reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.22 — Transmitting Ballots.

203B.22 TRANSMITTING BALLOTS.
(a) The county auditor shall transmit the appropriate ballots, as promptly as possible, to an absent voter whose application has been recorded under section 203B.19. If the county auditor determines that a voter is not eligible to vote at the primary but will be eligible to vote at the general election, only general election ballots shall be transmitted. Only one set of ballots shall be transmitted to any applicant for any election, except that the county auditor may transmit a replacement ballot to a voter whose ballot has been spoiled or lost in transit or whose mailing address has changed after the date on which the original application was submitted as confirmed by the county auditor. Ballots to be sent outside the United States shall be given priority in transmission. A county auditor may make use of any special service provided by the United States government for the transmission of voting materials under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
(b) The county auditor must transmit the appropriate ballots by express mail immediately upon discovery that the ballots were not properly transmitted to the voter as a result of the following circumstances: (1) an application was received by the county auditor by the close of business at least 46 days before the election; (2) the county auditor failed to transmit the appropriate ballots by the 46th day before the election; and (3) the voter did not request that the ballots be electronically transmitted to the voter under section 203B.225, subdivision 1.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 22; 2008 c 190 s 7; 2010 c 184 s 9; 2014 c 264 s 13
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.225 — Transmitting And Returning Ballots.

203B.225 TRANSMITTING AND RETURNING BALLOTS.
Subdivision 1.
Transmitting ballot and certificate of voter eligibility.
A voter described in section 203B.16 may include in an application for absentee ballots a request that the ballots, instructions, and a certificate of voter eligibility meeting the requirements of section 203B.21, subdivision 3, be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The county auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted electronically.
Subd. 2.
Returning voted ballots.
The voter must return the voted ballots and the certificate of voter eligibility to the county auditor in a sealed envelope.
History:
2008 c 190 s 8; 2010 c 184 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.227 — Write-in Absentee Ballot.

203B.227 WRITE-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT.
(a) A voter described in section 203B.16, subdivision 1, may use the federal write-in absentee ballot to vote in any federal, state, or local election. In a state or local election, a vote for a political party without specifying the name of a candidate must not be counted.
(b) If a voter submits a federal write-in absentee ballot for which a federal post card application was not received, the federal write-in absentee ballot serves as a voter registration, for voters who are eligible to register, in lieu of the voter's federal post card application. If the voter has not already voted and the accompanying certificate is properly completed, the absentee ballot board must accept the federal write-in absentee ballot.
History:
2008 c 190 s 9; 2008 c 336 s 1; 2010 c 201 s 21; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 19
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.23 — Absentee Ballot Board.

203B.23 ABSENTEE BALLOT BOARD.
Subdivision 1.
Establishment.
The county auditor must establish an absentee ballot board for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27. The board may consist of staff trained as election judges, in which case, the board is exempt from sections 204B.19, subdivision 5, and 204C.15, relating to party balance in appointment of judges and to duties to be performed by judges of different major political parties.
Subd. 2.
Duties.
(a) The absentee ballot board must examine all returned absentee ballot envelopes for ballots issued under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 and accept or reject the absentee ballots in the manner provided in section 203B.24. If the certificate of voter eligibility is not printed on the signature envelope, the certificate must be attached to the ballot envelope.
(b) The absentee ballot board must immediately examine the signature envelopes or certificates of voter eligibility that are attached to the ballot envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected" during the 45 days before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the absentee ballot board must provide the voter with a replacement absentee ballot and envelopes in place of the spoiled ballot.
(c) If a county has delegated the responsibility for administering absentee balloting to a municipality under section 203B.05, accepted absentee ballots must be delivered to the appropriate municipality's absentee ballot board. The absentee ballot board with the authority to open and count the ballots must do so in accordance with section 203B.121, subdivisions 4 and 5.
Subd. 3.
Applicable laws.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, all the laws applicable to absentee ballots and absentee voters and all other provisions of the Minnesota Election Law apply to an absentee ballot board.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 23; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 22; 2008 c 190 s 10; 2010 c 184 s 11; 2010 c 194 s 11,12; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 65
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.26 — Separate Record.

203B.26 SEPARATE RECORD.
A separate record of the ballots of absent voters cast under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 must be generated from the statewide registration system for each precinct and retained with the other election materials.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 26; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 28; 2008 c 190 s 13; 2010 c 194 s 14
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.27 — Expense Chargeable To General Revenue.

203B.27 EXPENSE CHARGEABLE TO GENERAL REVENUE.
Expenses incurred by a county auditor to carry out the provisions of sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 shall be paid by that county from its general revenue fund.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 27
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.28 — Postelection Report To Legislature.

203B.28 POSTELECTION REPORT TO LEGISLATURE.
By January 15 of every odd-numbered year, the secretary of state shall provide to the chair and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over elections a statistical report related to absentee voting in the most recent general election cycle. The statistics must be organized by county, and include:
(1) the number of absentee ballots transmitted to voters;
(2) the number of absentee ballots returned by voters;
(3) the number of absentee ballots that were rejected, categorized by the reason for rejection;
(4) the number of absentee ballots submitted pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27, along with the number of returned ballots that were accepted, rejected, and the reason for any rejections; and
(5) the number of absentee ballots that were not counted because the ballot return envelope was received after the deadlines provided in this chapter.
History:
2010 c 194 s 15; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.29 — Transmission Of Ballots Under Certain Circumstances.

203B.29 TRANSMISSION OF BALLOTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Subdivision 1.
Emergency response providers.
Any eligible Minnesota voter who is a trained or certified emergency response provider or utility worker who is deployed in response to any state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or any governor of any state within the United States during the time period authorized by law for absentee voting or on election day may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically. Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor must electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The county auditor is not required to provide return postage to voters to whom ballots are transmitted electronically.
Subd. 2.
Reasonable accommodation for voter with disability.
Any eligible Minnesota voter with a print disability, including any voter with disabilities that interfere with the effective reading, writing, or use of printed materials, may request that ballots, instructions, and a certificate of voter eligibility be transmitted to the voter electronically in an accessible format that meets Election Assistance Commission minimum accessibility requirements. Upon receipt of a properly completed application requesting electronic transmission, the county auditor shall electronically transmit the requested materials to the voter. The county auditor must also mail the voter materials required under section 203B.07.
Subd. 3.
Returning voted ballots.
A voter receiving a ballot electronically under subdivision 1 or 2 must print and return the voter's voted ballot and the certificate of voter eligibility to the county auditor in a sealed envelope. A voter must not return the ballot or certificate of voter eligibility electronically. A ballot that is returned electronically must be rejected and must not be counted.
History:
2023 c 62 art 4 s 67
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.30 — Procedures For Early Voting.

203B.30 PROCEDURES FOR EARLY VOTING.
Subdivision 1.
Definition.
For purposes of this section, "early voting official" means the county auditor, city clerk, a deputy of the auditor or clerk, or an election judge.
Subd. 2.
Voting procedure.
(a) When a voter appears in an early voting polling place, the voter must state the voter's name, address, and, if requested, the voter's date of birth to the early voting official. The early voting official must confirm that the voter's registration is current in the statewide voter registration system and that the voter has not already cast a ballot in the election. If the voter's status is challenged, the voter may resolve the challenge as provided in section 204C.12. An individual who is not registered to vote or whose name or address has changed must register in the manner provided in section 201.061, subdivision 3. A voter who has already cast a ballot in the election must not be provided with a ballot.
(b) Each voter must sign the certification provided in section 204C.10. The signature of an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence of the intent of the individual to vote at that election. After the voter signs the certification, two early voting officials must initial the ballot and issue it to the voter. The voter must immediately retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to mark the ballot. The voter must not take a ballot from the polling place. If the voter spoils the ballot, the voter may return it to the early voting official in exchange for a new ballot. After completing the ballot, the voter must deposit the ballot into the ballot counter and ballot box. The early voting official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the manner provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.
Subd. 3.
Processing of ballots.
The early voting officials must remove and secure ballots cast during the early voting period following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (a). The absentee ballot board must count the ballots after the polls have closed on election day following the procedures in section 203B.121, subdivision 5, paragraph (b).
History:
2023 c 62 art 4 s 68
NOTE:
This section, as added by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 68, is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2024, or the 85th day after the revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 68, the effective date.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.02 — Application.

204B.02 APPLICATION.
This chapter applies to all elections held in this state except as otherwise provided by law.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 2; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.03 — Manner Of Nomination.

204B.03 MANNER OF NOMINATION.
Candidates of a major political party for any partisan office except presidential elector and all candidates for nonpartisan office shall apply for a place on the primary ballot by filing an affidavit of candidacy as provided in section 204B.06, and except as otherwise provided in section 204D.07, subdivision 3, shall be nominated by primary. Candidates for any partisan office who do not seek the nomination of a major political party shall be nominated by nominating petition as provided in sections 204B.07 and 204B.08, and, except for presidential elector candidates, shall file an affidavit of candidacy as provided in section 204B.06.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 3; 1986 c 475 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.04 — Candidacy; Prohibitions.

204B.04 CANDIDACY; PROHIBITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Major party candidates.
No individual shall be named on any ballot as the candidate of more than one major political party. No individual who has been certified by a canvassing board as the nominee of any major political party shall be named on any ballot as the candidate of any other major political party at the next ensuing general election.
Subd. 2.
Candidates seeking nomination by primary.
No individual who seeks nomination for any partisan or nonpartisan office at a primary shall be nominated for the same office by nominating petition.
Subd. 2a.
[Expired]
Subd. 3.
Nomination for nonpartisan office.
No individual shall be nominated by nominating petition for any nonpartisan office.
Subd. 4.
Prohibition on multiple candidacy.
A candidate who files an affidavit of candidacy for an office to be elected at the general election may not subsequently file another affidavit of candidacy for any other office to be elected on the date of that general election, unless the candidate withdraws the initial affidavit pursuant to section 204B.12. The provisions in section 645.21 do not apply to this subdivision.
Subd. 5.
Ballots; candidates who file by nominating petition.
Candidates who were filed as a team by nominating petition under section 204B.07, subdivision 2, shall not appear on the ballot as minor party or independent candidates if either candidate is certified as a major party candidate for president or vice president pursuant to section 208.03.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 4; 1991 c 320 s 4; 1996 c 419 s 4,5,10; 2010 c 201 s 22; 2011 c 65 s 1; 2012 c 187 art 1 s 28; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 21; 2016 c 161 art 1 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.071 — Petitions; Rules Of Secretary Of State.

204B.071 PETITIONS; RULES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
(a) The secretary of state shall adopt rules governing the manner in which petitions required for any election in this state are circulated, signed, filed, and inspected. The secretary of state shall provide samples of petition forms for use by election officials.
(b) A petition must not be rejected solely because the petition is on paper that is smaller than 8-1/2 inches wide and 14 inches long.
History:
1999 c 132 s 16; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 73
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.08 — Signing Petitions.

204B.08 SIGNING PETITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Time for signing.
Nominating petitions shall be signed during the period when petitions may be filed as provided in section 204B.09.
Subd. 2.
Qualifications of signers.
A nominating petition may be signed only by individuals who are eligible to vote for the candidate who is nominated. No individual may sign more than one nominating petition for candidates for the same office unless more than one candidate is to be elected to that office. If more than one candidate is to be elected to the office, an individual may sign as many petitions as there are candidates to be elected.
Subd. 3.
Number of signatures.
The number of signatures required on a nominating petition shall be as follows:
(a) for a federal or state office voted on statewide, one percent of the total number of individuals voting in the state at the last preceding state general election, or 2,000, whichever is less;
(b) for a congressional office, five percent of the total number of individuals voting in the district at the last preceding state general election, or 1,000, whichever is less;
(c) for a county or legislative office, ten percent of the total number of individuals voting in the county or legislative district at the last preceding state or county general election, or 500, whichever is less;
(d) for a municipal office in a city of the first class, the number specified in section 205.121; and
(e) for any other municipal or school district office, ten percent of the total number of individuals voting in the municipality, ward, school district, or other election district at the last preceding municipal, or school district if applicable, general election, or 500, whichever is less.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 8; 1990 c 453 s 3; 1999 c 132 s 17; 2008 c 244 art 2 s 17
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.10 — Affidavits Of Candidacy; Nominating Petitions; Duties.

204B.10 AFFIDAVITS OF CANDIDACY; NOMINATING PETITIONS; DUTIES.
Subdivision 1.
Affidavits of candidacy; numbering.
The official with whom affidavits of candidacy are filed shall number them in the order received.
Subd. 2.
Nominating petitions; acknowledgment; numbering.
On the day a nominating petition is filed, the election official shall deliver or mail an acknowledgment of the petition to the individual who files it and to the candidate who is to be nominated. The election official shall also number the petitions in the order received. The petitions shall be retained as provided in section 204B.40, and shall be available for public inspection during that period.
Subd. 3.
Inspection.
The official with whom nominating petitions are filed shall inspect the petitions in the order filed to verify that there are a sufficient number of signatures of individuals whose residence address as shown on the petition is in the district where the candidate is to be nominated.
Subd. 4.
Certification.
The secretary of state shall certify to the county auditor of each county the names of all candidates nominated by petitions filed with the secretary of state. Certification shall be made at the same time as the secretary of state certifies the names of candidates who are nominated at the primary.
Subd. 5.
Improper name.
If the filing officer determines that use on the ballot of the candidate's name as written on the affidavit of candidacy would violate section 204B.35, subdivision 2, the filing officer shall immediately notify the candidate and shall certify for the ballot the candidate's true name instead of the name as written on the affidavit.
Subd. 6.
Candidate's eligibility to hold office.
Upon receipt of a certified copy of a final judgment or order of a court of competent jurisdiction that a person who has filed an affidavit of candidacy or who has been nominated by petition:
(1) has been convicted of treason or a felony and the person's civil rights have not been restored;
(2) is under guardianship in which the court order revokes the ward's right to vote; or
(3) has been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent;
the filing officer shall notify the person by certified mail at the address shown on the affidavit or petition, and, for offices other than President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, United States Senator, and United States Representative in Congress, shall not certify the person's name to be placed on the ballot. The actions of a filing officer under this subdivision are subject to judicial review under section 204B.44.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 10; 1986 c 475 s 12; 1993 c 364 s 1; 2005 c 10 art 4 s 6; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 33
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.12 — Withdrawal Of Candidates.

204B.12 WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES.
Subdivision 1.
Before primary.
A candidate may withdraw from the primary ballot by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the same official who received the affidavit of candidacy. The affidavit shall request that official to withdraw the candidate's name from the ballot and shall be filed no later than two days after the last day for filing for the office.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1983 c 303 s 24]
Subd. 2a.
[Repealed, 2013 c 131 art 5 s 10]
Subd. 2b.
Governor's race.
If a candidate for governor withdraws, the secretary of state shall remove from the ballot the name of the candidate for governor and the name of that candidate's running mate for lieutenant governor.
Subd. 3.
Time for filing.
An affidavit of withdrawal filed under this section shall not be accepted later than 5:00 p.m. on the last day for withdrawal.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 12; 1983 c 303 s 6; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475 s 13; 1991 c 320 s 5-7; 2000 c 467 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.131 — Vacancy In Nomination; Nonpartisan Office.

204B.131 VACANCY IN NOMINATION; NONPARTISAN OFFICE.
Subdivision 1.
Applicability.
A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan office must be filled in the manner provided by this section. A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan office exists when:
(1) a candidate for any nonpartisan office, for which one or two candidates filed, withdraws as provided in section 204B.12, subdivision 1;
(2) a candidate for any nonpartisan office, for which one or two candidates filed, is determined to be ineligible to hold the office the candidate is seeking, pursuant to a court order issued under section 204B.44; or
(3) a candidate for any nonjudicial nonpartisan office, for which only one or two candidates filed or who was nominated at a primary, dies on or before the 79th day before the date of the general election.
Subd. 2.
Procedure for filling vacancy.
A vacancy in nomination for a nonpartisan office may be filled by filing an affidavit of candidacy and paying a filing fee, or by filing an affidavit of candidacy and filing a petition in place of a filing fee, in the manner provided in sections 204B.06, 204B.09, and 204B.11. All documents and fees required by this subdivision must be filed within five days after the vacancy in nomination occurs. There must be a two-day period for withdrawal of candidates after the last day for filing.
If the vacancy in nomination resulted from a withdrawal during the withdrawal period held on the 68th to 69th day before the primary, and if, at the end of the withdrawal period to fill the vacancy in nomination, there are more than two candidates, the candidates' names must appear on the primary ballot. In all other cases, the candidates' names must appear on the general election ballot.
History:
2013 c 131 art 5 s 8; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 24
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.145 — Duties Of Secretary Of State; Redistricting.

204B.145 DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE; REDISTRICTING.
Following the completion of legislative redistricting, the secretary of state may coordinate and facilitate the exchange of information between the legislative redistricting computer system, the statewide voter registration system, and a computer system developed to assist the counties, municipalities, and school districts in redrawing election districts and establishing election precincts.
History:
1991 c 345 art 1 s 80
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.146 — Duties Of Secretary Of State.

204B.146 DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
Subdivision 1.
Redistricting.
The secretary of state shall conduct conferences with the county auditors, municipal clerks, and school district clerks to instruct them on the procedures for redistricting of election districts and establishment of election precincts in the year ending in one.
Subd. 2.
Precinct and election district boundaries.
The secretary of state shall maintain a computer database of precinct and election district boundaries. The secretary of state shall revise the information in the database whenever a precinct or election district boundary is changed. The secretary of state shall prepare maps illustrating precinct and election district boundaries in either paper or electronic formats and make them available to the public at the cost of production.
The secretary of state may authorize municipalities and counties to provide updated precinct and election district boundary information in electronic formats.
The secretary of state shall provide periodic updates of precinct and election district boundaries to the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the state demographer, and the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.
At the request of the county auditor, the secretary of state shall provide the county auditor with precinct maps. The county auditor shall forward the maps to the appropriate municipal clerks, who shall post the map in the polling place on the day of the state primary and the state general election.
Subd. 3.
Correction to election district boundaries.
When a municipal boundary has changed and is coterminous with (1) a congressional, legislative, or county commissioner district boundary, or (2) a soil and water conservation district supervisor district boundary elected by district under section 103C.311, subdivision 2, and the affected territory contains 50 or fewer registered voters, the secretary of state may order corrections to move the affected election district boundaries so the boundaries are again coterminous with the municipal boundary. The election district boundary change is effective 28 days after the date that the order is issued. The secretary of state shall immediately notify the municipal clerk and county auditor affected by the boundary change and the Legislative Coordinating Commission. The municipal clerk shall send a nonforwardable notice stating the location of the polling place to every household containing a registered voter affected by the boundary change at least 25 days before the next election.
History:
1991 c 349 s 35; 1993 c 208 s 3; 1997 c 147 s 27; 1999 c 132 s 18; 1999 c 237 s 2; 2009 c 101 art 2 s 107; 2016 c 161 art 1 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.15 — Unorganized Territory; Election Precincts.

204B.15 UNORGANIZED TERRITORY; ELECTION PRECINCTS.
A county board may establish new election precincts to serve the residents of unorganized territories. The board shall designate a polling place for the new precinct that is convenient for the individuals residing in it.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 15; 1997 c 147 s 28
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.175 — Change Of Polling Place In An Emergency.

204B.175 CHANGE OF POLLING PLACE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
When an emergency occurs after the deadline to designate a polling place pursuant to section 204B.16 but before the polls close on election day, a new polling place may be designated for that election pursuant to this section. For purposes of this section, an emergency is any situation that prevents the safe, secure, and full operation of a polling place.
Subd. 2.
Changing polling place.
If a local election official determines that an emergency has occurred or is imminent, the local election official must procure a polling place that is as near the designated polling place as possible and that complies with the requirements of section 204B.16, subdivisions 4 and 5. If it is not possible to locate a new polling place in the precinct, the polling place may be located outside of the precinct without regard to the distance limitations in section 204B.16, subdivision 1. The local election official must certify to the appropriate governing body the expenses incurred because of the change. These expenses shall be paid as part of the expenses of the election.
Subd. 3.
Notice.
(a) Upon making the determination to relocate a polling place, the local election official must immediately notify the county auditor and the secretary of state. The notice must include the reason for the relocation and the reason for the location of the new polling place. As soon as possible, the local election official must also post a notice stating the reason for the relocation and the location of the new polling place. The notice must also be posted on the website of the public body, if there is one. The local election official must also notify the election judges and request that local media outlets publicly announce the reason for the relocation and the location of the polling place.
(b) On election day, the local election official must post a notice in large print in a conspicuous place at the polling place where the emergency occurred, if practical, stating the location of the new polling place. The local election official must also post the notice, if practical, in a location visible by voters who vote from their motor vehicles as provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. If polling place hours are extended pursuant to section 204C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), the posted notices required by this paragraph must include a statement that the polling place hours at the new polling place will be extended until the specified time.
History:
2016 c 161 art 3 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.181 — Election Emergency Plans.

204B.181 ELECTION EMERGENCY PLANS.
Subdivision 1.
State elections emergency plans.
(a) The secretary of state, in consultation with the Minnesota director of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, must develop a state elections emergency plan.
(b) The secretary of state must also coordinate with the governor to incorporate election needs into the state's continuity of government and continuity of operations plans.
(c) The secretary of state must create a state guide to assist county and local election officials in developing a county elections emergency plan required by subdivision 2. The secretary of state must consult with the Minnesota State Council on Disability in developing the guide. The guide must include a model county elections emergency plan that meets the requirements of this section.
Subd. 2.
County elections emergency plans.
(a) County election officials, in consultation with the political subdivision's local organization for emergency management established under section 12.25 and the municipalities and school districts within the county, must develop a county elections emergency plan to be made available for use in all state, county, municipal, and school district elections held in that county.
(b) In developing the county elections emergency plan, the county must address the needs of voters with disabilities in all aspects of the plan. Where ballot security is affected, the plan must provide procedures to maintain the security of the ballots. When an emergency requires the relocation of the polling place, the plan must include procedures for securing the ballots and voting equipment, notifying the public and other government officials, and restoring voting activities as soon as possible. If the county contains jurisdictions that cross county lines, the affected counties must make efforts to ensure that the emergency procedures affecting the local jurisdiction are uniform throughout the jurisdiction.
(c) Cities, towns, and school districts may create a local elections emergency plan that meets the requirements of the county elections emergency plan. If a local jurisdiction creates a local elections emergency plan, the procedures within the local elections emergency plan govern in all election emergencies within that local jurisdiction.
(d) County election officials and any municipality with a local elections emergency plan must review their county or local elections emergency plan prior to each state general election. Any revisions to the county or local elections emergency plan must be completed and filed with the secretary of state by July 1 prior to the state general election.
History:
2016 c 161 art 3 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.195 — Time Off From Work To Serve As Election Judge.

204B.195 TIME OFF FROM WORK TO SERVE AS ELECTION JUDGE.
An individual who is selected to serve as an election judge pursuant to section 204B.21, subdivision 2 may, after giving an employer at least 20 days' written notice, be absent from a place of work for the purpose of serving as an election judge without penalty. An employer may reduce the salary or wages of an employee serving as an election judge by the amount paid to the election judge by the appointing authority during the time the employee was absent from the place of employment.
The written request to be absent from work must be accompanied by a certification from the appointing authority stating the hourly compensation to be paid the employee for service as an election judge and the hours during which the employee will serve. An employer may restrict the number of persons to be absent from work for the purpose of serving as an election judge to no more than 20 percent of the total work force at any single worksite.
History:
1983 c 126 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 237 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.20 — Election Board; Head Election Judge; Duties.

204B.20 ELECTION BOARD; HEAD ELECTION JUDGE; DUTIES.
The election judges appointed to serve in an election precinct shall constitute the election board for that precinct. The appointing authority shall designate one of the election judges in each precinct to serve as the head election judge. The head election judge shall assign specific duties to the election judges of that precinct as necessary or convenient to complete forms, obtain signatures, and perform all the other duties required of election judges.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 20; 1986 c 444; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.22 — Election Judges; Number Required.

204B.22 ELECTION JUDGES; NUMBER REQUIRED.
Subdivision 1.
Minimum number required.
(a) A minimum of four election judges shall be appointed for each precinct in the state general election, provided that a minimum of three election judges shall be appointed for each precinct with fewer than 500 registered voters as of 14 weeks before the state primary. In all other elections, a minimum of three election judges shall be appointed for each precinct. In a combined polling place under section 204B.14, subdivision 2, at least one judge must be appointed from each municipality in the combined polling place, provided that not less than three judges shall be appointed for each combined polling place. The appointing authorities may appoint election judges for any precinct in addition to the number required by this subdivision including additional election judges to count ballots after voting has ended.
(b) An election judge may serve for all or part of election day, at the discretion of the appointing authority, as long as the minimum number of judges required is always present. The head election judge designated under section 204B.20 must serve for all of election day and be present in the polling place unless another election judge has been designated by the head election judge to perform the functions of the head election judge during any absence.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2013 c 131 art 2 s 85]
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 2010 c 201 s 82]
Subd. 4.
Election judge trainees not counted toward minimum number of election judges.
The presence or participation of election judge trainees must not be counted toward satisfying any of the required numbers of election judges in this chapter.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 22; 1986 c 362 s 3; 1987 c 212 s 6; 1994 c 607 s 5; 1997 c 147 s 31; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 21,22; 2004 c 293 art 2 s 21; 2010 c 201 s 26,27; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.23 — Vacancies Among Election Judges.

204B.23 VACANCIES AMONG ELECTION JUDGES.
A vacancy on an election board occurs when any election judge who is a member of that board:
(a) fails to arrive at the polling place within 30 minutes after the time when the polling place is scheduled to open;
(b) becomes unable to perform the duties of the office after assuming those duties; or
(c) for any reason fails or refuses to perform the duties of the office as assigned by the head election judge.
When a vacancy occurs, the remaining election judges of the precinct shall elect an individual to fill the vacancy subject to the provisions of section 204B.19. When possible the election judges shall elect individuals who have been trained as election judges pursuant to section 204B.25. The oath signed by the new election judge shall indicate that the new election judge was elected to fill a vacancy. The municipal clerk may assign election judges to fill vacancies as they occur.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 23; 1986 c 444; 1997 c 147 s 32; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.24 — Election Judges; Oath.

204B.24 ELECTION JUDGES; OATH.
Each election judge shall sign the following oath before assuming the duties of the office:
"I .......... solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election. I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an advantage for my party or for any candidate."
The oath shall be attached to the summary statement of the election returns of that precinct. If there is no individual present who is authorized to administer oaths, the election judges may administer the oath to each other.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 24; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 38; 2010 c 201 s 28
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.25 — Training For Election Judges.

204B.25 TRAINING FOR ELECTION JUDGES.
Subdivision 1.
Duties of county auditor.
Each county auditor shall provide training for all election judges who are appointed to serve at any election to be held in the county. The county auditor shall also provide a procedure for emergency training of election judges elected to fill vacancies. The county auditor may delegate to a municipal election official the duty to provide training of election judges in that municipality or school district.
Subd. 2.
Rules of secretary of state.
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing programs for the training of county auditors, local election officials, and election judges by county auditors as required by this section.
Subd. 3.
Trained election judges; number required.
Each election precinct in which less than 100 individuals voted at the last state general election shall have at least two election judges who are members of different major political parties who have received training as required in this section. In every other election precinct, no individual may serve as an election judge who has not received training as required by subdivision 1.
Subd. 4.
Training for local election officials.
At least once every two years, the county auditor shall conduct training sessions for the municipal and school district clerks in the county. The training sessions must be conducted in the manner provided by the secretary of state. No local election official may administer an election without receiving training from the county auditor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 25; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 28; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 86,87
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.26 — Election Judges; Violations; Penalties.

204B.26 ELECTION JUDGES; VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES.
A county auditor or municipal clerk may remove any precinct election official at any time if the official engages in a neglect of duty, malfeasance, misconduct in office, or for other cause. Any individual who serves as an election judge in violation of any of the provisions of sections 204B.19 to 204B.25, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 26; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 81
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.28 — Clerks; Election Supplies; Duties.

204B.28 CLERKS; ELECTION SUPPLIES; DUTIES.
Subdivision 1.
Meeting with election officials.
At least 12 weeks before each regularly scheduled town general election conducted in March, and at least 18 weeks before all other general elections, each county auditor shall conduct a meeting or otherwise communicate with local election officials to review the procedures for the election. The county auditor may require the head election judges in the county to attend this meeting.
Subd. 2.
Election supplies; duties of county auditors and clerks.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section and for absentee ballots in section 204B.35, subdivision 4, the county auditor shall complete the preparation of the election materials for which the auditor is responsible at least four days before every state primary and state general election. At any time after all election materials are available from the county auditor but not later than four days before the election each municipal clerk shall secure from the county auditor:
(1) the forms that are required for the conduct of the election;
(2) any printed voter instruction materials furnished by the secretary of state;
(3) any other instructions for election officers; and
(4) a sufficient quantity of the official ballots, registration files, envelopes for ballot returns, and other supplies and materials required for each precinct in order to comply with the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law. The county auditor may furnish the election supplies to the municipal clerks in the same manner as the supplies are furnished to precincts in unorganized territory pursuant to section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
(b) The county auditor must prepare and make available election materials for early voting to municipal clerks designated to administer early voting under section 203B.05 on or before the 19th day before the election.
[See Note.]
Subd. 3.
Certification of number.
The county auditor or municipal clerk must certify the number of ballots being provided to each precinct and provide this number to the election judges for inclusion on the summary statement. The auditor or clerk must not open prepackaged ballots, but must count the ballots, presuming that the total count for each package is correct.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 28; 1981 c 217 s 5; 1984 c 560 s 12; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 585 s 25; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 89; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 25; 2010 c 201 s 31; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 24; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 82
NOTE:
The amendment to subdivision 2 by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 82, is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2024, or the 85th day after the revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 82, the effective date.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.29 — Election Judges; Election Supplies; Duties.

204B.29 ELECTION JUDGES; ELECTION SUPPLIES; DUTIES.
Subdivision 1.
Securing election materials.
Before 9:00 p.m. on the day preceding an election, at least one election judge from each precinct in each municipality, or school district if applicable, shall secure voter registration files, ballots, forms, envelopes and other required supplies from the municipal clerk, school district clerk, or other legal custodian. The election judge shall deliver the materials to the polling place before the time when voting is scheduled to begin on election day. The county auditor shall send or deliver the election supplies enumerated in this section to the election judges in the precincts in unorganized territory. The election supplies may be sent by certified mail, parcel post, express mail or any other postal service providing assured delivery by no later than the day before the election. If the election supplies are delivered by any other means, they shall be delivered by no later than the day before the election.
Each precinct shall be furnished with 100 ballots of each kind for every 85 individuals who voted in that precinct at the last election for the same office or on similar questions, or with ballots of each kind in an amount at least ten percent greater than the number of votes which are reasonably expected to be cast in that precinct in that election, whichever supply of ballots is greater. No precinct shall be furnished with any ballots containing the name of any candidate who cannot properly be voted for in that precinct.
The election judges shall be responsible for the preservation of all election materials received by them until returned to the appropriate election officials after the voting has ended.
Subd. 2.
Failure of election judges to secure materials.
If no election judge secures the election materials for a precinct in any municipality, or school district if applicable, as provided in subdivision 1, the municipal or school district clerk shall deliver them to an election judge for that precinct not later than the time when voting is scheduled to begin. The municipal or school district clerk shall require the election judge accepting delivery of the election supplies to sign a receipt for them. The election judges of that precinct shall pay the expenses of delivery of the materials and shall be liable for the penalty provided by law for neglect of duty.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 29; 1984 c 560 s 13; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 29