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SF 2457

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/11/2016 08:52am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to elections; requiring the development of election emergency plans;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [204B.181] ELECTION EMERGENCY PLANS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin State elections emergency plans. new text end

new text begin (a) The secretary of state, in
consultation with the director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, must
develop a state elections emergency plan.
new text end

new text begin (b) The secretary of state must also coordinate with the governor to incorporate
election needs into the state's continuity of government and continuity of operations plans.
new text end

new text begin (c) The secretary of state must create a state guide to assist county and local election
officials in developing a county elections emergency plan required by subdivision 2.
The secretary of state must consult with the Minnesota State Council on Disability in
developing the guide. The guide must include a model county elections emergency plan
that meets the requirements of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin County elections emergency plans. new text end

new text begin (a) County election officials, in
consultation with the political subdivision's local organization for emergency management
established under section 12.25 and the municipalities and school districts within the
county, must develop a county elections emergency plan to be made available for use in
all state, county, municipal, and school district elections held in that county.
new text end

new text begin (b) In developing the county elections emergency plan, the county must address
the needs of voters with disabilities in all aspects of the plan. Where ballot security
is affected, the plan must provide procedures to maintain the security of the ballots.
When an emergency requires the relocation of the polling place, the plan must include
procedures for securing the ballots and voting equipment, notifying the public and other
government officials, and restoring voting activities as soon as possible. If the county
contains jurisdictions that cross county lines, the affected counties must make efforts
to ensure that the emergency procedures affecting the local jurisdiction are uniform
throughout the jurisdiction.
new text end

new text begin (c) Cities, towns, and school districts may create a local elections emergency plan
that meets the requirements of the county elections emergency plan. If a local jurisdiction
creates a local elections emergency plan, the procedures within the local elections
emergency plan govern in all election emergencies within that local jurisdiction.
new text end

new text begin (d) County election officials and any municipality with a local elections emergency
plan must review their county or local elections emergency plan prior to each state general
election. Any revisions to the county or local elections emergency plan must be completed
and filed with the secretary of state by July 1 prior to the state general election.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2016, except that the initial
county elections emergency plans required under subdivision 2 are due September 1, 2016.
new text end