2025 Minnesota Statutes

204B.182 CHAIN OF CUSTODY PLANS.

(a) The county auditor must develop a county elections chain of custody plan to be used in all state, county, municipal, school district, and special district elections held in that county. If any of the political subdivisions cross county lines, the affected counties must make efforts to ensure that the elections chain of custody procedures affecting the local jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. County auditors must file the elections chain of custody plans with the secretary of state.

(b) The chain of custody plan must account for both the physical and cyber security of elections-related materials. The plan must include sample chain of custody documentation.

(c) The secretary of state may provide additional guidance to counties on elections chain of custody best practices and planning.

(d) A municipal clerk, school district clerk, or special district clerk must utilize either the county chain of custody plan or create a local chain of custody plan for use in local elections not held in conjunction with federal, state, or county elections that meets or exceeds the requirements of the county elections chain of custody plan. Any plan adopted under this paragraph must be adopted and filed with the secretary of state and the county auditor at least 84 days before the first election in which it will be used.

(e) Each political subdivision clerk who develops a local elections chain of custody plan pursuant to paragraph (d) and each county auditor must review their respective elections chain of custody plan prior to each state primary election. Any revisions to the elections chain of custody plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by June 1 prior to the state primary election.

History:

2025 c 39 art 8 s 52

NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 2025, chapter 39, article 8, section 52, is effective May 24, 2025, and county auditors must file an elections chain of custody plan with the secretary of state by June 1, 2026.