2007 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 201. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY OF VOTERS

201.001 APPLICATION OF LAWS 2005, CHAPTER 56, TERMINOLOGY CHANGES.
State agencies shall use the terminology changes specified in Laws 2005, chapter 56, section
1, when printed material and signage are replaced and new printed material and signage are
obtained. State agencies do not have to replace existing printed material and signage to comply
with Laws 2005, chapter 56, sections 1 and 2. Language changes made according to Laws 2005,
chapter 56, sections 1 and 2, shall not expand or exclude eligibility to services.
History: 2005 c 56 s 3

201.01 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.01 DEFINITIONS.
The definitions in chapter 200 apply to this chapter.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 1; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 1

201.013 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]

201.014 ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE.
    Subdivision 1. Requirements. Except as provided in subdivision 2, an individual who meets
the following requirements at the time of an election is eligible to vote. The individual must:
(a) be 18 years of age or older;
(b) be a citizen of the United States; and
(c) maintain residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election.
    Subd. 2. Not eligible. The following individuals are not eligible to vote. Any individual:
(a) convicted of treason or any felony whose civil rights have not been restored;
(b) under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the ward's right to vote; or
(c) found by a court of law to be legally incompetent.
    Subd. 3. Penalty. Any individual who votes who knowingly is not eligible to vote is guilty
of a felony.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 2; 1986 c 444; 2003 c 12 art 2 s 2; 2005 c 10 art 4 s 3; 2005 c
156 art 6 s 14

201.016 RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTING; VIOLATIONS; PENALTY.
    Subdivision 1. Determination of residence. An eligible voter may vote only in the precinct
in which the voter maintains residence. The residence of a voter shall be determined in accordance
with section 200.031.
    Subd. 1a. Violations; penalty. (a) The county auditor shall mail a violation notice to any
voter who the county auditor can determine has voted in a precinct other than the precinct in
which the voter maintains residence. The notice must be in the form provided by the secretary of
state. The county auditor shall also change the status of the voter in the statewide registration
system to "challenged" and the voter shall be required to provide proof of residence to either the
county auditor or to the election judges in the voter's precinct before voting in the next election.
Any of the forms authorized by section 201.061 for registration at the polling place may be
used for this purpose.
(b) A voter who votes in a precinct other than the precinct in which the voter maintains
residence after receiving an initial violation notice as provided in this subdivision is guilty of a
petty misdemeanor.
(c) A voter who votes in a precinct other than the precinct in which the voter maintains
residence after having been found to have committed a petty misdemeanor under paragraph (b)
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(d) Reliance by the voter on inaccurate information regarding the location of the voter's
polling place provided by the state, county, or municipality is an affirmative defense to a
prosecution under this subdivision.
    Subd. 2. Duration of residence. The governing body of any city by resolution may require
an eligible voter to maintain residence in a precinct for a period of 30 days prior to voting on
any question affecting only that precinct or voting to elect public officials representing only that
precinct. The governing body of any town by resolution may require an eligible voter to maintain
residence in that town for a period of 30 days prior to voting in a town election. The school board
of any school district by resolution may require an eligible voter to maintain residence in that
school district for a period of 30 days prior to voting in a school district election.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 4; 1999 c 132 s 3,4; 1Sp2001
c 10 art 18 s 7

201.018 REGISTRATION FOR VOTING.
    Subdivision 1.[Repealed, 1984 c 560 s 26]
    Subd. 2. Registration required. An eligible voter must register in a manner specified by
section 201.054, in order to vote in any primary, special primary, general, school district, or
special election held in the county.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 4; 1986 c 475 s 2; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 5

201.02 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.02 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.021 PERMANENT REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
A permanent system of voter registration by county is established, with a single, official,
centralized, interactive computerized statewide voter registration list defined, maintained, and
administered at the state level that contains the name and registration information of every legally
registered voter in the state, and assigns a unique identifier to each legally registered voter in the
state. The interactive computerized statewide voter registration list constitutes the official list of
every legally registered voter in the state. The county auditor shall be chief registrar of voters and
the chief custodian of the official registration records in each county. The secretary of state is
responsible for defining, maintaining, and administering the centralized system.
History: 1973 c 676 s 3; 1975 c 204 s 94; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 5; 1984 c 560 s 2; 1987 c
361 s 2; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 1

201.022 STATEWIDE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
    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; and
(14) provide reports on the number of absentee ballots transmitted to and returned and cast
by voters under section 203B.16.
The appropriate state or local official shall provide security measures to prevent unauthorized
access to the computerized list established under section 201.021.
    Subd. 2. Rules. The secretary of state shall make permanent rules necessary to administer
the system required in subdivision 1.
    Subd. 3. Consultation with local officials. The secretary of state must consult with
representatives of local election officials in the development of the statewide voter registration
system.
History: 1987 c 361 s 1; 1988 c 646 s 1; 1990 c 585 s 2; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56; 1Sp2001 c
10 art 18 s 8; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 2; 2005 c 162 s 1

201.023 VOTER REGISTRATION.
Amounts received by the secretary of state to pay the cost of producing lists of registered
voters under section 201.091, subdivision 5, by the statewide registration system must be
deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund.
History: 1988 c 646 s 2; 1990 c 585 s 3; 1990 c 594 art 3 s 8

201.03 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.03 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.04 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.04 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.05 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.05 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.054 METHODS OF REGISTERING; PROHIBITIONS; PENALTY.
    Subdivision 1. Registration. An 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 card as
provided in section 203B.04, subdivision 4.
    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 vote;
(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.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 6; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 361 s 3; 1990 c 585 s 4; 1999 c 132 s 5

201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.
An individual who is unable to write the individual's name shall be required to sign a
registration card by making the individual's mark. If the individual registers in person, the clerk
or election judge accepting the registration shall certify the mark by signing the individual's
name. If the individual registers by mail, the mark shall be certified by having a voter registered
in the individual's precinct sign the individual's name and the voter's own name and give the
voter's own address.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 7; 1986 c 444

201.06 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.06 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.061 REGISTRATION ON OR BEFORE ELECTION DAY.
    Subdivision 1. Prior to election day. At any time except during the 20 days immediately
preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any individual who will be an
eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to vote in the precinct in which the
voter maintains residence by completing a voter registration application as described in section
201.071, subdivision 1, and submitting it in person or by mail to the county auditor of that county
or to the Secretary of State's Office. A registration that is received no later than 5:00 p.m. on
the 21st day preceding any election shall be accepted. An improperly addressed or delivered
registration application shall be forwarded within two working days after receipt to the county
auditor of the county where the voter maintains residence. A state or local agency or an individual
that accepts completed voter registration applications from a voter must submit the completed
applications to the secretary of state or the appropriate county auditor within ten days after the
applications are dated by the voter.
For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration application
delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the United States Postal
Service or a commercial carrier.
    Subd. 1a. Incomplete registration by mail. If the county auditor determines that a voter
who has submitted a voter registration application by mail has not previously voted in this state
for a federal office and has also not presented a document authorized for election day registration
in section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the auditor, and the county auditor is unable to verify the
voter's driver's license, state identification, or last four digits of the voter's Social Security
number as provided by the voter on the voter registration application, then the county auditor
must notify the voter that the registration is incomplete and to complete registration by using one
of the following methods:
(1) presenting to the auditor more than 20 days before the election a document authorized
for election day registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3;
(2) registering in person before or on election day;
(3) if voting by absentee ballot or by mail, following election day registration procedures for
absentee voters as described in section 203B.04, subdivision 4; or
(4) providing proof of residence by any of the methods authorized for election day
registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1990 c 585 s 34]
    Subd. 3. Election day registration. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may register on
election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual
maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making an oath in the form
prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence. An individual may prove
residence for purposes of registering by:
(1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant to section
171.07;
(2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper identification;
(3) presenting one of the following:
(i) a current valid student identification card from a postsecondary educational institution in
Minnesota, if a list of students from that institution has been prepared under section 135A.17 and
certified to the county auditor in the manner provided in rules of the secretary of state; or
(ii) a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address in the precinct
together with a picture identification card; or
(4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or who is an employee employed
by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching for a resident in the facility,
sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the voter or employee personally
knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct. A voter who has been vouched for on
election day may not sign a proof of residence oath vouching for any other individual on that
election day. A voter who is registered to vote in the precinct may sign up to 15 proof-of-residence
oaths on any election day. This limitation does not apply to an employee of a residential facility
described in this clause. The secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in
recording the number of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election
day. The form must include space for the maximum number of individuals for whom a voter
may sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include a
statement that the voter is registered to vote in the precinct, personally knows that the individual
is a resident of the precinct, and is making the statement on oath. The form must include a space
for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.
The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must be attached
to the voter registration application and the information on the oath must be recorded on the
records of both the voter registering on election day and the voter who is vouching for the person's
residence, and entered into the statewide voter registration system by the county auditor when
the voter registration application is entered into that system.
(b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its employees
currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential facility. The operator
shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor no less than 20 days before
each election for use in election day registration.
(c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256E.33,
subdivision 1 ; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under section
144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5; a residence
registered with the commissioner of health as a housing with services establishment as defined
in section 144D.01, subdivision 4; a veterans home operated by the board of directors of the
Minnesota Veterans Homes under chapter 198; a residence licensed by the commissioner of
human services to provide a residential program as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a
residential facility for persons with a developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of
human services under section 252.28; group residential housing as defined in section 256I.03,
subdivision 3 ; a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; or a
supervised publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living
accommodations for the homeless.
(d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of registering
by:
(1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the name,
address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
(2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized
by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that contains the
name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the documents listed in
Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
(e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge responsible
for election day registration initial each completed registration application.
    Subd. 4. Registration by election judges; procedures. Registration at the polling place
on election day shall be conducted by the election judges. The election judge who registers an
individual at the polling place on election day shall not handle that voter's ballots at any time prior
to the opening of the ballot box after the voting ends. Registration cards and forms for oaths shall
be available at each polling place. If an individual who registers on election day proves residence
by oath of a registered voter, the form containing the oath shall be attached to the individual's
registration card. Registration cards completed on election day shall be forwarded to the county
auditor who shall add the name of each voter to the registration system unless the information
forwarded is substantially deficient. A county auditor who finds an election day registration
substantially deficient shall give written notice to the individual whose registration is found
deficient. An election day registration shall not be found deficient solely because the individual
who provided proof of residence was ineligible to do so.
    Subd. 5. Unregistered voters; penalty. No election judge in any precinct in which
registration is required may receive the vote at any election of any individual whose name is not
registered in a manner specified in section 201.054, subdivision 1 or not recorded under section
203B.19. A violation of this subdivision is a felony.
    Subd. 6. Precinct map. Except as otherwise provided by this subdivision, the county auditor
shall provide each precinct with an accurate precinct map or precinct finder to assist the election
judges in determining whether an address is located in that precinct. A county auditor may
delegate this responsibility as provided in section 201.221, subdivision 4, to a municipal or school
district clerk who prepares precinct maps as provided in section 204B.14, subdivision 5.
    Subd. 7. Record of attempted registrations. The election judge responsible for election day
registration shall attempt to keep a record of the number of individuals who attempt to register on
election day but who cannot provide proof of residence as required by this section. The record
shall be forwarded to the county auditor with the election returns for that precinct.
History: 1973 c 676 s 4; 1974 c 583 s 1,2; 1977 c 395 s 1,2; 1978 c 714 s 1,30; 1981 c 29
art 2 s 8; 1981 c 217 s 3; 2Sp1981 c 2 s 1; 1983 c 253 s 1; 1984 c 560 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266
art 1 s 6,7; 1987 c 361 s 4; 1990 c 585 s 5; 1991 c 227 s 4; 1997 c 147 s 2; 2000 c 467 s 5; 2002 c
394 s 1; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 3-5; 2005 c 98 art 1 s 24; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 15; 2006 c 242 s 13,14

201.07 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.07 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.071 REGISTRATION CARDS.
    Subdivision 1. Form. A voter registration application must be of suitable size and weight for
mailing and 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 registration application may include the voter's e-mail address,
if provided by the voter, and 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) will be at least 18 years old on election day;
(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) have 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; 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
"(2) Will you be 18 years old on or before election day?"
And the instruction:
"If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
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.
    Subd. 2. Instructions. A registration application shall be accompanied by instructions
specifying the manner and method of registration, the qualifications for voting, the penalties for
false registration, and the availability of registration and voting assistance for elderly and disabled
individuals and residents of health care facilities and hospitals. The instructions must indicate
that if the voter does not have a valid Minnesota driver's license or identification card, the last
four digits of the voter's Social Security number must be provided, unless the voter does not have
a Social Security number. If, prior to election day, a person requests the instructions in Braille,
on cassette tape, or in a version printed in 16-point bold type with 24-point leading, the county
auditor shall provide them in the form requested. The secretary of state shall prepare Braille
and cassette copies and make them available.
    Subd. 3. Deficient registration. No voter registration application is deficient if it contains
the voter's name, address, date of birth, 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 number, the last four digits of the voter's Social Security
number, if the voter has been issued a Social Security number, prior registration, if any, and
signature. The absence of a zip code number does not cause the registration to be deficient.
Failure to check a box on an application form that a voter has certified to be true does not cause
the registration to be deficient. The election judges shall request an individual to correct a voter
registration application if it is deficient or illegible or if the name or number of the voter's school
district is missing or obviously incorrect. No eligible voter may be prevented from voting unless
the voter's registration application is deficient or the voter is duly and successfully challenged in
accordance with section 201.195 or 204C.12.
A voter registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, is not deficient for lack
of date of birth. The county or municipality may attempt to obtain the date of birth for a voter
registration application accepted prior to August 1, 1983, by a request to the voter at any time
except at the polling place. Failure by the voter to comply with this request does not make the
registration deficient.
A voter registration application accepted before January 1, 2004, is not deficient for lack
of a valid Minnesota driver's license or state identification number or the last four digits of a
Social Security number. A voter registration application submitted by a voter who does not
have a Minnesota driver's license or state identification number, or a Social Security number, is
not deficient for lack of any of these numbers.
    Subd. 4. Change of registration. Any county auditor who receives a registration card
indicating that an individual was previously registered in a different county in Minnesota shall
notify the county auditor of that county electronically through the statewide registration system
in the manner prescribed in the rules of the secretary of state. A county auditor receiving a
registration card indicating that a voter was previously registered in a different precinct in
the same county or receiving a notification as provided in this subdivision shall remove that
individual's voter registration card from the files. Any county auditor who receives a registration
card or notification requiring a change of registration records under this subdivision as a result
of an election day registration shall also check the statewide registration system to determine
whether the individual voted in more than one precinct in the most recent election.
    Subd. 5.[Repealed, 1990 c 585 s 34]
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1990 c 585 s 34]
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1983 c 124 s 6]
    Subd. 8. School district assistance. School districts shall assist county auditors in
determining the school district in which a voter resides.
History: 1973 c 676 s 5; 1974 c 583 s 3,4; 1977 c 395 s 3; 1978 c 714 s 2,30; 1981 c 29
art 2 s 9; 1981 c 92 s 1; 1983 c 124 s 1-3; 1983 c 303 s 1; 1984 c 471 s 1; 1984 c 628 art 3 s
11; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 175 s 1; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 8,9; 1987 c 361 s 5; 1988 c 646 s 3; 1990 c
453 s 1; 1990 c 585 s 6,7; 1993 c 223 s 1; 1997 c 147 s 3; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 6-8; 2005 c 10 art
4 s 4; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 16

201.08 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.08 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.081 REGISTRATION FILES.
The statewide registration system is the official record of registered voters. The voter
registration cards and the terminal providing access to the statewide registration system must be
under the control of the county auditor or the public official to whom the county auditor has
delegated the responsibility for maintaining voter registration records. The voter registration cards
and terminals providing access to the statewide registration system must not be removed from the
control of the county auditor except as provided in this subdivision. The county auditor may make
photographic copies of voter registration cards in the manner provided by section 138.17.
A properly completed voter registration card that has been submitted to the secretary of
state or a county auditor must be maintained by the secretary of state or the county auditor for
at least 22 months after the date that the information on the card is entered into the database of
the statewide registration system. The secretary of state or the county auditor may dispose of the
cards after retention for 22 months in the manner provided by section 138.17.
History: 1973 c 676 s 6; 1976 c 223 s 4; 1978 c 714 s 30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 10; 1987 c 361 s
6; 1990 c 585 s 8; 1993 c 223 s 2; 1997 c 147 s 4

201.09 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.09 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.091 REGISTERED VOTER LISTS; REPORTS; REGISTRATION PLACES.
    Subdivision 1. Master list. Each county auditor shall prepare and maintain a current list of
registered voters in each precinct in the county which is known as the master list. The master
list must be created by entering each completed voter registration card received by the county
auditor into the statewide registration system. It must show the name, residence address, and date
of birth of each voter registered in the precinct. The information contained in the master list may
only be made available to public officials for purposes related to election administration, jury
selection, and in response to a law enforcement inquiry concerning a violation of or failure to
comply with any criminal statute or state or local tax statute.
    Subd. 2. Corrected list. By February 15 of each year, the secretary of state shall prepare
the master list for each county auditor. The records in the statewide registration system must be
periodically corrected and updated by the county auditor. An updated master list for each precinct
must be available for absentee voting at least 32 days before each election. A final corrected
master list must be available seven days before each election.
    Subd. 3.[Repealed, 1990 c 585 s 34]
    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 county. 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.
    Subd. 5. Copy of list to registered voter. The county auditors and the secretary of state shall
provide copies of the public information lists in electronic or other media to any voter registered
in Minnesota within ten days of receiving a written or electronic request accompanied by payment
of the cost of reproduction. The county auditors and the secretary of state shall make a copy of the
list available for public inspection without cost. An individual who inspects or acquires a copy of
a public information list may not use any information contained in it for purposes unrelated to
elections, political activities, or law enforcement.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1983 c 303 s 24]
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1983 c 303 s 24]
    Subd. 8. Registration places. Each county auditor shall designate a number of public
buildings in those political subdivisions of the county where preregistration of voters is allowed
as provided in section 201.061, subdivision 1, where eligible voters may register to vote. At least
one public building must be designated for each 30,000 residents of the county. At least one
telecommunications device for the deaf must be available for voter registration information in
each county seat and in every city of the first, second, and third class.
An adequate supply of registration cards and instructions must be maintained at each
designated location, and a designated individual must be available there to accept registration
cards and transmit them to the county auditor.
A person who, because of disability, needs assistance in order to determine eligibility or to
register must be assisted by a designated individual. Assistance includes but is not limited to
reading the registration form and instructions and filling out the registration form as directed
by the eligible voter.
    Subd. 9. Restricted data. A list provided for public inspection or purchase, for jury selection,
or in response to a law enforcement inquiry, must not include a voter's date of birth or any part of
a voter's Social Security number, driver's license number, or identification card number.
History: 1973 c 676 s 7; 1974 c 55 s 1; 1976 c 223 s 1-3; 1977 c 96 s 1; 1977 c 395 s 4-6;
1978 c 714 s 30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 11; 1984 c 471 s 2; 1985 c 31 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 175 s
2; 1988 c 646 s 4,5; 1990 c 585 s 9; 1991 c 227 s 5,6; 1991 c 349 s 28; 2004 c 293 art 1 s
9-11; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 17,18

201.095 [Repealed, 1987 c 266 art 1 s 68]

201.096 SCHOOL ELECTIONS; USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
The county auditor shall allow independent or special school districts to use the necessary
portions of the statewide registration system for school district elections. The county auditor may
impose reasonable requirements to preserve the security and integrity of the system. The county
auditor and the school district shall provide by agreement for the details of the use of the system
by the school district. The school board may designate a member of the board or an employee as
registration officer. The provisions of this chapter and chapter 203B relating to registration of
voters apply to school district elections in which the statewide registration system is used.
History: 1990 c 585 s 10

201.10 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.10 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.11 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.11 PRECINCT BOUNDARIES CHANGED, CHANGE OF FILES.
When the boundaries of a precinct are changed, the county auditor shall immediately update
the voter records for that precinct in the statewide registration system to accurately reflect
those changes.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 11; 1973 c 676 s 8; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 13; 1993 c 223 s 3

201.12 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.12 PROPER REGISTRATION; VERIFICATION BY MAIL; CHALLENGES.
    Subdivision 1. Notice of registration. To prevent fraudulent voting and to eliminate excess
names, the county auditor may mail to any registered voter a notice stating the voter's name and
address as they appear in the registration files. The notice shall request the voter to notify the
county auditor if there is any mistake in the information.
    Subd. 2. Challenges. Upon return of any nonforwardable mailing from an election official,
the county auditor or the auditor's staff shall ascertain the name and address of that individual. If
the individual is no longer at the address recorded in the statewide registration system, the county
auditor shall change the registrant's status to "challenged" in the statewide registration system. An
individual challenged in accordance with this subdivision shall comply with the provisions of
section 204C.12, before being allowed to vote. If a notice mailed at least 60 days after the return
of the first nonforwardable mailing is also returned by the postal service, the county auditor shall
change the registrant's status to "inactive" in the statewide registration system.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 12; 1973 c 676 s 9; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 14; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475
s 3; 1990 c 585 s 11; 1997 c 147 s 5; 1999 c 132 s 6

201.121 ENTRY OF NAMES; MAILED NOTICE.
    Subdivision 1. Entry of registration information. (a) At the time a voter registration
application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections 201.061
and 201.071, the county auditor shall enter the information contained on it into the statewide
registration system. Voter registration applications completed before election day must be entered
into the statewide registration system within ten days after they have been submitted to the
county auditor. Voter registration applications completed on election day must be entered into the
statewide registration system within 42 days after the election, unless the county auditor notifies
the secretary of state before the 42-day deadline has expired that the deadline will not be met.
(b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may
electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor as
soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into the statewide registration
system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration application to the county auditor.
(c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered information from a voter registration
application into the statewide registration system, the secretary of state shall compare the voter's
name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state identification number, or the last four
digits of the Social Security number with the same information contained in the Department
of Public Safety database.
(d) The secretary of state shall provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly basis that
includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have been compared
with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and cannot be verified as
provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those voters who have submitted a
voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a federal election in this state.
(e) The county auditor shall compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor and the
secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration application
and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database relate to the
same person.
(f) The county auditor shall send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter whose
name appears on the list and change the voter's status to "incomplete." A voter who receives a
notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide the information
required to complete the registration at least 21 days before the next election or at the polling
place on election day.
    Subd. 2. Notice of registration; challenges. The county auditor shall mail a notice indicating
the individual's name, address, precinct and polling place to each registered voter. The notice shall
indicate that it must be returned if it is not deliverable to the voter at the named address. Upon
return of the notice by the postal service, the county auditor shall change the registrant's status to
"challenged" in the statewide registration system. An individual challenged in accordance with
this subdivision shall comply with the provisions of section 204C.12, before being allowed to vote.
    Subd. 3. Postelection sampling. Within ten days after an election, the county auditor shall
send the notice required by subdivision 2 to a random sampling of the individuals registered
on election day. The random sampling shall be determined in accordance with the rules of the
secretary of state. As soon as practicable after the election, the county auditor shall mail the notice
required by subdivision 2 to all other individuals registered on election day. If a notice is returned
as not deliverable, the county auditor shall attempt to determine the reason for the return. A
county auditor who does not receive or obtain satisfactory proof of an individual's eligibility to
vote shall immediately notify the county attorney and the secretary of state.
History: 1973 c 676 s 10; 1978 c 714 s 3,30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 15; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 361 s
7; 1990 c 585 s 12,13; 1997 c 147 s 6; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 12

201.13 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.13 REPORT OF DECEASED VOTERS; CHANGES TO VOTER RECORDS.
    Subdivision 1. Commissioner of health; reports of deceased residents. Pursuant to the
Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the commissioner of health shall report
monthly by electronic means to the secretary of state the name, address, date of birth, and
county of residence of each individual 18 years of age or older who has died while maintaining
residence in Minnesota since the last previous report. The secretary of state shall determine if
any of the persons listed in the report are registered to vote and shall prepare a list of those
registrants for each county auditor. Within 60 days after receiving the list from the secretary of
state, the county auditor shall change the status of those registrants to "deceased" in the statewide
registration system.
    Subd. 2. Deceased nonresidents. After receiving notice of death of a voter who has died
outside the county, the county auditor shall change the voter's status to "deceased." Notice must be
in the form of a printed obituary or a written statement signed by a registered voter of the county.
    Subd. 3. Use of change of address system. The county auditor may delete the records in the
statewide registration system of voters whose change of address can be confirmed by the United
States Postal Service. The secretary of state may provide the county auditors with periodic reports
on voters whose change of address can be confirmed by the United States Postal Service.
    Subd. 4. Request for removal of voter record. If a voter makes a written request for
removal of the voter's record, the county auditor shall remove the record of the voter from the
statewide registration system.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 13; 1973 c 676 s 11; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 16; 1987 c 361 s 8; 1989 c
7 s 1; 1991 c 227 s 7; 1993 c 101 s 1; 1993 c 223 s 4,5; 1994 c 465 art 3 s 63; 1997 c 147
s 7,8; 1999 c 132 s 7; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 13

201.14 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.14 COURT ADMINISTRATOR OF DISTRICT COURT; REPORT CHANGES OF
NAMES.
The court administrator of district court in each county shall report monthly to the county
auditor the name and address of each individual, 18 years of age or over, who maintains residence
in that county and whose name was changed during the month preceding the date of the report,
by marriage, divorce or any order or decree of the court. Upon receipt of the report, the county
auditor shall notify by mail each registered voter whose name was changed that it will be
necessary to reregister under the changed name in order to vote.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 14; 1973 c 676 s 12; 1973 c 725 s 38; 1977 c 395 s 7; 1981 c 29
art 2 s 17; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82

201.15 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.15 DISTRICT JUDGE, REPORT GUARDIANSHIPS AND COMMITMENTS.
    Subdivision 1. Guardianships and incompetents. Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act
of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the state court administrator shall report monthly by electronic
means to the secretary of state the name, address, and date of birth of each individual 18 years of
age or over, who during the month preceding the date of the report:
(a) was placed under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the ward's right
to vote; or
(b) was adjudged legally incompetent.
The court administrator shall also report the same information for each individual transferred
to the jurisdiction of the court who meets a condition specified in clause (a) or (b). The secretary
of state shall determine if any of the persons in the report is registered to vote and shall prepare a
list of those registrants for the county auditor. The county auditor shall change the status on the
record in the statewide registration system of any individual named in the report to indicate that
the individual is not eligible to reregister or vote.
    Subd. 2. Guardianship termination or modification. Pursuant to the Help America
Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the state court administrator shall report monthly by
electronic means to the secretary of state the name, address, and date of birth of each individual
whose guardianship was modified to restore the ward's right to vote or whose guardianship was
terminated by order of the court under section 524.5-317 after being ineligible to vote for any
of the reasons specified in subdivision 1. The secretary of state shall determine if any of the
persons in the report is registered to vote and shall prepare a list of those registrants for the
county auditor. The county auditor shall change the status on the voter's record in the statewide
registration system to "active."
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 15; 1961 c 697 s 1; 1967 c 839 s 2; 1973 c 676 s 13; 1973 c 725 s
39; 1978 c 714 s 4; 1979 c 43 s 1; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 18; 1986 c 475 s 4; 1987 c 361 s 9; 1993 c 223
s 6; 1Sp1994 c 1 art 2 s 20; 1995 c 186 s 50; 1995 c 189 s 8; 1996 c 277 s 1; 1997 c 147 s 9; 1998
c 376 s 1; 2003 c 12 art 2 s 3; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 14; 2005 c 10 art 4 s 5; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 19

201.155 REPORT ON FELONY CONVICTIONS.
Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, Public Law 107-252, the state court
administrator shall report monthly by electronic means to the secretary of state the name, address,
date of birth, date of sentence, effective date of the sentence, and county in which the conviction
occurred of each person who has been convicted of a felony. The state court administrator shall
also report the name, address, and date of birth of each person previously convicted of a felony
whose civil rights have been restored. The secretary of state shall determine if any of the persons
in the report is registered to vote and shall prepare a list of those registrants for each county
auditor. The county auditor shall change the status of those registrants in the appropriate manner
in the statewide registration system.
History: 1997 c 147 s 10; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 15

201.16 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.16 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.161 DRIVER'S LICENSE AND IDENTIFICATION CARD APPLICATIONS.
The Department of Public Safety shall change its applications for an original, duplicate, or
change of address driver's license 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 state. Applicants for driver's licenses
or identification cards must be asked if they want to register to vote at the same time and that
information must be transmitted at least weekly 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, driver's license number or state
identification number, county, town, and city must be made available for access by the secretary
of state and interaction with the statewide voter registration system.
History: 1977 c 395 s 8; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 19; 1987 c 361 s 10; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 16; art 2 s 9

201.1611 POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION VOTER REGISTRATION.
    Subdivision 1. Forms. All postsecondary institutions that enroll students accepting state or
federal financial aid shall provide voter registration forms to each student as early as possible in
the fall quarter. All school districts shall make available voter registration applications each May
and September to all students registered as students of the school district who will be eligible to
vote at the next election after those months. A school district has no obligation to provide voter
registration applications to students who participate in a postsecondary education option program
or who otherwise reside in the district but do not attend a school operated by the district. A school
district fulfills its obligation to a student under this section if it provides a voter registration
application to the student one time. The forms must contain spaces for the information required
in section 201.071, subdivision 1, and applicable rules of the secretary of state. The institutions
and school districts may request these forms from the secretary of state. Institutions shall consult
with their campus student government in determining the most effective means of distributing
the forms and in seeking to facilitate election day registration of students under section 201.061,
subdivision 3 . School districts must advise students that completion of the voter registration
application is not a school district requirement.
    Subd. 2. Student voter registration. A copy of each completed voter registration form
must be sent to the county auditor of the county in which the voter maintains residence or to the
secretary of state as soon as possible. All completed voter registration forms must be forwarded
no later than 21 days before the general election.
History: 1991 c 227 s 8; 1996 c 398 s 57; 2004 c 293 art 2 s 10

201.1615 INFORMATION SHARING; USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
The secretary of state shall enter into an agreement with the commissioner of public safety to
match information in the statewide voter registration system with information in the Department
of Public Safety database to verify the accuracy of the information provided on applications
for voter registrations.
The commissioner of public safety shall enter into an agreement with the commissioner of
the United States Social Security Administration under section 205(r)(8) of the Social Security
Act to allow the use of the last four digits of the Social Security number to be used to verify
voter registration information, to ensure the maintenance of the confidentiality of any applicable
information disclosed, and to establish procedures to permit the department to use the information
for purposes of maintaining its records.
History: 2004 c 293 art 1 s 17

201.162 DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES.
The commissioner or chief administrative officer of each state agency or community-based
public agency or nonprofit corporation that contracts with the state agency to carry out obligations
of the state agency shall provide voter registration services for employees and the public. A
person may complete a voter registration application or apply to change a voter registration name
or address if the person has the proper qualifications on the date of application. Nonpartisan voter
registration assistance, including routinely asking members of the public served by the agency
whether they would like to register to vote and, if necessary, assisting them in preparing the
registration forms must be part of the job of appropriate agency employees.
History: 1987 c 361 s 11

201.17 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.17 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.171 POSTING VOTING HISTORY; FAILURE TO VOTE; REGISTRATION
REMOVED.
Within six weeks after every election, the county auditor shall post the voting history for
every person who voted in the election. After the close of the calendar year, the secretary of state
shall determine if any registrants have not voted during the preceding four years. The secretary of
state shall perform list maintenance by changing the status of those registrants to "inactive" in the
statewide registration system. The list maintenance performed must be conducted in a manner
that ensures that the name of each registered voter appears in the official list of eligible voters in
the statewide registration system. A voter must not be removed from the official list of eligible
voters unless the voter is not eligible or is not registered to vote. List maintenance must include
procedures for eliminating duplicate names from the official list of eligible voters.
The secretary of state shall also prepare a report to the county auditor containing the names
of all registrants whose status was changed to "inactive."
Registrants whose status was changed to "inactive" must register in the manner specified
in section 201.054 before voting in any primary, special primary, general, school district, or
special election, as required by section 201.018.
Although not counted in an election, a late absentee ballot must be considered a vote for the
purpose of continuing registration.
History: 1973 c 676 s 14; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 20; 1987 c 361 s 12; 1990 c 585 s 14; 1997
c 147 s 11; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 18; art 2 s 11

201.18 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.18 MS 1980 [Repealed, 1981 c 217 s 11]

201.19 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.19 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.191 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]

201.195 CHALLENGES.
    Subdivision 1. Petition; hearing. Upon petition filed with the county auditor, any voter
registered within a county may challenge the eligibility or residence of any other voter registered
within that county. The petition shall state the grounds for challenge and be accompanied by an
affidavit stating that the challenge is based on the challenger's personal knowledge. Within five
days after receipt of the petition, the county auditor shall set a date for a hearing on the challenge
and notify the challenger by mail. A copy of the petition and notice of the hearing shall be served
on the challenged voter by the county auditor in the same manner as in a civil action. The hearing
shall be held before the county auditor or the auditor's designee who shall then make findings
and affirm or dismiss the challenge.
    Subd. 2. Appeal. If a challenge is affirmed, the voter whose registration has been challenged
may appeal the ruling to the secretary of state. The appeal shall be heard within five days but in
any case before election day. Upon hearing the appeal the secretary of state shall affirm or reverse
the ruling and shall give appropriate instructions to the county auditor.
    Subd. 3. Hearing procedures. A hearing before the secretary of state shall be conducted as a
contested case and determined in accordance with chapter 14.
History: 1981 c 29 art 2 s 22; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1986 c 444

201.20 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.20 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.21 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.21 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.211 COSTS.
The office required to perform the functions and duties of this chapter shall bear the costs
incurred. If these functions and duties are delegated to another office, that office shall bear the
costs. The secretary of state shall pay the costs of operating and maintaining the statewide
registration system. The secretary of state shall also pay the costs of preparing polling place
rosters and master lists from the money appropriated for this purpose.
History: 1973 c 676 s 16; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 23; 1990 c 585 s 15

201.22 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.22 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.221 RULES.
    Subdivision 1. Adoption of rules. To implement the provisions of this chapter, the secretary
of state shall adopt rules consistent with federal and state election laws.
    Subd. 2. Uniform procedures for counties. The secretary of state shall assist local election
officers by devising uniform forms and procedures. The secretary of state shall provide uniform
rules for maintaining voter registration records on the statewide registration system. The secretary
of state shall supervise the development and use of the statewide registration system to insure
that it conforms to applicable federal and state laws and rules.
    Subd. 3. Procedures for polling place rosters. The secretary of state shall prescribe the
form of polling place rosters that include the voter's name, address, date of birth, school district
number, and space for the voter's signature. The secretary of state may prescribe additional
election-related information to be placed on the polling place rosters on an experimental basis
for one state primary and general election cycle; the same information may not be placed on the
polling place roster for a second state primary and general election cycle unless specified in this
subdivision. The polling place roster must be used to indicate whether the voter has voted in a
given election. The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for transporting the polling place
rosters to the election judges for use on election day. The secretary of state shall prescribe the
form for a county or municipality to request the date of birth from currently registered voters.
The county or municipality shall not request the date of birth from currently registered voters
by any communication other than the prescribed form and the form must clearly indicate that a
currently registered voter does not lose registration status by failing to provide the date of birth.
In accordance with section 204B.40, the county auditor shall retain the prescribed polling place
rosters used on the date of election for 22 months following the election.
    Subd. 4. County rules. The county auditor of each county may adopt rules that delegate to
the secretary of state or municipal officials in that county the duties assigned to county auditors by
this chapter. Delegation of duties to the secretary of state requires the approval of the secretary
of state. Delegation to a municipal official requires the approval of the governing body of the
municipality. Delegation by the county auditor of the duty to accept registrations does not relieve
the county auditor of the duty to accept registrations. Each delegation agreement must include a
plan to allocate the costs of the duties to be delegated.
History: 1973 c 676 s 17; 1978 c 714 s 30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 24; 1981 c 92 s 2; 1986 c 444;
1987 c 266 art 1 s 10; 1987 c 361 s 13,14; 1990 c 585 s 16; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 19,20

201.23 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.23 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.231 [Repealed, 1981 c 29 art 7 s 39]

201.24 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.24 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.25 MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.28]
201.25 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.26 MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.29]
201.26 MS 1980 [Repealed, 1981 c 29 art 7 s 39]

201.261 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.27 MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.30]
201.27 VIOLATIONS, PENALTY.
    Subdivision 1. Intentional violation. No officer, deputy, clerk, or other employee shall
intentionally:
(1) fail to perform or enforce any of the provisions of this chapter except subdivision 2;
(2) remove a registration card or record from its proper place in the registration files in a
manner or for a purpose not authorized by law;
(3) destroy or make an unauthorized change to a record required to be kept by this chapter; or
(4) add a name or names to the voter registration files, records, or cards, except as authorized
by law.
An individual who violates this subdivision is guilty of a felony.
    Subd. 2. Knowledge of violation. A deputy, clerk, employee, or other subordinate of a
county auditor or municipal or school district clerk who has knowledge or reason to believe that a
violation of this chapter has occurred shall immediately transmit a report of the knowledge or
belief to the county auditor or municipal or school district clerk, together with any possessed
evidence of the violation. Any county auditor or municipal or school district clerk who has
knowledge or reason to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred shall immediately
transmit a report of the knowledge or belief to the county attorney of the county where the
violation is thought to have occurred, together with any possessed evidence of the violation. The
county auditor or municipal or school district clerk shall also immediately send a copy of the
report to the secretary of state. A violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 3. General penalty. An individual who intentionally violates any provision of this
chapter is guilty of a felony, unless a different penalty is specifically provided by law.
History: 1959 c 675 art 2 s 27; 1973 c 676 s 20; 1978 c 714 s 5,30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 25;
1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 11; 1990 c 585 s 17

201.275 INVESTIGATIONS; PROSECUTIONS.
A county attorney who is notified by affidavit of an alleged violation of this chapter shall
promptly investigate. If there is probable cause for instituting a prosecution, the county attorney
shall proceed by complaint or present the charge, with whatever evidence has been found, to the
grand jury. A county attorney who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this or any
other duty imposed by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall forfeit
office. The county attorney, under the penalty of forfeiture of office, shall prosecute all violations
of this chapter except violations of this section; if, however, a complainant withdraws an
allegation under this chapter, the county attorney is not required to proceed with the prosecution.
History: 1978 c 714 s 6; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 26; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 578 art 1 s 2; 2004 c 277 s 2

201.28 MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.31]
201.28 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.29 MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.32]
201.29 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.30 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.30 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.31 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.31 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.32 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.32 MS 1971 [Repealed, 1973 c 676 s 33]

201.33 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.33 MS 1980 [Repealed, 1981 c 29 art 7 s 39]

201.34 MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
201.34 MS 1974 [Repealed, 1975 c 204 s 106]