Minnesota Session Laws - 2016, Regular Session

CHAPTER 161--S.F.No. 2381

An act

relating to elections; modifying provisions related to elections and election administration, including provisions related to absentee voting, ballots, voting, and school board vacancies; providing an alternative meeting location for presidential electors; authorizing alternative method for submitting certain in-person absentee ballots; providing for elections emergency preparedness and response;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 123B.09, by adding a subdivision; 202A.13; 203B.081; 204B.04, by adding a subdivision; 204B.14, subdivisions 2, 7; 204B.146, subdivision 3; 204B.18, subdivision 1; 204C.05, subdivision 2; 204C.07, subdivision 3; 204C.37; 204C.39, subdivision 4; 204D.22, subdivision 2; 205.065, subdivision 4; 205.10, subdivision 6; 205A.03, subdivision 3; 205A.05, subdivision 2; 205A.06, subdivision 1; 205A.11, subdivision 2a; 209.021, subdivision 1; Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, sections 203B.17, subdivision 1; 204B.45, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.17; Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, sections 123B.09, subdivision 5a; 123B.095.

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

ARTICLE 1

ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 202A.13, is amended to read:

202A.13 COMMITTEES, CONVENTIONS.

The rules of each major political party shall provide that for each congressional district and each county or legislative district a convention shall be held at least once every state general election year. Each major political party shall also provide for each congressional district and each county or legislative district an executive committee consisting of a chair and such other officers as may be necessary. The party rules may provide for only one executive committee and one convention where any county and congressional district have the same territorial limits.

A delegate or alternate who is deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing who needs interpreter services at a county, legislative district, congressional district, or state convention shall so notify the executive committee of the major political party unit whose convention the delegate or alternate plans to attend. Written notice must be given by certified mail new text begin or electronic mail new text end to the executive committee at least 30 days before the convention date. The major political party, not later than 14 days before the convention date, shall secure the services of one or more interpreters if available and shall assume responsibility for the cost of the services. The state central committee of the major political party shall determine the process for reimbursing interpreters.

A visually impaired delegate or alternate to a county, legislative district, congressional district, or state convention may notify the executive committee of the major political party unit that the delegate or alternate requires convention materials in audio tape, Braille, or large print format. Upon receiving the request, the executive committee shall provide all official written convention materials as soon as they are available, so that the visually impaired individual may have them converted to audio tape, Braille, or large print format, prior to the convention.

Sec. 2.

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

203B.081 LOCATIONS new text begin AND METHODS new text end FOR ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Location; timing. new text end

An 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 Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Town elections. new text end

Voters 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 Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Alternative procedure. new text end

new text begin (a) The county auditor may make available a ballot counter and ballot box for use by the voters during the seven days before the election. If a ballot counter and ballot box is provided, a voter must be given the option either (1) to vote using the process provided in section 203B.08, subdivision 1, or (2) to vote in the manner provided in this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) If a voter chooses to vote in the manner provided in this subdivision, the voter must state the voter's name, address, and date of birth to the county auditor or municipal clerk. The voter shall sign a voter's certificate, which must include the voter's name, identification number, and the certification required by section 201.071, subdivision 1. The signature of an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. new text end

new text begin (c) After signing the voter's certificate, the voter shall be issued a ballot and immediately retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to mark the ballot. The ballot must not be taken from the polling place. If the voter spoils the ballot, the voter may return it to the election official in exchange for a new ballot. After completing the ballot, the voter shall deposit the ballot into the ballot box. new text end

new text begin (d) The election official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the manner provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3. new text end

new text begin (e) The election duties required by this subdivision must be performed by the county auditor, municipal clerk, or a deputy of the auditor or clerk. 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. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, 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.

(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 or the voter's parent last 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 new text begin or through the next regularly scheduled state general election, whichever is later new text end .

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Ballots; candidates who file by nominating petition. new text end

new text begin Candidates who were filed as a team by nominating petition under section 204B.07, subdivision 2, shall not appear on the ballot as minor party or independent candidates if either candidate is certified as a major party candidate for president or vice president pursuant to section 208.03. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.14, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Application to municipalities.

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 410.21, or any other law, ordinance or charter to the contrary, the provisions of subdivisions 1 deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin and new text end 3 deleted text begin and 6 deleted text end apply to all municipalities.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.146, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Correction to election district boundaries.

When a municipal boundary deleted text begin that deleted text end new text begin has changed and new text end is coterminous with new text begin (1) new text end a congressional, legislative, or county commissioner district boundary deleted text begin has changed deleted text end new text begin , or (2) a soil and water conservation district supervisor district boundary elected by district under section 103C.311, subdivision 2, new text end and the affected territory contains 50 or fewer registered voters, the secretary of state may order corrections to move the affected election district boundaries so deleted text begin they deleted text end new text begin the boundaries are new text end again deleted text begin will be deleted text end coterminous with the municipal boundary. The election district boundary change is effective 28 days after the date that the order is issued. The secretary of state shall immediately notify the municipal clerk and county auditor affected by the boundary change and the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The municipal clerk shall send a nonforwardable notice stating the location of the polling place to every household containing a registered voter affected by the boundary change at least 25 days before the next election.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Booths; voting stations.

(a) Each polling place must contain a number of voting booths or voting stations in proportion to the number of individuals eligible to vote in the precinct. deleted text begin Each booth or station must be at least six feet high, three feet deep and two feet wide with a shelf at least two feet long and one foot wide placed at a convenient height for writing. deleted text end The booth or station shall permit the voter to vote privately and independently.

(b) Each polling place must have at least one accessible voting booth or other accessible voting station and beginning with federal and state elections held after December 31, 2005, and county, municipal, and school district elections held after December 31, 2007, one voting system that conforms to section 301(a)(3)(B) of the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252.

(c) Local jurisdictions must make accessible voting stations purchased with funds provided from the Help America Vote Act account available to other local jurisdictions holding stand-alone elections. The jurisdiction providing the equipment may require the jurisdiction using the equipment to reimburse any direct actual costs incurred as a result of the equipment's use and any prorated indirect costs of maintaining and storing the equipment. A rental or other similar use fee may not be charged.

Any funds received under this paragraph for expenses incurred by that local jurisdiction as a direct result of making the equipment available that were not paid for in whole or in part with funds from the Help America Vote Act account are not program income under the Help America Vote Act, Public Law 107-252.

Any funds received by a local jurisdiction making the equipment available as reimbursement for expenses as defined as "operating costs" under Laws 2005, chapter 162, section 34, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and paid for in whole or in part with funds from the Help America Vote Act account must be treated as program income and deposited into the jurisdiction's Help America Vote Act account in the direct proportion that funds from the Help America Vote Act account were used to pay for those "operating costs."

(d) All booths or stations must be constructed so that a voter is free from observation while marking ballots. During the hours of voting, the booths or stations must have instructions, a pencil, and other supplies needed to mark the ballots. A chair must be provided for elderly voters and voters with disabilities to use while voting or waiting to vote. Stable flat writing surfaces must also be made available to voters who are completing election-related forms.

(e) All ballot boxes, voting booths, voting stations, and election judges must be in open public view in the polling place.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, 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 new text begin city, new text end town new text begin , new text end 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 seventh 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. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Elections on a question.

At an election where a question is to be voted upon new text begin in an election jurisdiction new text end , the new text begin appropriate new text end mayor of a city, deleted text begin or the deleted text end school board of a school district, or deleted text begin the deleted text end board of supervisors of a town, upon receiving a written petition signed by at least 25 eligible voters, shall appoint by written certificate one voter for each precinct in the municipality, or school district if applicable, to act as a challenger of voters in the polling place for that precinct. new text begin The petition must be delivered to the clerk of the municipality or school conducting the election. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.37, is amended to read:

204C.37 COUNTY CANVASS; RETURN OF REPORTS TO SECRETARY OF STATE.

A copy of the report required by sections 204C.32, subdivision 1, and 204C.33, subdivision 1, shall be certified under the official seal of the county auditor. The copy shall be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the secretary of state, with the county auditor's name and official address and the words "Election Returns" endorsed on the envelope. The copy of the canvassing board report deleted text begin and the precinct summary statements deleted text end must be sent by express mail or delivered to the secretary of state. If the copy is not received by the secretary of state within ten days following the applicable election, the secretary of state shall immediately notify the county auditor, who shall deliver another copy to the secretary of state by special messenger.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.39, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Canvassing board; declaration of results; notification.

The canvassing board shall declare the results of the election upon completing the inspection for the office in question. The report and declaration shall be filed by the county auditor, who shall mail a certified copy to each candidate for that office. The county auditor shall promptly notify the secretary of state by deleted text begin certified deleted text end new text begin United States mail and electronic new text end mail of the action of the county canvassing board.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204D.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Posting of writ.

Immediately upon receipt of the writ, the secretary of state shall send a certified copy of the writ by deleted text begin certified deleted text end new text begin United States mail and electronic new text end mail to the county auditor of each county in which candidates to fill the vacancy are to be voted upon. The county auditor shall post a copy of the writ in the auditor's office at least five days before the close of the time for filing affidavits of candidacy for the special election.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205.065, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Candidates, filing.

The clerk shall place upon the primary ballot without partisan designation the names of individuals whose candidacies have been filed and for whom the proper filing fee has been paid. When not more than twice the number of individuals to be elected to a municipal office file for nomination for the office, their names shall not be placed upon the primary ballot and shall be placed on the municipal general election ballot as the nominees for that office. new text begin When more than one council member is to be elected for full terms at the same election, the candidates' names shall be placed under one office on the ballot with the number to be elected to the office specified directly underneath the title and identification of the office. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205.10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Cancellation.

A special election ordered by the governing body of the municipality on its own motion under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the governing body, but not less than deleted text begin 46 deleted text end new text begin 74 new text end days before the election.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205A.03, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Candidates, filing.

The clerk shall place upon the primary ballot without partisan designation the names of individuals whose candidacies have been filed and for whom the proper filing fee has been paid. When not more than twice as many school board candidates as there are at-large school board positions available file for nomination for the office or when not more than two candidates for a specified school board position file for nomination for that office, their names must not be placed upon the primary ballot and must be placed on the school district general election ballot as the nominees for that office. new text begin When more than one school board member is to be elected for full terms at the same election, the candidates' names shall be placed under one office on the ballot with the number to be elected to the office specified directly underneath the title and identification of the office. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205A.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Vacancies in school district offices.

Special elections new text begin to fill vacancies in elective school district offices new text end shall be held in school districts deleted text begin in conjunction with school district primary and general elections to fill vacancies in elective school district offices deleted text end new text begin pursuant to section 123B.095 new text end . When more than one vacancy exists in an office elected at-large, voters must be instructed to vote for up to the number of vacancies to be filled.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205A.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Affidavit of candidacy.

An individual who is eligible and desires to become a candidate for an office to be voted on at the election must file an affidavit of candidacy with the school district clerk. The affidavit must be in deleted text begin substantially deleted text end the deleted text begin same deleted text end form deleted text begin as that in deleted text end new text begin prescribed by new text end section 204B.06 deleted text begin , subdivision 1 deleted text end . The school district clerk shall also accept an application signed by at least five voters and filed on behalf of an eligible voter in the school district whom they desire to be a candidate, if service of a copy of the application has been made on the candidate and proof of service is endorsed on the application being filed. No individual shall be nominated by nominating petition for a school district elective office. Upon receipt of the proper filing fee, the clerk shall place the name of the candidate on the official ballot without partisan designation.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 205A.11, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Notice of special elections.

The school district clerk shall prepare a notice to the voters who will be voting in a combined polling place for a school district special election. The notice must include the following information: the date of the election, the hours of voting, and the location of the voter's polling place. The notice must be sent by nonforwardable mail to every affected household in the school district with at least one registered voter. The notice must be mailed no later than 14 days before the election. The mailed notice is not required for a school district special election that is held on the second Tuesday in August, the Tuesday following the first Monday in November, or for a special election conducted entirely by mail. deleted text begin In addition, the mailed notice is not required for voters residing in a township if the school district special election is held on the second Tuesday in March and the town general election is held on that day. deleted text end A notice that is returned as undeliverable must be forwarded immediately to the county auditor.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 209.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Manner; time; contents.

Service of a notice of contest must be made in the same manner as the service of summons in civil actions. The notice of contest must specify the grounds on which the contest will be made. The contestant shall serve notice of the contest on the parties enumerated in this section. new text begin Except as provided in section 204D.27, new text end notice must be served and filed within five days after the canvass is completed in the case of a primary or special primary or within seven days after the canvass is completed in the case of a special or general election deleted text begin ; except that deleted text end new text begin . new text end If a contest is based on a deliberate, serious, and material violation of the election laws deleted text begin which deleted text end new text begin that new text end was discovered from the statements of receipts and disbursements required to be filed by candidates and committees, the action may be commenced and the notice served and filed within ten days after the filing of the statements in the case of a general or special election or within five days after the filing of the statements in the case of a primary or special primary. If a notice of contest questions only which party received the highest number of votes legally cast at the election, a contestee who loses may serve and file a notice of contest on any other ground during the three days following expiration of the time for appealing the decision on the vote count.

Sec. 20.

new text begin PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS; 2016 MEETING LOCATION. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 208.06, for purposes of the 2016 meeting of presidential electors, if the executive chamber of the State Capitol is unavailable, the secretary of state must direct that the meeting be held at the Minnesota History Center or at another suitable space within the State Capitol complex. If the meeting is directed to be held at one of these locations, the secretary of state must post notice of the new location at least 30 days before the meeting is scheduled to occur, and the notice to the governor required by section 208.06 must properly identify the electors' location. new text end

ARTICLE 2

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCIES

Section 1.

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

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Appointments to fill vacancies; special elections. new text end

new text begin (a) Any vacancy on the board, other than a vacancy described in subdivision 4, must 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 be effective 30 days following adoption of the resolution, subject to paragraph (b). If the appointment becomes effective, it shall continue until an election is held under this subdivision. All elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. A special election to fill the vacancy must be held no later than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the vacancy. If the vacancy occurs less than 90 days prior to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the year in which the vacancy occurs, the special election must be held no later than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of the following calendar year. If the vacancy occurs less than 90 days prior to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in the third year of the term, no special election is required. new text end

new text begin (b) An appointment made under paragraph (a) shall not be effective if a petition to reject the appointee is filed with the school district clerk. To be valid, a petition to reject an appointee must be signed by a number of eligible voters residing in the district equal to at least five percent of the total number of voters voting in the district at the most recent state general election, and must be filed within 30 days of the board's adoption of the resolution making the appointment. If a valid petition is filed according to the requirements of this paragraph, the appointment by the school board is ineffective and the board must name a new appointee as provided in paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to vacancies existing or created on or after that date. new text end

new text begin (b) If a vacancy has occurred prior to the effective date but no election has been scheduled, the school board may fill the vacancy by appointment pursuant to this section. If, prior to the effective date, a school board has called a special election pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.095, and the absentee voting period has not yet started, the school board may cancel that election and fill the vacancy by appointment or may allow the election to proceed. If the school board decides to cancel the election, the board must adopt a resolution within 14 days of the effective date of this act. The time limitations of Minnesota Statutes, section 205A.05, subdivision 3, do not apply to the cancellation of the election by the school board under this paragraph. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, sections 123B.09, subdivision 5a; and 123B.095, new text end new text begin are repealed. 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

ARTICLE 3

ELECTIONS EMERGENCY PLANS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Separate precincts; combined polling place.

(a) The following shall constitute at least one election precinct:

(1) each city ward; and

(2) each town and each statutory city.

(b) A single, accessible, combined polling place may be established no later than May 1 of any year:

(1) for any city of the third or fourth class, any town, or any city having territory in more than one county, in which all the voters of the city or town shall cast their ballots;

(2) for contiguous precincts in the same municipality;

(3) for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan area, as defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, that are contained in the same county; or

(4) for noncontiguous precincts located in one or more counties.

new text begin Subject to the requirements of paragraph (c), a single, accessible, combined polling place may be established after May 1 of any year in the event of an emergency. new text end

A copy of the ordinance or resolution establishing a combined polling place must be filed with the county auditor within 30 days after approval by the governing body. A polling place combined under clause (3) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality. A polling place combined under clause (4) must be approved by the governing body of each participating municipality and the secretary of state and may be located outside any of the noncontiguous precincts. A municipality withdrawing from participation in a combined polling place must do so by filing a resolution of withdrawal with the county auditor no later than April 1 of any year.

The secretary of state shall provide a separate polling place roster for each precinct served by the combined polling place, except that in a precinct that uses electronic rosters the secretary of state shall provide separate data files for each precinct. A single set of election judges may be appointed to serve at a combined polling place. The number of election judges required must be based on the total number of persons voting at the last similar election in all precincts to be voting at the combined polling place. Separate ballot boxes must be provided for the ballots from each precinct. The results of the election must be reported separately for each precinct served by the combined polling place, except in a polling place established under clause (2) where one of the precincts has fewer than ten registered voters, in which case the results of that precinct must be reported in the manner specified by the secretary of state.

new text begin (c) If a local elections official determines that an emergency situation preventing the safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place on election day has occurred or is imminent, the local elections official may combine two or more polling places for that election pursuant to this subdivision. To the extent possible, the polling places must be combined and the election conducted according to the requirements of paragraph (b), except that: new text end

new text begin (1) polling places may be combined after May 1 and until the polls close on election day; new text end

new text begin (2) any city or town, regardless of size or location, may establish a combined polling place under this paragraph; new text end

new text begin (3) the governing body is not required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to establish the combined polling place; new text end

new text begin (4) a polling place combined under paragraph (b), clause (3) or (4), must be approved by the local election official of each participating municipality; new text end

new text begin (5) the local elections official must immediately notify the county auditor and the secretary of state of the combination, including the reason for the emergency combination and the location of the combined polling place. As soon as possible, the local elections official must also post a notice stating the reason for the combination and the location of the combined polling place. The notice must also be posted on the governing board's Web site, if one exists. The local elections official must also notify the election judges and request that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the combination and the location of the combined polling place; and new text end

new text begin (6) on election day, the local elections official must post a notice in large print in a conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating the location of the combined polling place. The local election official must also post the notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph must include a statement that the polling place hours at the combined polling place will be extended until the specified time. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [204B.175] CHANGE OF POLLING PLACE IN AN EMERGENCY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin When an emergency occurs after the deadline to designate a polling place pursuant to section 204B.16 but before the polls close on election day, a new polling place may be designated for that election pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, an emergency is any situation that prevents the safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Changing polling place. new text end

new text begin If a local election official determines that an emergency has occurred or is imminent, the local election official must procure a polling place that is as near the designated polling place as possible and that complies with the requirements of section 204B.16, subdivisions 4 and 5. If it is not possible to locate a new polling place in the precinct, the polling place may be located outside of the precinct without regard to the distance limitations in section 204B.16, subdivision 1. The local election official must certify to the appropriate governing body the expenses incurred because of the change. These expenses shall be paid as part of the expenses of the election. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Notice. new text end

new text begin (a) Upon making the determination to relocate a polling place, the local election official must immediately notify the county auditor and the secretary of state. The notice must include the reason for the relocation and the reason for the location of the new polling place. As soon as possible, the local election official must also post a notice stating the reason for the relocation and the location of the new polling place. The notice must also be posted on the Web site of the public body, if there is one. The local election official must also notify the election judges and request that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place. new text end

new text begin (b) On election day, the local election official must post a notice in large print in a conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating the location of the new polling place. The local election official must also post the notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph must include a statement that the polling place hours at the new polling place will be extended until the specified time. new text end

Sec. 3.

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

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin State elections emergency plans. new text end

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

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

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

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin County elections emergency plans. new text end

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

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

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

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204C.05, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Voters in line at closing.

new text begin (a) new text end At or before the hour when voting is scheduled to begin, the election judges shall agree upon the standard of time they will use to determine when voting will begin and end. Voting shall not be allowed after the time when it is scheduled to end, unless individuals are waiting in the polling place or waiting in line at the door to register or to vote. The voting shall continue until those individuals have been allowed to vote. No individual who comes to the polling place or to a line outside the polling place after the time when voting is scheduled to end shall be allowed to vote.

new text begin (b) The local election official may extend polling place hours to accommodate voters that would have been in line at the regular polling place if the polling place had not been combined or moved on election day pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision 2, or 204B.175. Polling place hours may be extended at the new polling place for one hour. The local election official must immediately provide notice to the county auditor, secretary of state, and election judges of the extension in polling place hours. The local election official must also request that the local media outlets publicly announce the extended polling place hours. Voters in the polling place or waiting in line at the door to register or to vote at the end of the extended polling place hours shall be allowed to vote pursuant to paragraph (a). new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 204B.17, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

Presented to the governor May 22, 2016

Signed by the governor May 22, 2016, 5:02 p.m.