HF 2306

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/09/2017 09:15am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; modifying procedures for absentee voting; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 203B.081, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.085; 204B.35,
subdivision 4.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 203B.081, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Location; timing.

An eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot in the
office of the county auditor and at any other polling place designated by the county auditor
during the 46 days before the new text begin Sunday prior to the new text end election, except as provided in this section.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 203B.081, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Alternative procedure.

(a) The county auditor may make available a ballot
counter and ballot box for use by the voters deleted text begin during the seven days before the election deleted text end . If a
ballot counter and ballot box is provided, a voter must be given the option either (1) to vote
using the process provided in section 203B.08, subdivision 1, or (2) to vote in the manner
provided in this subdivision.

(b) If a voter chooses to vote in the manner provided in this subdivision, the voter must
state the voter's name, address, and date of birth to the county auditor or municipal clerk.
The voter shall sign a voter's certificate, which must include the voter's name, identification
number, and the certification required by section 201.071, subdivision 1. The signature of
an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence
of the intent of the individual to vote at that election.

(c) After signing the voter's certificate, the voter shall be issued a ballot and immediately
retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to mark the ballot.
The ballot must not be taken from the polling place. If the voter spoils the ballot, the voter
may return it to the election official in exchange for a new ballot. After completing the
ballot, the voter shall deposit the ballot into the ballot box.

(d) The election official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the manner
provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.

(e) The election duties required by this subdivision must be performed by the county
auditor, municipal clerk, or a deputy of the auditor or clerk.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 203B.085, is amended to read:

203B.085 COUNTY AUDITOR'S AND MUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICES TO
REMAIN OPEN DURING CERTAIN HOURS PRECEDING ELECTION.

The county auditor's office in each county and the clerk's office in each city or town
authorized under section 203B.05 to administer absentee balloting must be open for
acceptance of absentee ballot applications and casting of absentee ballots from 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. on new text begin the new text end Saturday deleted text begin and until 5:00 p.m. on the day deleted text end immediately preceding a primary,
special, or general election deleted text begin unless that day falls on a Saturday or Sunday deleted text end . Town clerks'
offices must be open for absentee voting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday
before a town general election held in March. The school district clerk, when performing
the county auditor's election duties, need not comply with this section.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 204B.35, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Absentee ballots; preparation; delivery.

At least deleted text begin 46 deleted text end new text begin 48 new text end days before an election,
ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters shall be prepared and delivered to
the officials who administer the provisions of chapter 203B, except as provided in this
subdivision. Ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters for a town general
election held in March shall be prepared and delivered to the town clerk at least 30 days
before the election.

This section applies to school district elections held on the same day as a statewide
election or an election for a county or municipality located partially or wholly within the
school district.

Sec. 5. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 4 are effective January 1, 2018, and apply to elections held on or after that
date.
new text end