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Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

SF 455

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/20/2015 01:31pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to elections; modifying various provisions related to election
administration, including provisions related to school districts, voters, ballots,
candidates, political party designation, military and overseas voting, and other
election-related provisions; establishing the Elections Emergency Planning Task
Force; enacting the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act; amending voter
registration procedures; restoring right to vote upon release from incarceration
for a felony offense; providing for early voting; requiring use of actual address
for redistricting purposes; making conforming changes; making technical
changes; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections
13.607, by adding a subdivision; 103C.311, subdivision 2; 123B.09, subdivision
1, by adding a subdivision; 200.02, subdivisions 7, 23, by adding subdivisions;
201.014, by adding a subdivision; 201.022, subdivision 1; 201.054, subdivisions
1, 2; 201.061, by adding a subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.091,
subdivision 4; 201.12, subdivisions 2, 3; 201.13, subdivision 3; 201.14; 201.157;
201.158; 201.161; 203B.001; 203B.01, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision;
203B.03, subdivision 1; 203B.05, subdivision 1; 203B.07, subdivision 1;
203B.08, subdivisions 1, 3; 203B.081; 203B.085; 203B.121, subdivisions
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 203B.16, subdivisions 1, 2; 203B.17,
subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.06, subdivision 1b; 204B.07, subdivision 2; 204B.145;
204B.19, subdivision 6; 204B.28, subdivision 2; 204B.36, subdivisions 1, 2, 3,
4; 204B.45, subdivisions 1, 2; 204C.04, subdivision 2; 204C.08, subdivision
1d; 204C.10; 204C.13, subdivisions 2, 3, 5; 204C.15, subdivision 1; 204C.22,
subdivisions 3, 4, 7, 10; 204C.35, subdivisions 1, 2; 204C.36, subdivisions
1, 2; 204C.40, subdivision 2; 204D.11, subdivision 4; 204D.27, subdivision
11; 205.84, subdivision 1; 206.82, subdivision 1; 206.83; 206.90, subdivision
6; 208.02; 208.03; 208.06; 209.01, subdivision 2; 209.021, subdivisions 2, 3;
209.09, subdivision 2; 365.22, subdivisions 2, 3; 367.31, subdivision 4; 368.85,
subdivision 4; 375.025, subdivision 1; 375A.09, subdivision 4; 376.04; 383B.68,
subdivision 4; 412.551, subdivision 2; 473.123, subdivision 3a; 609.165,
subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters
123B; 201; 203B; 208; 241; 243; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections
123B.09, subdivision 5; 201.155; 201.275; 204B.14, subdivision 6; 204C.13,
subdivision 4; 204C.30, subdivision 1; 208.07; 208.08; 383A.555.

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

ARTICLE 1

ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

School board membership.

The care, management, and control of
independent districts is vested in a board of directors, to be known as the school board.
The term of office of a member shall be four years commencing on the first Monday in
January and until a successor qualifies. The membership of the board shall consist of six
elected directors together with such ex officio member as may be provided by law. The
board may submit to the electors at any school election the question whether the board
shall consist of seven members. If a majority of those voting on the proposition favor a
seven-member board, a seventh member shall be elected at the next election of directors
for a four-year term and thereafter the board shall consist of seven members.

Those districts with a seven-member board may submit to the electors at any school
election at least 150 days before the next election of three members of the board the
question whether the board shall consist of six members. If a majority of those voting on
the proposition favor a six-member board instead of a seven-member board, deleted text begintwodeleted text endnew text begin threenew text end
members instead of deleted text beginthreedeleted text endnew text begin fournew text end members shall be elected at the next election of the board of
directors and thereafter the board shall consist of six members.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.09, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Vacancies. new text end

new text begin A vacancy other than a vacancy described in subdivision 4
must be filled pursuant to section 123B.095.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [123B.095] VACANCY IN OFFICE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Option for filling vacancies; special election. new text end

new text begin (a) Except as
provided in section 123B.09, subdivision 4, a vacancy in the office of school board may be
filled as provided in this subdivision and subdivision 2, or as provided in subdivision 3. If
the vacancy is to be filled under this subdivision and subdivision 2, it must be filled at a
special election. The school board may by resolution call for a special election to be held
according to the earliest of the following time schedules:
new text end

new text begin (1) not less than 120 days following the date the vacancy is declared, but no later
than 12 weeks prior to the date of the next regularly scheduled primary election;
new text end

new text begin (2) concurrently with the next regularly scheduled primary election and general
election; or
new text end

new text begin (3) no sooner than 120 days following the next regularly scheduled general election.
new text end

new text begin (b) The person elected at the special election shall take office immediately after
receipt of the certificate of election and upon filing the bond and taking the oath of office
and shall serve the remainder of the unexpired term.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin When victor seated immediately. new text end

new text begin If a vacancy for which a special
election is required occurs less than 120 days before the general election preceding the
end of the term, the vacancy shall be filled by the person elected at that election for the
ensuing term who shall take office immediately after receiving the certificate of election,
filing the bond and taking the oath of office.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Vacancies of less than one year; appointment option. new text end

new text begin Except as provided
in section 123B.09, subdivision 4, and as an alternative to the procedure provided in
subdivisions 1 and 2, any other vacancy in the office of school board member may be
filled by board appointment at a regular or special meeting. The appointment shall be
evidenced by a resolution entered in the minutes and shall continue until an election is
held under this subdivision. All elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term.
If one year or more remains in the unexpired term, a special election must be held under
subdivision 1. If less than one year remains in the unexpired term, the school board may
appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term, unless the
vacancy occurs within 90 days of the next school district general election, in which case
an appointment shall not be made and the vacancy must be filled at the general election.
The person elected to fill a vacancy at the general election takes office immediately in the
same manner as for a special election under subdivision 1, and serves the remainder of the
unexpired term and the new term for which the election was otherwise held.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin School board vacancy appointment; public hearing. new text end

new text begin Before making an
appointment to fill a vacancy under subdivision 3, the school board must hold a public
hearing not more than 30 days after the vacancy occurs with public notice given in the
same manner as for a special meeting of the school board. At the public hearing, the board
must invite public testimony from persons residing in the district in which the vacancy
occurs relating to the qualifications of prospective appointees to fill the vacancy. Before
making an appointment, the board also must notify public officials in the school district
on the appointment, including county commissioners, town supervisors, and city council
members, and must enter into the record at the board meeting in which the appointment is
made the names and addresses of the public officials notified. If, after the public hearing,
the board is unable or decides not to make an appointment under subdivision 3, it must
hold a special election under subdivision 1, but the time period in which the election must
be held begins to run from the date of the public hearing.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 200.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

Major political party.

(a) "Major political party" means a political party
that maintains a party organization in the state, political division or precinct in question
and that has presented at least one candidate for election to the office of:

(1) governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney
general at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or

(2) presidential elector or U.S. senator at the last preceding state general election for
presidential electors; and

whose candidate received votes in each county in that election and received votes
from not less than five percent of the total number of individuals who voted in that election.

(b) "Major political party" also means a political party that maintains a party
organization in the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and that has
presented at least 45 candidates for election to the office of state representative, 23
candidates for election to the office of state senator, four candidates for election to
the office of representative in Congress, and one candidate for election to each of the
following offices: governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state,
and state auditor, at the last preceding state general election for those offices.

(c) "Major political party" also means a political party that maintains a party
organization in the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and whose members
present to the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for the state partisan
primary ballot a petition for a place on the state partisan primary ballot, which petition
contains new text beginvalid new text endsignatures of a number of the party members equal to at least five percent
of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election.new text begin A
signature is valid only if signed no more than one year prior to the date the petition was filed.
new text end

(d) A political party whose candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a state
general election described in paragraph (a) or a political party that presents candidates at
an election as required by paragraph (b) becomes a major political party as of January
1 following that election and retains its major party status for at least two state general
elections even if the party fails to present a candidate who receives the number and
percentage of votes required under paragraph (a) or fails to present candidates as required
by paragraph (b) at subsequent state general elections.

(e) A major political party whose candidates fail to receive the number and
percentage of votes required under paragraph (a) and that fails to present candidates as
required by paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general elections described by
paragraph (a) or (b), respectively, loses major party status as of December 31 following
the later of the two consecutive state general elections.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 200.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:


Subd. 23.

Minor political party.

(a) "Minor political party" means a political party
that has adopted a state constitution, designated a state party chair, held a state convention
in the last two years, filed with the secretary of state no later than December 31 following
the most recent state general election a certification that the party has met the foregoing
requirements, and met the requirements of paragraph (b) or (e), as applicable.

(b) To be considered a minor party in all elections statewide, the political party must
have presented at least one candidate for election to the office of:

(1) governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney
general, at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or

(2) presidential elector or U.S. senator at the preceding state general election for
presidential electors; and

new text begin (3) new text endwho received votes in each county that in the aggregate equal at least one percent
of the total number of individuals who voted in the election, or its members must have
presented to the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for the state
partisan primary ballot a nominating petition in a form prescribed by the secretary of state
containing the new text beginvalid new text endsignatures of party members in a number equal to at least one percent
of the total number of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election.new text begin A
signature is valid only if signed no more than one year prior to the date the petition was filed.
new text end

(c) A political party whose candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a
state general election described in paragraph (b) becomes a minor political party as of
January 1 following that election and retains its minor party status for at least two state
general elections even if the party fails to present a candidate who receives the number
and percentage of votes required under paragraph (b) at subsequent state general elections.

(d) A minor political party whose candidates fail to receive the number and
percentage of votes required under paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general
elections described by paragraph (b) loses minor party status as of December 31 following
the later of the two consecutive state general elections.

(e) A minor party that qualifies to be a major party loses its status as a minor party
at the time it becomes a major party. Votes received by the candidates of a major party
must be counted in determining whether the party received sufficient votes to qualify as a
minor party, notwithstanding that the party does not receive sufficient votes to retain its
major party status. To be considered a minor party in an election in a legislative district,
the political party must have presented at least one candidate for a legislative office in that
district who received votes from at least ten percent of the total number of individuals
who voted for that office, or its members must have presented to the secretary of state a
nominating petition in a form prescribed by the secretary of state containing the new text beginvalid
new text endsignatures of party members in a number equal to at least ten percent of the total number of
individuals who voted in the preceding state general election for that legislative office.new text begin A
signature is valid only if signed no more than one year prior to the date the petition was filed.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 200.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Partisan offices. new text end

new text begin "Partisan offices" means federal offices, presidential
electors, constitutional offices, and legislative offices.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 200.02, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 28. new text end

new text begin Nonpartisan offices. new text end

new text begin "Nonpartisan offices" means all judicial, county,
municipal, school district, and special district offices.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.158, is amended to read:


201.158 USE OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DATA.

As required by the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the
commissioner of public safety shall make electronic data on citizenship available to the
secretary of state. The secretary of state must determine whether the data newly indicates
that any individuals who have active records in the statewide voter registration system
are not citizens. The secretary of state shall prepare a list of those voters for each county
auditornew text begin at least monthlynew text end. The county auditor shall change the status of those registrants in
the statewide voter registration system to reflect that they are challenged based upon their
citizenship and must notify the county attorney.

deleted text begin In 2010, the secretary of state must make the determination and provide lists
to the county auditors between 30 and 60 days before the general election and again
between six and ten weeks after the election. In 2011, the secretary of state must make
this determination again as part of the annual list maintenance. By August 1, 2012, the
secretary of state must provide electronic lists to the counties at least monthly.
deleted text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.01, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Military.

"Military" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps,
Coast Guard or Merchant Marine of the United States, deleted text beginanddeleted text end all other uniformed services as
defined in United States Code, title deleted text begin42, section 1973ff-6deleted text endnew text begin 52, section 20310, and military
forces as defined by section 190.05, subdivision 3
new text end.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Delivery of envelopes, directions.

The county auditor or the
municipal clerk shall prepare, print, and transmit a return envelope, a ballot envelope, and
a copy of the directions for casting an absentee ballot to each applicant whose application
for absentee ballots is accepted pursuant to section 203B.04. The county auditor or
municipal clerk shall provide first class postage for the return envelope. The directions
for casting an absentee ballot shall be printed in at least 14-point bold type with heavy
leading and may be printed on the ballot envelope. When a person requests the directions
in Braille or on deleted text begincassette tapedeleted text endnew text begin audio filenew text end, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall provide
them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille and deleted text begincassettedeleted text endnew text begin audio
file
new text end copies and make them available.

When a voter registration application is sent to the applicant as provided in section
203B.06, subdivision 4, the directions or registration application shall include instructions
for registering to vote.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.08, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Marking and return by voter.

An eligible voter who receives
absentee ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the
directions for casting the absentee ballots. The return envelope containing marked ballots
may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots or may be
left with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the
voter. If delivered in person deleted text beginby an agentdeleted text end, the return envelope must be submitted to the
county auditor or municipal clerk by 3:00 p.m. on election day.

The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot
return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope
in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three
voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the
return envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return
envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Procedures on receipt of ballots.

When absentee ballots are returned to a
county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
envelope and place it in a secure location with other return envelopes received by that
office. Within five days after receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to
the ballot board all ballots received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding
an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots received to the
ballot board within three days. Ballots received on election day either (1) after 3:00 p.m.,
if delivered deleted text beginby an agentdeleted text endnew text begin in personnew text end; or (2) after deleted text beginthe last mail deliverydeleted text end new text begin8 p.m.new text end, if delivered by
deleted text beginanother methoddeleted text endnew text begin mail or a package delivery servicenew text end, shall be marked as received late by the
county auditor or municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Duties of ballot board; absentee ballots.

(a) The members of the ballot
board shall take possession of all return envelopes delivered to them in accordance with
section 203B.08. Upon receipt from the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district
clerk, two or more members of the ballot board shall examine each return envelope and
shall mark it accepted or rejected in the manner provided in this subdivision. Election
judges performing the duties in this section must be of different major political parties,
unless they are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075, subdivision 4, or
section 205A.10, subdivision 2.

(b) The members of the ballot board shall mark the return envelope "Accepted" and
initial or sign the return envelope below the word "Accepted" if a majority of the members
of the ballot board examining the envelope are satisfied that:

(1) the voter's name and address on the return envelope are the same as the
information provided on the absentee ballot application;

(2) the voter signed the certification on the envelope;

(3) the voter's Minnesota driver's license, state identification number, or the last four
digits of the voter's Social Security number are the same as deleted text beginthedeleted text endnew text begin anew text end number deleted text beginprovideddeleted text end on the
voter's new text beginabsentee ballot new text endapplication deleted text beginfor ballotsdeleted text endnew text begin or voter recordnew text end. If the number does not
match deleted text beginthe number as submitted on the application, or if a number was not submitted on
deleted text enddeleted text beginthe applicationdeleted text end, the election judges must compare the signature provided by the applicant
to determine whether the ballots were returned by the same person to whom they were
transmitted;

(4) the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a
properly completed voter registration application in the return envelope;

(5) the certificate has been completed as prescribed in the directions for casting an
absentee ballot; and

(6) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or, if it is after the
close of business on the seventh day before the election, by absentee ballot.

The return envelope from accepted ballots must be preserved and returned to the
county auditor.

(c)(1) If a majority of the members of the ballot board examining a return envelope
find that an absentee voter has failed to meet one of the requirements provided in
paragraph (b), they shall mark the return envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the
word "Rejected," list the reason for the rejection on the envelope, and return it to the
county auditor. There is no other reason for rejecting an absentee ballot beyond those
permitted by this section. Failure to place the ballot within the security envelope before
placing it in the outer white envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee ballot.

(2) If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the
envelope must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board shall provide the
voter with a replacement absentee ballot and return envelope in place of the rejected ballot.

(3) If an envelope is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must
remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the
voter by telephone or e-mail to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected.
The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.

(d) The official in charge of the absentee ballot board must mail the voter a written
notice of absentee ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. If the
official determines that the voter has otherwise cast a ballot in the election, no notice is
required. If an absentee ballot arrives after the deadline for submission provided by this
chapter, the notice must be provided between six to ten weeks after receipt of the ballot. A
notice of absentee ballot rejection must contain the following information:

(1) the date on which the absentee ballot was rejected or, if the ballot was received
after the required deadline for submission, the date on which the ballot was received;

(2) the reason for rejection; and

(3) the name of the appropriate election official to whom the voter may direct further
questions, along with appropriate contact information.

(e) An absentee ballot return envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or
subject to further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Military service; temporary residence outside United States.

Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 provide alternative voting procedures for eligible voters who
are absent from the precinct where they maintain residence because they are:

(1) either in the military or the spouses or dependents of individuals serving in
the military; or

(2) temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States.

Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 are intended to implement the federal Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, United States Code, title deleted text begin42, section 1973ffdeleted text endnew text begin 52,
sections 20301 to 20310
new text end.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Indefinite residence outside United States.

Sections 203B.16 to
203B.27 provide the exclusive voting procedure for United States citizens who are living
indefinitely outside the territorial limits of the United States who meet all the qualifications
of an eligible voter except residence in Minnesota, but who are authorized by federal law
to vote in Minnesota because theynew text begin or, if they have never resided in the United States,
a parent
new text end maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately prior to
their departure from the United States. Individuals described in this subdivision shall be
permitted to vote only for the offices of president, vice-president, senator in Congress,
and representative in Congress.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Submission of application.

(a) An application for absentee ballots
for a voter described in section 203B.16 must be in writing and may be submitted in
person, by mail, by electronic facsimile device, by electronic mail, or electronically
through a secure Web site that shall be maintained by the secretary of state for this
purpose, upon determination by the secretary of state that security concerns have been
adequately addressed. An application for absentee ballots for a voter described in section
203B.16 may be submitted by that voter or by that voter's parent, spouse, sister, brother, or
child over the age of 18 years. deleted text beginFor purposes of an application under this subdivision, a
person's Social Security number, no matter how it is designated, qualifies as the person's
military identification number if the person is in the military.
deleted text end

(b) An application for a voter described in section 203B.16, subdivision 1, shall be
submitted to the county auditor of the county where the voter maintains residence or
through the secure Web site maintained by the secretary of state.

(c) An application for a voter described in section 203B.16, subdivision 2, shall be
submitted to the county auditor of the county where the voter new text beginor the voter's parent new text endlast
maintained residence in Minnesota or through the secure Web site maintained by the
secretary of state.

(d) An application for absentee ballots shall be valid for any primary, special
primary, general election, or special election from the time the application is received
through the end of that calendar year.

(e) There shall be no limitation of time for filing and receiving applications for
ballots under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Required information.

An application shall be accepted if it contains the
following information stated under oath:

(a) the voter's name, birthdate, and present address of residence in Minnesota, or
former address of residence new text beginor parent's former address of residence new text endin Minnesota if the
voter is living permanently outside the United States;

(b) a statement indicating that the voter is in the military, or is the spouse or
dependent of an individual serving in the military, or is temporarily outside the territorial
limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside the territorial limits of the
United States and voting under federal law;

(c) a statement that the voter expects to be absent from the precinct at the time
of the election;

(d) the address to which absentee ballots are to be mailed;

(e) the voter's signature or the signature and relationship of the individual authorized
to apply on the voter's behalf;

(f) the voter's passport number, Minnesota driver's license or state identification card
number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; if the voter does not
have access to any of these documents, the voter or other individual requesting absentee
ballots may attest to the truthfulness of the contents of the application under penalty
of perjury; and

(g) the voter's e-mail address, if the application was submitted electronically through
the secure Web site maintained by the secretary of state.

Notwithstanding paragraph (f), an application submitted through the secretary of state's
Web site must include the voter's verifiable Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota
state identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security
number, and may only be transmitted to the county auditor for processing if the secretary
of state has verified the application information matches the information in a government
database associated with the applicant's driver's license number, state identification card
number, or Social Security number. The secretary of state must review all unverifiable
applications for evidence of suspicious activity and must forward any such application to
an appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.06, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:


Subd. 1b.

Address and telephone number.

(a) An affidavit of candidacy must
state a telephone number where the candidate can be contacted. An affidavit must also
state the candidate's address of residence as determined under section 200.031, or at the
candidate's request in accordance with paragraph (c), the candidate's campaign contact
address. The form for the affidavit of candidacy must allow the candidate to request, if
eligible, that the candidate's address of residence be classified as private data, and to
provide the certification required under paragraph (c) for classification of that address.

(b) For an office whose residency requirement must be satisfied by the close of the
filing period, a registered voter in this state may request in writing that the filing officer
receiving the affidavit of candidacy review the address as provided in this paragraph, at
any time up to one day after the last day for filing for office. If requested, the filing officer
must determine whether the address provided in the affidavit of candidacy is within the
area represented by the office the candidate is seeking. If the filing officer determines
that the address is not within the area represented by the office, the filing officer must
immediately notify the candidate and the candidate's name must be removed from the
ballot for that office. A determination made by a filing officer under this paragraph is
subject to judicial review under section 204B.44.

(c) If the candidate requests that the candidate's address of residence be classified
as private data, the candidate must list the candidate's address of residence on a separate
form to be attached to the affidavit. The candidate must also certify on the affidavit that
a police report has been submitted or an order for protection has been issued in regard
to the safety of the candidate or the candidate's familynew text begin, or that the candidate's address is
otherwise private pursuant to Minnesota law
new text end. The address of residence provided by a
candidate who makes a request for classification on the candidate's affidavit of candidacy
and provides the certification required by this paragraph is classified as private data,
as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, but may be reviewed by the filing officer
as provided in this subdivision.

(d) The requirements of this subdivision do not apply to affidavits of candidacy for a
candidate for: (1) judicial office; (2) the office of county attorney; or (3) county sheriff.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.19, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

High school students.

Notwithstanding any other requirements of this
section, a student enrolled in a high school in Minnesota or who is in a home school
in compliance with sections 120A.22 and 120A.24, who has attained the age of 16 is
eligible to be appointed as a without party affiliation trainee election judge deleted text beginin the county in
which the student resides
deleted text end. The student must meet qualifications for trainee election judges
specified in rules of the secretary of state. A student appointed as a trainee election judge
may be excused from school attendance during the hours that the student is serving as a
trainee election judge if the student submits a written request signed and approved by the
student's parent or guardian to be absent from school and a certificate from the appointing
authority stating the hours during which the student will serve as a trainee election judge
to the principal of the school at least ten days prior to the election. Students shall not
serve as trainee election judges after 10:00 p.m. Notwithstanding section 177.24 to the
contrary, trainee election judges may be paid not less than two-thirds of the minimum
wage for a large employer. The principal of the school may approve a request to be absent
from school conditioned on acceptable academic performance at the time of service as
a trainee election judge.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Type.

All ballots shall be printed with black ink on paper of sufficient
thickness to prevent the printing from being discernible from the back. All ballots shall be
printed in easily readable type with suitable lines dividing candidates, offices, instructions
and other matter printed on ballots. deleted text beginThe name of each candidate shall be printed in capital
letters.
deleted text end The same type shall be used for the names of all candidates on the same ballot.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Candidates and offices.

The name of each candidate shall be printed at a
right angle to the length of the ballot. At a general election the name of the political party
or the political principle of each candidate for partisan office shall be printed above or
below the name of the candidate. The name of a political party or a political principle
shall be printed in capital and lowercase letters of the same type, with the capital letters
at least one-half the height of the capital letters used for names of the candidates. At a
general election, blank lines containing the words "write-in, if any" shall be printed below
the name of the last candidate for each office, or below the title of the office if no candidate
has filed for that office, so that a voter may write in the names of individuals whose names
are not on the ballot. One blank line shall be printed for each officer of that kind to be
elected. At a primary election, no blank lines shall be provided for writing in the names of
individuals whose names do not appear on the primary ballot.

On the left side of the ballot at the same level with the name of each candidate and
each blank line shall be printed deleted text begina squaredeleted text end new text beginan oval or similar target shape new text endin which the
voter may designate a vote by deleted text begina mark (X)deleted text endnew text begin filling in the oval or similar mark if a different
target shape is used
new text end. Each square shall be the same size. Above the first name on each
ballot shall be deleted text beginprinted the words, "Put an (X) in the square opposite the name of each
candidate you wish to vote for." At the same level with these words and directly above
the squares shall be printed a small arrow pointing downward
deleted text endnew text begin instructions for votingnew text end.
Directly underneath the official title of each office shall be printed the words "Vote for
one" or "Vote for up to ..." (any greater number to be elected).

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.36, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Question; form of ballot.

When a question is to be submitted to a vote, a
concise statement of the nature of the question shall be printed on the ballot. The words,
deleted text begin"YES"deleted text end new text begin"Yes" new text endand deleted text begin"NO"deleted text end new text begin"No" new text endshall be printed to the left of this statement, with deleted text begina squaredeleted text end
new text beginan oval or similar target shape new text endto the left of each word so that the voter may indicate by
a mark deleted text begin(X)deleted text end either a negative or affirmative vote. The ballot shall include instructions
directing the voter to deleted text beginput an (X) in the squaredeleted text end new text beginfill in the oval or similar mark if a different
target shape is used,
new text endbefore the word deleted text begin"YES"deleted text end new text begin"Yes" new text endif the voter desires to vote for the
question, or to deleted text beginput an (X)deleted text end new text beginfill in the oval or similar mark if a different target shape is used,
new text endbefore the word deleted text begin"NO"deleted text end new text begin"No" new text endif the voter desires to vote against the question.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.36, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Judicial candidates.

The official ballot shall contain the names of all
candidates for each judicial office and shall state the number of those candidates for
whom a voter may vote. Each seat for an associate justice, associate judge, or judge of
the district court must be numbered. The words deleted text begin"SUPREME COURT," "COURT OF
APPEALS,"
deleted text end new text begin"Supreme Court," "Court of Appeals," new text endand deleted text begin"(number) DISTRICT COURT"deleted text end
new text begin"(number) District Court" new text endmust be printed above the respective judicial office groups on
the ballot. The title of each judicial office shall be printed on the official primary and
general election ballot as follows:

(a) In the case of the Supreme Court:

"Chief justice";

"Associate justice (number)";

(b) In the case of the Court of Appeals:

"Judge (number)"; or

(c) In the case of the district court:

"Judge (number)."

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.45, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Authorization.

A town of any size deleted text beginnot located in a metropolitan
county as defined by section 473.121,
deleted text end new text beginin any locationnew text end or a city having fewer than deleted text begin400deleted text endnew text begin
1,000
new text end registered voters on June 1 of an election year and not located in a metropolitan
county as defined by section 473.121, may provide balloting by mail at any municipal,
county, or state election with no polling place other than the office of the auditor or clerk
or other locations designated by the auditor or clerk. The governing body may apply to the
county auditor for permission to conduct balloting by mail. The county board may provide
for balloting by mail in unorganized territory. The governing body of any municipality
may designate for mail balloting any precinct having fewer than 100 registered voters,
subject to the approval of the county auditor.

Voted ballots may be returned in person to any location designated by the county
auditor or municipal clerk.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Procedure.

Notice of the election and the special mail procedure must
be given at least ten weeks prior to the election. Not more than 46 days nor later than 14
days before a regularly scheduled election and not more than 30 days nor later than 14
days before any other election, the auditor shall mail ballots by nonforwardable mail to
all voters registered in the town or unorganized territory. No later than 14 days before
the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to those voters who
register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the election.
Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for ballots as
provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided, must
be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or in
person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint a ballot board
to examine the mail and absentee ballot return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or
"rejected" within three days of receipt if there are 14 or fewer days before election day, or
within five days of receipt if there are more than 14 days before election day. The board
may consist of deputy county auditors or deputy municipal clerks who have received
training in the processing and counting of mail ballots, who need not be affiliated with
a major political party. Election judges performing the duties in this section must be of
different major political parties, unless they are exempt from that requirement under
section 205.075, subdivision 4, or section 205A.10. If an envelope has been rejected at
least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must remain sealed and the
auditor or clerk shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in
place of the spoiled ballot. If the ballot is rejected within five days of the election, the
envelope must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to
contact the voter by telephone or e-mail to notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been
rejected. The official must document the attempts made to contact the voter.

If the ballot is accepted, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mark the roster to
indicate that the voter has already cast a ballot in that election. After the close of business
on the deleted text beginfourthdeleted text endnew text begin seventhnew text end day before the election, the ballots from return envelopes marked
"Accepted" may be opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided by section 206.86,
subdivision 5, initialed by the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the ballot box.

In all other respects, the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law governing
deposit and counting of ballots apply.

The mail and absentee ballots for a precinct must be counted together and reported
as one vote total. No vote totals from mail or absentee ballots may be made public before
the close of voting on election day.

The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in which the voter
resides. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election must be counted.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Elections covered.

For purposes of this section, "election" means a
regularly scheduled deleted text beginstate primary or generaldeleted text end election, an election to fill a vacancy in the
office of United States senator or United States representative,new text begin an election to fill a vacancy
in nomination for a constitutional office,
new text end or an election to fill a vacancy in the office of
state senator or state representative.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Voting booths.

One of the election judges shall explain to the voter the
proper method of marking deleted text beginand foldingdeleted text end the ballots and, during a primary election, the effect
of attempting to vote in more than one party's primary. Except as otherwise provided in
section 204C.15, the voter shall retire alone to an unoccupied voting booth or, at the
voter's discretion, the voter may choose to use another writing surface. The voter shall
mark the ballots without undue delay. The voter may take sample ballots into the booth to
assist in voting. The election judges may adopt and enforce reasonable rules governing the
amount of time a voter may spend in the voting booth marking ballots.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Marking ballots.

The voter shall mark each ballot in the following manner:

(a) deleted text beginA mark (X) shall be placed in the squaredeleted text end new text beginThe voter shall fill in the oval or similar
mark if a different target shape is used,
new text endopposite the printed name of each candidate for
whom the individual desires to vote, and in the deleted text beginsquaredeleted text end new text beginoval or other target shape new text endbefore the
deleted text begin"YES"deleted text end new text begin "Yes" new text endor deleted text begin"NO"deleted text end new text begin "No" new text endif the individual desires to vote for or against a question.

(b) The voter may write in other names on the lines provided under the printed
names of the candidates, except that no names shall be written in on primary ballots.

(c) At a state primary an individual may vote for candidates of only one major
political party on the partisan primary ballot. If a partisan primary ballot contains votes
for the candidates of more than one major political party, the ballot is totally defective and
no vote on the new text beginpartisan section of the new text endballot shall be counted.

(d) An individual who spoils a ballot may return it to the election judges and receive
another.

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.13, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Deposit of ballots in ballot deleted text beginboxesdeleted text endnew text begin boxnew text end.

The voter shall then withdraw
from the voting booth with the ballots deleted text beginand hand them to the election judge in charge of the
ballot boxes. That election judge shall
deleted text endnew text begin andnew text end immediately deposit each ballot in the deleted text beginproperdeleted text end
new text beginballot new text endbox. Ballots that have not been initialed by the election judges as provided in
section 204C.09, shall not be deposited in the ballot box.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Physical assistance in marking ballots.

A voter who claims a need
for assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot
may obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political
parties. The election judges shall mark the ballots as directed by the voter and in as secret
a manner as circumstances permit. A voter in need of assistance may alternatively obtain
the assistance of any individual the voter chooses. Only the following persons may not
provide assistance to a voter: the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, an
officer or agent of the voter's union, or a candidate for election. The person who assists the
voter shall, unaccompanied by an election judge, retire with that voter to a booth and mark
the ballot as directed by the voter. deleted text beginNo person who assists another voter as provided in
the preceding sentence shall mark the ballots of more than three voters at one election.
deleted text end
Before the ballots are deposited, the voter may show them privately to an election judge to
ascertain that they are marked as the voter directed. An election judge or other individual
assisting a voter shall not in any manner request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade
or induce the voter to vote for any particular political party or candidate. The election
judges or other individuals who assist the voter shall not reveal to anyone the name of any
candidate for whom the voter has voted or anything that took place while assisting the voter.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Votes for too many candidates.

If a voter places a mark deleted text begin(X)deleted text end beside the
names of more candidates for an office than are to be elected or nominated, the ballot is
defective with respect only to that office. No vote shall be counted for any candidate for
that office, but the rest of the ballot shall be counted if possible. At a primary, if a voter
has not indicated a party preference and places a mark deleted text begin(X)deleted text end beside the names of candidates
of more than one party on the partisan ballot, the ballot is totally defective and no votes on
it shall be counted. If a voter has indicated a party preference at a primary, only votes cast
for candidates of that party shall be counted.

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Name written in proper place.

If a voter has written the name of an
individual in the proper place on a general or special election ballot a vote shall be counted
for that individual whether or not the voter makes a mark deleted text begin(X)deleted text end in the deleted text beginsquaredeleted text end new text beginoval or other
target shape
new text endopposite the blank.

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.22, subdivision 7, is amended to read:


Subd. 7.

All written names or marks counted up to limit.

If a number of
individuals are to be elected to the same office, the election judges shall count all names
written in and all printed names with deleted text begin(X)deleted text end marks in deleted text beginsquaresdeleted text end new text begin oval or other target shape
new text endopposite them, not exceeding the whole number to be elected. When fewer names than the
number to be elected are marked deleted text beginwith an (X)deleted text end or written in, only the marked or written in
names shall be counted. When more names than the number to be elected are marked or
written in, the ballot is defective with respect to that office and no vote shall be counted
for that office.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.22, subdivision 10, is amended to read:


Subd. 10.

Different marks.

If a voter uniformly uses a mark deleted text beginother than (X) whichdeleted text end
new text begin that new text endclearly indicates an intent to mark a name or to mark yes or no on a question, and the
voter does not use deleted text begin(X)deleted text end new text begin the more standard mark new text endanywhere else on the ballot, a vote shall
be counted for each candidate or response to a question marked. If a voter uses two or
more distinct marks, such as (X) and some other mark, a vote shall be counted for each
candidate or response to a question marked, unless the ballot is marked by distinguishing
characteristics that make the entire ballot defective as provided in subdivision 13.

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Publicly funded recounts.

(a) In a state primary when the difference
between the votes cast for the candidates for nomination to:

(1) a state legislative office is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of
votes counted for that nomination or is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast
for the nomination is 400 votes or less; or

(2) a statewide federal office, state constitutional office, statewide judicial office,
congressional office, or district judicial office is less than one-quarter of one percent of
the total number of votes counted for that nomination or is ten votes or less and the total
number of votes cast for the nomination is 400 votes or less;

and the difference determines the nomination, the canvassing board with responsibility
for declaring the results for that office shall manually recount the vote upon receiving a
written request from the candidate whose nomination is in question.

Immediately following the meeting of the board that has responsibility for
canvassing the results of the nomination, the filing officer must notify the candidate that
the candidate has the option to request a recount of the votes at no cost to the candidate.
This written request must be received by the filing officer no later than deleted text begin48 hoursdeleted text endnew text begin 5:00 p.m.
on the second day
new text end after the canvass of the primary for which the recount is being sought.

(b) In a state general election when the difference between the votes of a candidate
who would otherwise be declared elected to:

(1) a state legislative office is less than one-half of one percent of the total number of
votes counted for that office or is ten votes or less and the total number of votes cast for
the office is 400 votes or less; or

(2) a statewide federal office, state constitutional office, statewide judicial office,
congressional office, or district judicial office and the votes of any other candidate for that
office is less than one-quarter of one percent of the total number of votes counted for that
office or is ten votes or less if the total number of votes cast for the office is 400 votes or less,

the canvassing board shall manually recount the votes upon receiving a written request
from the candidate whose election is in question.

Immediately following the meeting of the board that has responsibility for canvassing
the results of the general election, the filing officer must notify the candidate that the
candidate has the option to request a recount of the votes at no cost to the candidate. This
written request must be received by the filing officer no later than deleted text begin48 hoursdeleted text endnew text begin 5:00 p.m. on
the second day
new text end after the canvass of the election for which the recount is being sought.

(c) A recount must not delay any other part of the canvass. The results of the recount
must be certified by the canvassing board as soon as possible.

(d) Time for notice of a contest for an office which is recounted pursuant to this section
shall begin to run upon certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing board.

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Discretionary candidate recounts.

(a) A losing candidate whose
name was on the ballot for nomination or election to a statewide federal office, state
constitutional office, statewide judicial office, congressional office, state legislative office,
or district judicial office may request a recount in a manner provided in this section at the
candidate's own expense when the vote difference is greater than the difference required
by this section. The votes shall be manually recounted as provided in this section if the
candidate files a request during the time for filing notice of contest of the primary or
election for which a recount is sought.

(b) The requesting candidate shall file with the filing officer a bond, cash, or surety in
an amount set by the filing officer for the payment of the recount expenses. The requesting
candidate is responsible for the following expenses: the compensation of the secretary of
state, or designees, and any election judge, municipal clerk, county auditor, administrator,
or other personnel who participate in the recount; necessary supplies and travel related to
the recount; the compensation of the appropriate canvassing board and costs of preparing
for the canvass of recount results; and any attorney fees incurred in connection with the
recount by the governing body responsible for the recount.

(c)new text begin A discretionary recount of a primary must not delay delivery of the notice of
nomination to the winning candidate under section 204C.32.
new text end

new text begin (d)new text end The requesting candidate may provide the filing officer with a list of up to three
precincts that are to be recounted first and may waive the balance of the recount after these
precincts have been counted. If the candidate provides a list, the recount official must
determine the expenses for those precincts in the manner provided by paragraph (b).

new text begin (e) The results of the recount must be certified by the canvassing board as soon as
possible.
new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (f)new text end If the winner of the race is changed by the optional recount, the cost of the
recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text endnew text begin (g)new text end If a result of the vote counting in the manual recount is different from the
result of the vote counting reported on election day by a margin greater than the standard
for acceptable performance of voting systems provided in section 206.89, subdivision 4,
the cost of the recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Publicly funded recounts.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b)
and (c), a losing candidate for nomination or election to a county, municipal, or school
district office may request a recount of the votes cast for the nomination or election to
that office if the difference between the vote cast for that candidate and for a winning
candidate for nomination or election is less than one-quarter of one percent of the total
votes counted for that office. In case of offices where two or more seats are being filled
from among all the candidates for the office, the one-quarter of one percent difference
is between the elected candidate with the fewest votes and the candidate with the most
votes from among the candidates who were not elected.

(b) A losing candidate for nomination or election to a county, municipal, or school
district office may request a recount of the votes cast for nomination or election to that
office if the difference between the votes cast for that candidate and for a winning
candidate for nomination or election is less than one-half of one percent, and the total
number of votes cast for the nomination or election of all candidates is more than 400
but less than 50,000. In cases of offices where two or more seats are being filled from
among all the candidates for the office, the one-half of one percent difference is between
the elected candidate with the fewest votes and the candidate with the most votes from
among the candidates who were not elected.

(c) A losing candidate for nomination or election to a county, municipal, or school
district office may request a recount of the votes cast for nomination or election to that
office if the difference between the vote cast for that candidate and for a winning candidate
for nomination or election is ten votes or less, and the total number of votes cast for the
nomination or election of all candidates is no more than 400. In cases of offices where two
or more seats are being filled from among all the candidates for the office, the ten vote
difference is between the elected candidate with the fewest votes and the candidate with
the most votes from among the candidates who were not elected.

(d) Candidates for county offices shall file a written request for the recount with the
county auditor. Candidates for municipal or school district offices shall file a written
request with the municipal or school district clerk as appropriate. All requests shall be
filed deleted text beginduring the time for notice of contest of the primary ordeleted text end new text begin by 5:00 p.m. on the fifth day
after the canvass of a primary or special primary or by 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day of the
canvass of a special or general
new text endelection for which a recount is sought.

(e) Upon receipt of a request made pursuant to this section, the county auditor shall
recount the votes for a county office at the expense of the county, the governing body
of the municipality shall recount the votes for a municipal office at the expense of the
municipality, and the school board of the school district shall recount the votes for a
school district office at the expense of the school district.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.36, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Discretionary candidate recounts.

(a) A losing candidate for nomination
or election to a county, municipal, or school district office may request a recount in the
manner provided in this section at the candidate's own expense when the vote difference is
greater than the difference required by subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) to (e). The votes shall
be manually recounted as provided in this section if the requesting candidate files with
the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk a bond, cash, or surety in an
amount set by the governing body of the jurisdiction or the school board of the school
district for the payment of the recount expenses.

(b) The requesting candidate may provide the filing officer with a list of up to three
precincts that are to be recounted first and may waive the balance of the recount after these
precincts have been counted. If the candidate provides a list, the recount official must
determine the expenses for those precincts in the manner provided by paragraph (b).

(c)new text begin A discretionary recount of a primary must not delay delivery of the notice of
nomination to the winning candidate under section 204C.32.
new text end

new text begin (d) The results of the recount must be certified by the canvassing board as soon as
possible.
new text end

new text begin
(e)
new text end If the winner of the race is changed by the optional recount, the cost of the
recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (f)new text end If a result of the vote counting in the manual recount is different from the
result of the vote counting reported on election day by a margin greater than the standard
for acceptable performance of voting systems provided in section 206.89, subdivision 4,
the cost of the recount must be paid by the jurisdiction conducting the recount.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.40, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Time of issuance; certain offices.

No certificate of election shall be issued
until seven days after the canvassing board has declared the result of the election. deleted text beginIn case
of a contest, an election certificate shall not be issued until a court of proper jurisdiction
has finally determined the contest. This subdivision shall not apply to candidates elected
to the office of state senator or representative.
deleted text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204D.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Special federal ballot.

(a) The names of all candidates for the offices
of president and vice-president of the United States and senator and representative in
Congress shall be placed on a ballot that shall be known as the "special federal ballot."

(b) This ballot shall be prepared by the county auditor in the same manner as the
state general election ballot and shall be subject to the rules adopted by the secretary of
state pursuant to subdivision 1. This ballot must be prepared and furnished in accordance
with the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, United States
Code, title deleted text begin42, section 1973ffdeleted text endnew text begin 52, sections 20301 to 20310new text end.

(c) The special federal ballot shall be the only ballot sent to citizens of the United
States who are eligible to vote by absentee ballot for federal candidates in Minnesota.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204D.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:


Subd. 11.

Certificate of legislative election.

A certificate of election in a special
election for state senator or state representative shall be issued by the secretary of state to
the deleted text beginindividual declared elected by the county or state canvassing boarddeleted text endnew text begin chief clerk of the
house or the secretary of the senate
new text end two days, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, after
the appropriate canvassing board finishes canvassing the returns for the election.

In case of a contest the certificate shall not be issued until the district court
determines the contest.

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 206.90, subdivision 6, is amended to read:


Subd. 6.

Ballots.

In precincts using optical scan voting systems, a single ballot card
on which all ballot information is included must be printed in black ink on white colored
material except that marks not to be read by the automatic tabulating equipment may be
printed in another color ink. In state elections, a single ballot title must be used, as provided
in sections 204D.08, subdivision 6, and 204D.11, subdivision 1. In odd-numbered years
when both municipal and school district offices or questions appear on the ballot, the
single ballot title "City (or Town) and School District Ballot" must be used.

On the front of the ballot must be printed the words "Official Ballot" and the date of
the election and lines for the initials of at least two election judges.

When optical scan ballots are used, the offices to be elected must appear in the
following order: federal offices; state legislative offices; constitutional offices; proposed
constitutional amendments; county offices and questions; municipal offices and questions;
school district offices and questions; special district offices and questions; and judicial
offices.

On optical scan ballots, the names of candidates and the words "yes" and "no" for
ballot questions must be printed as close to their corresponding vote targets as possible.

The line on an optical scan ballot for write-in votes must contain the words "write-in,
if any."

If a primary ballot contains both a partisan ballot and a nonpartisan ballot, the
instructions to voters must include a statement that reads substantially as follows: deleted text begin"THIS
BALLOT CARD CONTAINS A PARTISAN BALLOT AND A NONPARTISAN
BALLOT. ON THE PARTISAN BALLOT YOU ARE PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR
CANDIDATES OF ONE POLITICAL PARTY ONLY."
deleted text end new text begin"This ballot card contains a
partisan ballot and a nonpartisan ballot. On the partisan ballot you are permitted to vote for
candidates of one political party only."
new text endIf a primary ballot contains political party columns
on both sides of the ballot, the instructions to voters must include a statement that reads
substantially as follows: deleted text begin"ADDITIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES ARE PRINTED ON
THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS BALLOT. VOTE FOR ONE POLITICAL PARTY ONLY."
deleted text end
new text begin"Additional political parties are printed on the other side of this ballot. Vote for one
political party only."
new text endAt the bottom of each political party column on the primary ballot,
the ballot must contain a statement that reads substantially as follows: deleted text begin"CONTINUE
VOTING ON THE NONPARTISAN BALLOT."
deleted text end new text begin"Continue voting on the nonpartisan
ballot."
new text endThe instructions in section 204D.08, subdivision 4, do not apply to optical scan
partisan primary ballots. Electronic ballot displays and audio ballot readers must follow
the order of offices and questions on the optical scan or paper ballot used in the same
precinct, or the sample ballot posted for that precinct.

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 209.021, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Notice filed with court.

If the contest relates to a nomination or
election for statewide office, the contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court
administrator of District Court in Ramsey County. For contests relating to any other office,
the contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court administrator of district court
in the county where the contestee resides.

If the contest relates to a constitutional amendment deleted text beginor other question voted on
statewide
deleted text end, the contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court administrator
of District Court in Ramsey County. If the contest relates to any other question, the
contestant shall file the notice of contest with the court administrator of district court for
the county or any one of the counties where the question appeared on the ballot.

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 209.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Notice served on parties.

In all contests relating to the nomination or
election of a candidate, the notice of contest must be served on the candidate who is
the contestee, a copy of the notice must be sent to the contestee's last known address
by certified mail, and a copy must be furnished to the official authorized to issue the
certificate of election. If personal or substituted service on the contestee cannot be made,
an affidavit of the attempt by the person attempting to make service and the affidavit of
the person who sent a copy of the notice to the contestee by certified mail is sufficient to
confer jurisdiction upon the court to decide the contest.

If the contest relates to a constitutional amendment deleted text beginor other question voted on
statewide or voted on in more than one county
deleted text end, notice of contest must be served on the
secretary of state, who is the contestee. If a contest relates to a question voted on within
only one county, school district, or municipality, a copy of the notice of contest must be
served on the county auditor, clerk of the school district, or municipal clerk, respectively,
who is the contestee. If the contest is upon the question of consolidation or reorganization
of a school district, a copy of the notice of contest must be served on the county auditor
authorized by law to issue the order.

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 209.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Statewide offices and questions.

Section 209.10, subdivision 4, applies to
a contest regarding a statewide officedeleted text begin,deleted text end new text beginornew text end a constitutional amendmentdeleted text begin, or other question
voted on statewide
deleted text end. A copy of the Supreme Court's decision must be forwarded to the
contestant and the contestee.

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 365.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Questions, ballot details.

The questions to be voted on must be separately
stated on the ballots, as worded in section 365.21. Two deleted text beginsquaresdeleted text endnew text begin ovals or similar target
shapes
new text end, one above the other, must be put just below each question with the word "yes"
beside the upper deleted text beginsquaredeleted text endnew text begin target shapenew text end and the word "no" beside the lower deleted text beginsquaredeleted text endnew text begin target shapenew text end.

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 365.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Voting.

An elector must vote separately on each question for the elector's
vote to be counted on that question. To vote "yes" on a question, the elector shall deleted text beginmark an
"X" in the square
deleted text endnew text begin fill in the oval or similar target shapenew text end beside the word "yes" just below
the question. To vote "no" on a question, the elector shall deleted text beginmark an "X" in the squaredeleted text endnew text begin fill in
the oval or similar target shape
new text end beside the word "no" just below the question.

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 367.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Election; form of ballot.

The proposals for adoption of the options shall
be stated on the ballot substantially as follows:

"Shall option A, providing for a five-member town board of supervisors, be adopted
for the government of the town?"

"Shall option B, providing for the appointment of the clerk and treasurer by the town
board, be adopted for the government of the town?"

"Shall option C, providing for the appointment of a town administrator by the town
board, be adopted for the government of the town?"

"Shall option D, providing for combining the offices of clerk and treasurer, be
adopted for the government of the town?"

If a proposal under option B is to appoint only the clerk or only the treasurer, or if it
is to appoint the combined clerk-treasurer following the adoption of option D or when
submitted simultaneously with the ballot question for option D, the ballot question shall be
varied to read appropriately. If an option B ballot question is submitted for the combined
clerk-treasurer office at the same election in which option D is also on the ballot, the
ballot must note that the approval of option B is contingent on the simultaneous approval
of option D. In any of these cases, the question shall be followed by the words "Yes"
and "No" with an appropriate deleted text beginsquaredeleted text endnew text begin oval or similar target shapenew text end before each in which
an elector may record a choice.

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 368.85, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Ballot.

The town board shall provide ballots which shall read "Shall
the territory described in the resolution adopted by the town board on the ......... day of
............., ......., constitute a special fire protection district?" The question shall be followed
with a line with the word "Yes" and deleted text begina squaredeleted text endnew text begin an oval or similar target shapenew text end after it and
another line with the word "No" and deleted text begina squaredeleted text endnew text begin an oval or similar target shapenew text end after it. The
voters shall indicate their choice by placing a deleted text begincrossdeleted text end mark in one of the deleted text beginsquaresdeleted text endnew text begin target
shapes
new text end, and a direction to so indicate their choice shall be printed on the ballot.

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 376.04, is amended to read:


376.04 ELECTION, SEPARATE BALLOT.

The question of purchasing and constructing hospital buildings shall be submitted
to the voters of any county at a general election deleted text beginand placed upon a separate ballotdeleted text end. This
election must be called by a resolution of the county board. The resolution must state the
time of the election, that a county hospital is proposed to be established, the proposed
location, and the cost, including equipment, for not more than the amount stated in the
resolution. When the resolutions are passed, the county auditor shall immediately notify
each town or city clerk in the county that the question of constructing hospital buildings
will be voted upon at the time stated in the resolution, in the manner provided under the
state election laws.

The ballot must be in the following form:

"For the purchase and construction of hospital buildings, including equipment, to
be located at ............... (state location), at a cost not more than .............. (state amount),
pursuant to the resolution of the board of county commissioners passed .................. (state
date).

Yes
.
No
.
"

new text begin To the left of new text endeach of the last two words, "yes" and "no," shall be deleted text beginfollowed by a
square in which the voter may indicate by a mark (X) either a negative or affirmative vote
deleted text endnew text begin
printed an oval or similar target shape so that the voter may indicate by a mark either a
negative or affirmative vote
new text end. These votes shall be cast in the same manner as votes cast at
the general election and counted by the same officers. Returns must be made to the county
auditor, and canvassed in the same manner as the returns on county officers.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 412.551, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Form of ballot.

The proposals for the adoption of optional plans shall be
stated on the ballot substantially as follows:

"Shall Optional Plan A, modifying the standard plan of city government by
providing for the appointment by the council of the clerk and treasurer be adopted for the
government of the city?"

"Shall Optional Plan B, providing for the council-manager form of city government,
be adopted for the government of the city?"

If the city has combined the offices of clerk and treasurer, the word "clerk-treasurer"
shall be substituted for the words "clerk and treasurer" in the question on the ballot on
adoption of Optional Plan A. In any of these cases, the question shall be followed by the
words, "Yes" and "No" with an deleted text beginappropriate square before each in which a voter may
record a choice
deleted text endnew text begin oval or similar target shape to the left of each word so that the voter may
indicate by a mark either a negative or affirmative vote
new text end.

Sec. 52. new text beginELECTIONS EMERGENCY PLANNING TASK FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The Elections Emergency Planning Task Force
consists of the following members:
new text end

new text begin (1) the director of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security
and Emergency Management, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (2) the secretary of state, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (3) one individual designated by the secretary of state, from the elections division in
the Office of the Secretary of State;
new text end

new text begin (4) the Minnesota Adjutant General, or designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) one county auditor, appointed by the Minnesota Association of County Officers;
new text end

new text begin (6) one local professional emergency manager, appointed by the Association of
Minnesota Emergency Managers;
new text end

new text begin (7) one town election official, appointed by the Minnesota Association of Townships;
new text end

new text begin (8) one city election official, appointed by the League of Minnesota Cities;
new text end

new text begin (9) one school district election official, appointed by the Minnesota School Boards
Association;
new text end

new text begin (10) one representative appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
new text end

new text begin (11) one representative appointed by the minority leader of the house of
representatives;
new text end

new text begin (12) one senator appointed by the senate majority leader; and
new text end

new text begin (13) one senator appointed by the senate minority leader.
new text end

new text begin (b) Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the appointing authority for the
vacating member.
new text end

new text begin (c) Members shall be appointed by July 1, 2015.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The task force must research the following issues:
new text end

new text begin (1) potential emergency scenarios that could impact elections;
new text end

new text begin (2) current capacity and authority to address emergency situations;
new text end

new text begin (3) potential direct and indirect costs of an emergency that disrupts elections;
new text end

new text begin (4) maintaining ballot security in event of an emergency;
new text end

new text begin (5) continuity of operations procedures; and
new text end

new text begin (6) communications plans and key emergency contacts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin First meeting; chair. new text end

new text begin The secretary of state, or the secretary's designee,
must convene the initial meeting of the task force by August 1, 2015. The members of
the task force must elect a chair and vice-chair from the members of the task force at the
first meeting.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Public members of the task force shall be compensated
pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staff. new text end

new text begin The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide staff
support, as needed, to facilitate the task force's work.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The task force must submit a report by January 1, 2016, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the senate and house of
representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections, summarizing its findings and
listing recommendations for the development of elections emergency plans statewide. The
report shall include draft legislation to implement the recommendations of the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force shall sunset the day following the submission of the
report under subdivision 6, or January 1, 2016, whichever is earlier.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 53. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 123B.09, subdivision 5; 204B.14, subdivision 6;
204C.13, subdivision 4; 204C.30, subdivision 1; and 383A.555,
new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

ARTICLE 2

UNIFORM FAITHFUL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS ACT

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Petitions for presidential electorsnew text begin and alternatesnew text end.

This subdivision
does not apply to candidates for presidential electornew text begin or alternatenew text end nominated by major
political parties. Major party candidates for presidential electornew text begin or alternatenew text end are certified
under section 208.03. Other presidential electorsnew text begin or alternatesnew text end are nominated by petition
pursuant to this section. On petitions nominating presidential electorsnew text begin or alternatesnew text end, the
names of the candidates for president and vice-president shall be added to the political
party or political principle stated on the petition. One petition may be filed to nominate a
slate of presidential electors equal in number to the number of electors to which the state
is entitlednew text begin and an alternate for each elector nomineenew text end.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 208.02, is amended to read:


208.02 ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORSnew text begin AND ALTERNATESnew text end.

Presidential electorsnew text begin and alternatesnew text end shall be chosen at the state general election held
in the year preceding the expiration of the term of the president of the United States.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 208.03, is amended to read:


208.03 NOMINATION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORSnew text begin AND
ALTERNATES
new text end.

Presidential electorsnew text begin and alternatesnew text end for the major political parties of this state shall be
nominated by delegate conventions called and held under the supervision of the respective
state central committees of the parties of this state. At least 71 days before the general
election day the chair of the major political party shall certify to the secretary of state
the names of the persons nominated as presidential electors, the names of deleted text begineightdeleted text endnew text begin persons
nominated as
new text end alternate presidential electors, and the names of the party candidates for
president and vice president. The chair shall also certify that the party candidates for
president and vice president have no affidavit on file as a candidate for any office in
this state at the ensuing general election.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 208.06, is amended to read:


208.06 ELECTORSnew text begin AND ALTERNATESnew text end TO MEET AT STATE CAPITOLdeleted text begin;
FILLING OF VACANCIES
deleted text end.

The presidential electors and alternate presidential electors, before 12:00 M. on the
day before that fixed by Congress for the electors to vote for president and vice president
of the United States, shall notify the governor that they are at the State Capitol and ready
at the proper time to fulfill their duties as electors. The governor shall deliver to the
electors present a certificate of the names of all the electors. deleted text beginIf any elector named therein
fails to appear before 9:00 a.m. on the day, and at the place, fixed for voting for president
and vice president of the United States, an alternate, chosen from among the alternates by
lot, shall be appointed to act for that elector. If more than eight alternates are necessary,
the electors present shall, in the presence of the governor, immediately elect by ballot a
person to fill the vacancy. If more than the number of persons required have the highest
and an equal number of votes, the governor, in the presence of the electors attending, shall
decide by lot which of those persons shall be elected
deleted text endnew text begin The electors shall meet at 12:00 p.m.
in the executive chamber of the State Capitol and shall perform all the duties imposed
upon them as electors by the Constitution and laws of the United States and this state
in the manner provided in section 208.46
new text end.

Sec. 5.

new text begin [208.40] SHORT TITLE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 208.40 to 208.48 may be cited as the "Uniform Faithful Presidential
Electors Act."
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [208.41] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions in this section apply to sections 208.40 to 208.48.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Cast" means accepted by the secretary of state in accordance with section
208.46, paragraph (b).
new text end

new text begin (c) "Elector" means an individual selected as a presidential elector under this chapter.
new text end

new text begin (d) "President" means the president of the United States.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Unaffiliated presidential candidate" means a candidate for president who
qualifies for the general election ballot in this state by means other than nomination by a
political party.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Vice president" means the vice president of the United States.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [208.42] DESIGNATION OF STATE'S ELECTORS.
new text end

new text begin For each elector position in this state, a political party contesting the position, or
an unaffiliated presidential candidate, shall submit to the secretary of state the names of
two qualified individuals. One of the individuals must be designated "elector nominee"
and the other "alternate elector nominee."
new text end

new text begin Except as otherwise provided in sections 208.44 to 208.47, this state's electors are
the winning elector nominees under the laws of this state.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [208.43] PLEDGE.
new text end

new text begin Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee of a political party shall execute
the following pledge: "If selected for the position of elector, I agree to serve and to mark
my ballots for president and vice president for the nominees for those offices of the party
that nominated me." Each elector nominee and alternate elector nominee of an unaffiliated
presidential candidate shall execute the following pledge: "If selected for the position
of elector as a nominee of an unaffiliated presidential candidate, I agree to serve and
to mark my ballots for that candidate and for that candidate's vice-presidential running
mate." The executed pledges must accompany the submission of the corresponding names
to the secretary of state.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [208.44] CERTIFICATION OF ELECTORS.
new text end

new text begin In submitting this state's certificate of ascertainment as required by United States
Code, title 3, section 6, the governor shall certify this state's electors and state in the
certificate that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the electors will serve as electors unless a vacancy occurs in the office of elector
before the end of the meeting at which elector votes are cast, in which case a substitute
elector will fill the vacancy; and
new text end

new text begin (2) if a substitute elector is appointed to fill a vacancy, the governor will submit an
amended certificate of ascertainment stating the names on the final list of this state's
electors.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [208.45] PRESIDING OFFICER; ELECTOR VACANCY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The secretary of state shall preside at the meeting of electors described in section
208.06.
new text end

new text begin (b) The position of an elector not present to vote is vacant. The secretary of state
shall appoint an individual as a substitute elector to fill a vacancy as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) if the alternate elector is present to vote, by appointing the alternate elector
for the vacant position;
new text end

new text begin (2) if the alternate elector for the vacant position is not present to vote, by appointing
an elector chosen by lot from among the alternate electors present to vote who were
nominated by the same political party or unaffiliated presidential candidate;
new text end

new text begin (3) if the number of alternate electors present to vote is insufficient to fill any
vacant position pursuant to clauses (1) and (2), by appointing any immediately available
individual who is qualified to serve as an elector and chosen through nomination by a
plurality vote of the remaining electors, including nomination and vote by a single elector
if only one remains;
new text end

new text begin (4) if there is a tie between at least two nominees for substitute elector in a vote
conducted under clause (3), by appointing an elector chosen by lot from among those
nominees; or
new text end

new text begin (5) if all elector positions are vacant and cannot be filled pursuant to clauses (1) to
(4), by appointing a single presidential elector, with remaining vacant positions to be filled
under clause (3) and, if necessary, clause (4).
new text end

new text begin (c) To qualify as a substitute elector under paragraph (b), an individual who has not
executed the pledge required under section 208.43 shall execute the following pledge: "I
agree to serve and to mark my ballots for president and vice president consistent with the
pledge of the individual to whose elector position I have succeeded."
new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [208.46] ELECTOR VOTING.
new text end

new text begin (a) At the time designated for elector voting in section 208.06, and after all vacant
positions have been filled under section 208.45, the secretary of state shall provide each
elector with a presidential and a vice-presidential ballot. The elector shall mark the
elector's presidential and vice-presidential ballots with the elector's votes for the offices
of president and vice president, respectively, along with the elector's signature and the
elector's legibly printed name.
new text end

new text begin (b) Except as otherwise provided by law of this state other than this chapter, each
elector shall present both completed ballots to the secretary of state, who shall examine
the ballots and accept as cast all ballots of electors whose votes are consistent with their
pledges executed under section 208.43 or 208.45, paragraph (c). Except as otherwise
provided by law of this state other than this chapter, the secretary of state may not accept
and may not count either an elector's presidential or vice-presidential ballot if the elector
has not marked both ballots or has marked a ballot in violation of the elector's pledge.
new text end

new text begin (c) An elector who refuses to present a ballot, presents an unmarked ballot, or
presents a ballot marked in violation of the elector's pledge executed under section 208.43
or 208.45, paragraph (c), vacates the office of elector, creating a vacant position to be
filled under section 208.45.
new text end

new text begin (d) The secretary of state shall distribute ballots to and collect ballots from a
substitute elector and repeat the process under this section of examining ballots, declaring
and filling vacant positions as required, and recording appropriately completed ballots from
the substituted electors, until all of this state's electoral votes have been cast and recorded.
new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [208.47] ELECTOR REPLACEMENT; ASSOCIATED CERTIFICATES.
new text end

new text begin (a) After the vote of this state's electors is completed, if the final list of electors
differs from any list that the governor previously included on a certificate of ascertainment
prepared and transmitted under United States Code, title 3, section 6, the secretary of state
immediately shall prepare an amended certificate of ascertainment and transmit it to
the governor for the governor's signature.
new text end

new text begin (b) The governor immediately shall deliver the signed amended certificate of
ascertainment to the secretary of state and a signed duplicate original of the amended
certificate of ascertainment to all individuals entitled to receive this state's certificate of
ascertainment, indicating that the amended certificate of ascertainment is to be substituted
for the certificate of ascertainment previously submitted.
new text end

new text begin (c) The secretary of state shall prepare a certificate of vote. The electors on the final
list shall sign the certificate. The secretary of state shall process and transmit the signed
certificate with the amended certificate of ascertainment under United States Code, title
3, sections 9, 10, and 11.
new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin [208.48] UNIFORMITY OF APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin In applying and construing sections 208.40 to 208.48, consideration must be given
to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to their subject matter among
states that enact the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act or similar law.
new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 209.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Statewide office.

For purposes of this chapternew text begin,new text end "statewide office" means the
office of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state,
chief justice or associate justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals,
United States senator, or presidential electornew text begin or alternatenew text end.

Sec. 15. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 208.07; and 208.08, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

ARTICLE 3

VOTER REGISTRATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.607, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:


new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Data derived from driver's license applications. new text end

new text begin Data on an application
for a driver's license, a Minnesota identification card, or an instruction permit transferred
to the secretary of state that are provided by a person whom the secretary of state
determines is not eligible to vote are governed by section 201.161.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.054, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Registration.

new text begin(a) new text endAn individual may register to vote:

(1) at any time before the 20th day preceding any election as provided in section
201.061, subdivision 1;

(2) on the day of an election as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3; or

(3) when submitting an absentee ballot, by enclosing a completed registration
application as provided in section 203B.04, subdivision 4.

new text begin (b) An individual who is under the age of 18, but who is at least 16 years of age and
otherwise eligible, may submit an application to register to vote as provided in section
201.061, subdivisions 1 and 1b.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.054, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Prohibitions; penalty.

No individual shall intentionally:

(a) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered in any precinct if
the individual is not eligible to votenew text begin, except as permitted by section 201.061, subdivisions
1 and 1b
new text end;

(b) cause or attempt to cause the individual's name to be registered for the purpose of
voting in more than one precinct;

(c) misrepresent the individual's identity when attempting to register to vote; or

(d) aid, abet, counsel, or procure any other individual to violate this subdivision.

A violation of this subdivision is a felony.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.061, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Preregistration. new text end

new text begin An individual who is under the age of 18, but who is
at least 16 years of age and meets all requirements for eligibility contained in section
201.014, except for age, may submit an application to register in which the voter maintains
residence by completing a voter registration pursuant to subdivision 1. Nothing in this
section shall be construed to entitle an individual to cast a ballot at an election if the
individual does not meet all eligibility requirements for voting, including age.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Form.

Both paper and electronic voter registration applications must
contain the same information unless otherwise provided by law. A voter registration
application must contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first name,
middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address; voter's
previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of residence;
voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current and valid
Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number, or if the voter
has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state identification, the
last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; and voter's signature. The paper
registration application may include the voter's e-mail address, if provided by the voter.
The electronic voter registration application must include the voter's e-mail address. The
registration application may include the voter's interest in serving as an election judge,
if indicated by the voter. The application must also contain the following certification
of voter eligibility:

"I certify that I:

(1) deleted text beginwill be at least 18 years old ondeleted text end deleted text beginelection daydeleted text endnew text begin am at least sixteen years old and
understand that I must be at least eighteen years old to be eligible to vote
new text end;

(2) am a citizen of the United States;

(3) will have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding election day;

(4) maintain residence at the address given on the registration form;

(5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my
right to vote;

(6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;

(7) deleted text beginhave the right to vote because, if I have been convicted of a felony, my felony
sentence has expired (been completed) or I have been discharged from my sentence
deleted text endnew text begin am
not currently incarcerated for a felony offense
new text end; and

(8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information
is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more
than $10,000, or both."

The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following
questions:

"(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and

deleted text begin "(2) Will you be 18 years old on or before election day?"
deleted text end

new text begin "(2) Are you at least 16 years of age and will you be at least 18 years of age on the
day of the election in which you intend to vote?"
new text end

And the instruction:

"If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."

deleted text begin A paper voter registration application must be of suitable size and weight for
mailing.
deleted text end The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter
eligibility must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state.
Voter registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be
accepted as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if
it is not deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.

An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in
Minnesota or to change information on an existing registration.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.091, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Public information lists.

The county auditor shall make available for
inspection a public information list which must contain the name, address, year of birth,
and voting history of each registered voter in the countynew text begin who is at least 18 years of agenew text end.
The telephone number must be included on the list if provided by the voter. The public
information list may also include information on voting districts. The county auditor
may adopt reasonable rules governing access to the list. No individual inspecting the
public information list shall tamper with or alter it in any manner. No individual who
inspects the public information list or who acquires a list of registered voters prepared
from the public information list may use any information contained in the list for purposes
unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement. The secretary of state may
provide copies of the public information lists and other information from the statewide
registration system for uses related to elections, political activities, or in response to a
law enforcement inquiry from a public official concerning a failure to comply with any
criminal statute or any state or local tax statute.

Before inspecting the public information list or obtaining a list of voters or other
information from the list, the individual shall provide identification to the public official
having custody of the public information list and shall state in writing that any information
obtained from the list will not be used for purposes unrelated to elections, political
activities, or law enforcement. Requests to examine or obtain information from the public
information lists or the statewide registration system must be made and processed in the
manner provided in the rules of the secretary of state.

Upon receipt of a statement signed by the voter that withholding the voter's name
from the public information list is required for the safety of the voter or the voter's family,
the secretary of state and county auditor must withhold from the public information list the
name of a registered voter.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.161, is amended to read:


201.161new text begin AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OFnew text end DRIVER'S LICENSEnew text begin,
INSTRUCTION PERMIT,
new text end AND IDENTIFICATION CARD deleted text beginAPPLICATIONSdeleted text endnew text begin
APPLICANTS
new text end.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Automatic registration. new text end

new text begin An individual who properly completes
an application for a new or renewed Minnesota driver's license, instruction permit, or
identification card, and who is eligible to vote under section 201.014, must be registered to
vote as provided in this section, unless the applicant declines to be registered.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Applications. new text end

The deleted text beginDepartmentdeleted text endnew text begin commissionernew text end of public safetynew text begin, in
consultation with the secretary of state,
new text end shall change deleted text beginitsdeleted text endnew text begin thenew text end applications for an original,
duplicate, or change of address driver's licensenew text begin, instruction permit,new text end or identification card so
that the forms may also serve as voter registration applications. The forms must contain
spaces for all information collected by voter registration applications prescribed by the
secretary of statenew text begin and a box for the applicant to decline to be registered to votenew text end. deleted text beginApplicants
for driver's licenses or identification cards must be asked if they want to register to vote at
the same time and that
deleted text endnew text begin Unless the applicant has declined to be registered to vote or has
provided an address other than the applicant's address of residence under section 171.12,
subdivision 7, paragraph (d), the commissioner shall transmit the
new text end information deleted text beginmust be
transmitted at least weekly
deleted text endnew text begin dailynew text end by electronic means to the secretary of state. Pursuant
to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the computerized driver's
license record containing the voter's name, address, date of birth,new text begin citizenship,new text end driver's
license number or state identification number, county, deleted text begintown,deleted text end and citynew text begin or townnew text end must be
made available for access by the secretary of state and interaction with the statewide
voter registration system.

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Registration. new text end

new text begin (a) The secretary of state shall determine whether the
applicant is currently registered in the statewide voter registration system. For each
currently registered voter whose registration is not changed, the secretary of state shall
update the voter's registration date in the statewide voter registration system. For each
currently registered voter whose registration is changed, the secretary of state shall
transmit the registration daily by electronic means to the county auditor of the county
where the voter resides.
new text end

new text begin (b) If the applicant is not currently registered in the statewide voter registration
system, the secretary of state shall determine whether the applicant is 18 years of age or
older and a citizen of the United States and compare the voter registration information
received from the commissioner of public safety with the information on wards,
incompetents, and felons received from the state court administrator under sections 201.15
and 201.155, and with data received from the commissioner of corrections under section
201.157, to determine whether the applicant is eligible to vote. If an applicant is less than
18 years of age, the secretary of state shall wait until the applicant has turned 18 years of
age to determine whether the applicant is eligible to vote. For each applicant the secretary
of state determines is an eligible voter, the secretary of state shall transmit the registration
daily by electronic means to the county auditor of the county where the voter resides.
new text end

new text begin (c) Any data on applicants who the secretary determines are not eligible to vote are
private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Notice. new text end

new text begin Upon receipt of the registration, the county auditor shall mail to
the voter the notice of registration required by section 201.121, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Effective date. new text end

new text begin An application for registration that is dated during the 20
days before an election in any jurisdiction within which the voter resides is not effective
until the day after the election.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin An applicant for a Minnesota driver's license, instruction
permit, or identification card must not be registered to vote under this section until the
commissioner of public safety has certified that the department's systems have been tested
and can accurately provide the necessary data, and the secretary of state has certified that
the system for automatic registration of those applicants has been tested and is capable of
properly determining whether an applicant is eligible to vote.
new text end

ARTICLE 4

RESTORATION OF RIGHT TO VOTE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.014, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:


new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Felony conviction; restoration of civil right to vote. new text end

new text begin An individual
convicted of a felony has the civil right to vote restored when the individual completes
any incarceration imposed and executed by the court for the offense, and during any other
period following conviction in which the individual is not incarcerated. If the individual
is later incarcerated for the same offense, the individual's civil right to vote is lost only
during the period of incarceration.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Moved within state.

If any nonforwardable mailing from an election
official is returned as undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding address in this state,
the county auditor may change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide registration
system and shall transmit a copy of the mailing to the auditor of the county in which the
new address is located. If an election is scheduled to occur in the precinct in which the voter
resides in the next 47 days, the county auditor shall promptly update the voter's address in
the statewide voter registration system. If there is not an election scheduled, the auditor
may wait to update the voter's address until after the next list of address changes is received
from the secretary of state. Once updated, the county auditor shall mail to the voter a notice
stating the voter's name, address, precinct, and polling place, except that if the voter's
record is challenged due to new text beginincarceration for new text enda felony deleted text beginconvictiondeleted text endnew text begin offensenew text end, noncitizenship,
name change, incompetence, or a court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under
guardianship, the auditor must not mail the notice. The notice must advise the voter that
the voter's voting address has been changed and that the voter must notify the county
auditor within 21 days if the new address is not the voter's address of residence. The notice
must state that it must be returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.12, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Moved out of state.

If any nonforwardable mailing from an election
official is returned as undeliverable but with a permanent forwarding address outside this
state, the county auditor shall promptly mail to the voter at the voter's new address a
notice advising the voter that the voter's status in the statewide voter registration system
will be changed to "inactive" unless the voter notifies the county auditor within 21 days
that the voter is retaining the former address as the voter's address of residence. If the
voter's record is challenged due to new text beginincarceration for new text enda felony deleted text beginconvictiondeleted text endnew text begin offensenew text end, lack of
United States citizenship, legal incompetence, or court-ordered revocation of voting rights
of persons under guardianship, the county auditor must not mail this notice. If the notice is
not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall change the voter's status to "inactive"
in the statewide voter registration system.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Use of change of address system.

(a) At least once each month the
secretary of state shall obtain a list of individuals registered to vote in this state who have
filed with the United States Postal Service a change of their permanent address. The
secretary of state may also periodically obtain a list of individuals with driver's licenses or
state identification cards to identify those who are registered to vote who have applied to
the Department of Public Safety for a replacement driver's license or state identification
card with a different address, and a list of individuals for whom the Department of Public
Safety received notification of a driver's license or state identification card cancellation
due to a change of residency out of state. However, the secretary of state shall not load
data derived from these lists into the statewide voter registration system within the 47 days
before the state primary or 47 days before a November general election.

(b) If the address is changed to another address in this state, the secretary of state
shall locate the precinct in which the voter resides, if possible. If the secretary of state
is able to locate the precinct in which the voter resides, the secretary must transmit the
information about the changed address by electronic means to the county auditor of the
county in which the new address is located. For addresses for which the secretary of
state is unable to determine the precinct, the secretary may forward information to the
appropriate county auditors for individual review. If the voter has not voted or submitted a
voter registration application since the address change, upon receipt of the information, the
county auditor shall update the voter's address in the statewide voter registration system.
The county auditor shall mail to the voter a notice stating the voter's name, address,
precinct, and polling place, unless the voter's record is challenged due to new text beginincarceration
for
new text enda felony deleted text beginconvictiondeleted text endnew text begin offensenew text end, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence, or a court's
revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, in which case the auditor
must not mail the notice. The notice must advise the voter that the voter's voting address
has been changed and that the voter must notify the county auditor within 21 days if the
new address is not the voter's address of residence. The notice must state that it must be
returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address.

(c) If the change of permanent address is to an address outside this state, the secretary
of state shall notify by electronic means the auditor of the county where the voter formerly
resided that the voter has moved to another state. If the voter has not voted or submitted a
voter registration application since the address change, the county auditor shall promptly
mail to the voter at the voter's new address a notice advising the voter that the voter's status
in the statewide voter registration system will be changed to "inactive" unless the voter
notifies the county auditor within 21 days that the voter is retaining the former address
as the voter's address of residence, except that if the voter's record is challenged due to
new text beginincarceration for new text enda felony deleted text beginconvictiondeleted text endnew text begin offensenew text end, noncitizenship, name change, incompetence,
or a court's revocation of voting rights of individuals under guardianship, the auditor must
not mail the notice. If the notice is not received by the deadline, the county auditor shall
change the voter's status to "inactive" in the statewide voter registration system.

(d) If, in order to maintain voter registration records, the secretary of state enters
an agreement to share information or data with an organization governed exclusively by
a group of states, the secretary must first determine that the data security protocols are
sufficient to safeguard the information or data shared. If required by such an agreement,
the secretary of state may share the following data from the statewide voter registration
system and data released to the secretary of state under section 171.12, subdivision 7a:

(1) name;

(2) date of birth;

(3) address;

(4) driver's license or state identification card number;

(5) the last four digits of an individual's Social Security number; and

(6) the date that an individual's record was last updated.

If the secretary of state enters into such an agreement, the secretary and county auditors
must process changes to voter records based upon that data in accordance with this section.
Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, when data is shared with the secretary of
state by another state, the secretary of state must maintain the same data classification that
the data had while it was in the possession of the state providing the data.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.14, is amended to read:


201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT
CHANGES OF NAMES.

The state court administrator shall regularly report by electronic means to the
secretary of state the name, address, and, if available, driver's license or state identification
card number of each individual, 18 years of age or over, whose name was changed since
the last report, by marriage, divorce, or any order or decree of the court. The secretary of
state shall determine if any of the persons in the report are registered to vote under their
previous name and shall prepare a list of those registrants for each county auditor. Upon
receipt of the list, the county auditor shall make the change in the voter's record and mail
to the voter the notice of registration required by section 201.121, subdivision 2. A notice
must not be mailed if the voter's record is challenged due to new text beginincarceration for new text enda felony
deleted text beginconvictiondeleted text endnew text begin offensenew text end, lack of United States citizenship, legal incompetence, or court-ordered
revocation of voting rights of persons under guardianship.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.157, is amended to read:


201.157 USE OF DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DATA.

(a) The commissioner of corrections shall make electronic data available to the
secretary of state on individuals 18 years of age or older who are currentlydeleted text begin:deleted text endnew text begin incarcerated in
a state correctional facility.
new text end

deleted text begin (1) serving felony sentences under the commissioner's jurisdiction; or
deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) on probation for felony offenses that would result in the loss of civil rights, as
indicated by the statewide supervision system established under section 241.065.
deleted text end

The data must include the name, date of birth, last known residential address that is
not a correctional facility, and, if available, corrections' state identification number, and
the driver's license or state identification card number, and, if an individual has completed
the sentence, the date of discharge.

(b) The secretary of state must determine if any data newly indicates that:

(1) an individual with an active voter registration in the statewide voter registration
system is currently deleted text beginserving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction or is
on probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil rights
deleted text endnew text begin incarcerated
in a state correctional facility
new text end and the individual's voter record does not already have a
challenged status due to a felony conviction;

(2) an individual with an active voter registration in the statewide voter registration
system who is currently deleted text beginserving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction
or who is on probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil rights
deleted text endnew text begin
incarcerated in a state correctional facility
new text end appears to have registered to vote or to have
voted during a period when the individual's civil rights were revoked; and

(3) an individual with a voter record that has a challenged status due to a felony
conviction who was serving a felony sentence under the commissioner's jurisdiction
or who has been on probation for a felony offense that would result in the loss of civil
rights has been discharged from a sentence.

The secretary of state shall prepare a list of the registrants included under clause (1),
(2), or (3) for each county auditor. For individuals under clause (1), the county auditor
shall challenge the individual's record in the statewide voter registration system. The
county auditor must provide information to the county attorney about individuals under
clause (2) for the county attorney's investigation. For individuals under clause (3), the
county auditor must determine if the challenge status should be removed from the voter
record for the individual, and if so, must remove the challenge.

The secretary of state must make the required determinations and provide the
required lists to the county auditors at least monthly.

For each state general election that occurs prior to the statewide voter registration
system being programmed to generate lists as required by this section, the secretary of
state must make the determination and provide lists to the county auditors between 30 and
60 days before the election and again between six and ten weeks after the election. In the
year following that state election, the secretary of state must make this determination and
provide lists to the county auditors again as part of the annual list maintenance.

Sec. 7.

new text begin [201.276] DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE; INFORMATION
ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS.
new text end

new text begin The secretary of state shall develop accurate and complete information in a single
publication about the voting rights of people who have been charged with or convicted of
a crime. The secretary of state must make this publication available electronically to the
state court administrator for distribution to judges, court personnel, probation officers,
and the Department of Corrections for distribution to corrections officials, parole and
supervised release agents, and the public. The secretary of state must make the publication
available to the public on the Office of the Secretary of State's Web site.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.08, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:


Subd. 1d.

Voter's Bill of Rights.

The county auditor shall prepare and provide to
each polling place sufficient copies of a poster setting forth the Voter's Bill of Rights as set
forth in this section. Before the hours of voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges
shall post it in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place. The Voter's Bill
of Rights is as follows:

"VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS

For all persons residing in this state who meet federal voting eligibility requirements:

(1) You have the right to be absent from work for the purpose of voting in a statedeleted text begin
or
deleted text endnew text begin,new text end federalnew text begin, or regularly schedulednew text end election without reduction to your pay, personal leave,
or vacation time on election day for the time necessary to appear at your polling place,
cast a ballot, and return to work.

(2) If you are in line at your polling place any time before 8:00 p.m., you have the
right to vote.

(3) If you can provide the required proof of residence, you have the right to register
to vote and to vote on election day.

(4) If you are unable to sign your name, you have the right to orally confirm your
identity with an election judge and to direct another person to sign your name for you.

(5) You have the right to request special assistance when voting.

(6) If you need assistance, you may be accompanied into the voting booth by a
person of your choice, except by an agent of your employer or union or a candidate.

(7) You have the right to bring your minor children into the polling place and into
the voting booth with you.

(8) deleted text beginIf you have been convicted of a felony but your felony sentence has expired
(been completed) or you have been discharged from your sentence,
deleted text end You have the right to
votenew text begin, even if you have been convicted of a felony, if you are not currently incarcerated for
the felony offense
new text end.

(9) If you are under a guardianship, you have the right to vote, unless the court
order revokes your right to vote.

(10) You have the right to vote without anyone in the polling place trying to
influence your vote.

(11) If you make a mistake or spoil your ballot before it is submitted, you have the
right to receive a replacement ballot and vote.

(12) You have the right to file a written complaint at your polling place if you are
dissatisfied with the way an election is being run.

(13) You have the right to take a sample ballot into the voting booth with you.

(14) You have the right to take a copy of this Voter's Bill of Rights into the voting
booth with you."

Sec. 9.

new text begin [243.205] NOTICE OF RESTORATION OF RIGHT TO VOTE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Correctional facilities; designation of official. new text end

new text begin The chief executive
officer of each state and local correctional facility shall designate an official within the
facility to provide the notice required under this section to persons to whom the civil right to
vote is restored by reason of the persons' release from actual incarceration. The official shall
maintain an adequate supply of voter registration informational materials for this purpose.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Notice requirement. new text end

new text begin A notice of restoration of the civil right to vote must
be provided as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) the chief executive officer of each state and local correctional facility shall
provide the notice to a person being released from the facility following incarceration for a
felony-level offense; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a probation officer or supervised release agent shall provide the notice to all
individuals under correctional supervision for a felony-level offense.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Form of notice. new text end

new text begin The notice required by subdivision 2 must appear
substantially as follows:
new text end

new text begin "NOTICE OF RESTORATION OF YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.
new text end

new text begin Your receipt of this notice today means that your right to vote in Minnesota has been
restored. Before you can vote on election day, you still need to register to vote and you
must satisfy all other voter eligibility criteria. To register, you may complete a voter
registration application and return it to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. You
may also register to vote in your polling place on election day. You will not be permitted
to cast a ballot until you register to vote. The first time you appear at your polling place to
cast a ballot, you may be required to provide proof of your current residence."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Failure to provide notice. new text end

new text begin A failure to provide proper notice as required
by this section does not prevent the restoration of the person's civil right to vote.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 609.165, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Restoration.

new text begin(a) new text endWhen a person has been deprived of civil rights by
reason of conviction of a crime and is thereafter discharged, such discharge shall restore the
person to all civil rights and to full citizenship, with full right to deleted text beginvote anddeleted text end hold office, the
same as if such conviction had not taken place, and the order of discharge shall so provide.

new text begin (b) Section 201.014, subdivision 2a, governs the restoration of voting rights for
persons whose right to vote has been lost due to a felony conviction.
new text end

Sec. 11. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 201.155; and 201.275, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

Sec. 12. new text beginEFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This article is effective August 1, 2015, and applies to elections held on or after that
date. Notices required to be provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 243.205, must be
provided to individuals released from incarceration on or after August 1, 2015.
new text end

ARTICLE 5

EARLY VOTING

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 201.022, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

The secretary of state shall maintain a statewide
voter registration system to facilitate voter registration and to provide a central database
containing voter registration information from around the state. The system must be
accessible to the county auditor of each county in the state. The system must also:

(1) provide for voters to submit their voter registration applications to any county
auditor, the secretary of state, or the Department of Public Safety;

(2) provide for the definition, establishment, and maintenance of a central database
for all voter registration information;

(3) provide for entering data into the statewide registration system;

(4) provide for electronic transfer of completed voter registration applications from
the Department of Public Safety to the secretary of state or the county auditor;

(5) assign a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the state;

(6) provide for the acceptance of the Minnesota driver's license number, Minnesota
state identification number, and last four digits of the Social Security number for each
voter record;

(7) coordinate with other agency databases within the state;

(8) allow county auditors and the secretary of state to add or modify information in
the system to provide for accurate and up-to-date records;

(9) allow county auditors, municipal and school district clerks, and the secretary
of state to have electronic access to the statewide registration system for review and
search capabilities;

(10) provide security and protection of all information in the statewide registration
system and ensure that unauthorized access is not allowed;

(11) provide access to municipal clerks to use the system;

(12) provide a system for each county to identify the precinct to which a voter
should be assigned for voting purposes;

(13) provide daily reports accessible by county auditors on the driver's license
numbers, state identification numbers, or last four digits of the Social Security numbers
submitted on voter registration applications that have been verified as accurate by the
secretary of state; deleted text beginand
deleted text end

(14) provide reports on the number of absentee ballots transmitted to and returned
and cast by voters under section 203B.16deleted text begin.deleted text endnew text begin; and
new text end

new text begin (15) provide reports necessary for early voting.
new text end

The appropriate state or local official shall provide security measures to prevent
unauthorized access to the computerized list established under section 201.021.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.001, is amended to read:


203B.001 ELECTION LAW APPLICABILITY.

The Minnesota Election Law is applicable to voting by absentee ballotnew text begin and early
voting
new text end unless otherwise provided in this chapter.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.01, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Early voting. new text end

new text begin "Early voting" means voting in person before election
day at a polling place designated as provided in section 203B.33 during the time period
provided in section 203B.31.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Violation.

No individual shall intentionally:

deleted text begin (a)deleted text endnew text begin (1)new text end make or sign any false certificate required by this chapter;

deleted text begin (b)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end make any false or untrue statement in any application for absentee ballots;

deleted text begin (c)deleted text endnew text begin (3)new text end apply for absentee ballots new text beginor cast an early ballot new text endmore than once in any
election with the intent to cast an illegal ballot;

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (4)new text end exhibit a ballot marked by that individual to any other individual;

deleted text begin (e)deleted text endnew text begin (5)new text end do any act in violation of the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of
casting an illegal vote in any precinct or for the purpose of aiding another to cast an
illegal vote;

deleted text begin (f)deleted text endnew text begin (6)new text end use information from absentee ballotnew text begin or early votingnew text end materials or records for
purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement;

deleted text begin (g)deleted text endnew text begin (7)new text end provide assistance to an absenteenew text begin or earlynew text end voter except in the manner provided
by section 204C.15, subdivision 1;

deleted text begin (h)deleted text endnew text begin (8)new text end solicit the vote of an absentee new text beginor early new text endvoter while in the immediate presence
of the voter during the time the individual knows the absenteenew text begin or earlynew text end voter is voting; or

deleted text begin (i)deleted text endnew text begin (9)new text end alter an absentee ballot application after it has been signed by the voter,
except by an election official for administrative purposes.

Before inspecting information from absentee ballotnew text begin or early votingnew text end materials or
records, an individual shall provide identification to the public official having custody of
the material or information.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Generally.

The full-time clerk of any city or town shall administer
the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 if:

(1) the county auditor of that county has designated the clerk to administer them; or

(2) the clerk has given the county auditor of that county notice of intention to
administer them.

The designation or notice must specify whether the clerk will be responsible for the
administration of a ballot board as provided in section 203B.121.

A clerk of a city that is located in more than one county may only administer the
provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 new text begin and 203B.30 to 203B.35 new text endif the clerk has been
designated by each of the county auditors or has provided notice to each of the county
auditors that the city will administer absentee voting. A clerk may only administer
the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 new text beginand 203B.30 to 203B.35 new text endif the clerk
has technical capacity to access the statewide voter registration system in the secure
manner prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state must identify hardware,
software, security, or other technical prerequisites necessary to ensure the security,
access controls, and performance of the statewide voter registration system. A clerk
must receive training approved by the secretary of state on the use of the statewide voter
registration system before administering this section. A clerk may not use the statewide
voter registration system until the clerk has received the required training. The county
auditor must notify the secretary of state of any municipal clerk who will be administering
the provisions of this section and the duties that the clerk will administer.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.081, is amended to read:


203B.081 LOCATIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.

new text begin (a) new text endAn 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 election, except as provided in this section.

new text begin (b) new text endVoters casting absentee ballots in person for a town election held in March
may do so during the 30 days before the election. The county auditor shall make such
designations at least 14 weeks before the election. At least one voting booth in each
polling place must be made available by the county auditor for this purpose. The county
auditor must also make available at least one electronic ballot marker in each polling place
that has implemented a voting system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities
pursuant to section 206.57, subdivision 5.

new text begin (c) No voter may vote by absentee ballot in person during the period designated for
early voting, as provided in section 203B.31.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, 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 new text beginfrom 8:00
a.m. to 12:00 noon on the day immediately preceding a federal, state, or county election,
unless that day falls on a Sunday. When performing the duties of the county auditor in
an election not held in conjunction with a federal, state, or county election, the clerk's
office must be open
new text endfrom 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and until 5:00 p.m. on the
day immediately preceding a primary, special, or general election unless that day falls
on a Saturday or Sunday. 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. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Establishment; applicable laws.

(a) The governing body of each
county, municipality, and school district with responsibility to accept and reject absentee
ballots new text beginor to administer early voting new text endmust, by ordinance or resolution, establish a ballot
board. The board must consist of a sufficient number of election judges trained in the
handling of absentee ballots deleted text beginanddeleted text endnew text begin, administration of early voting, and the use of the statewide
voter registration system. The members must be
new text end appointed as provided in sections 204B.19
to 204B.22. The board may include deputy county auditors or deputy city clerks who have
received training in the processing and counting of absentee new text beginand early voting new text endballots.

(b) Each jurisdiction must pay a reasonable compensation to each member of that
jurisdiction's ballot board for services rendered during an election.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this section, all provisions of the Minnesota
Election Law apply to a ballot board.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:


new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Duties of ballot board; early voting. new text end

new text begin The members of the ballot board
shall administer the process of early voting as prescribed in section 203B.35, and shall
make a record of voters who cast ballots early and count those ballots as provided in
subdivisions 3 and 5.
new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, subdivision 3, is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Record of voting.

(a) When applicable, the county auditor or municipal
clerk must immediately record that a voter's absentee ballot has been acceptednew text begin or that the
voter has cast a ballot pursuant to the early voting procedures provided in this chapter. A
voter whose record indicates that the voter has cast an early ballot must not be permitted
to cast another ballot in that election
new text end. After the close of business on the deleted text beginseventh day before
the election
deleted text endnew text begin day prior to the beginning of the early voting period as provided in section
203B.31
new text end, a voter whose record indicates that an absentee ballot has been accepted must
not be permitted to cast another ballot at that election. In a state primary, general, or state
special election for federal deleted text beginordeleted text endnew text begin, new text end statenew text begin, or countynew text end office, the auditor or clerk must also record
this information in the statewide voter registration system.

(b) The roster must be marked, and a supplemental report of absentee new text beginand early
new text endvoters who submitted a voter registration application with their ballot must be created, no
later than the start of voting on election day to indicate the voters that have already cast a
ballot at the election. The roster may be marked either:

(1) by the county auditor or municipal clerk before election day;

(2) by the ballot board before election day; or

(3) by the election judges at the polling place on election day.

The record of a voter whose absentee ballot was received after the close of business
on the seventh day before the election is not required to be marked on the roster or
contained in a supplemental report as required by this paragraph.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Opening of envelopes.

After the close of business on the deleted text beginseventh day
before the election
deleted text endnew text begin day prior to the beginning of the early voting period as provided in
section 203B.31
new text end, the ballots from return envelopes marked "Accepted" may be opened,
duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, subdivision 5, initialed by
the members of the ballot board, and deposited in the appropriate ballot box. If more than
one ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must be returned in the manner
provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots, and may not be counted.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 203B.121, subdivision 5, is amended to read:


Subd. 5.

Storage and counting of absentee new text beginand early voting new text endballots.

(a) On a
day on which absentee new text begin or early voting new text endballots are inserted into a ballot box, two members
of the ballot board must:

(1) remove the ballots from the ballot box at the end of the day;

(2) without inspecting the ballots, ensure that the number of ballots removed from
the ballot box is equal to the number of voters new text begin who cast early votes and new text endwhose absentee
ballots were accepted that day; and

(3) seal and secure all voted and unvoted ballots present in that location at the end
of the day.

(b) After the polls have closed on election day, two members of the ballot board
must count the ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates each vote of the voter
and the total votes cast for each candidate or question. In state primary and state general
elections, the results must indicate the total votes cast for each candidate or question in
each precinct and report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct. The count must be
recorded on a summary statement in substantially the same format as provided in section
204C.26. The ballot board shall submit at least one completed summary statement to the
county auditor or municipal clerk. The county auditor or municipal clerk may require
the ballot board to submit a sufficient number of completed summary statements to
comply with the provisions of section 204C.27, or the county auditor or municipal clerk
may certify reports containing the details of the ballot board summary statement to the
recipients of the summary statements designated in section 204C.27.

In state primary and state general elections, these vote totals shall be added to the
vote totals on the summary statements of the returns for the appropriate precinct. In other
elections, these vote totals may be added to the vote totals on the summary statement of
returns for the appropriate precinct or may be reported as a separate total.

The count shall be public. No vote totals from ballots may be made public before the
close of voting on election day.

(c) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), if the task has not been
completed previously, the members of the ballot board must verify as soon as possible, but
no later than 24 hours after the end of the hours for voting, that voters whose absentee
ballots arrived after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated
and whose ballots were accepted did not vote in person on election day. An absentee
ballot submitted by a voter who has voted in person on election day must be rejected. All
other accepted absentee ballots must be opened, duplicated if necessary, and counted by
members of the ballot board. The vote totals from these ballots must be incorporated into
the totals with the other absentee ballots and handled according to paragraph (b).

Sec. 13.

new text begin [203B.30] EARLY VOTING; APPLICABILITY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Federal, state, and county elections. new text end

new text begin Any eligible voter may vote in
person for every primary, special, and general election for a federal, state, or county office
prior to the date of the election, in the manner provided in sections 203B.30 to 203B.35.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Municipal and school district elections. new text end

new text begin (a) Subject to the requirements
in paragraph (b), for municipal or school district elections not held in conjunction with a
federal, state, or county election, the municipality or school district may authorize eligible
voters to vote in the manner provided in sections 203B.30 to 203B.35 upon resolution of
the governing body of the municipality or school district. The resolution must be adopted
at least 74 days before the election. A home rule charter city may alternatively provide for
authorization pursuant to this subdivision in the city's charter.
new text end

new text begin (b) A municipality or school district may only authorize voting under sections
203B.30 to 203B.35 if the municipal or school district clerk has the technical capacity
to access the statewide voter registration system in the secure manner prescribed by the
secretary of state. The secretary of state must identify hardware, software, security,
or other technical prerequisites necessary to ensure the security, access controls, and
performance of the statewide voter registration system. The clerk must receive training
approved by the secretary of state on the use of the statewide voter registration system
before administering voting authorized under this paragraph. The clerk may not use the
statewide voter registration system until the clerk has received the required training.
new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin [203B.31] TIME PERIOD FOR EARLY VOTING.
new text end

new text begin In elections where early voting is required or authorized under section 203B.30, early
voting must be available from 15 days before the election through 5:00 p.m. on the third
day before the election. All voters in line at 5:00 p.m. on the third day before the election
must be allowed to vote in the same manner as provided in section 204C.05, subdivision 2.
new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [203B.32] HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING.
new text end

new text begin Early voting must be available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on
each weekday during the time period provided in section 203B.31, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. on at least one weekday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the two Saturdays
before the election. For a primary election, early voting polling places are not required to
be open on the first Saturday of the early voting period.
new text end

Sec. 16.

new text begin [203B.33] LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING; POLLING PLACE
REQUIREMENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Locations. new text end

new text begin Early voting must be made available at: (1) the county
auditor's office; (2) at the municipal clerk's office in every municipality that has been
delegated the responsibility to administer absentee voting as provided in section 203B.05;
and (3) at any other location designated by the county auditor or municipal clerk at least
90 days before the election.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirements for polling places. new text end

new text begin (a) At least one voting station and one
ballot marking device for disabled voters must be made available in each polling place.
new text end

new text begin (b) The county auditor must make an electronic voting system available in each
polling place.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each polling place must have access to the statewide voter registration system in
a manner that allows election judges to enter data into the system from the polling place.
new text end

Sec. 17.

new text begin [203B.34] NOTICE TO VOTERS.
new text end

new text begin The county auditor must prepare a notice to the voters of the days, times, and
locations for early voting. At least 14 days before the first day for early voting, the
notice must be posted on the county's Web site and the Web site for each municipality in
the county where an early voting location is designated for the election. If a county or
municipality does not have a Web site, the county auditor or municipal clerk must publish
the notice at least once in the jurisdiction's official newspaper at least seven days and not
more than 14 days before the first day for early voting.
new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin [203B.35] PROCEDURES FOR EARLY VOTING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Voting procedure. new text end

new text begin (a) Before an individual is allowed to sign the
polling place roster or a voter signature certificate, a ballot board member must access the
statewide voter registration system to determine if the individual has cast a ballot in the
election. If the individual has already cast a ballot in the election, the voter must not be
allowed to sign the polling place roster or a voter signature certificate, and the individual
must not be given a ballot. If the individual has not already cast a ballot in the election,
the voter shall sign the polling place roster or a voter signature certificate as provided in
section 204C.10. An individual who is not registered to vote must register in the manner
provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) After the voter has signed the polling place roster or a voter signature certificate,
a member of the ballot board must provide a ballot to the voter. As soon as possible, after
a ballot is provided to a voter, a ballot board member must indicate in the statewide voter
registration system that the voter has cast a ballot in the election. Ballots must be prepared
and distributed by members of the ballot board in the manner provided in section 204C.09.
The voter must mark the ballot and deposit it in either a precinct count voting system or a
sealed ballot box. A voter may not leave the polling place with the ballot.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Processing of ballots. new text end

new text begin Ballots cast pursuant to sections 203B.30 to
203B.35 must be processed and counted as provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 2a.
new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.28, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks.

new text begin(a) new text endExcept as
otherwise provided for absentee ballotsnew text begin in this section andnew text end in section 204B.35, subdivision
4
, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which
the auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general
election. At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor
but not later than four days before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from
the county auditor:

deleted text begin (a)deleted text endnew text begin (1)new text end the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;

deleted text begin (b)deleted text endnew text begin (2)new text end any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;

deleted text begin (c)deleted text endnew text begin (3)new text end any other instructions for election officers; and

deleted text begin (d)deleted text endnew text begin (4)new text end a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for
ballot returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to
comply with the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may
furnish the election supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are
furnished to precincts in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.

new text begin (b) At least one day prior to the beginning of the early voting period, as provided in
section 203B.31, the county auditor must prepare and make available election materials
for early voting to city clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05.
new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.10, is amended to read:


204C.10 PERMANENT REGISTRATION; VERIFICATION OF
REGISTRATION.

(a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature
certificate which states that the individualnew text begin:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end is at least 18 years of agedeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (2)new text end a citizen of the United Statesdeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (3)new text end has resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the electiondeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (4)new text end maintains residence at the address showndeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (5)new text end is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's
right to votedeleted text begin,deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (6) new text end has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote deleted text beginor has
the right to vote because,
deleted text endnew text begin;
new text end

new text begin (7)new text end deleted text beginif the individual was deleted text enddeleted text beginconvicted of a felony, the felony sentence has expired or
been completed or the individual has been discharged from the sentence,
deleted text endnew text begin is not currently
incarcerated for a felony offense;
new text end

new text begin (8)new text end is registerednew text begin;new text end and

new text begin (9)new text end has not already voted in the election.

The rosternew text begin and voter signature certificatenew text end must also state: "I understand that deliberately
providing false information is a felony punishable by not more than five years
imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000, or both."

(b) new text begin An individual voting early under section 203B.30 must sign the roster or a voter
signature certificate that meets the additional requirements of this paragraph. In addition
to the content required under paragraph (a), the roster or voter signature certificate must
also state: "I understand that after I have cast my ballot today, I cannot vote again in
this election."
new text end

new text begin (c) All of the text contained within the quotation marks in paragraphs (a) and (b)
must be in bold type on rosters or voter signature certificates provided to individuals
voting as provided in section 203B.30.
new text end

new text begin (d) new text endA judge may, before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate,
confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text endnew text begin (e)new text end After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge
shall give the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the
judge in charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge
shall hand to the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the
time for notice of filing an election contest.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 206.82, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Program.

A program or programs for use in an election conducted
by means of an electronic voting system or using an electronic ballot marker shall be
prepared at the direction of the county auditor or municipal clerk who is responsible for
the conduct of the election and shall be independently verified by a competent person
designated by that official. The term "competent person" as used in this section means a
person who can demonstrate knowledge as a computer programmer and who is other than
and wholly independent of any person operating or employed by the counting center or the
corporation or other preparer of the program. A test deck prepared by a competent person
shall be used for independent verification of the program; it shall test the maximum digits
used in totaling the returns and shall be usable by insertion during the tabulation process
as well as prior to tabulation. A test deck must also be prepared using the electronic ballot
marker program and must also be used to verify that all valid votes counted by the vote
tabulator may be selected using the electronic ballot marker.new text begin The computer program for
any election and an exact duplicate of the program for use as backup must be completed
and delivered to the election jurisdiction or the county auditor in charge of a common
central counting center at least 27 days prior to the election.
new text end The secretary of state shall
adopt rules further specifying test procedures.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 206.83, is amended to read:


206.83 TESTING OF VOTING SYSTEMS.

deleted text begin Within 14 daysdeleted text end new text beginNo sooner than 22 days before election day and no later than 16 daysnew text end
before election day, the official in charge of elections shall have the voting system tested
to ascertain that the system will correctly mark ballots using all methods supported by the
system, including through assistive technology, and count the votes cast for all candidates
and on all questions. Public notice of the time and place of the test must be given at least
two days in advance by publication once in official newspapers. The test must be observed
by at least two election judges, who are not of the same major political party, and must be
open to representatives of the political parties, candidates, the press, and the public. The
test must be conducted by (1) processing a preaudited group of ballots punched or marked
to record a predetermined number of valid votes for each candidate and on each question,
and must include for each office one or more ballot cards which have votes in excess of
the number allowed by law in order to test the ability of the voting system tabulator and
electronic ballot marker to reject those votes; and (2) processing an additional test deck
of ballots marked using the electronic ballot marker for the precinct, including ballots
marked using the electronic ballot display, audio ballot reader, and any assistive voting
technology used with the electronic ballot marker. If any error is detected, the cause must
be ascertained and corrected and an errorless count must be made before the voting system
may be used in the election. After the completion of the test, the programs used and ballot
cards must be sealed, retained, and disposed of as provided for paper ballots.

Sec. 23. new text beginEFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY.
new text end

new text begin (a) This article is effective when the secretary of state makes the certification
required in paragraph (b), and applies to elections held after the effective date or August 1,
2015, whichever is later.
new text end

new text begin (b) The secretary of state shall certify that:
new text end

new text begin (1) the statewide voter registration system has been tested and shown to properly
allow for the tracking of the information required to conduct early voting, and can handle
the expected volume of use; and
new text end

new text begin (2) precinct count voting equipment that can tabulate at least 30 different ballot
styles has been certified for use in this state.
new text end

ARTICLE 6

REDISTRICTING

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103C.311, subdivision 2, is amended to
read:


Subd. 2.

Supervisors elected by districts.

(a) A district board in the seven-county
metropolitan area shall by resolution provide that supervisors will be elected by supervisor
districts as provided in this subdivision.

(b) A district board outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, with the approval
of the state board, may by resolution provide that supervisors will be elected by supervisor
districts as provided in this subdivision.

(c) The supervisor districts must be composed of precincts established by county
and municipal governing bodies under section 204B.14. The districts must be compact,
include only contiguous territory, and be substantially equal in population. The districts
must be numbered in a regular series. The districts must be drawn by the county board
of the county containing the largest area of the soil and water conservation district,
in consultation with the district board and with the approval of the state board. The
boundaries of the districts must be redrawn after each decennial federal census as provided
in section 204B.135. A certified copy of the resolution establishing supervisor districts
must be filed by the chair of the district board with the county auditor of the counties
where the soil and water conservation district is located, with the state board, and with
the secretary of state, and the filings must occur within 80 days of the time when the
legislature has been redistricted or at least 15 weeks before the state primary election in a
year ending in two, whichever comes first.

(d) Each supervisor district is entitled to elect one supervisor. A supervisor must be
a resident of the district from which elected.

(e) The district board shall provide staggered terms for supervisors elected by
district. After each redistricting, there shall be a new election of supervisors in all the
districts at the next general election, except that if the change made in the boundaries of a
district is less than five percent of the average population of all the districts, the supervisor
in office at the time of the redistricting shall serve for the full term for which elected. The
district board shall determine by lot the seats to be filled for a two-year term, a four-year
term, and a six-year term.

new text begin (f) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.145, is amended to read:


204B.145 DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE; REDISTRICTING.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Exchange of information. new text end

Following the completion of legislative
redistricting, the secretary of state may coordinate and facilitate the exchange of
information between the legislative redistricting computer system, the statewide voter
registration system, and a computer system developed to assist the counties, municipalities,
and school districts in redrawing election districts and establishing election precincts.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Corrections information transfer. new text end

new text begin (a) In each year in which the federal
decennial census is taken but in which the United States Bureau of the Census allocates
incarcerated persons as residents of correctional facilities, the commissioner of corrections
shall by May 1 of that same year transfer to the secretary of state the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) a unique identifier, not including the name, or Offender Identification (OID)
number for each incarcerated person subject to the jurisdiction of the department on the
date for which the decennial census reports population. The unique identifier shall enable
the secretary of state to address inquiries about specific address records to the Department
of Corrections, without making it possible for anyone outside of the Department of
Corrections to identify the inmate for whom the address record pertains;
new text end

new text begin (2) the street address of the correctional facility in which the person was incarcerated
at the time of the report;
new text end

new text begin (3) the last known address of the person prior to incarceration or other legal
residence, if known;
new text end

new text begin (4) the person's race, whether the person is of Hispanic or Latino origin, and whether
the person is over the age of 18, if known; and
new text end

new text begin (5) any additional information as the secretary of state may request pursuant to law.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of corrections shall provide the information specified in
paragraph (a) in a form specified by the secretary of state.
new text end

new text begin (c) The secretary of state must provide the information to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission.
new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the information required to be
provided to the secretary of state and the Legislative Coordinating Commission pursuant
to this section shall not include the name or identification of any incarcerated person. The
information shall be treated as confidential, and shall not be disclosed by the secretary
of state or by the Legislative Coordinating Commission except as redistricting data
aggregated by census block for purposes specified in subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Federal facilities. new text end

new text begin The secretary of state shall request each agency that
operates a federal facility in this state that incarcerates persons convicted of a criminal
offense to provide the secretary of state with a report including the information listed
in subdivision 2, paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Redistricting population. new text end

new text begin The secretary of state shall work with the
Legislative Coordinating Commission to prepare redistricting population data to reflect
incarcerated persons at their residential address pursuant to subdivision 5. The data
prepared pursuant to subdivision 5 shall be the basis of state house of representatives
districts, state senate districts, and all local government districts that are based on
population. Incarcerated populations residing at unknown geographic locations within the
state, as determined under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), clause (2), shall not be used to
determine the ideal population of any set of districts, wards, or precincts.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Determinations and data publication by the secretary of state. new text end

new text begin (a) For
each person included in a report received under subdivisions 2 and 3, the secretary of state
shall work with the Legislative Coordinating Commission to determine the geographic
units for which population counts are reported in the federal decennial census that contain
the facility of incarceration and the legal residence as listed according to the report.
new text end

new text begin (b) For each person included in a report received under subdivisions 2 and 3, if
the legal residence is known and in this state, the secretary of state shall work with the
Legislative Coordinating Commission to:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensure that the person is not represented in any population counts reported by the
secretary of state or the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the geographic units
that include the facility at which the person was incarcerated, unless that geographic unit
also includes the person's legal residence; and
new text end

new text begin (2) ensure that any population counts reported by the secretary of state and the
Legislative Coordinating Commission reflect the persons' residential address as reported
under subdivisions 2 and 3.
new text end

new text begin (c) For each person included in a report received under subdivisions 2 and 3 for
whom a legal residence is unknown or not in this state, and for all persons reported in the
census as residing in a federal correctional facility for whom a report was not provided,
the secretary of state shall work with the Legislative Coordinating Commission to:
new text end

new text begin (1) ensure that the person is not represented in any population counts reported by the
secretary of state or the Legislative Coordinating Commission for the geographic units
that include the facility at which the person was incarcerated; and
new text end

new text begin (2) allocate the person to a state unit not tied to a specific determined geography, as
other state residents with unknown state addresses are allocated, including but not limited
to military and federal government personnel stationed overseas.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Data publishing. new text end

new text begin The data prepared by the secretary of state and the
Legislative Coordinating Commission pursuant to this section shall be completed and
published no later than 30 days from the date that federal decennial Public Law 94-171
data is published for the state of Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Data use. new text end

new text begin (a) The secretary of state shall notify each county, home rule
charter and statutory city, soil and water conservation districts, Three Rivers Park District,
and the Metropolitan Council that subdivision 4 requires those governments to use the
data prepared by the secretary pursuant to this section for redistricting purposes.
new text end

new text begin (b) The data prepared by the secretary of state in subdivision 5 shall not be used in
the distribution of any state or federal aid.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205.84, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

General provisions.

(a) In a city electing council members by wards,
wards shall be as equal in population as practicable and each ward shall be composed of
compact, contiguous territory. Each council member shall be a resident of the ward for
which elected, but, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (b), a change in ward
boundaries does not disqualify a council member from serving for the remainder of a term.

(b) Notwithstanding any home rule charter provision to the contrary, in a city of the
first class where council members are elected by ward to serve for four years to terms that
are not staggered, if the population of any ward changes by five percent or more, all
council members must be elected to new terms at the first municipal general election
after ward boundaries are redefined under subdivision 2; provided, however, that if no
municipal general election would otherwise occur in the year ending in "2" or the year
ending in "3," a municipal general election must be held in one of those years.

new text begin (c) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [241.0241] LEGAL RESIDENCE OF PERSONS ENTERING CUSTODY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of corrections shall collect and maintain an electronic record
of the legal residence, presumptively outside of the facility, and other demographic data
for any person entering its custody. At a minimum, this record shall contain the last
known complete street address prior to incarceration, the person's race, whether the person
is of Hispanic or Latino origin, and whether the person is over the age of 18. To the
degree possible, the commissioner of corrections shall also allow the legal residence to be
updated as appropriate.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall transfer the data collected under this section to the
secretary of state as provided under section 204B.145, subdivision 2.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 375.025, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Standards.

new text begin(a) new text endThe redistricting plan in use in a county shall be
used until a new plan is adopted in accordance with this section. Each county shall be
divided into as many districts numbered consecutively as it has members of the county
board. Commissioner districts shall be bounded by town, municipal, ward, or precinct
lines. Each district shall be composed of contiguous territory as regular and compact in
form as practicable, depending upon the geography of the county involved and shall be as
nearly equal in population as possible. No district shall vary in population more than ten
percent from the average for all districts in the county, unless the result forces a voting
precinct to be split. A majority of the least populous districts shall contain not less than a
majority of the population of the county. A county may be redistricted by the county board
after each federal census. When it appears after a federal census that the districts of the
county are not in accord with the standards set forth in this subdivision, the county shall
be redistricted by the county board within the times set in section 204B.135, subdivision
2
. Before acting to redistrict, the county board, or a redistricting commission if one is
appointed, shall publish three weeks' notice of its purpose, stating the time and place of
the meeting where the matter will be considered, in the newspaper having the contract to
publish the commissioners' proceedings for the county for the current year.

new text begin (b) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 375A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Apportionment, redistricting, staggering, timing.

new text begin(a) new text endThe county shall
be divided into the number of districts from which commissioners are nominated and
elected and the population of the county shall be apportioned to the several districts so that
each commissioner represents the same number of persons as nearly as may be possible.
When the number of commissioners has been changed, the county board shall proceed to
redistrict the county accordingly and it shall follow as nearly as possible the times and
procedures specified in section 375.025, including determining the two-year and four-year
terms first assigned to districts in order to provide as nearly as possible for an equal number
of overlapping four-year terms in the future. The resolution redistricting the county shall be
adopted not less than 30 days before the first day candidates may file for the office of county
commissioner. Commissioners to be elected pursuant to the modification of the county
board shall be elected at the general election following the adoption of the modification.

new text begin (b) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 383B.68, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Decennial redistricting.

new text begin(a) new text endAfter September 1, 1985, and after at least
30 days' notice and public hearing, the Board of Park District Commissioners of the
Three Rivers Park District shall divide the territory of Hennepin County outside the city
of Minneapolis into five districts, which constitute the Three Rivers Park District. Each
district shall be composed of contiguous territory as regular and compact in form as
practicable and as nearly equal in population as possible, provided that no district shall
vary in population more than ten percent from the average of all the districts, unless
compliance with this requirement requires division of a voting precinct. After each federal
census and by the date prescribed for redistricting of election districts in section 204B.135,
subdivision 2
, after at least 30 days' notice and public hearing, the Board of Park District
Commissioners of the Three Rivers Park District shall redistrict the territory of the
Three Rivers Park District into new commissioner districts as necessary to comply with
the provisions of this subdivision. The districts established pursuant to this subdivision
shall remain effective until new districts are established. Any person aggrieved by a
districting plan established pursuant to this subdivision may challenge the plan in the same
manner as a county commissioner districting plan may be challenged pursuant to section
375.025. The district court in reviewing any challenge to a districting plan under this
subdivision shall proceed in the manner prescribed by section 375.025. Each districting
plan established pursuant to this subdivision shall be filed in the office of the director of
finance of Hennepin County or any successor office and shall be effective 31 days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

new text begin (b) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 473.123, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:


Subd. 3a.

Redistricting.

new text begin(a) new text endThe legislature shall redraw the boundaries of the
council districts after each decennial federal census so that each district has substantially
equal population. Redistricting is effective in the year ending in the numeral "3." Within
60 days after a redistricting plan takes effect, the governor shall appoint members from the
newly drawn districts to serve terms as provided under subdivision 2a.

new text begin (b) "Population" as referenced in this section includes the redistricting population
data prepared by the secretary of state pursuant to section 204B.145, subdivision 5.
new text end

ARTICLE 7

APPROPRIATIONS

Section 1. new text beginAPPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative Coordinating
Commission in fiscal year 2016 for the purposes of the Elections Emergency Planning
Task Force established in article 1, section 52.
new text end

new text begin (b) $....... is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the secretary of
state to implement early voting.
new text end