16.17  number, county, town, and city must be made available for access 
 16.18  by the secretary of state and interaction with the statewide 
 16.19  voter registration system.  
 16.20     Sec. 22.  [201.1615] [INFORMATION SHARING; USE OF SOCIAL 
 16.21  SECURITY NUMBER; FELONY.] 
 16.22     The secretary of state shall enter into an agreement with 
 16.23  the department of public safety to match information in the 
 16.24  statewide voter registration system with information in the 
 16.25  department of public safety database to verify the accuracy of 
 16.26  the information provided on applications for voter registrations.
 16.27     The commissioner of public safety shall enter into an 
 16.28  agreement with the commissioner of the United States Social 
 16.29  Security Administration under section 205(r)(8) of the Social 
 16.30  Security Act to allow the use of the last four digits of the 
 16.31  social security number to be used to verify voter registration 
 16.32  information, to assure the maintenance of the confidentiality of 
 16.33  any applicable information disclosed, and to establish 
 16.34  procedures to permit the department to use the information for 
 16.35  purposes of maintaining its records.  Without the written 
 16.36  authorization of the social security commissioner, publication 
 17.1   or communication of this information by any present or past 
 17.2   state officer, employee, or contractor is a felony. 
 17.3      Sec. 23.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.171, is 
 17.4   amended to read: 
 17.5      201.171 [POSTING VOTING HISTORY; FAILURE TO VOTE; 
 17.6   REGISTRATION REMOVED.] 
 17.7      Within six weeks after every election, the county auditor 
 17.8   shall post the voting history for every person who voted in the 
 17.9   election.  After the close of the calendar year, the secretary 
 17.10  of state shall determine if any registrants have not voted 
 17.11  during the preceding four years and in two consecutive general 
 17.12  elections for federal office.  The secretary of state shall 
 17.13  change perform list maintenance by changing the status of those 
 17.14  registrants to "inactive" in the statewide registration system.  
 17.15  The list maintenance performed must be conducted in a manner 
 17.16  that ensures that the name of each registered voter appears in 
 17.17  the official list of eligible voters in the statewide 
 17.18  registration system.  Only voters who are not registered or who 
 17.19  are not eligible to vote must be removed from the official list 
 17.20  of eligible voters.  List maintenance must include procedures 
 17.21  for eliminating duplicate names from the official list of 
 17.22  eligible voters.  
 17.23     The secretary of state shall also prepare a report to the 
 17.24  county auditor containing the names of all registrants whose 
 17.25  status was changed to "inactive." 
 17.26     Although not counted in an election, a late absentee ballot 
 17.27  must be considered a vote for the purpose of continuing 
 17.28  registration.  
 17.29     Sec. 24.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.221, 
 17.30  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 17.31     Subd. 2.  [UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR COUNTIES.] The secretary 
 17.32  of state shall assist local election officers by devising 
 17.33  uniform forms and procedures.  The secretary of state shall 
 17.34  provide uniform rules for maintaining voter registration records 
 17.35  on the statewide registration system.  The secretary of state 
 17.36  shall supervise the development and use of the statewide 
 18.1   registration system to insure that it conforms to applicable 
 18.2   federal and state laws and rules.  
 18.3      Sec. 25.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 201.221, 
 18.4   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 18.5      Subd. 3.  [PROCEDURES FOR POLLING PLACE ROSTERS.] The 
 18.6   secretary of state shall prescribe the form of polling place 
 18.7   rosters that include the voter's name, address, date of birth, 
 18.8   school district number, and space for the voter's signature, and 
 18.9   any other information prescribed by the secretary of state 
 18.10  necessary to permit election judges to perform duties required 
 18.11  by law.  The polling place roster must be used to indicate 
 18.12  whether the voter has voted in a given election.  The secretary 
 18.13  of state shall prescribe procedures for transporting the polling 
 18.14  place rosters to the election judges for use on election day.  
 18.15  The secretary of state shall prescribe the form for a county or 
 18.16  municipality to request the date of birth from currently 
 18.17  registered voters.  The county or municipality shall not request 
 18.18  the date of birth from currently registered voters by any 
 18.19  communication other than the prescribed form and the form must 
 18.20  clearly indicate that a currently registered voter does not lose 
 18.21  registration status by failing to provide the date of birth.  In 
 18.22  accordance with section 204B.40, the county auditor shall retain 
 18.23  the prescribed polling place rosters used on the date of 
 18.24  election for one year 22 months following the election.  
 18.25     Sec. 26.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.06, 
 18.26  subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 18.27     Subd. 4.  [REGISTRATION CHECK.] Upon receipt of an 
 18.28  application for ballots, the county auditor, municipal clerk, or 
 18.29  election judge acting pursuant to section 203B.11, who receives 
 18.30  the application shall determine whether the applicant is a 
 18.31  registered voter.  If the applicant is not registered to vote, 
 18.32  the county auditor, municipal clerk or election judge shall 
 18.33  include a voter registration card among the election materials 
 18.34  provided to the applicant.  
 18.35     If the voter record in the statewide system indicates that 
 18.36  the voter's registration is deficient under section 201.071, 
 19.1   subdivision 4a, the county auditor, municipal clerk, or election 
 19.2   judge shall include instructions for the voter to complete the 
 19.3   registration by one of the methods prescribed in section 
 19.4   201.061, subdivision 1a.  The secretary of state shall publish 
 19.5   sample instructions and materials to comply with this 
 19.6   subdivision. 
 19.7      Sec. 27.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.08, 
 19.8   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
 19.9      Subd. 3.  [PROCEDURES ON RECEIPT OF BALLOTS.] When absentee 
 19.10  ballots are returned to a county auditor or municipal clerk, 
 19.11  that official shall stamp and date the return envelope with an 
 19.12  official seal of the office and place it in a secure location 
 19.13  with other return envelopes received by that office.  The county 
 19.14  auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver them to the appropriate 
 19.15  election judges on election day all ballots received before or 
 19.16  with the last mail delivery by the United States Postal Service 
 19.17  on election day.  
 19.18     Sec. 28.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.12, 
 19.19  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 19.20     Subd. 2.  [EXAMINATION OF RETURN ENVELOPES.] Two or more 
 19.21  election judges shall examine each return envelope and shall 
 19.22  mark it accepted or rejected in the manner provided in this 
 19.23  subdivision.  If a ballot has been prepared under section 
 19.24  204B.12, subdivision 2a, or 204B.41, the election judges shall 
 19.25  not begin removing ballot envelopes from the return envelopes 
 19.26  until 8:00 p.m. on election day, either in the polling place or 
 19.27  at an absentee ballot board established under section 203B.13. 
 19.28     The election judges shall mark the return envelope 
 19.29  "Accepted" and initial or sign the return envelope below the 
 19.30  word "Accepted" if the election judges or a majority of them are 
 19.31  satisfied that:  
 19.32     (1) the voter's name and address on the return envelope are 
 19.33  the same as the information provided on the absentee ballot 
 19.34  application; 
 19.35     (2) the voter's signature on the return envelope is the 
 19.36  genuine signature of the individual who made the application for 
 20.1   ballots and the certificate has been completed as prescribed in 
 20.2   the directions for casting an absentee ballot; 
 20.3      (3) the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the 
 20.4   precinct or has included a properly completed registration card 
 20.5   in the return envelope, or has submitted documentation from the 
 20.6   list provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1a, clause (4), to 
 20.7   complete a registration that is deficient under section 201.071, 
 20.8   subdivision 4a; and 
 20.9      (4) the voter has not already voted at that election, 
 20.10  either in person or by absentee ballot.  
 20.11     The return envelope from accepted ballots must be preserved 
 20.12  and returned to the county auditor.  
 20.13     If all or a majority of the election judges examining 
 20.14  return envelopes find that an absent voter has failed to meet 
 20.15  one of the requirements prescribed in clauses (1) to (4), they 
 20.16  shall mark the return envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it 
 20.17  below the word "Rejected," and return it to the county auditor.  
 20.18     Sec. 29.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.16, is 
 20.19  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 20.20     Subd. 16.  [DESIGNATION OF OFFICE.] The office of the 
 20.21  secretary of state is responsible for providing information 
 20.22  regarding voter registration and absentee balloting procedures 
 20.23  to be used by absent uniformed services voters, their spouses 
 20.24  and dependents, and voters overseas. 
 20.25     Sec. 30.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.17, is 
 20.26  amended to read: 
 20.27     203B.17 [APPLICATION FOR BALLOT.] 
 20.28     Subdivision 1.  [SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.] (a) An 
 20.29  application for absentee ballots for a voter described in 
 20.30  section 203B.16 may be submitted in writing or by electronic 
 20.31  facsimile device, or by electronic mail upon determination by 
 20.32  the secretary of state that security concerns have been 
 20.33  adequately addressed.  An application for absentee ballots for a 
 20.34  voter described in section 203B.16 may be submitted by that 
 20.35  voter or by that voter's parent, spouse, sister, brother, or 
 20.36  child over the age of 18 years.  For purposes of an application 
 21.1   under this subdivision, a person's social security number, no 
 21.2   matter how it is designated, qualifies as the person's military 
 21.3   identification number if the person is in the military. 
 21.4      (b) An application for a voter described in section 
 21.5   203B.16, subdivision 1, shall be submitted to the county auditor 
 21.6   of the county where the voter maintains residence. 
 21.7      (c) An application for a voter described in section 
 21.8   203B.16, subdivision 2, shall be submitted to the county auditor 
 21.9   of the county where the voter last maintained residence in 
 21.10  Minnesota. 
 21.11     (d) An application for absentee ballots for a primary shall 
 21.12  also constitute an application for absentee ballots for any 
 21.13  ensuing be valid for any primary, special primary, general 
 21.14  election, or special election conducted during the same calendar 
 21.15  year in which from the time the application is received through 
 21.16  the next two regularly scheduled elections for federal office 
 21.17  held after the date on which the application is received. 
 21.18     (e) There shall be no limitation of time for filing and 
 21.19  receiving applications for ballots under sections 203B.16 to 
 21.20  203B.27.  
 21.21     Subd. 2.  [REQUIRED INFORMATION.] An application shall be 
 21.22  accepted if it contains the following information stated under 
 21.23  oath:  
 21.24     (a) The voter's name, birthdate, and present address of 
 21.25  residence in Minnesota, or former address of residence in 
 21.26  Minnesota if the voter is living permanently outside the United 
 21.27  States; 
 21.28     (b) A statement indicating that the voter is in the 
 21.29  military, or is the spouse or dependent of an individual serving 
 21.30  in the military, or is temporarily outside the territorial 
 21.31  limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside 
 21.32  the territorial limits of the United States and voting under 
 21.33  federal law; 
 21.34     (c) A statement that the voter expects to be absent from 
 21.35  the precinct at the time of the election; 
 21.36     (d) The address to which absentee ballots are to be mailed; 
 22.1      (e) The voter's signature or the signature and relationship 
 22.2   of the individual authorized to apply on the voter's behalf; and 
 22.3      (f) The voter's military identification card number, 
 22.4   passport number, or, if the voter does not have a valid passport 
 22.5   or identification card, the signed statement of an individual 
 22.6   authorized to administer oaths or a commissioned or 
 22.7   noncommissioned officer of the military not below the rank of 
 22.8   sergeant or its equivalent, certifying that the voter or other 
 22.9   individual requesting absentee ballots has attested to the 
 22.10  truthfulness of the contents of the application under oath.  
 22.11     The oath taken must be the standard oath prescribed by 
 22.12  section 101(b)(7) of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
 22.13  Absentee Voting Act.  
 22.14     A form for providing this information shall be prepared by 
 22.15  each county auditor and shall be furnished to individuals who 
 22.16  request it pursuant to this section.  
 22.17     Sec. 31.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.19, is 
 22.18  amended to read: 
 22.19     203B.19 [RECORDING APPLICATIONS.] 
 22.20     Upon accepting an application, the county auditor shall 
 22.21  record in the statewide registration system the voter's name, 
 22.22  address of present or former residence in Minnesota, mailing 
 22.23  address, school district number, and the category under section 
 22.24  203B.16, to which the voter belongs whether the voter is in the 
 22.25  military or the spouse or dependent of an individual serving in 
 22.26  the military, is a voter temporarily outside the territorial 
 22.27  limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside 
 22.28  the territorial limits of the United States and voting under 
 22.29  federal law.  The county auditor shall retain the record 
 22.30  for four six years.  A voter whose name is recorded as provided 
 22.31  in this section shall not be required to register under any 
 22.32  other provision of law in order to vote under sections 203B.16 
 22.33  to 203B.27.  Persons from whom applications are not accepted 
 22.34  must be notified by the county auditor and provided with the 
 22.35  reasons for the rejection. 
 22.36     No later than 60 days after the general election, the 
 23.1   county auditor shall report to the secretary of state the 
 23.2   combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to absent voters 
 23.3   described in section 203B.16.  No later than 60 days after the 
 23.4   general election, the county auditor shall report to the 
 23.5   secretary of state the combined number of absentee ballots 
 23.6   returned and cast by absent voters described in section 
 23.7   203B.16.  The secretary of state may require the information be 
 23.8   reported by category under section 203B.16 or by precinct. 
 23.9      No later than 90 days after the general election, the 
 23.10  secretary of state shall report to the federal election 
 23.11  assistance commission the number of absentee ballots transmitted 
 23.12  to voters under section 203B.16. 
 23.13     Sec. 32.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.24, 
 23.14  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
 23.15     Subd. 2.  [VOTING MORE THAN ONCE.] The election judges 
 23.16  shall compare the voter's name with the names appearing on their 
 23.17  copy of the application records to insure that the voter has not 
 23.18  already returned a ballot in the election.  The election judges 
 23.19  must indicate on the record whether an absentee ballot was 
 23.20  accepted for each applicant whose name appears on the record.  
 23.21  If a voter whose application has been recorded under section 
 23.22  203B.19 casts a ballot in person on election day, no absentee 
 23.23  ballot shall be counted for that voter.  If more than one return 
 23.24  envelope is received from a voter whose application has been 
 23.25  recorded under section 203B.19, the ballots in the return 
 23.26  envelope bearing the latest date shall be counted and the 
 23.27  uncounted ballots shall be returned by the election judges with 
 23.28  the rejected ballots.  The election judges must preserve the 
 23.29  record and return it to the county auditor or municipal clerk 
 23.30  with the election day materials. 
 23.31     Sec. 33.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 203B.26, is 
 23.32  amended to read: 
 23.33     203B.26 [SEPARATE RECORD.] 
 23.34     A separate record of the ballots of absent voters cast 
 23.35  under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 shall must be kept in each 
 23.36  precinct.  The content of the record must be in a form 
 24.1   prescribed by the secretary of state. 
 24.2      Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 204B.47, is 
 24.3   amended to read: 
 24.4      204B.47 [ALTERNATE ALTERNATIVE ELECTION PROCEDURES; DUTIES 
 24.5   OF SECRETARY OF STATE.] 
 24.6      When a provision of the Minnesota Election Law cannot be 
 24.7   implemented as a result of an order of a state or federal court, 
 24.8   the secretary of state shall adopt alternate alternative 
 24.9   election procedures to permit the administration of any election 
 24.10  affected by the order.  The procedures may include the voting 
 24.11  and handling of ballots cast after 8:00 p.m. as a result of a 
 24.12  state or federal court order or any other order extending the 
 24.13  time established by law for closing the polls.  The alternate 
 24.14  alternative election procedures remain in effect until the first 
 24.15  day of July following the next succeeding final adjournment of 
 24.16  the legislature, unless otherwise provided by law or by court 
 24.17  order. 
 24.18     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 204C.10, is 
 24.19  amended to read: 
 24.20     204C.10 [PERMANENT REGISTRATION; VERIFICATION OF 
 24.21  REGISTRATION.] 
 24.22     (a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling 
 24.23  place roster which states that the individual is at least 18 
 24.24  years of age, a citizen of the United States, has resided in 
 24.25  Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election, 
 24.26  certifies residence at the address shown, is not under 
 24.27  guardianship of the person, has not been found by a court of law 
 24.28  to be legally incompetent to vote or convicted of a felony 
 24.29  without having civil rights restored, is registered and has not 
 24.30  already voted in the election.  
 24.31     (b) A judge may shall, before the applicant signs the 
 24.32  roster, confirm the applicant's identity by requiring a picture 
 24.33  identification card or document issued by the United States or 
 24.34  Minnesota or an identification card issued by the tribal 
 24.35  government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian 
 24.36  Affairs, Department of the Interior, and may confirm the 
 25.1   applicant's name, address, and date of birth.  If an applicant 
 25.2   does not have a card or document described by this section, the 
 25.3   applicant may sign the roster after executing an affidavit 
 25.4   before the judge.  The affidavit must state: 
 25.5      (1) the name of the applicant; 
 25.6      (2) that the applicant does not have a picture 
 25.7   identification card or document issued by the United States or 
 25.8   Minnesota or an identification card issued by the tribal 
 25.9   government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian 
 25.10  Affairs, Department of the Interior, that contains the name, 
 25.11  address, signature, and picture of the applicant; and 
 25.12     (3) that the applicant swears or affirms that the applicant 
 25.13  is the same individual whose name is listed on the roster for 
 25.14  this precinct. 
 25.15     (c) After the applicant signs the roster, the judge shall 
 25.16  give the applicant a voter's receipt.  The voter shall deliver 
 25.17  the voter's receipt to the judge in charge of ballots as proof 
 25.18  of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand 
 25.19  to the voter the ballot.  The voters' receipts must be 
 25.20  maintained during the time for notice of filing an election 
 25.21  contest. 
 25.22     Sec. 36.  [204C.41] [RULES; VOTE COUNTING STANDARDS.] 
 25.23     The secretary of state shall adopt permanent rules to 
 25.24  establish uniform and nondiscriminatory standards of what 
 25.25  constitutes a vote for each method of voting and each type of 
 25.26  voting system approved for use in the state.  The rules must 
 25.27  provide for an accurate determination of votes based on the 
 25.28  requirements of section 204C.22, objective evidence, the form of 
 25.29  ballots approved for use in this state, and the manner of 
 25.30  counting used for each vote. 
 25.31     Sec. 37.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 206.57, is 
 25.32  amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 25.33     Subd. 5.  [VOTING SYSTEM FOR DISABLED VOTERS.] After 
 25.34  December 31, 2005, the voting method used in each polling place 
 25.35  must include a voting system that is accessible for individuals 
 25.36  with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the 
 26.1   blind and visually impaired in a manner that provides the same 
 26.2   opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and 
 26.3   independence, as for other voters. 
 26.4      Sec. 38.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 206.57, is 
 26.5   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
 26.6      Subd. 6.  [REQUIRED CERTIFICATION.] In addition to the 
 26.7   requirements in subdivision 1, a voting system must be certified 
 26.8   by an independent testing authority approved by the secretary of 
 26.9   state and conform to current standards for voting equipment 
 26.10  issued by the Federal Election Commission. 
 26.11     Sec. 39.  Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 206.81, is 
 26.12  amended to read: 
 26.13     206.81 [ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEMS; EXPERIMENTAL USE.] 
 26.14     (a) The secretary of state may license certify an 
 26.15  electronic voting system for experimental use at an election 
 26.16  prior to its approval for general use. 
 26.17     (b) The secretary of state must license approve one or more 
 26.18  touch-sensitive direct recording electronic voting systems for 
 26.19  experimental use at an election before their approval for 
 26.20  general use and may impose restrictions on their use.  At least 
 26.21  one voting system licensed under this paragraph must permit 
 26.22  sighted persons to vote and at least one system must permit a 
 26.23  blind or visually impaired voter to cast a ballot independently 
 26.24  and privately.  
 26.25     (c) The secretary of state may approve the use of an 
 26.26  experimental electronic voting system to participate in the 
 26.27  electronic registration and voting demonstration project in 
 26.28  section 1604 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
 26.29  fiscal year 2002, Public Law 107-107.  The experimental system 
 26.30  must comply with section 1306(a) for absentee voters as provided 
 26.31  in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
 26.32  Public Law 99-410.  The use of an experimental voting system 
 26.33  approved by the secretary of state must be valid for all 
 26.34  election purposes and jurisdictions as if the electronic voting 
 26.35  system had been adopted in accordance with the provisions of 
 26.36  this chapter. 
 27.1      (d) Experimental use must be observed by the secretary of 
 27.2   state or the secretary's designee and the results observed must 
 27.3   be considered at any subsequent proceedings for approval for 
 27.4   general use. 
 27.5      (d) (e) The secretary of state may adopt rules consistent 
 27.6   with sections 206.55 to 206.90 relating to experimental use.  
 27.7   The extent of experimental use must be determined by the 
 27.8   secretary of state. 
 27.9      Sec. 40.  [AGREEMENTS.] 
 27.10     Subdivision 1.  [COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.] By January 1, 
 27.11  2004, the secretary of state and the commissioner of health 
 27.12  shall determine by mutual agreement the means to electronically 
 27.13  transfer death records between agency systems. 
 27.14     Subd. 2.  [STATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR.] By January 1, 2004, 
 27.15  the secretary of state and the state court administrator shall 
 27.16  determine by mutual agreement the means to electronically 
 27.17  transfer guardianship and incompetency records and felony 
 27.18  conviction records between agency systems.  
 27.19     Subd. 3.  [COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.] By January 1, 
 27.20  2004, the commissioner of public safety and the secretary of 
 27.21  state shall determine by mutual agreement the means to 
 27.22  electronically transfer driver's license records between agency 
 27.23  systems.