reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 201 — Eligibility And Registration Of Voters › Section 201.221 — Rules.

201.221 RULES.
Subdivision 1.
Adoption of rules.
To implement the provisions of this chapter, the secretary of state shall adopt rules consistent with federal and state election laws.
Subd. 2.
Uniform procedures for counties.
The secretary of state shall assist local election officers by devising uniform forms and procedures. The secretary of state shall provide uniform rules for maintaining voter registration records on the statewide registration system. The secretary of state shall supervise the development and use of the statewide registration system to insure that it conforms to applicable federal and state laws and rules.
Subd. 3.
Procedures for polling place rosters.
The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of paper polling place rosters that include the voter's name, address, date of birth, school district number, and space for the voter's signature. An electronic roster and the voter signature certificate together must include the same information as a paper polling place roster. The secretary of state may prescribe additional election-related information to be placed on the polling place rosters on an experimental basis for one state primary and general election cycle; the same information may not be placed on the polling place roster for a second state primary and general election cycle unless specified in this subdivision. The polling place roster must be used to indicate whether the voter has voted in a given election. The secretary of state shall prescribe procedures for transporting the polling place rosters to the election judges for use on election day. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form for a county or municipality to request the date of birth from currently registered voters. The county or municipality shall not request the date of birth from currently registered voters by any communication other than the prescribed form and the form must clearly indicate that a currently registered voter does not lose registration status by failing to provide the date of birth. In accordance with section 204B.40, the county auditor shall retain the prescribed polling place rosters used on the date of election for 22 months following the election.
Subd. 4.
County rules.
The county auditor of each county may adopt rules that delegate to the secretary of state or municipal officials in that county the duties assigned to county auditors by this chapter. Delegation of duties to the secretary of state requires the approval of the secretary of state. Delegation to a municipal official requires the approval of the governing body of the municipality. Delegation by the county auditor of the duty to accept registrations does not relieve the county auditor of the duty to accept registrations. Each delegation agreement must include a plan to allocate the costs of the duties to be delegated.
History:
1973 c 676 s 17; 1978 c 714 s 30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 24; 1981 c 92 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 10; 1987 c 361 s 13,14; 1990 c 585 s 16; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 19,20; 2014 c 288 art 2 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 201 — Eligibility And Registration Of Voters › Section 201.27 — Violations, Penalty.

201.27
MS 1957 [Renumbered 201.30]
201.27 VIOLATIONS, PENALTY.
Subdivision 1.
Intentional violation.
No officer, deputy, clerk, or other employee shall intentionally:
(1) fail to perform or enforce any of the provisions of this chapter except subdivision 2;
(2) remove a registration application or record from its proper place in the registration files in a manner or for a purpose not authorized by law;
(3) destroy or make an unauthorized change to a record required to be kept by this chapter; or
(4) add a name or names to the voter registration files, records, or applications, except as authorized by law.
An individual who violates this subdivision is guilty of a felony.
Subd. 2.
Knowledge of violation.
A deputy, clerk, employee, or other subordinate of a county auditor or municipal or school district clerk who has knowledge or reason to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred shall immediately transmit a report of the knowledge or belief to the county auditor or municipal or school district clerk, together with any possessed evidence of the violation. Any county auditor or municipal or school district clerk who has knowledge or reason to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred shall immediately transmit a report of the knowledge or belief to the county attorney of the county where the violation is thought to have occurred, together with any possessed evidence of the violation. The county auditor or municipal or school district clerk shall also immediately send a copy of the report to the secretary of state. A violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
Subd. 3.
General penalty.
An individual who intentionally violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of a felony, unless a different penalty is specifically provided by law.
History:
1959 c 675 art 2 s 27; 1973 c 676 s 20; 1978 c 714 s 5,30; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 25; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 11; 1990 c 585 s 17; 2008 c 244 art 2 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 201 — Eligibility And Registration Of Voters › Section 201.275 — Investigations; Prosecutions.

201.275 INVESTIGATIONS; PROSECUTIONS.
(a) A law enforcement agency that is notified by affidavit of an alleged violation of this chapter shall promptly investigate. Upon receiving an affidavit alleging a violation of this chapter, a county attorney shall promptly forward it to a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigation. If there is probable cause for instituting a prosecution, the county attorney shall proceed according to the generally applicable standards regarding the prosecutorial functions and duties of a county attorney, provided that the county attorney is not required to proceed with the prosecution if the complainant withdraws the allegation. A county attorney who refuses or intentionally fails to faithfully perform this or any other duty imposed by this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall forfeit office.
(b) Willful violation of this chapter by any public employee constitutes just cause for suspension without pay or dismissal of the public employee.
(c) Where the matter relates to a voter registration application submitted electronically through the secure website established in section 201.061, subdivision 1, alleged violations of this chapter may be investigated and prosecuted in the county in which the individual registered or attempted to register.
History:
1978 c 714 s 6; 1981 c 29 art 2 s 26; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 578 art 1 s 2; 2004 c 277 s 2; 2013 c 131 art 3 s 3; 2014 c 185 s 7; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 201 — Eligibility And Registration Of Voters › Section 201.276 — Duties Of Secretary Of State; Information About Voting Rights.

201.276 DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF STATE; INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS.
The secretary of state shall develop accurate and complete information in a single publication about the voting rights of people who have been charged with or convicted of a crime. This publication must be made available electronically to the state court administrator for distribution to judges, court personnel, probation officers, and the commissioner of corrections for distribution to corrections officials, parole and supervised release agents, and the public.
History:
2023 c 12 s 3
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.11 — Party Name.

202A.11 PARTY NAME.
Subdivision 1.
Change.
Any major political party may change its name by complying with the following conditions:
The state central committee of the party may call a convention, and shall state in its call that a convention is called for a certain time and place, for the purpose of changing the name of the party to some specific name given in the call. The convention shall be held not less than 70 days before the state primary, and the change shall be agreed upon by resolution of a majority of the convention. A copy of the resolution determining the change of the name, certified by the chair and secretary of the convention, shall be filed with the secretary of state within five days after the holding of the convention. Thereafter the political party shall be known by the new name called for by the resolution, and the party under its new name shall have all the rights that it had under its former name.
Subd. 2.
Right to use.
A major political party which has adopted a party name is entitled to the exclusive use of that name for the designation of its candidates on all ballots, and no candidate of any other political party is entitled to have printed on a ballot as a party designation any part of that name.
History:
1975 c 5 s 2; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475 s 5
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.12 — State Convention, Authority Of.

202A.12 STATE CONVENTION, AUTHORITY OF.
Subdivision 1.
Time of convention.
The final authority over the affairs of each major political party is vested in the party's state convention to be held at least once every state general election year at the call of the state central committee.
Subd. 2.
State central committee.
Subject to the control of the state convention the general management of the affairs of the state party is vested in the party's state central committee.
Subd. 3.
State executive committee.
The state executive committee of the party shall have charge of the administration of the party's affairs, subject to the direction and control of the state convention and the state central committee.
Subd. 4.
Constitution, filing.
The chair of the state central committee of each party shall file with the secretary of state a copy of the party's constitution and all amendments to the constitution as they are enacted.
History:
1975 c 5 s 3; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.13 — Committees, Conventions.

202A.13 COMMITTEES, CONVENTIONS.
The rules of each major political party shall provide that for each congressional district and at least 45 counties or legislative districts a convention shall be held at least once every state general election year. Each major political party shall also provide for each congressional district and at least 45 counties or legislative districts an executive committee consisting of a chair and such other officers as may be necessary. The party rules may provide for only one executive committee and one convention where any county and congressional district have the same territorial limits.
A delegate or alternate who is deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing who needs interpreter services at a county, legislative district, congressional district, or state convention shall so notify the executive committee of the major political party unit whose convention the delegate or alternate plans to attend. Written notice must be given by certified mail or electronic mail to the executive committee at least 30 days before the convention date. The major political party, not later than 14 days before the convention date, shall secure the services of one or more interpreters if available and shall assume responsibility for the cost of the services. The state central committee of the major political party shall determine the process for reimbursing interpreters.
A visually impaired delegate or alternate to a county, legislative district, congressional district, or state convention may notify the executive committee of the major political party unit that the delegate or alternate requires convention materials in audio tape, Braille, or large print format. Upon receiving the request, the executive committee shall provide all official written convention materials as soon as they are available, so that the visually impaired individual may have them converted to audio tape, Braille, or large print format, prior to the convention.
History:
1975 c 5 s 4; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 308 s 1; 1990 c 585 s 18; 2013 c 62 s 11; 2016 c 161 art 1 s 1; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 27
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.135 — Leave Time From Employment; Party Officers; Delegates To Party Conventions.

202A.135 LEAVE TIME FROM EMPLOYMENT; PARTY OFFICERS; DELEGATES TO PARTY CONVENTIONS.
If an employee gives at least ten days' written notice to the employer, the employee may be absent from work to attend any meeting of the state central committee or executive committee of a major political party if the employee is a member of the committee, or may attend any convention of major political party delegates including meetings of official convention committees if the employee is a delegate or alternate delegate to that convention. An employee who gives proper notice as provided in this section shall suffer no penalty or deduction from salary or wages on account of absence other than a deduction in salary or wages for the actual time of absence from employment. A violation of this section by an employer is a misdemeanor.
History:
1980 c 400 s 1; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1986 c 444
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.15 — Time And Place Of Caucus.

202A.15 TIME AND PLACE OF CAUCUS.
Subdivision 1.
Time.
Precinct caucuses within a county shall be held on the day established pursuant to section 202A.14, subdivision 1, and the caucuses shall remain open for at least one hour.
Subd. 2.
Place.
The precinct caucuses shall be held at the regular polling places for each precinct or other suitable places designated in the call, and no caucus may be adjourned to any other place or time.
In the event that there is only one suitable meeting place in the precinct polling place and the major political parties cannot agree as to its use, the county auditor shall decide by lot prior to January 15, 1970, the party which is to receive the use of the meeting place in years evenly divisible by four and which party shall receive the use of the meeting place in other years in which a state general election is held. The report of such selections by lot in the county shall be filed by the auditor with the county board which shall publish the same as a part of the minutes of the board meeting at which the report is filed.
A precinct caucus must be held at a place that meets the accessibility standards for precinct polling places specified in section 204B.16, subdivision 5. In addition, the place where a precinct caucus is held must contain restrooms that conform to the standards in the State Building Code for accessibility by disabled persons. If a precinct caucus is held on a floor of a building that is either above or below the entrance level for the building, an elevator must be available. Any elevators used for access to the room where the precinct caucus is held must conform to the standards in the State Building Code for accessibility by disabled persons.
If there are not enough places within a precinct that are or can be made accessible as provided by this subdivision and section 204B.16, subdivision 5, for each major party to hold its precinct caucus, a major party may hold its caucus at a place outside one of the boundaries of the precinct in order to comply with accessibility requirements.
If only one place satisfies the accessibility and location requirements of this subdivision, the major parties shall alternate use of the place. Prior to January 1, 1990, the county auditor shall decide by lot which party is to use the accessible place in years evenly divisible by four and which party is to use the place in other years when a state general election is held.
History:
1975 c 5 s 6; 1975 c 292 s 3; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1989 c 308 s 2; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2008 c 263 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.155 — Interpreter Services; Caucus Materials.

202A.155 INTERPRETER SERVICES; CAUCUS MATERIALS.
An individual who is deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing who needs interpreter services at a precinct caucus shall so notify the major political party whose caucus the individual plans to attend. Notice must be given by letter or electronic mail to the state office of the major political party before the precinct caucus date. The major political party shall promptly attempt to secure the services of one or more interpreters if available and shall assume responsibility for the cost of the services if provided. The state central committee of the major political party shall determine the process for reimbursing interpreters.
A visually impaired individual may notify the county or legislative district committee of the major political party whose precinct caucus the individual plans to attend, that the individual requires caucus materials in audio tape, Braille, or large type format. Upon receiving the request, the county or legislative district committee shall provide all official written caucus materials as soon as they are available, so that the visually impaired individual may have them converted to audio tape, Braille, or large print format prior to the precinct caucus.
History:
1989 c 308 s 3; 2006 c 242 s 15; 2013 c 62 s 12
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.156 — Interpreter Services And Accessible Precinct Caucus Exemptions.

202A.156 INTERPRETER SERVICES AND ACCESSIBLE PRECINCT CAUCUS EXEMPTIONS.
A major political party is not required to:
(1) provide an interpreter for a convention or precinct caucus if it has made documented good faith efforts to locate and assign an interpreter, including contacting an interpreter referral center or regional service center for people who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing, and no interpreters are available; or
(2) hold a precinct caucus at a place that meets the accessibility standards for precinct polling places specified in section 204B.16, subdivision 5, if it has made documented good faith efforts to locate and secure an available accessible site within a reasonable distance of the precinct, and no accessible site is available.
History:
1989 c 308 s 4; 2013 c 62 s 13
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.16 — Caucus, Who May Participate And Vote.

202A.16 CAUCUS, WHO MAY PARTICIPATE AND VOTE.
Subdivision 1.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 62 art 4 s 138]
Subd. 2.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 62 art 4 s 138]
Subd. 3.
MS 2022 [Repealed, 2023 c 62 art 4 s 138]
Subd. 4.
One caucus per year.
No person may vote or participate at more than one party's caucuses in any one year.
History:
1975 c 5 s 7; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 5,38; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475 s 6
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.18 — Caucus, Procedure.

202A.18 CAUCUS, PROCEDURE.
Subdivision 1.
Temporary chair.
The convener shall be the temporary chair of the caucus.
Subd. 2.
Nominations; time of election of officers and delegates.
Nominations for the election of permanent officers and delegates shall remain open for at least the first quarter hour of the caucus. Election of delegates and alternates must begin within one hour of convening a caucus. Election of delegates and alternates may begin one-half hour after the convening of the caucus.
Subd. 2a.
Preference ballot for governor.
In a year when the office of governor appears on the state general election ballot, prior to the opening of nominations for the election of permanent offices and delegates, a ballot must be distributed to permit caucus participants to indicate their preference for the office of the governor. The results of preference voting must be reported to the secretary of state immediately upon conclusion of the voting, in the manner provided by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall provide the appropriate forms to the party for reporting the results.
Subd. 3.
Secret ballot.
All voting shall be by secret ballot.
Subd. 4.
Announcement and certification of election results.
Upon completion of the counting of votes the chair shall announce the names of persons who are elected, and shall certify the names to the chair of the county or legislative district executive committee and to the chair of the state central committee.
Subd. 5.
Rules of order.
All questions concerning the manner in which a caucus is conducted or called that are not covered by statute shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order (revised) unless otherwise specified by party rules.
History:
1975 c 5 s 9; 1975 c 292 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 263 s 2; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 84; 2016 c 162 s 3; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 28
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.19 — Caucus, School Schedule Preemption, Excusal From Employment To Attend.

202A.19 CAUCUS, SCHOOL SCHEDULE PREEMPTION, EXCUSAL FROM EMPLOYMENT TO ATTEND.
Subdivision 1.
Limits on local government meetings.
No special taxing district governing body, school board, county board of commissioners, township board, or city council may conduct a meeting after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus. As used in this subdivision, "special taxing district" has the meaning given in section 275.066.
Subd. 2.
Absence from work.
Every employee who is entitled to attend a major political party precinct caucus is entitled, after giving the employer at least ten days' written notice, to be absent from work for the purpose of attending the caucus during the time for which the caucus is scheduled without penalty or deduction from salary or wages on account of the absence other than a deduction in salary for the time of absence from employment.
Subd. 3.
Limits on college or university meetings.
The University of Minnesota may not schedule an event which will take place after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus unless permission to do so has been received from the Board of Regents. No Minnesota state college or university may schedule an event which will take place after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus unless permission to do so has been received from the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
Subd. 4.
Use of public school buildings.
No school official may deny the use of a public school building for the holding of a major political party precinct caucus if the school office has received a written request for the use of the school building 30 days or more prior to the date of the caucus.
Subd. 5.
Limits on public school events.
No public elementary or secondary school may hold a school sponsored event after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus.
Subd. 6.
Limits on state public meetings.
No state agency, board, commission, department, or committee shall conduct a public meeting after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus.
History:
1973 c 349 s 2; 1975 c 5 s 10; 1975 c 321 s 1; 1981 c 29 art 7 s 38; 1983 c 168 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1996 c 395 s 9; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 9
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.192 — Use Of Public Facilities.

202A.192 USE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES.
Every statutory city, home rule charter city, county, town, school district, and other public agency, including the University of Minnesota and other public colleges and universities, shall make their facilities available for the holding of precinct caucuses and legislative district or county conventions required by this chapter. A charge for the use of the facilities may be imposed in an amount that does not exceed the lowest amount charged to any public or private group.
History:
1978 c 591 s 1
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 202A — Caucuses And Conventions › Section 202A.20 — Caucus Information; Results.

202A.20 CAUCUS INFORMATION; RESULTS.
Subdivision 1.
Information.
The secretary of state may sponsor or participate in activities designed to provide public information related to the precinct caucuses and to promote participation in the caucus process.
Subd. 2.
Reporting caucus results.
The secretary of state shall promptly report to the public the results of preference balloting at the precinct caucuses.
History:
1989 c 291 art 1 s 2; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 85
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.001 — Election Law Applicability.

203B.001 ELECTION LAW APPLICABILITY.
The Minnesota Election Law is applicable to voting by absentee ballot and early voting unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
History:
1989 c 291 art 1 s 3; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 29
NOTE:
The amendment to this section by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 29, is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2024, or the 85th day after the revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 29, the effective date.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.01 — Absentee Balloting; Definitions.

203B.01 ABSENTEE BALLOTING; DEFINITIONS.
Subdivision 1.
Application.
The definitions in chapter 200 and this section apply to this chapter.
Subd. 2.
Municipal clerk.
"Municipal clerk" means a full-time town or city clerk who is authorized or required to administer the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, as provided in section 203B.05. "Municipal clerk" also means clerk of the school district who is authorized or required to administer the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, as provided in section 203B.05 for a school district election not held on the same day as a statewide election.
Subd. 3.
Military.
"Military" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Merchant Marine of the United States, all other uniformed services as defined in United States Code, title 52, section 20310, and military forces as defined by section 190.05, subdivision 3, or any eligible citizen of Minnesota enrolled as a student at the United States Naval Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Military Academy.
Subd. 4.
Health care facility.
"Health care facility" means a licensed hospital, sanitarium, or other institution as defined in section 144.50, subdivision 2, or a nursing home licensed to serve adults under section 144A.02.
Subd. 5.
Early voting.
"Early voting" means voting in person before election day as provided in section 203B.30.
[See Note.]
Subd. 6.
Utility worker.
"Utility worker" means an employee of a public utility as defined by section 216B.02, subdivision 4.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 1; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 12; 1997 c 147 s 12; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 20; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 11; 2021 c 31 art 3 s 1; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 30,31
NOTE:
Subdivision 5, as added by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 30, is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2024, or the 85th day after the revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 30, the effective date.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.02 — General Eligibility Requirements.

203B.02 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
Subdivision 1.
Absentee voting; eligibility.
Any eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot as provided in sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
Subd. 1a.
[Repealed, 2008 c 244 art 1 s 24]
Subd. 2.
Military service; temporary absence.
An eligible voter who is either in the military, or is a spouse or dependent of an individual serving in the military, or is temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States may vote by absentee ballot either as provided in sections 203B.04 to 203B.15 or as provided in sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
Subd. 3.
Indefinite residence abroad.
A United States citizen living indefinitely outside the United States who is eligible under federal law to vote in federal elections in Minnesota may vote by absentee ballot only as provided in sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 2; 1983 c 303 s 2; 1984 c 471 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 227 s 9; 2006 c 242 s 16; 2010 c 201 s 14; 2013 c 131 art 1 s 2
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.03 — Prohibitions; Penalties.

203B.03 PROHIBITIONS; PENALTIES.
Subdivision 1.
Violation.
(a) No individual shall intentionally:
(1) make or sign any false certificate required by this chapter;
(2) make any false or untrue statement in any application for absentee ballots;
(3) apply for absentee ballots more than once in any election with the intent to cast an illegal ballot;
(4) exhibit a ballot marked by that individual to any other individual;
(5) do any act in violation of the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of casting an illegal vote in any precinct or for the purpose of aiding another to cast an illegal vote;
(6) use information from absentee ballot or early voting materials or records for purposes unrelated to elections, political activities, or law enforcement;
(7) provide assistance to an absentee or early voter except in the manner provided by section 204C.15, subdivision 1;
(8) solicit the vote of an absentee voter while in the immediate presence of the voter during the time the individual knows the absentee voter is voting; or
(9) alter an absentee ballot application after it has been signed by the voter, except by an election official for administrative purposes.
(b) Before inspecting information from absentee ballot or early voting materials or records, an individual shall provide identification to the public official having custody of the material or information.
[See Note.]
Subd. 1a.
Prohibited methods of compensation.
(a) No individual may be compensated for the solicitation, collection, or acceptance of absentee ballot applications from voters for submission to the county auditor or other local election official in a manner in which payment is calculated by multiplying (1) either a set or variable payment rate, by (2) the number of applications solicited, collected, or accepted.
(b) No individual may be deprived of compensation or have compensation automatically reduced exclusively for failure to solicit, collect, or accept a minimum number of absentee ballot applications.
(c) No individual may receive additional compensation for collecting a certain number of absentee ballot applications.
(d) Violation of this subdivision is a petty misdemeanor.
Subd. 2.
Penalty.
A violation of this section is a felony.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 3; 1987 c 175 s 3; 1997 c 147 s 13; 1999 c 132 s 8; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 32,33
NOTE:
The amendment to subdivision 1 by Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 32, is effective upon the revisor of statutes' receipt of the early voting certification and applies to elections held on or after January 1, 2024, or the 85th day after the revisor of statutes receives the certification, whichever is later. Laws 2023, chapter 62, article 4, section 32, the effective date.
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.065 — Using The Registration System.

203B.065 USING THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
Upon accepting an application for a state primary or state general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system the voter's name, date of birth, address of residence in Minnesota, mailing address, Minnesota driver's license or state identification number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, if provided by the voter. Upon acceptance of an absentee ballot application of a voter who is registered to vote at an address different from the residential address certified on the absentee ballot application, the voter registration record with the previous address shall be challenged. Once the absentee ballot has been transmitted to the voter, the method of transmission and the date of transmission must be recorded.
Upon receipt of a returned absentee ballot for a state primary or state general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system that the voter has returned the ballot.
Upon receipt of notice that the ballot board has accepted or rejected the absentee ballot for a state primary or state general election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record in the statewide voter registration system whether the ballot was accepted or rejected, and if rejected, the reason for rejection. If a replacement ballot is transmitted to the voter, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall record this in the statewide voter registration system.
The labels provided for envelopes used for transmitting an absentee ballot to and from an applicant for an absentee ballot for a state primary or state general election must contain bar codes generated by the statewide voter registration system to facilitate the recording required under this section. A county auditor or municipal clerk entering information into the statewide voter registration system under this section must include the information provided on the bar code label whenever information is entered into the system.
History:
2010 c 194 s 4
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.08 — Marking And Return Of Absentee Ballots.

203B.08 MARKING AND RETURN OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
Subdivision 1.
Marking and return by voter.
(a) An eligible voter who receives absentee ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions for casting the absentee ballots. The return envelope containing marked ballots may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the return envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on election day.
(b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 1a.
[Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46]
Subd. 2.
Address on return envelopes.
The county auditor or municipal clerk shall address return envelopes to allow direct mailing of the absentee ballots to the county auditor or municipal clerk who has the responsibility to accept and reject the absentee ballots.
Subd. 3.
Procedures on receipt of ballots.
When absentee ballots are returned to a county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked space with other return envelopes received by that office. Within five days after receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots received on election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.
Subd. 3a.
[Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46]
Subd. 4.
Rules.
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing procedures to be followed by county auditors and municipal clerks to assure accurate and timely return of absentee ballots. The rules of the secretary of state may authorize procedures and methods of return in addition to those specified in this section.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 8; 1983 c 253 s 2,3; 1986 c 362 s 1,2; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 16; 1990 c 453 s 2; 1997 c 147 s 16; 1999 c 132 s 11; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 22; 2008 c 244 art 2 s 14; 2010 c 194 s 7,8; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 15; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 13,14; 1Sp2021 c 12 art 4 s 3,4; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 39,40
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.085 — County Auditor's And Municipal Clerk's Offices To Remain Open During Certain Hours Preceding Election.

203B.085 COUNTY AUDITOR'S AND MUNICIPAL CLERK'S OFFICES TO REMAIN OPEN DURING CERTAIN HOURS PRECEDING ELECTION.
Subdivision 1.
State general elections.
Prior to a state general election, the county auditor's office in each county and the clerk's office in each city or town authorized under section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day must be open:
(1) until 7:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before the election;
(2) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the two Saturdays before the election;
(3) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the Sunday immediately before the election; and
(4) until 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.
A polling place designated under section 203B.081, subdivision 4, may be open alternate days and hours.
Subd. 2.
Other elections.
In elections other than the state general election, the county auditor's office in each county and the clerk's office in each city or town authorized under section 203B.05 to administer voting before election day must be open for voting as authorized under section 203B.081 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and until 5:00 p.m. on the day immediately preceding a primary, special, or general election unless that day falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Town clerks' offices, and county auditors' offices if the county auditor has agreed to perform those duties on behalf of the town, must be open for absentee voting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Saturday before a town general election held in March. The school district clerk, when performing the county auditor's election duties, need not comply with this section.
Subd. 3.
Voters in line.
All voters in line at a time when a polling place is scheduled to close must be allowed to vote in the same manner as provided in section 204C.05, subdivision 2.
History:
1983 c 303 s 4; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 61; 1999 c 132 s 13; 2000 c 467 s 8; 2004 c 293 art 2 s 13; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 50
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.09 — Form And Content Of Required Materials; Rules Of Secretary Of State.

203B.09 FORM AND CONTENT OF REQUIRED MATERIALS; RULES OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing the form, content, and type size and style for the printing of blank applications for absentee ballots, absentee voter lists, return envelopes, certificates of eligibility to vote by absentee ballot, ballot envelopes, and directions for casting an absentee ballot. Any official charged with the duty of printing any of these materials shall do so in accordance with these rules.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 9; 1990 c 585 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.125 — Secretary Of State To Make Rules.

203B.125 SECRETARY OF STATE TO MAKE RULES.
The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing methods and procedures for issuing ballot cards and related absentee forms to be used as provided in section 203B.08, subdivision 1a, and for the reconciliation of voters and ballot cards before tabulation under section 204C.20, subdivision 1.
History:
1983 c 253 s 7; 2010 c 194 s 10
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.14 — County Auditor Or Municipal Clerk May Employ Additional Help.

203B.14 COUNTY AUDITOR OR MUNICIPAL CLERK MAY EMPLOY ADDITIONAL HELP.
Each county auditor and each municipal clerk may employ additional clerical assistance as necessary to discharge the responsibilities imposed on the county auditor or municipal clerk as provided in this chapter.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 14
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.15 — Administrative Expenses.

203B.15 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Each county shall pay the expenses incurred by its county auditor and each municipality or school district shall pay the expenses incurred by its clerk for administering the provisions of sections 203B.04 to 203B.15.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 15; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.16 — Absent Voters In The Military Or Outside The United States.

203B.16 ABSENT VOTERS IN THE MILITARY OR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
Subdivision 1.
Military service; temporary residence outside United States.
Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 provide alternative voting procedures for eligible voters who are absent from the precinct where they maintain residence because they are:
(1) either in the military or the spouses or dependents of individuals serving in the military; or
(2) temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States.
Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 are intended to implement the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, United States Code, title 52, sections 20301 to 20310.
Subd. 2.
Indefinite residence outside United States.
Sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 provide the exclusive voting procedure for United States citizens who are living indefinitely outside the territorial limits of the United States who meet all the qualifications of an eligible voter except residence in Minnesota, but who are authorized by federal law to vote in Minnesota because they or, if they have never maintained residence in the United States, a parent maintained residence in Minnesota for at least 20 days immediately prior to their departure from the United States. Individuals described in this subdivision shall be permitted to vote only for the offices of president, vice-president, senator in Congress, and representative in Congress.
Subd. 3.
[Repealed, 2008 c 190 s 14]
Subd. 4.
Duties of secretary of state.
The secretary of state shall provide information regarding voter registration and absentee balloting procedures to be used by absent uniformed services voters, their spouses and dependents, and overseas voters.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 16; 1997 c 147 s 24; 1Sp2001 c 10 art 18 s 14; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 24; 2010 c 201 s 19; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 16,17; 2023 c 62 art 4 s 62
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.18 — Forwarding Applications.

203B.18 FORWARDING APPLICATIONS.
If an application for absentee ballots under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27 is received by the secretary of state or by any election official other than the proper county auditor described in section 203B.17, subdivision 1, that official shall forward the application to the appropriate county auditor.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 18
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.19 — Recording Applications.

203B.19 RECORDING APPLICATIONS.
Upon accepting an application, the county auditor shall record in the statewide registration system the voter's name, address of present or former residence in Minnesota, mailing address, school district number, passport number, Minnesota driver's license number or state identification card number, or the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number, and whether the voter is in the military or the spouse or dependent of an individual serving in the military, is a voter temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States, or is living permanently outside the territorial limits of the United States and voting under federal law. The county auditor shall retain the record for six years. A voter whose name is recorded as provided in this section shall not be required to register under any other provision of law in order to vote under sections 203B.16 to 203B.27. Persons from whom applications are not accepted must be notified by the county auditor and provided with the reasons for the rejection.
No later than 60 days after the general election, the county auditor shall report to the secretary of state the combined number of absentee ballots transmitted to and the combined number of absentee ballots returned and cast by absent voters described in section 203B.16. The secretary of state may require the information be reported by category under section 203B.16 or by precinct.
No later than 90 days after the general election, the secretary of state shall report to the federal Election Assistance Commission the number of absentee ballots transmitted to voters under section 203B.16.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 19; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 21; 1997 c 147 s 25; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 26; 2008 c 190 s 3; 2010 c 201 s 20
2023 Minnesota Statutes › Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections › Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting › Section 203B.20 — Challenges.

203B.20 CHALLENGES.
Except as provided in this section, the eligibility or residence of a voter whose application for absentee ballots is recorded under section 203B.19 may be challenged in the manner set forth by section 201.195. The county auditor shall not be required to serve a copy of the petition and notice of hearing on the challenged voter. If the absentee ballot application was submitted on behalf of a voter by an individual authorized under section 203B.17, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), the county auditor must attempt to notify the individual who submitted the application of the challenge. The county auditor may contact other registered voters to request information that may resolve any discrepancies appearing in the application. All reasonable doubt shall be resolved in favor of the validity of the application. If the voter's challenge is affirmed, the county auditor shall provide the challenged voter with a copy of the petition and the decision and shall inform the voter of the right to appeal as provided in section 201.195.
History:
1981 c 29 art 3 s 20; 2005 c 156 art 6 s 27; 2008 c 190 s 4