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204C.08 Opening of polling places.

Subdivision 1. Display of flag. Upon their arrival at the polling place on the day of election, the election judges shall cause the national flag to be displayed on a suitable staff at the entrance to the polling place. The flag shall be displayed continuously during the hours of voting and the election judges shall attest to that fact by signing the flag certification statement on the precinct summary statement. The election judges shall receive no compensation for any time during which they intentionally fail to display the flag as required by this subdivision.

Subd. 2. Posting of voting instructions. Before the hours for voting are scheduled to begin, the election judges shall post any official voter instruction posters furnished to them in a conspicuous location or locations in the polling place.

Subd. 2a. Sample ballots. A sample ballot must be posted in a conspicuous location in the polling place. The sample ballot must accurately reflect the offices, candidates, and rotation sequence on the ballots used in that polling place.

Subd. 3. Locking of ballot boxes. Immediately before the time when voting is scheduled to begin, one of the election judges shall open the ballot boxes in the presence of the individuals assembled at the polling place, turn the boxes upside down to empty them, lock them, and deliver the key to another election judge. The boxes shall not be reopened except to count the ballots after the hours for voting have ended and all voting has been concluded. The boxes shall be kept in public view at all times during voting hours. After locking the ballot boxes, the election judges shall proclaim that voting may begin, and shall post outside the polling place conspicuous written or printed notices of the time when voting is scheduled to end.

Subd. 4. Ballot boxes, boxcar seals. The governing body of a municipality or school district by resolution may direct the municipal or school district clerk to furnish a boxcar seal for each ballot box in place of a lock and key. Each seal shall consist of a numbered metal strap with a self-locking device securely attached to one end of the strap so that the other end may be inserted and securely locked in the seal. No two metal straps shall bear the same number.

HIST: 1981 c 29 art 5 s 8; 1983 c 253 s 11; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 37; 1997 c 147 s 37

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes