2006 Minnesota Statutes

204B.27 DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
    Subdivision 1. Blank forms. At least 14 days before every state election the secretary of
state shall transmit to each county auditor examples of any blank forms to be used as the secretary
of state deems necessary for the conduct of the election. County abstract forms may be provided
to auditors electronically via the Minnesota State Election Reporting System maintained by the
secretary of state, and must be available at least one week prior to the election.
    Subd. 2. Election law and instructions. The secretary of state shall prepare and publish a
volume containing all state general laws relating to elections. The attorney general shall provide
annotations to the secretary of state for this volume. On or before July 1 of every even numbered
year the secretary of state shall furnish to the county auditors and municipal clerks enough copies
of this volume so that each county auditor and municipal clerk will have at least one copy. The
secretary of state may prepare and transmit to the county auditors and municipal clerks detailed
written instructions for complying with election laws relating to the conduct of elections, conduct
of voter registration and voting procedures.
    Subd. 3. Instruction posters. At least 25 days before every state election the secretary of
state shall prepare and furnish to the county auditor of each county in which paper ballots are
used, voter instruction posters printed in large type upon cards or heavy paper. The instruction
posters must contain the information needed to enable the voters to cast their paper ballots quickly
and correctly and indicate the types of assistance available for elderly and disabled voters. Two
instruction posters shall be furnished for each precinct in which paper ballots are used.
    Subd. 4. Pamphlets. The secretary of state shall prepare and distribute to election officials
pamphlets for voters containing impartial instructions relating to voter registration and election
procedures. The pamphlets must indicate the types of registration and voting assistance available
for elderly and disabled individuals and residents of health care facilities and hospitals.
    Subd. 5. Conferences for county auditors. Before each state primary the secretary of state
shall conduct conferences with county auditors to instruct them on the administration of election
laws and the training of local election officials and election judges.
    Subd. 6. Voter participation. The secretary of state may sponsor or participate in
nonpartisan activities to promote voter participation in Minnesota elections and in efforts to
increase voter registration and voter turnout.
    Subd. 7. Educational activities. The secretary of state may authorize educational activities
related to voting and elections for elementary or secondary school students in the polling place
on the day of a state, county, municipal, or school district election. Ballots used for educational
activities must be a different color than any ballot used at the election. Activities authorized
under this subdivision must be administered in a manner that does not interfere with the conduct
of the election.
    Subd. 8. Voter information telephone line. The secretary of state shall provide a voter
information telephone line. A toll-free number must be provided for use by persons residing
outside the metropolitan calling area. The secretary of state shall make available information
concerning voter registration, absentee voting, election results, and other election-related
information considered by the secretary of state to be useful to the public.
    Subd. 9. Election supply contract. The secretary of state may enter into a statewide contract
from which any county auditor may purchase ballots, forms, or other election supplies.
    Subd. 10. Training for county auditors; training materials. The secretary of state shall
develop a training program in election administration for county auditors and shall certify
each county auditor who successfully completes the training program. The secretary of state
shall provide each county auditor with materials for use in training local election officials and
election judges.
    Subd. 11. Translation of voting instructions. The secretary of state may develop voting
instructions in languages other than English, to be posted and made available in polling places
during elections. The state demographer shall determine and report to the secretary of state the
languages that are so common in this state that there is a need for translated voting instructions.
History: 1981 c 29 art 4 s 27; 1983 c 303 s 9; 1984 c 471 s 8,9; 1984 c 560 s 10,11; 1987
c 175 s 6; 1989 c 291 art 1 s 9; 1991 c 237 s 4; 1992 c 513 art 3 s 43; 1994 c 632 art 3 s 54;
1997 c 147 s 33; 1999 c 132 s 20; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 88; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 24; 2005 c 56
s 1; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 39