HF 3369

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; providing for consistency in polling place locations;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 204B.16, subdivision 3; Minnesota
Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 204B.16, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2005 Supplement, section 204B.16, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authority; location.

The governing body of each municipality
and of each county with precincts in unorganized territory shall designate by ordinance
or resolution a polling place for each election precinct. new text begin This designation may be made
no more frequently than once in any 12-month period for each precinct, subject to the
provisions of subdivision 3. new text end Polling places must be designated and ballots must be
distributed so that no one is required to go to more than one polling place to vote in
a school district and municipal election held on the same day. The polling place for a
precinct in a city or in a school district located in whole or in part in the metropolitan area
defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, shall be located within the boundaries of the
precinct or within 3,000 feet of one of those boundaries unless a single polling place
is designated for a city pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or a school district
pursuant to section 205A.11. The polling place for a precinct in unorganized territory may
be located outside the precinct at a place which is convenient to the voters of the precinct.
If no suitable place is available within a town or within a school district located outside
the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, then the polling place for
a town or school district may be located outside the town or school district within five
miles of one of the boundaries of the town or school district.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 204B.16, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Designation effective until changed.

The designation of a polling place
pursuant to this section shall remain effective until a different polling place is designated
for that precinct. No designation of a new or different polling place new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (a) new text end shall new text begin be made more frequently than once in any 12-month period;
new text end

new text begin (b) shall new text end become effective less than 90 days prior to an election, including school
district elections or referenda deleted text begin , and no polling place changes may deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (c) shall new text end occur during the period between the state primary and the state general
election, except that a new polling place may be designated to replace a polling place that
has become unavailable for use.