1999 Minnesota Statutes

     203B.08 Marking and return of absentee ballots. 

    Subdivision 1.    Marking and return by voter.  An 
 eligible voter who receives absentee ballots as provided in this 
 chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the 
 directions for casting the absentee ballots.  The return 
 envelope containing marked ballots may be mailed as provided in 
 the directions for casting the absentee ballots or may be left 
 with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the 
 absentee ballots to the voter.  If delivered in person by an 
 agent, the return envelope must be submitted to the county 
 auditor or municipal clerk by 3:00 p.m. on election day. 

    The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the 
 sealed absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or 
 municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope in the mail.  
 An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more 
 than three voters in any election.  Any person designated as an 
 agent who tampers with either the return envelope or the voted 
 ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return 
 envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a 
 misdemeanor. 

    Subd. 1a. Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46 

    Subd. 2.    Address on return envelopes.  The county 
 auditor or municipal clerk shall address return envelopes to 
 allow direct mailing of the absentee ballots to:  

    (a) The county auditor or municipal clerk who sent the 
 ballots to the voter; 

    (b) The clerk of the town or city in which the absent voter 
 is eligible to vote; or 

    (c) The appropriate election judges.  

    Subd. 3.    Procedures on receipt of ballots.  When 
 absentee ballots are returned to a county auditor or municipal 
 clerk, that official shall stamp and date the return envelope 
 with an official seal of the office and place it in a secure 
 location with other return envelopes received by that office.  
 The county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver them to the 
 appropriate election judges on election day.  

    Subd. 3a. Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46 

    Subd. 4.    Rules.  The secretary of state shall adopt 
 rules establishing procedures to be followed by county auditors 
 and municipal clerks to assure accurate and timely return of 
 absentee ballots.  The rules of the secretary of state may 
 authorize procedures and methods of return in addition to those 
 specified in this section.  

    HIST: 1981 c 29 art 3 s 8; 1983 c 253 s 2,3; 1986 c 362 s 1,2; 
 1987 c 266 art 1 s 16; 1990 c 453 s 2; 1997 c 147 s 16; 1999 c 
 132 s 11