SF 3671

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; exempting certain towns from a voting system requirement
in certain situations; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, by
adding a subdivision; Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 206.57,
subdivision 5.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 206.57, subdivision 5, is
amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Voting system for disabled voters.

In federal and state elections held after
December 31, 2005; in county, city, and school district elections held after December
31, 2007; and new text begin , except as provided in subdivision 5a, new text end in township elections held after
December 31, 2009, the voting method used in each polling place must include a voting
system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility
for the blind and visually impaired in a manner that provides the same opportunity for
access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.57, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Limited town exemptions. new text end

new text begin (a) A town conducting an election not held
in conjunction with any federal, state, county, or school district election is exempt from
the requirements of subdivision 5 if the town has fewer than 500 registered voters as
determined by the secretary of state by June 1 of each year.
new text end

new text begin A town that would otherwise satisfy the requirements of this subdivision is still
required to comply with subdivision 5 at its next general town election if the voters at the
preceding year's annual town meeting instruct the town to conduct elections in compliance
with subdivision 5.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the secretary of state, after consultation with the Minnesota Association of
Townships, county auditors, or other interested parties, determines that a town's share
of the cost of compliance with subdivision 5 will not exceed $150 for an election, the
town may not use the exemption under paragraph (a) and shall conduct elections under
subdivision 5. In determining the town's cost of compliance, the secretary shall include
any expense associated with programming, ballot preparation and printing, and the
equipment costs directly related to compliance with subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TOWNSHIP VOTING EQUIPMENT STUDY.
new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in 2009 and at least once every other year until 2016, the secretary of
state shall consult with interested parties, including, but not limited to, members of the
legislature, town officers, county election officials, the National Federation of the Blind,
the Minnesota State Council on Disability, and the Disability Law Center regarding:
new text end

new text begin (1) options for full compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 206.57, subdivision
5; and
new text end

new text begin (2) ongoing costs of compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 206.57,
subdivision 5, and methods of reducing those costs.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning January 15, 2010, and until January 15, 2017, the secretary of state
shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
and divisions with jurisdiction over elections policy and finance regarding the findings,
discussions, and developments under paragraph (a).
new text end