reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 209 — Election Contests › Section 209.06 — Inspection Of Ballots.

209.06
MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
209.06 INSPECTION OF BALLOTS.
Subdivision 1.
Appointment of inspectors.
After a contest has been instituted, either party may have the ballots inspected before preparing for trial. The party requesting an inspection shall file with the district court where the contest is brought a verified petition, stating that the case cannot properly be prepared for trial without an inspection of the ballots and designating the precincts in which an inspection is desired. A judge of the court in which the contest is pending shall then appoint as many sets of three inspectors for a contest of any office or question as are needed to count and inspect the ballots expeditiously. One inspector must be selected by each of the parties to the contest and a third must be chosen by those two inspectors. If either party neglects or refuses to name an inspector, the judge shall appoint the inspector. The compensation of inspectors is the same as for referees, unless otherwise stipulated.
Subd. 2.
Bond, taxing of costs.
The party applying for the inspection shall file with the court administrator of district court a bond in the sum of $250 if the contest is in a single county. In other cases the bond shall be in a sum set by the court with sureties approved by the court, and conditioned that the party seeking inspection will pay the administrative costs and expenses of the inspection if that party loses the contest.
Subd. 3.
Report of inspectors.
An inspection must be made in the office and in the presence of the legal custodian of the ballots. The inspectors shall recanvass the votes cast for the parties to the contest or the question in issue in accordance with the rules for counting ballots in the Minnesota Election Law. They shall make a written report of the inspection indicating the number of votes cast for each candidate or each side of the question in each precinct where the ballots were inspected and indicating any disputed ballots upon which the inspectors cannot agree.
History:
1959 c 675 art 10 s 9; 1961 c 607 s 5; 1986 c 408 s 7; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 209 — Election Contests › Section 209.065 — Pleadings; Procedure.

209.065 PLEADINGS; PROCEDURE.
The notice of contest and any answer are the pleadings in the case and may be amended in the discretion of the court. The contest proceedings must be brought on for trial by either the contestant or contestee as soon as practicable within 20 days after the filing of the notice of contest. The court shall proceed in the manner provided for the trial of civil actions so far as practicable.
History:
1986 c 408 s 8
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 209 — Election Contests › Section 209.07 — Results Of Contest.

209.07
MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
209.07 RESULTS OF CONTEST.
Subdivision 1.
Generally.
If a nomination is contested, the court shall decide which candidate, if any, was nominated and is entitled to be named in print on the official ballots. When the court decides an election contest for any office other than state senator or state representative, and the time for appeal has expired or, in case of an appeal, if the contestant succeeds in the contest, the court may invalidate and revoke any election certificate which has been issued to the contestee. If the contest involved an error in the counting of ballots, the official authorized to issue the certificate of election shall issue the certificate to the person entitled to it, but if a contestant succeeds in a contest where there is no question as to which of the candidates received the highest number of votes cast at the election, the contestant is not, by reason of the disqualification of the contestee, entitled to the certificate of election.
Subd. 2.
Defective ballots.
In a contested election, if the court decides that a serious and material defect in the ballots used changed the outcome of the election for the contested office, the election must be declared invalid for that office.
Subd. 3.
Costs of contest.
If the contestee succeeds, costs of the contest must be paid by the contestant. If the contestant succeeds, costs of the contest must be paid by the contestee; except that if the contestee loses because of an error in the counting of ballots or canvass of the returns or because of any other irregularity in the election procedure, costs must be paid, in the discretion of the judge, by the election jurisdictions responsible for errors which resulted in the reversal of the prior results of the election.
Subd. 4.
School district board election; surety bond requirements.
If an election approving the issuance of bonds by a school district is contested, the contestant shall file in the district court a surety bond of at least $5,000 or a greater amount determined necessary by the court to provide security for costs of the contest to the school district, including any additional costs that may be incurred by the school district if the bond issue is delayed. The court may waive the requirements of this subdivision to the extent it finds that there is a reasonable likelihood that the contestant will prevail and that filing the bond would impose an undue hardship. If the surety bond is not filed within the time allowed by the court, the contest shall be dismissed with prejudice.
History:
1961 c 607 s 6; 1971 c 733 s 6; 1986 c 408 s 9; 1986 c 444; 1999 c 241 art 9 s 45
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 209 — Election Contests › Section 209.09 — Appeals.

209.09
MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
209.09 APPEALS.
Subdivision 1.
Most contests.
If the decision of the district court in any contest under this chapter is appealed, the appellant shall file in the district court a bond of $500 for the payment of all costs incurred by the respondent if appellant fails on the appeal. Except for a statewide contest or a state legislative contest, the notice of appeal must be served and filed in the court of appeals in the case of a general or special election no later than ten days and, in the case of a primary or special primary, no later than five days after the entry of the district court's decision in the contest. The record on appeal must be made, certified, and filed in the court of appeals within 15 days after service of notice of appeal. The appeal may be brought on for hearing in the court at any time, upon notice from either party, as the court determines; and may be heard and determined summarily by the court.
Subd. 2.
Statewide offices and questions.
Section 209.10, subdivision 4, applies to a contest regarding a statewide office or a constitutional amendment. A copy of the supreme court's decision must be forwarded to the contestant and the contestee.
History:
1959 c 675 art 10 s 10; 1961 c 607 s 7; 1971 c 733 s 7; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1983 c 247 s 91; 1986 c 408 s 10; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 200 s 1; 1990 c 453 s 21; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 54
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 209 — Election Contests › Section 209.12 — Congressional Office.

209.12
MS 1957 [Repealed, 1959 c 675 art 13 s 1]
209.12 CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE.
When a contest relates to the office of senator or a member of the house of representatives of the United States, the only question to be decided by the court is which party to the contest received the highest number of votes legally cast at the election and is therefore entitled to receive the certificate of election. The judge trying the proceedings shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law upon that question. Evidence on any other points specified in the notice of contest, including but not limited to the question of the right of any person to nomination or office on the ground of deliberate, serious, and material violation of the provisions of the Minnesota Election Law, must be taken and preserved by the judge trying the contest, or by some person appointed by the judge for that purpose; but the judge shall make no findings or conclusion on those points.
After the time for appeal has expired, or in case of an appeal, after the final judicial determination of the contest, upon application of either party to the contest, the court administrator of the district court shall promptly certify and forward the files and records of the proceedings, with all the evidence taken, to the presiding officer of the Senate or the House of Representatives of the United States. The court administrator shall endorse on the transmittal envelope or container the name of the case and the name of the party in whose behalf the proceedings were held, and shall sign the endorsement.
History:
1963 c 682 s 2; 1986 c 408 s 12; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 82
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.01 — Definitions.

211A.01 DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
The definitions in chapter 200 and this section apply to this chapter.
Subd. 2.
Ballot question.
"Ballot question" means a proposition placed on the ballot to be voted on by the voters of one or more political subdivisions but not by all the voters of the state.
Subd. 3.
Candidate.
"Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or election to a county, municipal, school district, or other political subdivision office. This definition does not include an individual seeking a judicial office. For purposes of sections 211A.01 to 211A.05 and 211A.07, "candidate" also includes a candidate for the United States Senate or House of Representatives.
Subd. 4.
Committee.
"Committee" means a corporation or association or persons acting together to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or to promote or defeat a ballot question. Promoting or defeating a ballot question includes efforts to qualify or prevent a proposition from qualifying for placement on the ballot.
Subd. 5.
Contribution.
"Contribution" means anything of monetary value that is given or loaned to a candidate or committee for a political purpose. "Contribution" does not include a service provided without compensation by an individual.
Subd. 6.
Disbursement.
"Disbursement" means money, property, office, position, or any other thing of value that passes or is directly or indirectly conveyed, given, promised, paid, expended, pledged, contributed, or lent. "Disbursement" does not include payment by a county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision for election-related expenditures required or authorized by law.
Subd. 7.
Filing officer.
"Filing officer" means the officer authorized by law to accept affidavits of candidacy or nominating petitions for an office or the officer authorized by law to place a ballot question on the ballot.
Subd. 8.
Political purposes.
An act is done for "political purposes" if it is of a nature, done with the intent, or done in a way to influence or tend to influence, directly or indirectly, voting at a primary or an election or if it is done because a person is about to vote, has voted, or has refrained from voting at a primary or an election.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 1; 1990 c 453 s 22
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.03 — Final Report.

211A.03 FINAL REPORT.
A candidate or committee may file a final report when all debts have been settled and all assets in excess of $100 in the aggregate are disposed of. The final report may be filed at any time and must include the kinds of information contained in the financial statements required by section 211A.02 for the period from the last previous report to the date of the final report.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.04 — Secretary Of State's Duties.

211A.04 SECRETARY OF STATE'S DUTIES.
Subdivision 1.
Report forms.
The secretary of state shall prepare blanks for reports required by section 211A.02. Copies must be furnished through the county auditor or otherwise, as the secretary of state finds expedient, to a committee upon request or to a candidate upon filing for office.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1992 c 513 art 3 s 79]
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.05 — Failure To File Statement.

211A.05 FAILURE TO FILE STATEMENT.
Subdivision 1.
Penalty.
A candidate who intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. The treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question who intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each candidate or treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question shall certify to the filing officer that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been submitted to the filing officer or that the candidate or committee has not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding $750 in the calendar year. The certification shall be submitted to the filing officer no later than seven days after the general or special election. The secretary of state shall prepare blanks for this certification. An officer who issues a certificate of election to a candidate who has not certified that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been filed is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.
Notice of failure to file.
If a candidate or committee has filed an initial report, but fails to file a subsequent report on the date it is due, the filing officer shall immediately notify the candidate or committee of the failure to file. If a report is not filed within ten days after the notification is mailed, the filing officer shall file a complaint under section 211B.32.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 5; 1989 c 291 art 1 s 31; 2004 c 277 s 3; 2008 c 244 art 1 s 23; 2010 c 327 s 26
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.06 — Failure To Keep Account; Penalty.

211A.06 FAILURE TO KEEP ACCOUNT; PENALTY.
A treasurer or other individual who receives money for a committee is guilty of a misdemeanor if the individual:
(1) fails to keep a correct account as required by law;
(2) mutilates, defaces, or destroys an account record; or
(3) in the case of a committee, refuses upon request to provide financial information to a candidate; and
(4) does any of these things with the intent to conceal receipts or disbursements, the purpose of receipts or disbursements, or the existence or amount of an unpaid debt or the identity of the person to whom it is owed.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.07 — Bills When Rendered And Paid.

211A.07 BILLS WHEN RENDERED AND PAID.
A person who has a bill, charge, or claim against a candidate's committee shall render it in writing to the committee within 60 days after the material or service is provided. A bill, charge, or claim that is not presented within 60 days after the material or service is provided must not be paid.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.08 — Prosecution.

211A.08 PROSECUTION.
Subdivision 1.
[Repealed, 2004 c 277 s 13]
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2004 c 277 s 13]
Subd. 3.
County attorney authority.
A county attorney may prosecute any violation of this chapter.
History:
1986 c 444; 1988 c 578 art 2 s 8; 2004 c 277 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.09 — Forfeiture Of Nomination Or Office.

211A.09 FORFEITURE OF NOMINATION OR OFFICE.
Subdivision 1.
Forfeiture required.
Except as provided in subdivision 2, if a candidate is convicted of violating a provision of this chapter or if an offense was committed by another individual with the knowledge, consent, or connivance of the candidate, the court, after entering the adjudication of guilty, shall enter a supplemental judgment declaring that the candidate has forfeited the nomination or office. If the court enters the supplemental judgment, it shall transmit to the filing officer a transcript of the supplemental judgment, the nomination or office becomes vacant, and the vacancy must be filled as provided by law.
Subd. 2.
Circumstances where nomination or office not forfeited.
In a trial for a violation of this chapter, the candidate's nomination or election is not void if the court finds that:
(1) an offense, though committed by the candidate or with the candidate's knowledge, consent, or connivance, was trivial; or
(2) an act or omission of a candidate arose from accidental miscalculation or other reasonable cause, but in any case not from a want of good faith, and that it would be unjust for the candidate to forfeit the nomination or election.
Neither of these findings is a defense to a conviction under this chapter.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.10 — Disqualified Individuals Not To Hold Various Positions.

211A.10 DISQUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS NOT TO HOLD VARIOUS POSITIONS.
A candidate whose election to office has been set aside for a violation of this chapter may not be appointed, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office, to fill a vacancy that may occur in the office. A candidate or other individual who is convicted of a violation of this chapter may not be appointed, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office with respect to which the election was held and the offense was committed, to fill a vacancy in the office. An appointment to an office made contrary to this section is void.
A candidate or other individual who is convicted of a violation of this chapter is not qualified, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office with respect to which the election was held and the offense was committed, to fill a vacancy in an office for which the legislature may establish qualifications under article XII, section 3, of the Minnesota Constitution.
History:
1988 c 578 art 2 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.12 — Contribution Limits.

211A.12 CONTRIBUTION LIMITS.
A candidate or a candidate's committee may not accept aggregate contributions made or delivered by an individual or committee in excess of $600 in an election year for the office sought and $250 in other years; except that a candidate or a candidate's committee for an office whose territory has a population over 100,000 may not accept aggregate contributions made or delivered by an individual or committee in excess of $1,000 in an election year for the office sought and $250 in other years.
The following deliveries are not subject to the bundling limitation in this section:
(1) delivery of contributions collected by a member of the candidate's committee, such as a block worker or a volunteer who hosts a fundraising event, to the committee's treasurer; and
(2) a delivery made by an individual on behalf of the individual's spouse.
Notwithstanding sections 211A.02, subdivision 3, and 410.21, this section supersedes any home rule charter.
History:
1993 c 318 art 2 s 46; 1997 c 224 s 1; 2014 c 265 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.13 — Prohibited Transfers.

211A.13 PROHIBITED TRANSFERS.
A candidate for political subdivision office must not accept contributions from the principal campaign committee of a candidate as defined in section 10A.01, subdivision 34. A candidate for political subdivision office must not make contributions to a principal campaign committee, unless the contribution is made from the personal funds of the candidate for political subdivision office.
History:
1993 c 318 art 2 s 47; 2003 c 2 art 1 s 21
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211A — Campaign Financial Reports › Section 211A.14 — Contributions And Solicitations During Legislative Session.

211A.14 CONTRIBUTIONS AND SOLICITATIONS DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
A legislator or state constitutional officer who is a candidate for a county, city, or town office, the candidate's principal campaign committee, and any other political committee with the candidate's name or title may not solicit or accept a contribution from a political fund or registered lobbyist during a regular session of the legislature.
History:
1997 c 224 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.01 — Definitions.

211B.01 DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
The definitions in chapter 200 and this section apply to this chapter.
Subd. 2.
Campaign material.
"Campaign material" means any literature, publication, or material that is disseminated for the purpose of influencing voting at a primary or other election, except for news items or editorial comments by the news media.
Subd. 3.
Candidate.
"Candidate" means an individual who seeks nomination or election to a federal, statewide, legislative, judicial, or local office including special districts, school districts, towns, home rule charter and statutory cities, and counties, except candidates for president and vice-president of the United States.
Subd. 4.
Committee.
"Committee" means two or more persons acting together or a corporation or association acting to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or to promote or defeat a ballot question. Promoting or defeating a ballot question includes efforts to qualify or prevent a proposition from qualifying for placement on the ballot.
Subd. 5.
Disbursement.
"Disbursement" means an act through which money, property, office, or position or other thing of value is directly or indirectly promised, paid, spent, contributed, or lent, and any money, property, office, or position or other thing of value so promised or transferred.
Subd. 6.
Political purposes.
An act is done for "political purposes" when the act is intended or done to influence, directly or indirectly, voting at a primary or other election. This does not include news items or editorial comments published or broadcast by the news media.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 1; 2004 c 293 art 3 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.02 — False Claim Of Support.

211B.02 FALSE CLAIM OF SUPPORT.
A person or candidate may not knowingly make, directly or indirectly, a false claim stating or implying that a candidate or ballot question has the support or endorsement of a major political party or party unit or of an organization. A person or candidate may not state in written campaign material that the candidate or ballot question has the support or endorsement of an individual without first getting written permission from the individual to do so.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.03 — Use Of The Term Reelect.

211B.03 USE OF THE TERM REELECT.
A person or candidate may not, in the event of redistricting, use the term "reelect" in a campaign for elective office unless the candidate is the incumbent of that office and the office represents any part of the new district.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.045 — Noncommercial Signs Exemption.

211B.045 NONCOMMERCIAL SIGNS EXEMPTION.
All noncommercial signs of any size may be posted in any number beginning 46 days before the state primary in a state general election year until ten days following the state general election. Municipal ordinances may regulate the size and number of noncommercial signs at other times.
History:
1990 c 585 s 30; 2004 c 142 s 1; 2010 c 184 s 42; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 74
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.05 — Paid Advertisements In News.

211B.05 PAID ADVERTISEMENTS IN NEWS.
Subdivision 1.
Acceptance of paid advertisements.
A newspaper, periodical, or magazine may not intentionally accept for insertion in the newspaper, magazine, or periodical a political advertisement unless the words "PAID ADVERTISEMENT," and the disclaimer required under section 211B.04 are included at the beginning or end of the advertisement. The disclaimer must be in a legible text size and font. A radio station, television station, or cable system may not accept for broadcast a political advertisement unless the words "PAID ADVERTISEMENT" are included at the beginning or end of the advertisement.
Subd. 2.
Advertising rates.
Rates charged for advertising to support or oppose a candidate or ballot question must be the same as the charges made for any other political candidate and may be no greater than charges made for any other comparable purpose or use according to the seller's rate schedule.
Subd. 3.
Compensation prohibited, except for paid advertisement.
An owner, publisher, editor, reporter, agent, broadcaster, or employee of a newspaper, periodical, magazine, radio or television broadcast station, or cable system may not directly or indirectly solicit, receive, or accept a payment, promise, or compensation, nor may a person pay or promise to pay or in any manner compensate an owner, publisher, editor, reporter, agent, broadcaster, or employee directly or indirectly for influencing or attempting to influence voting at an election or primary through printed material in the newspaper or periodical, or radio, television, or cable broadcast, except as a "PAID ADVERTISEMENT" as provided in this section.
Subd. 4.
Unpaid material identification.
Unpaid material published in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication that is: (1) in unique typeset or otherwise differentiated from other unpaid material, (2) designed to influence or attempt to influence the voting at any election or the passage or defeat of legislation, and (3) not placed on the editorial page must be clearly identified as an editorial opinion.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 5; 2001 c 143 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.06 — False Political And Campaign Material.

211B.06 FALSE POLITICAL AND CAMPAIGN MATERIAL.
Subdivision 1.
Gross misdemeanor.
(a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the preparation, dissemination, or broadcast of paid political advertising or campaign material with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat a candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.
(b) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the drafting of a letter to the editor with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat any candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.
Subd. 2.
Exception.
Subdivision 1 does not apply to any person or organization whose sole act is, in the normal course of their business, the printing, manufacturing, or dissemination of the false information.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 6; 1998 c 376 s 3
NOTE:
See
281 Care Committee v. Arneson
, 766 F.3d 774 (8th Cir. 2014) for discussion of constitutionality.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.07 — Undue Influence On Voters Prohibited.

211B.07 UNDUE INFLUENCE ON VOTERS PROHIBITED.
A person may not directly or indirectly use or threaten force, coercion, violence, restraint, damage, harm, loss, including loss of employment or economic reprisal, undue influence, or temporal or spiritual injury against an individual to compel the individual to vote for or against a candidate or ballot question. Abduction, duress, or fraud may not be used to obstruct or prevent the free exercise of the right to vote of a voter at a primary or election, or compel a voter to vote at a primary or election. Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.08 — Solicitation Of Contributions Prohibited.

211B.08 SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS PROHIBITED.
A religious, charitable, or educational organization may not request a candidate or committee to contribute to the organization, to subscribe for the support of a club or organization, to buy tickets to entertainment, or to pay for space in a publication. This section does not apply to:
(1) the solicitation of a business advertisement in periodicals in which the candidate was a regular contributor, before candidacy;
(2) ordinary business advertisements;
(3) regular payments to a religious, charitable, or educational organization, of which the candidate was a member, or to which the candidate was a contributor for more than six months before candidacy; or
(4) ordinary contributions at church services.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 8
NOTE:
This section was found unconstitutional in
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Inc. v. Kelley
, 427 F.3d 1106 (8th Cir. 2005).
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.09 — Prohibited Public Employee Activities.

211B.09 PROHIBITED PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES.
An employee or official of the state or of a political subdivision may not use official authority or influence to compel a person to apply for membership in or become a member of a political organization, to pay or promise to pay a political contribution, or to take part in political activity. A political subdivision may not impose or enforce additional limitations on the political activities of its employees.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.10 — Inducing Or Refraining Candidacy; Time Off For Public Office Meetings.

211B.10 INDUCING OR REFRAINING CANDIDACY; TIME OFF FOR PUBLIC OFFICE MEETINGS.
Subdivision 1.
Inducing or refraining from candidacy.
A person may not reward or promise to reward another in any manner to induce the person to be or refrain from or cease being a candidate. A person may not solicit or receive a payment, promise, or reward from another for this purpose.
Subd. 1a.
Prohibited activities of a political party.
A political party unit may not, through imposition or threatened imposition of any fine, sanction, or other penalty, attempt to coerce an individual who does not have the party unit's official endorsement as a means to prevent the individual from filing as a candidate for office.
Subd. 2.
Time off for public office meetings.
A person elected to a public office must be permitted time off from regular employment to attend meetings required by reason of the public office. The time off may be without pay, with pay, or made up with other hours, as agreed between the employee and employer. When an employee takes time off without pay, the employer shall make an effort to allow the employee to make up the time with other hours when the employee is available. No retaliatory action may be taken by the employer for absences to attend meetings necessitated by reason of the employee's public office.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 10; 2012 c 250 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.11 — Election Day Prohibitions.

211B.11 ELECTION DAY PROHIBITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Soliciting near polling places.
(a) A person must not:
(1) ask, solicit, or in any manner try to induce or persuade a voter to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate or ballot question; or
(2) wear, exhibit, or distribute any item that displays:
(i) the name, likeness, logo, or slogan of a candidate who appears on the ballot;
(ii) the number, title, subject, slogan, or logo of a ballot question that appears on the ballot; or
(iii) the name, logo, or slogan of a political party represented by a candidate on the ballot.
For purposes of this paragraph, "item" includes pamphlets, advertisements, flyers, signs, banners, stickers, buttons, badges, pencils, pens, shirts, hats, or any similar item.
(b) The prohibitions in paragraph (a) apply during voting hours:
(1) throughout the absentee and early voting periods:
(i) within a polling place; and
(ii) within 100 feet of the room in which a polling place is situated, to the extent practicable; and
(2) on the day of a primary or general election:
(i) within a polling place;
(ii) within 100 feet of the building in which a polling place is situated; and
(iii) anywhere on the public property on which a polling place is situated.
(c) Nothing in this subdivision prohibits the distribution of "I VOTED" stickers as provided in section 204B.49.
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 1997 c 147 s 79]
Subd. 3.
Transportation of voters to polling place; penalty.
A person transporting a voter to or from the polling place may not ask, solicit, or in any manner try to induce or persuade a voter on primary or election day to vote or refrain from voting for a candidate or ballot question.
Subd. 4.
Penalty.
Violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 11; 1989 c 291 art 1 s 32; 1993 c 223 s 25; 2014 c 288 art 2 s 8; 2017 c 92 art 1 s 27; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 129
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.12 — Legal Expenditures.

211B.12 LEGAL EXPENDITURES.
Use of money collected for political purposes is prohibited unless the use is reasonably related to the conduct of election campaigns, or is a noncampaign disbursement as defined in section 10A.01, subdivision 26. The following are permitted expenditures when made for political purposes:
(1) salaries, wages, and fees;
(2) communications, mailing, transportation, and travel;
(3) campaign advertising;
(4) printing;
(5) office and other space and necessary equipment, furnishings, and incidental supplies;
(6) charitable contributions of not more than $100 to any charity organized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code annually, except that the amount contributed is not limited by this clause if the political committee, political fund, party unit, principal campaign committee, or campaign fund of a candidate for political subdivision office that made the contribution dissolves within one year after the contribution is made; and
(7) other expenses, not included in clauses (1) to (6), that are reasonably related to the conduct of election campaigns. In addition, expenditures made for the purpose of providing information to constituents, whether or not related to the conduct of an election, are permitted expenses. Money collected for political purposes and assets of a political committee or political fund may not be converted to personal use.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 12; 1993 c 318 art 2 s 48; 2008 c 295 s 23; 2010 c 327 s 27; 2015 c 73 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.13 — Bribery, Treating, And Solicitation.

211B.13 BRIBERY, TREATING, AND SOLICITATION.
Subdivision 1.
Bribery, advancing money, and treating prohibited.
A person who willfully, directly or indirectly, advances, pays, gives, promises, or lends any money, food, liquor, clothing, entertainment, or other thing of monetary value, or who offers, promises, or endeavors to obtain any money, position, appointment, employment, or other valuable consideration, to or for a person, in order to induce a voter to refrain from voting, or to vote in a particular way, at an election, is guilty of a felony. This section does not prevent a candidate from stating publicly preference for or support of another candidate to be voted for at the same primary or election. Refreshments of food or nonalcoholic beverages having a value up to $5 consumed on the premises at a private gathering or public meeting are not prohibited under this section.
Subd. 2.
Certain solicitations prohibited.
A person may not knowingly solicit, receive, or accept any money, property, or other thing of monetary value, or a promise or pledge of these that is a disbursement prohibited by this section or section 211B.15.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 13; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 63
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.14 — Digest Of Laws.

211B.14 DIGEST OF LAWS.
The secretary of state, with the approval of the attorney general, shall prepare and print an easily understandable digest of this chapter and annotations of it. The digest may include other related laws and annotations at the discretion of the secretary of state.
The secretary of state shall distribute the digest to candidates and committees through the county auditor or otherwise as the secretary of state considers expedient. A copy of the digest and, if appropriate, a financial reporting form and a certification of filing form must be distributed to each candidate by the filing officer at the time that the candidate's affidavit of candidacy is filed.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 14; 1993 c 223 s 26; 1997 c 147 s 73
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.16 — Prosecution.

211B.16 PROSECUTION.
Subdivision 1.
[Repealed, 2004 c 277 s 13]
Subd. 2.
[Repealed, 2004 c 277 s 13]
Subd. 3.
County attorney authority.
A county attorney may prosecute any violation of this chapter.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 16; 2004 c 277 s 5
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.17 — Forfeiture Of Nomination Or Office; Circumstances Where Not Forfeited.

211B.17 FORFEITURE OF NOMINATION OR OFFICE; CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE NOT FORFEITED.
Subdivision 1.
Forfeiture of nomination or office.
Except as provided in subdivision 2, if a candidate is found guilty of violating this chapter or an offense was committed by another individual with the knowledge, consent, or connivance of the candidate, the court, after entering the adjudication of guilty, shall enter a supplemental judgment declaring that the candidate has forfeited the nomination or office. If the court enters the supplemental judgment, it shall transmit to the filing officer a transcript of the supplemental judgment, the nomination or office becomes vacant, and the vacancy must be filled as provided by law.
Subd. 2.
Circumstances where nomination or office not forfeited.
In a trial for a violation of this chapter, the candidate's nomination or election is not void if the court finds that:
(1) an offense, though committed by the candidate or with the candidate's knowledge, consent, or connivance, was trivial; or
(2) an act or omission of a candidate arose from accidental miscalculation or other reasonable cause, but in any case not from a want of good faith;
and the court also finds that it would be unjust for a candidate to forfeit the nomination or election.
None of these findings is a defense to a conviction under this chapter.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 17
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.18 — Disqualified Candidate Not To Hold Various Positions.

211B.18 DISQUALIFIED CANDIDATE NOT TO HOLD VARIOUS POSITIONS.
A candidate whose election to office has been set aside for a violation of this chapter may not be appointed, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office, to fill a vacancy in that office. A candidate or other individual who is convicted of a violation of this chapter may not be appointed, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office with respect to which the election was held and the offense was committed, to fill a vacancy that may occur in the office. An appointment to an office made contrary to the provisions of this section is void.
A candidate or other individual who is convicted of a violation of this chapter is not qualified, during the period fixed by law as the term of the office with respect to which the election was held and the offense was committed, to fill a vacancy in an office for which the legislature may establish qualifications under article XII, section 3, of the Minnesota Constitution.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 18
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.20 — Denial Of Access By Political Candidates To Multiple Unit Dwellings.

211B.20 DENIAL OF ACCESS BY POLITICAL CANDIDATES TO MULTIPLE UNIT DWELLINGS.
Subdivision 1.
Prohibition.
(a) It is unlawful for a person, either directly or indirectly, to deny access to an apartment house, dormitory, nursing home, manufactured home park, other multiple unit facility used as a residence, or an area in which two or more single-family dwellings are located on private roadways to a candidate who has:
(1) organized a campaign committee under applicable federal or state law;
(2) filed a financial report as required by section 211A.02; or
(3) filed an affidavit of candidacy for elected office.
A candidate granted access under this section must be allowed to be accompanied by campaign volunteers.
(b) Access to a facility or area is only required if it is located within the district or territory that will be represented by the office to which the candidate seeks election, and the candidate and any accompanying campaign volunteers seek access exclusively for the purpose of campaigning for a candidate or registering voters. The candidate must be seeking election to office at the next general or special election to be held for that office.
(c) A candidate and any accompanying campaign volunteers granted access under this section must be permitted to knock on the doors of individual units to speak with residents, and to leave campaign materials for residents at their doors, except that the manager of a nursing home may direct that the campaign materials be left at a central location within the facility. The campaign materials must be left in an orderly manner.
(d) If a facility or area contains multiple buildings, a candidate and accompanying volunteers must be permitted to access more than one building on a single visit, but access is limited to only one building at a time. If multiple candidates are traveling together, each candidate and that candidate's accompanying volunteers is limited to one building at a time, but all of the candidates and accompanying volunteers traveling together must not be restricted to accessing the same building at the same time.
(e) A violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.
Exceptions.
Subdivision 1 does not prohibit:
(1) denial of admittance into a particular apartment, room, manufactured home, or personal residential unit;
(2) requiring reasonable and proper identification as a necessary prerequisite to admission to a multiple unit dwelling;
(3) in the case of a nursing home or an assisted living facility under chapter 144G, denial of permission to visit certain persons for valid health reasons;
(4) limiting visits by candidates or volunteers accompanied by the candidate to a reasonable number of persons or reasonable hours;
(5) requiring a prior appointment to gain access to the facility; or
(6) denial of admittance to or expulsion from a multiple unit dwelling for good cause.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 20; 2010 c 314 s 3; 7Sp2020 c 1 art 6 s 25; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 131
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.205 — Participation In Public Parades.

211B.205 PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC PARADES.
If a public parade allows candidates, a candidate must be allowed to participate for a fee that is not greater than the amount that is charged to other units participating in the parade.
History:
1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 40
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.21 — Applicability.

211B.21 APPLICABILITY.
Nothing in section 211B.17 or 211B.18 may be construed to limit the ability of each house of the legislature to act as judge of the election returns and eligibility of its own members.
History:
1988 c 578 art 3 s 21
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices › Section 211B.32 — Complaints Of Unfair Campaign Practices.

211B.32 COMPLAINTS OF UNFAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES.
Subdivision 1.
Administrative remedy; exhaustion.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a complaint alleging a violation of chapter 211A or 211B must be filed with the office. The complaint must be finally disposed of by the office before the alleged violation may be prosecuted by a county attorney.
(b) Complaints arising under those sections and related to those individuals and associations specified in section 10A.022, subdivision 3, must be filed with the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.
(c) Violations of sections 211B.075 and 211B.076 may be enforced as provided in those sections.
Subd. 2.
Limitation on filing.
The complaint must be filed with the office within one year after the occurrence of the act or failure to act that is the subject of the complaint, except that if the act or failure to act involves fraud, concealment, or misrepresentation that could not be discovered during that one-year period, the complaint may be filed with the office within one year after the fraud, concealment, or misrepresentation was discovered.
Subd. 3.
Form of complaint.
The complaint must be in writing, submitted under oath, and detail the factual basis for the claim that a violation of law has occurred. The office may prescribe the form of a complaint.
Subd. 4.
Proof of claim.
The burden of proving the allegations in the complaint is on the complainant. The standard of proof of a violation of section 211B.06, relating to false statements in paid political advertising or campaign material, is clear and convincing evidence. The standard of proof of any other violation of chapter 211A or 211B is a preponderance of the evidence.
Subd. 5.
Filing fee; waiver; refund.
(a) The complaint must be accompanied by a filing fee of $50, unless filed by a filing officer under section 211A.05, subdivision 2.
(b) The office may waive the payment of the filing fee, if the individual seeking a waiver of the fee files with the office an affidavit stating that the individual is financially unable to pay the fee.
(c) The office may refund the filing fee of a complainant who prevails on the merits.
Subd. 6.
Service on respondent.
Upon receipt of the filed complaint, the office must immediately notify the respondent and provide the respondent with a copy of the complaint by the most expeditious means available.
History:
2004 c 277 s 7; 2013 c 138 art 1 s 54; 2015 c 73 s 26; 2023 c 34 art 2 s 3; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 132