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SF 677

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/04/2013 02:30pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to elections; requiring training for polling place challengers; imposing
additional requirements on polling place challengers; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:


Subdivision 1.

Partisan elections.

At an election to fill partisan offices, the chair of
an authorized committee of each major political party may appoint by written certificate
voters from that political party to act as challengers of voters at the polling place for each
precinct. Only one challenger from each major political party for each precinct shall be
allowed to remain in the polling place at one time.new text begin A challenger may only remain in a
polling place while performing authorized duties of a challenger or for other purposes
as specified by law.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:


Subd. 2.

Nonpartisan elections.

At an election to fill nonpartisan offices, each
nonpartisan candidate may appoint by written certificate voters to act as challengers of
voters at the polling place for each precinct. Only one challenger for each candidate shall
be allowed to remain in the polling place for each precinct at one time.new text begin A challenger
may only remain in a polling place while performing authorized duties of a challenger
or for other purposes as specified by law.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:


new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Training requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) An individual must successfully complete
one hour of training prior to serving as a challenger. The individual must complete the
training once per two-year election cycle. The training must be approved by the secretary
of state. The training must include, at a minimum, information on the role of challengers
in the polling place, valid bases for challenges, prohibited conduct by challengers, and
procedures for making challenges.
new text end

new text begin (b) Individuals seeking admission to a polling place to serve as a challenger must
provide a certificate issued by the secretary of state or a designee of the secretary of
state. The certificate must state that the individual completed the required training and
include the date of the training. An individual that fails to present a certificate or presents
a certificate dated before the current two-year election cycle shall not be allowed to serve
as a challenger.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204C.07, subdivision 4, is amended to read:


Subd. 4.

Restrictions on conduct.

new text begin (a) new text end An election judge may not be appointed as a
challenger. The election judges shall permit challengers appointed pursuant to this section
to be present in the polling place during the hours of voting and to remain there until the
votes are counted and the results declared. deleted text begin Nodeleted text end new text begin An election judge may order a challenger
to leave the polling place if the challenger fails to comply with the requirements of
this section. A challenger must comply with the order to leave and must not serve as a
challenger at any polling place for the remainder of the day.
new text end

new text begin (b) A new text end challenger shall new text begin not:
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end handle or inspect registration cards, files, or listsdeleted text begin . Challengers shall notdeleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end prepare in any manner any list of individuals who have or have not voteddeleted text begin . They
shall not
deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (3) new text end attempt to influence voting in any mannerdeleted text begin . They shall notdeleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (4) new text end converse with a voter deleted text begin except to determine, in the presence of an election judge,
whether the voter is eligible to vote in the precinct.
deleted text end new text begin or with a person assisting a voter;
new text end

new text begin (5) use any electronic communication device inside the polling place; or
new text end

new text begin (6) interfere with an election judge who is performing official duties.
new text end

new text begin (c) Individuals seeking admission to a polling place to serve as a challenger must
sign a form that acknowledges the challenger is aware of the prohibited activities in
paragraph (b). The form shall be prescribed by the secretary of state and must, at a
minimum, include a list of the prohibited activities in paragraph (b).
new text end