reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.30 — Unofficial Ballots.

204B.30 UNOFFICIAL BALLOTS.
When no official or substitute ballots are ready at the time when voting is scheduled to begin or if the supply is exhausted before the voting ends, the election judges shall contact the municipal clerk and, at the clerk's direction, shall prepare unofficial ballots, printed or written as nearly as practicable in the form of the official ballots, which ballots may be used until official or substitute ballots are available. When unofficial ballots are prepared and used in any precinct, the election judges shall note that fact on the summary statement of the returns for that precinct and specify the number of unofficial ballots that were cast.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 30; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.32 — Election Expenses; Payment.

204B.32 ELECTION EXPENSES; PAYMENT.
Subdivision 1.
Payment.
(a) The secretary of state shall pay the compensation for presidential electors and all necessary expenses incurred by the secretary of state in connection with elections.
(b) The counties shall pay the compensation prescribed in section 204B.31, clauses (2) and (3), the cost of printing the state general election ballots when machines are used, the state partisan primary ballots, and the state and county nonpartisan primary ballots, all necessary expenses incurred by county auditors in connection with elections, and the expenses of special county elections.
(c) Subject to subdivision 2, the municipalities shall pay the compensation prescribed for election judges and sergeants at arms, the cost of printing the municipal ballots, providing ballot boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses of the municipal clerks in connection with elections, except special county elections.
(d) The school districts shall pay the compensation prescribed for election judges and sergeants-at-arms, the cost of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot boxes, providing and equipping polling places and all necessary expenses of the school district clerks in connection with school district elections not held in conjunction with state elections. When school district elections are held in conjunction with state elections, the school district shall pay the costs of printing the school district ballots, providing ballot boxes and all necessary expenses of the school district clerk.
All disbursements under this section shall be presented, audited, and paid as in the case of other public expenses.
Subd. 2.
Allocation of election expenses.
The secretary of state shall develop procedures for the allocation of election expenses among counties, municipalities, and school districts for elections that are held concurrently. The following expenses must be included in the procedures: salaries of election judges; postage for absentee ballots and applications; preparation of polling places; preparation and testing of electronic voting systems; ballot preparation; publication of election notices, including the notice required by section 204D.16; transportation of ballots and election supplies; and compensation for administrative expenses of the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 32; 1983 c 301 s 162; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 31; 1991 c 227 s 14; 1995 c 8 s 3; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 25; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 83
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.33 — Notice Of Filing.

204B.33 NOTICE OF FILING.
(a) At least 16 weeks before the state primary, the secretary of state shall notify each county auditor of the offices to be voted for in that county at the next state general election for which candidates file with the secretary of state. The notice shall include the time and place of filing for those offices. Within ten days after notification by the secretary of state, each county auditor shall notify each municipal clerk in the county of all the offices to be voted for in the county at that election and the time and place for filing for those offices. The county auditors and municipal clerks shall promptly post a copy of that notice in their offices.
(b) At least one week before the first day to file an affidavit of candidacy, the county auditor shall publish a notice stating the first and last dates on which affidavits of candidacy may be filed in the county auditor's office and the closing time for filing on the last day for filing. The county auditor shall post a similar notice at least ten days before the first day to file affidavits of candidacy.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 33; 1983 c 253 s 9; 1993 c 59 s 1; 2010 c 184 s 16; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 26
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.34 — Notice Of Election.

204B.34 NOTICE OF ELECTION.
Subdivision 1.
State elections.
At least 15 days before any state primary or state general election the municipal clerk shall post in the clerk's office a notice stating the offices for which candidates must be nominated or elected, the location of each polling place in the municipality, and the hours for voting. An optional provision of the notice may include municipal offices for which candidates must be nominated or elected. The county auditor shall post a similar notice in the auditor's office including information concerning any polling places in unorganized territory in the county. The governing body of a municipality or county may publish this notice in addition to posting it. Failure to give the notice required in this section shall not invalidate a state primary or state general election.
Subd. 2.
Municipal elections.
Notice of municipal elections shall be given as provided in sections 205.13, subdivision 2; and 205.16, subdivision 1.
Subd. 3.
Judicial elections.
When one or more justices of the supreme court or judges of the court of appeals or of a district court are to be nominated at the same primary or elected at the same general election, the notice of election shall state the name of each justice or judge whose successor is to be nominated or elected.
Subd. 4.
School district elections.
Notice of school district elections shall be given as provided in sections 205A.06, subdivision 2; and 205A.07, subdivision 1.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 34; 1982 c 501 s 15; 1983 c 247 s 86; 1983 c 303 s 10; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 32; 1998 c 254 art 2 s 23; 2011 c 76 art 1 s 27
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.35 — Preparation Of Ballots.

204B.35 PREPARATION OF BALLOTS.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
All ballots for every election shall be prepared in accordance with sections 204B.35 to 204B.44 and chapter 204D, except for voting machine ballots or as otherwise provided by law.
Subd. 2.
Manner of preparation.
Ballots shall be prepared in a manner that enables the voters to understand which questions are to be voted upon and the identity and number of candidates to be voted for in each office and to designate their choices easily and accurately. The name of a candidate shall not appear on a ballot in any way that gives the candidate an advantage over an opponent, including words descriptive of the candidate's occupation, qualifications, principles, or opinions, except as otherwise provided by law.
Subd. 3.
Number.
The official in charge of preparing ballots shall prepare a sufficient number of ballots:
(1) to fill applications of absentee voters; and
(2) to provide each precinct with a sufficient number of ballots of each kind as required by section 204B.29, subdivision 1.
Subd. 4.
Absentee ballots; preparation; delivery.
At least 46 days before an election, ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters shall be prepared and delivered to the officials who administer the provisions of chapter 203B, except as provided in this subdivision. Ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters for a town general election held in March shall be prepared and delivered to the town clerk at least 30 days before the election.
This section applies to school district elections held on the same day as a statewide election or an election for a county or municipality located partially or wholly within the school district.
Subd. 5.
Combined local elections.
Municipalities shall determine the voting method in combined local elections when other election jurisdictions located wholly or partially within the municipality schedule elections on the same date as the regular municipal primary or general election.
Subd. 6.
Electronic voting systems.
Notwithstanding sections 204B.35 to 204B.44 and chapter 204D, a jurisdiction may prepare blank paper ballots, if the jurisdiction employs an electronic voting system and the required information is instead displayed on a touch screen or other electronic device in a format that substantially meets the requirements of law.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 35; 1983 c 303 s 11; 1985 c 72 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475 s 14; 1987 c 62 s 4; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 33; 1991 c 227 s 15; 2010 c 184 s 17; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 27; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 84
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.37 — Back Of Ballot.

204B.37 BACK OF BALLOT.
On the back of all ballots shall be printed the words "Official Ballot", the date of the election and lines for the initials of at least two election judges. The words shall be printed so that they will be visible when the ballot is properly folded for deposit in the ballot box.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 37
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.38 — Names On Ballots; Identical Descriptive Words.

204B.38 NAMES ON BALLOTS; IDENTICAL DESCRIPTIVE WORDS.
When the similarity of both the first and last names of two or more candidates for the same office at the same election may cause confusion to voters, up to three additional words may be printed on the ballot after each surname to indicate the candidate's occupation, office, residence or any combination of them if the candidate furnishes the identifying words to the filing officer by the last day for withdrawal of candidacy.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 38; 2010 c 201 s 32
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.39 — Substitute Ballots.

204B.39 SUBSTITUTE BALLOTS.
If a sufficient number of official ballots are not delivered or if the official ballots are stolen or destroyed and a sufficient number of official ballots cannot be procured, the official in charge of preparing the official ballots shall prepare substitute ballots in the form prescribed by this section. The substitute ballots shall be prepared in the same form as official ballots as far as practicable. The word "Substitute" shall be printed in brackets immediately above the words "Official Ballot." When the substitute ballots are delivered to the municipal clerks or election judges they shall be accompanied by an initialed affidavit of the officer preparing them. The affidavit shall state that the substitute ballots have been prepared and furnished in the manner prescribed by this section and shall state the reason why sufficient official ballots were not ready for delivery. The election judges shall include this affidavit with the election returns from that precinct.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 39
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.40 — Ballots; Election Records And Other Materials; Disposition; Inspection Of Ballots.

204B.40 BALLOTS; ELECTION RECORDS AND OTHER MATERIALS; DISPOSITION; INSPECTION OF BALLOTS.
The county auditors, municipal clerks, and school district clerks shall retain all election materials returned to them after any election for at least 22 months from the date of that election. All records and materials must be stored in a locked container or other secured and locked space. All election materials involved in a contested election must be retained for 22 months or until the contest has been finally determined, whichever is later. Abstracts filed by canvassing boards shall be retained permanently by any officer with whom those abstracts are filed. Election materials no longer required to be retained pursuant to this section shall be disposed of in accordance with sections 138.163 to 138.21. Sealed envelopes containing voted ballots must be retained unopened, except as provided in this section, in a secure location. The county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk shall not permit any voted ballots to be tampered with or defaced.
After the time for filing a notice of contest for an election has passed, the secretary of state may, for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating election procedures: (1) open the sealed ballot envelopes and inspect the ballots for that election maintained by the county auditors, municipal clerks, or school district clerks; (2) inspect the polling place rosters and completed voter registration applications; or (3) examine other forms required in the Minnesota election laws for use in the polling place. No inspected ballot or document may be marked or identified in any manner. After inspection, all ballots must be returned to the ballot envelope and the ballot envelope must be securely resealed. Any other election materials inspected or examined must be secured or resealed. No polling place roster may be inspected until the voting history for that precinct has been posted. No voter registration application may be inspected until the information on it has been entered into the statewide registration system.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 40; 1987 c 175 s 7; 1989 c 291 art 1 s 10; 1995 c 8 s 4; 2000 c 467 s 19; 2006 c 242 s 19; 1Sp2021 c 12 art 4 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.43 — Unlawful Printing Or Distribution Of Ballots; Penalty.

204B.43 UNLAWFUL PRINTING OR DISTRIBUTION OF BALLOTS; PENALTY.
Every person authorized or employed to print official ballots who knowingly gives or delivers those ballots to, or knowingly permits them to be taken by, any person other than the official under whose direction they are being printed, or who knowingly prints any ballot or causes or permits any ballot to be printed in a form other than that prescribed by law, or with any other names on it, or with the names of candidates or the titles of offices arranged or the names of candidates spelled in any way other than that authorized and directed by that official, is guilty of a felony.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 43
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.44 — Errors And Omissions; Remedy.

204B.44 ERRORS AND OMISSIONS; REMEDY.
(a) Any individual may file a petition in the manner provided in this section for the correction of any of the following errors, omissions, or wrongful acts which have occurred or are about to occur:
(1) an error or omission in the placement or printing of the name or description of any candidate or any question on any official ballot, including the placement of a candidate on the official ballot who is not eligible to hold the office for which the candidate has filed;
(2) any other error in preparing or printing any official ballot;
(3) failure of the chair or secretary of the proper committee of a major political party to execute or file a certificate of nomination;
(4) any wrongful act, omission, or error of any election judge, municipal clerk, county auditor, canvassing board or any of its members, the secretary of state, or any other individual charged with any duty concerning an election.
(b) The petition shall describe the error, omission, or wrongful act and the correction sought by the petitioner. The petition shall be filed with any judge of the supreme court in the case of an election for state or federal office or any judge of the district court in that county in the case of an election for county, municipal, or school district office. The petitioner shall serve a copy of the petition on the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission, or wrongful act, on all candidates for the office in the case of an election for state, federal, county, municipal, or school district office, and on any other party as required by the court. Upon receipt of the petition the court shall immediately set a time for a hearing on the matter and order the officer, board or individual charged with the error, omission or wrongful act to correct the error or wrongful act or perform the duty or show cause for not doing so. In the case of a review of a candidate's eligibility to hold office, the court may order the candidate to appear and present sufficient evidence of the candidate's eligibility. The court shall issue its findings and a final order for appropriate relief as soon as possible after the hearing. Failure to obey the order is contempt of court.
History:
1981 c 29 art 4 s 44; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 453 s 6; 2014 c 204 s 1; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 31
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.47 — Alternative Election Procedures; Duties Of Secretary Of State.

204B.47 ALTERNATIVE ELECTION PROCEDURES; DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
When a provision of the Minnesota Election Law cannot be implemented as a result of an order of a state or federal court, the secretary of state shall adopt alternative election procedures to permit the administration of any election affected by the order. The procedures may include the voting and handling of ballots cast after 8:00 p.m. as a result of a state or federal court order or any other order extending the time established by law for closing the polls. The alternative election procedures remain in effect until the first day of July following the next succeeding final adjournment of the legislature, unless otherwise provided by law or by court order.
History:
1997 c 147 s 36; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 29
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204B — Election Administration; General Provisions › Section 204B.49 — "i Voted" Stickers.

204B.49 "I VOTED" STICKERS.
The secretary of state, county auditor, municipal clerk, school district clerk, or an election judge may provide a sticker containing the words "I VOTED," and nothing more, to an individual who:
(1) has successfully deposited a ballot into a ballot box;
(2) is provided an absentee ballot under section 203B.07, subdivision 1, or 203B.21, subdivision 2; or
(3) is provided a ballot by mail under section 204B.45 or 204B.46.
History:
2017 c 92 art 1 s 17; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 89
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.02 — Chapter Application; Individuals Unable To Write.

204C.02 CHAPTER APPLICATION; INDIVIDUALS UNABLE TO WRITE.
This chapter applies to all elections held in this state except as otherwise provided by law.
An individual who is unable to write the individual's name must sign election-related documents in the manner provided by section 645.44, subdivision 14. An individual who has power of attorney for another person may not sign election-related documents for that person, except as provided by this section.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 2; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 34; 2010 c 201 s 33
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.03 — Public Meetings Prohibited On Election Day.

204C.03 PUBLIC MEETINGS PROHIBITED ON ELECTION DAY.
Subdivision 1.
School districts; counties; municipalities; special taxing districts.
No special taxing district governing body, school board, county board of commissioners, city council, or town board of supervisors shall conduct a meeting between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day that an election is held within the boundaries of the special taxing district, school district, county, city, or town. As used in this subdivision, "special taxing district" has the meaning given in section 275.066.
Subd. 2.
State colleges and universities.
Except for regularly scheduled classes, no Minnesota state college or university shall schedule an event between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day that an election is held in any political subdivision in which the university or college is located.
Subd. 3.
Public elementary and secondary schools.
Except for regularly scheduled classes, a public elementary or secondary school may not schedule a school sponsored event between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the day that a regularly scheduled election is held in any political subdivision in which the school is located.
Subd. 4.
State government.
No state agency, board, commission, department, or committee shall conduct a public meeting on the day of the state primary or general election.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 3; 1983 c 303 s 12; 1991 c 221 s 2; 1996 c 395 s 10; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 27
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.035 — Deceptive Practices In Elections.

204C.035 DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN ELECTIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Criminal penalty.
No person shall knowingly deceive another person regarding the time, place, or manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for an election, with the intent to prevent the individual from voting in the election. A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.
Reporting false election information.
Any person may report to the county auditor or municipal clerk an act of deception regarding the time, place, or manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for an election. The election official to whom the report was made shall provide accurate information to the person who reported the incorrect information in a timely manner, and may provide information about the act of deception and accurate information to mass media outlets in any affected area. The county attorney may subsequently proceed under subdivision 1.
History:
2006 c 242 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.04 — Employees; Time Off To Vote.

204C.04 EMPLOYEES; TIME OFF TO VOTE.
Subdivision 1.
Right to be absent.
Every employee who is eligible to vote in an election has the right to be absent from work for the time necessary to appear at the employee's polling place, cast a ballot, and return to work on the day of that election or during the time period allowed under section 203B.081 for voting in person before election day, without penalty or deduction from salary or wages because of the absence. An employer or other person may not directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with this right or any other election right of an employee.
Subd. 2.
Elections covered.
For purposes of this section, "election" means a regularly scheduled election, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of United States senator or United States representative, an election to fill a vacancy in nomination for a constitutional office, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of state senator or state representative, or a presidential nomination primary under chapter 207A.
Subd. 3.
Penalty.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and the county attorney shall prosecute the violation.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 4; 1988 c 578 art 1 s 3; 1991 c 245 s 1; 1995 c 20 s 1; 2000 c 260 s 27; 2010 c 201 s 34; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 33; 2016 c 162 s 6; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 90
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.09 — Ballot Preparation By Election Judges.

204C.09 BALLOT PREPARATION BY ELECTION JUDGES.
Subdivision 1.
Counting and initialing.
(a) Before the voting begins, at least two election judges must certify the number of ballots delivered to the precinct. Election judges may conduct this count, presuming that the total count provided for prepackaged ballots is correct. As each package is opened, two judges must count the ballots in the package to ensure that the total count provided for the package is correct. Any discrepancy must be noted on the incident log.
(b) Before the voting begins, or as soon as possible after it begins, at least two election judges shall each initial the backs of all the ballots. The election judges shall not otherwise mark the ballots.
Subd. 2.
Distribution procedure.
Official ballots shall be distributed only in the room containing the voting booths and only to individuals who are about to vote, except as otherwise provided in section 204C.15, subdivision 2. No official ballot shall be distributed to a voter unless it has been initialed by the election judges as provided in subdivision 1.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 9; 2010 c 201 s 37
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.10 — Polling Place Roster; Voter Signature Certificate; Voter Receipt.

204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE; VOTER RECEIPT.
(a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature certificate which states that the individual:
(1) is at least 18 years old;
(2) is a citizen of the United States;
(3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;
(4) maintains residence at the address shown;
(5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to vote;
(6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;
(7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;
(8) is registered; and
(9) has not already voted in the election.
The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000, or both."
(b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a). The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.
(c) A judge may, before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth.
(d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of filing an election contest.
(e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, an election judge must ensure that the challenge is concealed or hidden from the view of any voter other than the voter whose status is challenged.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 10; 1981 c 92 s 3; 1981 c 217 s 6; 1983 c 253 s 12; 1984 c 560 s 15; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 585 s 27; 1999 c 132 s 21; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 31; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 45; 2006 c 242 s 22; 2014 c 288 art 2 s 5; 2016 c 162 s 7; 2017 c 92 art 1 s 18; 1Sp2019 c 10 art 4 s 4; 2023 c 12 s 5; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 92
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.12 — Challenges To Voters; Penalty.

204C.12 CHALLENGES TO VOTERS; PENALTY.
Subdivision 1.
Manner of challenging.
An election judge shall, and an authorized challenger or other voter may, challenge an individual based on personal knowledge that the individual is not an eligible voter.
Subd. 2.
Statement of grounds; oath.
A challenger must be a resident of this state. The secretary of state shall prepare a form that challengers must complete and sign when making a challenge. The form must include space to state the ground for the challenge, a statement that the challenge is based on the challenger's personal knowledge, and a statement that the challenge is made under oath. The form must include a space for the challenger's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.
An election judge shall administer to the challenged individual the following oath:
"Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will fully and truly answer all questions put to you concerning your eligibility to vote at this election?"
The election judge shall then ask the challenged individual sufficient questions to test that individual's residence and right to vote.
Subd. 3.
Determination of residence.
In determining the legal residence of a challenged individual, the election judges shall be governed by the principles contained in section 200.031. If the challenged individual's answers to the questions show ineligibility to vote in that precinct, the individual shall not be allowed to vote. If the individual has marked ballots but not yet deposited them in the ballot boxes before the election judges determine ineligibility to vote in that precinct, the marked ballots shall be placed unopened with the spoiled ballots. If the answers to the questions fail to show that the individual is not eligible to vote in that precinct and the challenge is not withdrawn, the election judges shall verbally administer the oath on the voter certificate to the individual. After taking the oath and completing and signing the voter certificate, the challenged individual shall be allowed to vote.
Subd. 4.
Refusal to answer questions or sign a polling place roster.
A challenged individual who refuses to answer questions or sign a polling place roster or voter signature certificate as required by this section must not be allowed to vote. A challenged individual who leaves the polling place and returns later willing to answer questions or sign a polling place roster or voter signature certificate must not be allowed to vote.
Subd. 5.
Election judges; penalty.
An election judge who fails to carry out the duties prescribed by this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 12; 1983 c 253 s 13,14; 1986 c 444; 1990 c 585 s 28; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 46; 2010 c 201 s 38; 2014 c 288 art 2 s 6; 2017 c 92 art 1 s 19
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.14 — Unlawful Voting; Penalty.

204C.14 UNLAWFUL VOTING; PENALTY.
Subdivision 1.
Violations; penalty.
No individual shall intentionally:
(a) misrepresent the individual's identity in applying for a ballot, depositing a ballot in a ballot box or attempting to vote by means of a voting machine or electronic voting system;
(b) vote more than once at the same election;
(c) put a ballot in a ballot box for any illegal purpose;
(d) give more than one ballot of the same kind to an election judge to be placed in a ballot box;
(e) aid, abet, counsel or procure another to go into any precinct for the purpose of voting in that precinct, knowing that the other individual is not eligible to vote in that precinct; or
(f) aid, abet, counsel or procure another to do any act in violation of this section.
A violation of this section is a felony.
Subd. 2.
Signature on roster as evidence of intent.
For purposes of proving a violation of this section, the signature of an individual on a polling place roster or voter signature certificate is prima facie evidence of the intent of the individual to vote at that election.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 14; 1986 c 444; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 32; art 3 s 5; 2014 c 288 art 2 s 7
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.15 — Assistance To Voters.

204C.15 ASSISTANCE TO VOTERS.
Subdivision 1.
Physical assistance in marking ballots.
A voter who claims a need for assistance because of inability to read English or physical inability to mark a ballot may obtain the aid of two election judges who are members of different major political parties. The election judges shall mark the ballots as directed by the voter and in as secret a manner as circumstances permit. A voter in need of assistance may alternatively obtain the assistance of any individual the voter chooses. Only the following persons may not provide assistance to a voter: the voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union. The person who assists the voter shall, unaccompanied by an election judge, retire with that voter to a booth and mark the ballot as directed by the voter. Before the ballots are deposited, the voter may show them privately to an election judge to ascertain that they are marked as the voter directed. An election judge or other individual assisting a voter shall not in any manner request, persuade, induce, or attempt to persuade or induce the voter to vote for any particular political party or candidate. The election judges or other individuals who assist the voter shall not reveal to anyone the name of any candidate for whom the voter has voted or anything that took place while assisting the voter.
Subd. 2.
Outside the polling place.
An individual who is unable to enter a polling place where paper ballots or an electronic voting system are used may register and vote without leaving a motor vehicle. Two election judges who are members of different major political parties shall assist the voter to register and to complete a voter's certificate and shall provide the necessary ballots. The voter may request additional assistance in marking ballots as provided in subdivision 1.
Subd. 2a.
[Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 44]
Subd. 3.
Voting lines.
In all polling places two election judges shall assist a disabled voter to enter the polling place and go through the registration and voting lines. The voter may also request the assistance of election judges or any other individual in marking ballots, as provided in subdivision 1.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 15; 1984 c 471 s 11,12; 1986 c 444; 1997 c 147 s 38; 2006 c 242 s 23; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 33; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 93
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.16 — Mismarking Ballots; Disclosure Of Markings By Others; Penalty.

204C.16 MISMARKING BALLOTS; DISCLOSURE OF MARKINGS BY OTHERS; PENALTY.
An election judge or other individual who marks the ballot of any voter, except as authorized by law and as directed by the voter, or who informs anyone other than the voter how the ballot was marked, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 16
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.17 — Voting; Secrecy.

204C.17 VOTING; SECRECY.
Except as authorized by section 204C.15, a voter shall not reveal to anyone in the polling place the name of any candidate for whom the voter intends to vote or has voted. A voter shall not ask for or receive assistance in the marking of a ballot from anyone within the polling place except as authorized by section 204C.15. If a voter, after marking a ballot, shows it to anyone except as authorized by law, the election judges shall refuse to deposit the ballot in any ballot box and shall place it among the spoiled ballots. Unless the showing of the ballot was clearly intentional, the voter shall receive another ballot as provided in section 204C.13, subdivision 3, clause (d).
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 17
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.18 — Ballots; Secrecy.

204C.18 BALLOTS; SECRECY.
Subdivision 1.
Party preferences; protection of secrecy.
The election judges shall make no entry or notation in the election register or anywhere else showing the political party to which a voter belongs or for which political party the voter voted. No election judge shall knowingly permit anyone in the polling place to make such an entry or notation.
Subd. 2.
Ballots; identifying marks; penalty.
No voter, election judge, or other individual shall place at any time a mark as a means of identification upon any ballot handed to or cast by a voter or upon spoiled or discarded ballots, except the initials authorized by section 204C.09. A violation of this subdivision is a gross misdemeanor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 18; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.19 — Counting Votes; Penalty.

204C.19 COUNTING VOTES; PENALTY.
Subdivision 1.
Procedure.
When the hours for voting have ended and all voting has concluded, the election judges shall immediately count the votes cast at the election. The count shall be held at the polling place and shall be public. It shall be continued without intermission until it is completed and the results are declared, except that the election judges may recess for meals or other necessary purposes. During the count no one except the election judges shall handle the ballots. Any other individual who touches or interferes with ballots during the counting or any election judge who permits such touching or interference is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.
Counting ballots.
Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the ballot boxes shall be opened, the votes counted, and the total declared. The election judges on each counting team shall be evenly divided between the major political parties. The numbers entered on the summary sheet shall not be considered final until the ballots in all the boxes have been counted and corrections have been made if ballots have been deposited in the wrong boxes.
Subd. 3.
Premature disclosure of count results.
No count results from any precinct shall be disclosed by any election judge or other individual until all count results from that precinct are available, nor shall the public media disclose any count results from any precinct before the time when voting is scheduled to end in the state.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 19; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 38; 1991 c 227 s 17; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 34
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.21 — Counting Ballots; Piling System.

204C.21 COUNTING BALLOTS; PILING SYSTEM.
Subdivision 1.
Method.
The election judges shall take all the ballots of the same kind and count the votes cast for each office or question, beginning with the first office or question on the ballot. They shall make one pile of the ballots for each candidate who received votes for that office, or one pile for the "Yes" votes and one pile for the "No" votes on a question. They shall make a pile of totally defective ballots and a pile of totally blank ballots. They shall make a pile of ballots that are not totally defective but are defective with respect to the office or question being counted and a pile of ballots that are not totally blank but are blank with respect to the office or question being counted. After the separation into piles, the election judges shall examine each pile and remove and place in the proper pile any ballots that are found in the wrong pile. The election judges shall count the totally blank and totally defective ballots and set them aside until the counting is over for that ballot. In conducting the count of blank ballots, election judges may presume that the total count provided for sealed prepackaged ballots is correct. The election judges may pile ballots crosswise in groups of 25 in the same pile to facilitate counting. When their counts agree, the election judges shall announce the number of ballots in each pile, and shall write the number in the proper place on the summary statements.
The election judges shall then return all the counted ballots, and all the partially defective or partially blank ballots, to the original pile to be separated and counted in the same manner for the next office or question.
Subd. 2.
More than one candidate to be elected; piling.
Where more than one candidate is to be elected to an office, the votes for that office shall be counted and canvassed in the manner provided in subdivision 1 as far as practicable.
Subd. 3.
Primary.
At a primary the election judges shall first separate the partisan ballots by major political party and then count the votes for each office as provided in subdivision 1. The nonpartisan primary ballots shall be counted separately after the partisan primary ballots have been counted.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 21; 2021 c 31 art 3 s 11
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.23 — Defective Ballots.

204C.23 DEFECTIVE BALLOTS.
A ballot that is defective to the extent that the election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent shall be marked on the back "Defective" if it is totally defective or "Defective as to ......," naming the office or question if it is defective only in part.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 23
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.24 — Election Returns; Summary Statements.

204C.24 ELECTION RETURNS; SUMMARY STATEMENTS.
Subdivision 1.
Information requirements.
Precinct summary statements shall be submitted by the election judges in every precinct. For all elections, the election judges shall complete three or more copies of the summary statements, and each copy shall contain the following information for each kind of ballot:
(1) the number of ballots delivered to the precinct as adjusted by the actual count made by the election judges, the number of unofficial ballots made, and the number of absentee ballots delivered to the precinct;
(2) the number of votes each candidate received or the number of yes and no votes on each question, the number of undervotes, the number of overvotes, and the number of defective ballots with respect to each office or question;
(3) the number of spoiled ballots, the number of duplicate ballots made, the number of absentee ballots rejected, and the number of unused ballots, presuming that the total count provided on each package of unopened prepackaged ballots is correct;
(4) the number of voted ballots indicating only a voter's choices as provided by section 206.80, paragraph (b), clause (2), item (ii);
(5) the number of individuals who voted at the election in the precinct which must equal the total number of ballots cast in the precinct, as required by sections 204C.20 and 206.86, subdivision 1;
(6) the number of voters registering on election day in that precinct;
(7) the signatures of the election judges who counted the ballots certifying that all of the ballots cast were properly piled, checked, and counted; and that the numbers entered by the election judges on the summary statements correctly show the number of votes cast for each candidate and for and against each question;
(8) the number of election judges that worked in that precinct on election day; and
(9) the number of voting booths used in that precinct on election day.
At least two copies of the summary statement must be prepared for elections not held on the same day as the state elections.
Subd. 2.
Sealing in envelopes.
The election judges shall place a full set of completed summary statements in each of three separate envelopes and seal them so that the envelopes cannot be opened without leaving evidence that they have been opened. The election judges shall then sign each envelope over the sealed part so that no envelope can be opened without disturbing the continuity of the signatures. Each of the envelopes shall show substantially the following information on its face:
"Summary statements of the returns of the .... election precinct, (Town) or (City) of ....., or (School District Number) ...., in the County of ....., State of Minnesota."
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 24; 1981 c 217 s 7; 1983 c 253 s 15; 1984 c 447 s 31; 1987 c 175 s 8; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 40; 1988 c 646 s 6; 1999 c 132 s 22; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 47; 2010 c 201 s 40; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 94
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 204C — Election Day Activities › Section 204C.25 — Disposition Of Ballots.

204C.25 DISPOSITION OF BALLOTS.
After the count and the summary statements have been completed, in the presence of all the election judges, the counted, defective, and blank ballots shall be placed in envelopes, and the envelopes shall be sealed. The election judges shall sign each envelope over the sealed part so that the envelope cannot be opened without disturbing the continuity of the signatures. The number of ballots in each envelope, the name of the town or city, and the name of the precinct shall be plainly written upon the envelopes. The number and name of the district must be plainly written on envelopes containing school district ballots. The spoiled ballots shall be placed in separate envelopes and returned with the unused ballots to the county auditor or municipal or school district clerk from whom they were received.
History:
1981 c 29 art 5 s 25; 1983 c 253 s 16; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 41; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 35