Amendment sch4772a13

sch4772a13 sch4772a13

1.1Senator Mathews moved to amend H.F. No. 4772, as amended pursuant to Rule 45,
1.2adopted by the Senate April 11, 2024, as follows:
1.3(The text of the amended House File is identical to S.F. No. 4729.)
1.4Page 18, after line 22, insert:

1.5    "Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 201.061, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
1.6    Subd. 1a. Incomplete registration by mail. If the county auditor determines that a voter
1.7who has submitted a voter registration application by mail has not previously voted in this
1.8state for a federal office and has also not presented a document authorized for election day
1.9registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the county auditor, and the county auditor
1.10is unable to verify the voter's driver's license, state identification, or last four digits of the
1.11voter's Social Security number as provided by the voter on the voter registration application
1.12whether the voter is eligible to vote, then the county auditor must notify the voter that the
1.13registration is incomplete and to complete registration by using one of the following methods:
1.14(1) presenting to the auditor submitting a completed voter registration application more
1.15than 20 days before the election a document authorized for election day registration in
1.16section 201.061, subdivision 3;
1.17(2) registering in person before or on election day; or
1.18(3) if voting by absentee ballot or by mail, following election day registration procedures
1.19for absentee voters as described in section 203B.04, subdivision 4; or
1.20(4) providing proof of residence by any of the methods authorized for election day
1.21registration in section 201.061, subdivision 3.
1.22EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
1.23held on or after that date."
1.24Page 18, line 27, strike ", by" and insert "and" and after "a" insert "voter" and strike
1.25everything after "application"
1.26Page 18, lines 28 to 29, strike the old language and insert ". For purposes of registration
1.27under this subdivision, the voter registration application must be printed on or affixed to a
1.28provisional ballot envelope and contain the information required by section 201.071,
1.29subdivision 1. The application may be completed using an electronic roster and then printed
1.30and affixed to the provisional ballot envelope. An individual who registers on election day
1.31is entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to section 204C.135."
1.32Page 18, lines 30 to 32, strike the old language
2.1Page 19, lines 1 to 34, strike the old language
2.2Page 20, lines 1 to 19, strike the old language
2.3Page 20, line 20, strike "(e)" and insert "(b)"
2.4Page 20, line 22, delete everything after "effective" and insert "January 1, 2025, and
2.5applies to elections held on or after that date."
2.6Page 20, delete section 21 and insert:

2.7    "Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 201.061, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
2.8    Subd. 4. Registration by election judges; procedures. Registration at the polling place
2.9on election day shall be conducted by the election judges. Before registering an individual
2.10to vote at the polling place, the election judge must review any list of absentee election day
2.11registrants provided by the county auditor or municipal clerk to see if the person has already
2.12voted by absentee ballot. If the person's name appears on the list, the election judge must
2.13not allow the individual to register or to vote in the polling place. The election judge who
2.14registers an individual at the polling place on election day shall not handle that voter's ballots
2.15at any time prior to the opening of the ballot box after the voting ends. Registration
2.16applications and forms for oaths shall be available at each polling place. If an individual
2.17who registers on election day proves residence by oath of a registered voter, the form
2.18containing the oath shall be attached to the individual's registration application. Registration
2.19applications completed on election day shall be forwarded to the county auditor who shall
2.20add the name of each voter to the registration system unless the information forwarded is
2.21substantially deficient. A county auditor who finds an election day registration substantially
2.22deficient shall give written notice to the individual whose registration is found deficient.
2.23An election day registration shall not be found deficient solely because the individual who
2.24provided proof of residence was ineligible to do so.
2.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
2.26held on or after that date."
2.27Page 24, line 8, after the period, insert "The list must indicate each voter whose status
2.28is challenged in the statewide voter registration system at the time the list was prepared.
2.29For each voter, the list must include the history of each change in status and the date that
2.30the change to that status was made. The list must also include individuals who were
2.31previously registered but were removed or made inactive in the statewide voter registration
2.32system and the reason for the removal or inactivation."
3.1Page 25, line 18, delete everything after the first period and insert "Paragraph (a) is
3.2effective July 1, 2024, and applies to public information lists created on or after that date.
3.3Information on status changes or individuals removed from the statewide voter registration
3.4system collected prior to July 1, 2024, must not be included on a public information list.
3.5Paragraph (e) is effective the day following final enactment."
3.6Page 25, after line 18, insert:

3.7    "Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 201.121, subdivision 1, is amended
3.8to read:
3.9    Subdivision 1. Entry of registration information. (a) At the time a voter registration
3.10application is properly completed, submitted, and received in accordance with sections
3.11201.061 and 201.071, the county auditor shall enter the information contained on it into the
3.12statewide registration system. Voter registration applications completed before election day
3.13must be entered into the statewide registration system within ten days after they have been
3.14submitted to the county auditor, but no later than three days after the election. Voter
3.15registration applications completed on election day must be entered into the statewide
3.16registration system within 42 as soon as possible, but no later than three days after the
3.17election, unless the county auditor notifies the secretary of state before the deadline has
3.18expired that the deadline will not be met. Upon receipt of a notification under this paragraph,
3.19the secretary of state must extend the deadline for that county auditor by an additional 28
3.20days. The secretary of state may waive a county's obligations under this paragraph if, on
3.21good cause shown, the county demonstrates its permanent inability to comply.
3.22The secretary of state must post data on each county's compliance with this paragraph on
3.23the secretary of state's website including, as applicable, the date each county fully complied
3.24or the deadline by which a county's compliance must be complete.
3.25(b) Upon receiving a completed voter registration application, the secretary of state may
3.26electronically transmit the information on the application to the appropriate county auditor
3.27as soon as possible for review by the county auditor before final entry into the statewide
3.28registration system. The secretary of state may mail the voter registration application to the
3.29county auditor.
3.30(c) Within ten days after the county auditor has entered information from a voter
3.31registration application into the statewide registration system, the secretary of state shall
3.32compare the voter's name, date of birth, and driver's license number, state identification
3.33number, or the last four digits of the Social Security number with the same information
3.34contained in the Department of Public Safety database. For applications received on election
4.1day, this must be completed within three days after the county auditor or municipal clerk
4.2has entered the information into the statewide voter registration system.
4.3(d) The secretary of state shall provide a report to the county auditor on a weekly basis
4.4that includes a list of voters whose name, date of birth, or identification number have been
4.5compared with the same information in the Department of Public Safety database and cannot
4.6be verified as provided in this subdivision. The report must list separately those voters who
4.7have submitted a voter registration application by mail and have not voted in a federal
4.8election in this state. For the six days following an election, the secretary of state must
4.9provide this report daily to county auditors and municipal clerks.
4.10(e) The county auditor shall compile a list of voters for whom the county auditor and
4.11the secretary of state are unable to conclude that information on the voter registration
4.12application and the corresponding information in the Department of Public Safety database
4.13relate to the same person.
4.14(f) The county auditor shall send a notice of incomplete registration to any voter whose
4.15name appears on the list and change the voter's status to "challenged." A voter who receives
4.16a notice of incomplete registration from the county auditor may either provide the information
4.17required to clear the challenge at least 21 days before the next election or at the polling
4.18place on election day.
4.19EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
4.20held on or after that date.

4.21    Sec. 27. [201.146] NOTICE OF CHALLENGE; CONTEST.
4.22    Subdivision 1. Notice of challenge. No later than seven days after changing the status
4.23of a registrant in the statewide voter registration system pursuant to section 201.13,
4.24subdivision 1, 201.14, or 201.145, the county auditor or municipal clerk must mail a notice
4.25to the registrant. The notice must include, at a minimum, the following information:
4.26(1) a statement that the voter's status was challenged or that a challenge was removed;
4.27(2) the reason for the change;
4.28(3) a copy of the information provided by the state agency or court that was the basis
4.29for the change in status; and
4.30(4) a description of the process to contest the change in status, as provided in subdivision
4.312.
5.1    Subd. 2. Contest. (a) An individual whose status was challenged in the statewide voter
5.2registration system pursuant to section 201.13, subdivision 1, 201.14, or 201.145 has the
5.3right to contest the challenge as provided in this section.
5.4(b) To contest the challenge, the individual must file a contest petition with the named
5.5entity. The petition must state the basis for the contest and provide any supporting
5.6documentation. The individual may request a review meeting as part of the petition. The
5.7meeting may be conducted by interactive video technology. The petition must be in a form
5.8prescribed by the secretary of state.
5.9(c) No later than seven days after receiving the contest petition, the named entity must
5.10review the contest petition and any supporting documentation, as well as the data provided
5.11to the secretary of state. If the individual requested a review meeting, the named entity must
5.12schedule a meeting with the individual within 14 days after receiving the contest petition.
5.13(d) After reviewing the required data, and after the review meeting if one occurred, the
5.14named entity must determine whether the data is accurate or should be changed. If the named
5.15entity determines that no change to the data is required, the named entity must notify the
5.16individual. If the named entity determines that the data must be changed, the named entity
5.17must promptly notify the individual and the secretary of state. Upon receiving the changed
5.18data from the named entity, the secretary of state must promptly remove the challenged
5.19status. If an individual disagrees with the decision of the named entity, the individual may
5.20appeal to the district court.
5.21(e) For purposes of this section, "named entity" means the entity listed in the notice as
5.22required by subdivision 1, clause (3).
5.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2024, and applies to individuals
5.24who are challenged on or after that date, and applies to reports received by the secretary of
5.25state on or after that date. The notices required by subdivision 1 must be sent to individuals
5.26who are challenged in the statewide voter registration system pursuant to this section on or
5.27after July 1, 2024."
5.28Page 26 after line 16, insert:

5.29    "Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 201.225, subdivision 2, is amended
5.30to read:
5.31    Subd. 2. Technology requirements. An electronic roster must:
5.32(1) be able to be loaded with a data file that includes voter registration data in a file
5.33format prescribed by the secretary of state;
6.1(2) allow for data to be exported in a file format prescribed by the secretary of state;
6.2(3) allow for data to be entered manually or by scanning a Minnesota driver's license or
6.3identification card to locate a voter record or populate a voter registration application that
6.4would be printed and signed and dated by the voter and affixed to the provisional ballot
6.5envelope. The printed registration application can be a printed form, a label printed with
6.6voter information to be affixed to a preprinted form, a combination of a form and label, or
6.7an electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion
6.8at the polling place;
6.9(4) allow an election judge to update data that was populated from a scanned driver's
6.10license or identification card;
6.11(5) cue an election judge to ask for and input data that is not populated from a scanned
6.12driver's license or identification card that is otherwise required to be collected from the voter
6.13or an election judge;
6.14(6) immediately alert the election judge if the voter has provided information that indicates
6.15that the voter is not eligible to vote;
6.16(7) immediately alert the election judge if the electronic roster indicates that a voter has
6.17already voted in that precinct, the voter's registration status is challenged, or it appears the
6.18voter maintains residence in a different precinct;
6.19(8) provide immediate instructions on how to resolve a particular type of challenge when
6.20a voter's record is challenged;
6.21(9) provide for a printed voter signature certificate, containing the voter's name, address
6.22of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, the oath required by section 204C.10,
6.23and a space for the voter's original signature. The printed voter signature certificate can be
6.24a printed form, a label printed with the voter's information to be affixed to the oath, or an
6.25electronic record that the voter signs electronically and is printed following its completion
6.26at the polling place;
6.27(10) contain only preregistered voters within the precinct, and not contain preregistered
6.28voter data on voters registered outside of the precinct, unless being utilized for absentee or
6.29early voting under chapter 203B or for mail balloting on election day pursuant to section
6.30204B.45, subdivision 2a;
6.31(11) be only networked within the polling location on election day, except for the purpose
6.32of updating absentee ballot records;
7.1(12) meet minimum security, reliability, and networking standards established by the
7.2Office of the Secretary of State in consultation with the Department of Information
7.3Technology Services;
7.4(13) be capable of providing a voter's correct polling place; and
7.5(14) perform any other functions necessary for the efficient and secure administration
7.6of the participating election, as determined by the secretary of state.
7.7Electronic rosters used only for election day registration do not need to comply with clauses
7.8(1), (8), and (10). Electronic rosters used only for preregistered voter processing do not need
7.9to comply with clauses (4) and (5).
7.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
7.11held on or after that date.

7.12    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 201.225, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
7.13    Subd. 5. Election day. (a) Precincts may use electronic rosters for election day
7.14registration, to process preregistered voters, or both. The printed election day registration
7.15applications must be reviewed when electronic records are processed in the statewide voter
7.16registration system. The election judges shall determine the number of ballots to be counted
7.17by counting the number of original voter signature certificates or the number of voter receipts.
7.18(b) Each precinct using electronic rosters shall have a paper backup system approved
7.19by the secretary of state present at the polling place to use in the event that the election
7.20judges are unable to use the electronic roster.
7.21EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
7.22held on or after that date."
7.23Page 27, after line 33, insert:

7.24    "Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 203B.04, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
7.25    Subd. 4. Registration at time of application. An eligible voter who is not registered
7.26to vote but who is otherwise eligible to vote by absentee ballot may register by including
7.27submitting a completed voter registration application with the absentee ballot. The individual
7.28shall present proof of residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3, to the
7.29individual who witnesses the marking of the absentee ballots If the absentee ballot and voter
7.30registration application are returned by mail, the voter registration must be placed into the
7.31return envelope along with the signature envelope. A military voter, as defined in section
8.1203B.01, may register in this manner if voting pursuant to sections 203B.04 to 203B.15, or
8.2may register pursuant to sections 203B.16 to 203B.27.
8.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
8.4held on or after that date."
8.5Page 28, line 15, after the semicolon, insert "and"
8.6Page 28, line 18, strike "; and" and insert a period
8.7Page 28, strike lines 19 and 20
8.8Page 28, after line 22, insert:

8.9    "Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 203B.08, subdivision 3, is amended
8.10to read:
8.11    Subd. 3. Procedures on receipt of ballots. (a) When absentee ballots are returned to a
8.12county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return
8.13envelope and. The county auditor must open the return envelope to determine if a voter
8.14registration application is in the envelope. If a voter registration application is in the envelope,
8.15the county auditor must remove the voter registration application. The county auditor must
8.16reseal the return envelope, initial across the seal, and note that a voter registration application
8.17was removed from the envelope. The county auditor must place it all return envelopes in a
8.18locked ballot container or other secured and locked space with other return envelopes
8.19received by that office. Except for voter registration applications removed pursuant to this
8.20section, all contents of the return envelope must remain in the return envelope until delivered
8.21to the ballot board.
8.22    (b) Within five days after receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to
8.23the ballot board all ballots received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding
8.24an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots received to the
8.25ballot board within three days. Ballots received on election day after 8:00 p.m. shall be
8.26marked as received late by the county auditor or municipal clerk, and must not be delivered
8.27to the ballot board.
8.28(c) Upon removing the voter registration application as required by paragraph (a), the
8.29county auditor must immediately process the voter registration application as provided in
8.30section 201.121, subdivisions 1 and 2.
8.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
8.32held on or after that date.

9.1    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 203B.081, subdivision 3, is amended
9.2to read:
9.3    Subd. 3. Alternative procedure. (a) In elections not eligible to use early voting under
9.4subdivision 1a, the county auditor may make available a ballot counter and ballot box for
9.5use by the preregistered voters during the 18 days before the election. If a ballot counter
9.6and ballot box is provided, a voter must be given the option either (1) to vote using the
9.7process provided in section 203B.08, subdivision 1, or (2) to vote in the manner provided
9.8in this subdivision.
9.9(b) If a voter chooses to vote in the manner provided in this subdivision, the voter must
9.10state the voter's name, address, and date of birth to the county auditor or municipal clerk.
9.11The voter shall sign a voter's certificate, which must include the voter's name, identification
9.12number, and the certification required by section 201.071, subdivision 1. The signature of
9.13an individual on the voter's certificate and the issuance of a ballot to the individual is evidence
9.14of the intent of the individual to vote at that election.
9.15(c) After signing the voter's certificate, the voter shall be issued a ballot and immediately
9.16retire to a voting station or other designated location in the polling place to mark the ballot.
9.17The ballot must not be taken from the polling place. If the voter spoils the ballot, the voter
9.18may return it to the election official in exchange for a new ballot. After completing the
9.19ballot, the voter shall deposit the ballot into the ballot box.
9.20(d) The election official must immediately record that the voter has voted in the manner
9.21provided in section 203B.121, subdivision 3.
9.22(e) The election duties required by this subdivision must be performed by an election
9.23judge, the county auditor, municipal clerk, or a deputy of the auditor or clerk.
9.24(f) If a person is not preregistered to vote, the person must not be allowed to cast an
9.25absentee ballot using the alternative procedure authorized by this subdivision.
9.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
9.27held on or after that date.

9.28    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 203B.121, subdivision 2, is amended
9.29to read:
9.30    Subd. 2. Duties of ballot board; absentee ballots. (a) The members of the ballot board
9.31shall take possession of all signature envelopes delivered to them in accordance with section
9.32203B.08. Upon receipt from the county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk,
9.33two or more members of the ballot board shall examine each signature envelope and shall
10.1mark it accepted or rejected in the manner provided in this subdivision. Election judges
10.2performing the duties in this section must be of different major political parties, unless they
10.3are exempt from that requirement under section 205.075, subdivision 4, or section 205A.10,
10.4subdivision 2.
10.5(b) The members of the ballot board shall mark the signature envelope "Accepted" and
10.6initial or sign the signature envelope below the word "Accepted" if a majority of the members
10.7of the ballot board examining the envelope are satisfied that:
10.8(1) the voter's name and address on the signature envelope are the same as the information
10.9provided on the absentee ballot application or voter record;
10.10(2) the voter signed the certification on the envelope;
10.11(3) the voter's Minnesota driver's license, state identification number, or the last four
10.12digits of the voter's Social Security number are the same as a number on the voter's absentee
10.13ballot application or voter record. If the number does not match, the election judges must
10.14compare the signature provided by the applicant to determine whether the ballots were
10.15returned by the same person to whom they were transmitted;
10.16(4) the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a properly
10.17completed voter registration application in the signature envelope;
10.18(5) the certificate has been completed as prescribed in the directions for casting an
10.19absentee ballot; and
10.20(6) the voter has not already voted at that election, either in person or, if it is after the
10.21close of business on the 19th day before the election, as provided by section 203B.081.
10.22The signature envelope from accepted ballots must be preserved and returned to the
10.23county auditor.
10.24(c)(1) If a majority of the members of the ballot board examining a signature envelope
10.25find that an absentee voter has failed to meet one of the requirements provided in paragraph
10.26(b), they shall mark the signature envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the word
10.27"Rejected," list the reason for the rejection on the envelope, and return it to the county
10.28auditor. There is no other reason for rejecting an absentee ballot beyond those permitted by
10.29this section. Failure to place the ballot within the ballot envelope before placing it in the
10.30outer white envelope is not a reason to reject an absentee ballot.
10.31(2) If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the envelope
10.32must remain sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board shall provide the voter with
10.33a replacement absentee ballot and signature envelope in place of the rejected ballot.
11.1(3) If an envelope is rejected within five days of the election, the envelope must remain
11.2sealed and the official in charge of the ballot board must attempt to contact the voter to
11.3notify the voter that the voter's ballot has been rejected. The ballot board must contact the
11.4voter by the method or methods of communication provided by the voter on the voter's
11.5application for an absentee ballot or voter registration. The official must document the
11.6attempts made to contact the voter.
11.7(d) The official in charge of the absentee ballot board must mail the voter a written notice
11.8of absentee ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. If the official
11.9determines that the voter has otherwise cast a ballot in the election, no notice is required.
11.10If an absentee ballot arrives after the deadline for submission provided by this chapter, the
11.11notice must be provided between six to ten weeks after receipt of the ballot. A notice of
11.12absentee ballot rejection must contain the following information:
11.13(1) the date on which the absentee ballot was rejected or, if the ballot was received after
11.14the required deadline for submission, the date on which the ballot was received;
11.15(2) the reason for rejection; and
11.16(3) the name of the appropriate election official to whom the voter may direct further
11.17questions, along with appropriate contact information.
11.18(e) An absentee ballot signature envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or
11.19subject to further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.
11.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
11.21held on or after that date."
11.22Page 33, after line 10, insert:

11.23    "Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 204C.10, is amended to read:
11.24204C.10 POLLING PLACE ROSTER; VOTER SIGNATURE CERTIFICATE;
11.25VOTER RECEIPT.
11.26(a) An individual seeking to vote shall sign a polling place roster or voter signature
11.27certificate which states that the individual:
11.28(1) is at least 18 years old;
11.29(2) is a citizen of the United States;
11.30(3) has maintained residence in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding the election;
11.31(4) maintains residence at the address shown;
12.1(5) is not under a guardianship in which the court order revokes the individual's right to
12.2vote;
12.3(6) has not been found by a court of law to be legally incompetent to vote;
12.4(7) has the right to vote because, if the individual was convicted of a felony, the individual
12.5is not currently incarcerated for that conviction;
12.6(8) is registered; and
12.7(9) has not already voted in the election.
12.8The roster must also state: "I understand that deliberately providing false information
12.9is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than
12.10$10,000, or both."
12.11(b) At the presidential nomination primary, the polling place roster must also state: "I
12.12am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to
12.13vote." This statement must appear separately from the statements required in paragraph (a).
12.14The felony penalty provided for in paragraph (a) does not apply to this paragraph.
12.15(c) A judge may, Before the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, an
12.16election judge must confirm the applicant's name, address, and date of birth. If the voter's
12.17registration status is challenged, the voter must not be allowed to sign the polling place
12.18roster or a voter signature certificate, but must be allowed to cast an administrative-challenged
12.19ballot or a verification-challenged ballot pursuant to section 204C.136. A voter must be
12.20allowed to cast an administrative-challenged ballot if the basis of the challenge is:
12.21(1) based on a death reported by the commissioner of health;
12.22(2) a name change recorded with a court in state;
12.23(3) a Minnesota court order revoking the person's right to vote or where the court has
12.24found the person to be legally incompetent to vote;
12.25(4) a felony conviction; or
12.26(5) a temporary lawful status in the county based on a person's driver's license status.
12.27A voter must be allowed to cast a verification-challenged ballot if the challenge is for any
12.28other reason.
12.29(d) After the applicant signs the roster or voter signature certificate, the judge shall give
12.30the applicant a voter's receipt. The voter shall deliver the voter's receipt to the judge in
12.31charge of ballots as proof of the voter's right to vote, and thereupon the judge shall hand to
13.1the voter the ballot. The voters' receipts must be maintained during the time for notice of
13.2filing an election contest.
13.3(e) Whenever a challenged status appears on the polling place roster, If a voter has a
13.4challenged status in the statewide voter registration system at the time the roster was prepared,
13.5the voter's challenged status must be indicated on the roster. The roster must also include
13.6the basis for the challenge. an election judge must ensure that the challenge is concealed or
13.7hidden from the view of any voter other than the voter whose status is challenged.
13.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
13.9held on or after that date.

13.10    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 204C.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
13.11    Subd. 2. Statement of grounds; oath. A challenger must be a resident of this state. The
13.12secretary of state shall prepare a form that challengers must complete and sign when making
13.13a challenge. The form must include space to state the ground for the challenge, a statement
13.14that the challenge is based on the challenger's personal knowledge, and a statement that the
13.15challenge is made under oath. The form must include a space for the challenger's printed
13.16name, signature, telephone number, and address.
13.17An election judge shall administer to the challenged individual the following oath:
13.18"Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will fully and truly answer all questions
13.19put to you concerning your eligibility to vote at this election?"
13.20The election judge shall then ask the challenged individual sufficient questions to test
13.21that individual's residence and right to vote.
13.22EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
13.23held on or after that date.

13.24    Sec. 47. [204C.135] PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.
13.25    Subdivision 1. Casting provisional ballots. (a) A voter who registered on election day
13.26pursuant to section 201.061, subdivision 3, is entitled to cast a provisional ballot.
13.27(b) A voter seeking to cast a provisional ballot must sign a provisional ballot roster or
13.28a provisional voter signature certificate and complete a voter registration application. The
13.29voter registration application may be completed by an electronic roster and affixed to the
13.30provisional ballot envelope. The voter must also swear or affirm in writing that the voter is
14.1eligible to vote, has not voted previously in the same election, and meets the criteria for
14.2registering to vote in the precinct in which the voter appears.
14.3(c) Once the voter has completed the provisional ballot envelope, the voter must be
14.4allowed to cast a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot must be in the same form as the
14.5official ballot available in the precinct on election day. A completed provisional ballot shall
14.6be sealed in a secrecy envelope. The secrecy envelope shall be sealed inside the voter's
14.7provisional ballot envelope and deposited by the voter in a secure, sealed provisional ballot
14.8box. Completed provisional ballots must not be combined with other voted ballots in the
14.9polling place.
14.10(d) The secretary of state must prescribe the form of the secrecy and provisional ballot
14.11envelopes. The provisional ballot envelope must be a color other than that provided for
14.12absentee ballot envelopes or challenged ballot envelopes and must be prominently labeled
14.13"Provisional Ballot Envelope."
14.14(e) Provisional ballots and related documentation shall be delivered to and securely
14.15maintained by the county auditor or municipal clerk in the same manner as required for
14.16other election materials under sections 204C.27 and 204C.28.
14.17    Subd. 2. Accepting or rejecting provisional ballot envelopes. (a) Within seven days
14.18after the election, two or more election judges that are affiliated with different major political
14.19parties must process each applicant's registration application as provided by section 201.121,
14.20subdivisions 1 and 2. If more than two election judges are processing registration applications,
14.21the party balance requirements of section 204B.19, subdivision 5, apply. All election judges
14.22processing voter registration applications must have a major political party affiliation. If
14.23the applicant is registered to vote, then the election judges must determine if the voter's
14.24status is challenged in the statewide voter registration system. If the voter's status is
14.25challenged, the provisional ballot must not be accepted but must be processed as a challenged
14.26ballot as provided in section 204C.136, subdivision 2. If the ballot will be treated as a
14.27verification-challenged ballot, the election judges must attempt to contact the voter to inform
14.28the voter they must appear in person to prove their eligibility to vote before their ballot will
14.29be counted. If the applicant is registered to vote and the voter's status is not challenged in
14.30the statewide voter registration system, that voter's provisional ballot envelope must be
14.31accepted. The election judges must mark the provisional ballot envelope "Accepted" and
14.32initial or sign the envelope below the word "Accepted." If the applicant is not registered to
14.33vote, the provisional ballot envelope must be rejected. If a provisional ballot envelope is
14.34rejected, the election judges must mark the provisional ballot envelope "Rejected," initial
14.35or sign it below the word "Rejected," and list the reason for rejection on the envelope. The
15.1election judges must promptly record in the statewide voter registration system that a voter's
15.2provisional ballot envelope has been accepted or rejected.
15.3(b) The county auditor or municipal clerk must mail the voter a written notice of
15.4provisional ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. The notice
15.5must include the reason for rejection and the name of the appropriate election official to
15.6whom the voter may direct further questions, along with appropriate contact information.
15.7(c) A provisional ballot envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or subject to
15.8further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.
15.9    Subd. 3. Provisional ballots; reconciliation. On the seventh day after the election and
15.10prior to counting any provisional ballots in the final vote totals from a precinct, the two or
15.11more election judges that are affiliated with different major political parties must verify that
15.12the number of signatures appearing on the provisional ballot roster from that precinct is
15.13equal to or greater than the number of provisional ballots submitted by voters in the precinct
15.14on election day. If more than two election judges are reconciling ballots, the party balance
15.15requirements of section 204B.19, subdivision 5, apply. All election judges must have a
15.16major political party affiliation. Any discrepancy must be resolved before the provisional
15.17ballots from the precinct may be counted. Excess provisional ballots must be randomly
15.18withdrawn from the accepted provisional ballots in the manner required by section 204C.20,
15.19subdivision 2.
15.20    Subd. 4. Counting provisional ballots. Once the reconciliation process required by
15.21subdivision 3 is completed, accepted provisional ballot envelopes must be opened; duplicated
15.22as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, subdivision 5; initialed by the election
15.23judges; and deposited in the appropriate ballot box. If more than one ballot is enclosed in
15.24the ballot envelope, the ballots must be spoiled and must not be counted.
15.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
15.26held on or after that date.

15.27    Sec. 48. [204C.136] CHALLENGED BALLOTS.
15.28    Subdivision 1. Casting challenged ballots. (a) A voter whose registration status is
15.29challenged is entitled to cast a challenged ballot. A voter must be allowed to cast an
15.30administrative-challenged ballot if the basis of the challenge is:
15.31(1) based on a death reported by the commissioner of health;
15.32(2) a name change recorded with a court in state;
16.1(3) a Minnesota court order revoking the person's right to vote or where the court has
16.2found the person to be legally incompetent to vote;
16.3(4) a felony conviction; or
16.4(5) a temporary lawful status in the county based on a person's driver's license status.
16.5A voter must be allowed to cast a verification-challenged ballot if the challenge is for any
16.6other reason. For purposes of this section, both types of challenged ballots are handled in
16.7the same manner except where otherwise specified.
16.8(b) A voter seeking to cast a challenged ballot must sign a challenged ballot roster or a
16.9challenged voter signature certificate and complete a challenged ballot envelope. The roster
16.10must indicate whether the voter is provided with an administrative-challenged ballot or a
16.11verification-challenged ballot. The envelope must contain a space for the voter to list the
16.12voter's name, address of residence, date of birth, voter identification number, and any other
16.13information prescribed by the secretary of state. The voter must also swear or affirm, in
16.14writing, that the voter is eligible to vote, has not voted previously in the same election, and
16.15meets the criteria for registering to vote in the precinct in which the voter appears.
16.16(c) Once the voter has completed the challenged ballot envelope, the voter must be
16.17allowed to cast a challenged ballot. The challenged ballot must be in the same form as the
16.18official ballot available in the precinct on election day. A completed challenged ballot shall
16.19be sealed in a secrecy envelope. The secrecy envelope shall be sealed inside the voter's
16.20challenged ballot envelope and deposited by the voter in a secure, sealed challenged ballot
16.21box. There must be separate ballot boxes for administrative-challenged ballot envelopes
16.22and verification-challenged ballot envelopes. Completed challenged ballots may not be
16.23combined with other voted ballots in the polling place.
16.24(d) The form of the secrecy and challenged ballot envelopes shall be prescribed by the
16.25secretary of state. The administrative-challenged ballot envelopes and verification-challenged
16.26ballot envelopes must be different colors and must be a color other than that provided for
16.27absentee ballot envelopes or provisional ballot envelopes and must be prominently labeled
16.28"Administrative-Challenged Ballot Envelope" or "Verification-Challenged Ballot Envelope."
16.29(e) Challenged ballots and related documentation shall be delivered to and securely
16.30maintained by the county auditor or municipal clerk in the same manner as required for
16.31other election materials under sections 204C.27 and 204C.28.
16.32    Subd. 2. Accepting or rejecting challenged ballot envelopes. (a) This paragraph applies
16.33to accepting or rejecting administrative-challenged ballot envelopes. Before the meeting of
17.1the canvassing board, the two or more election judges that are affiliated with different major
17.2political parties must accept or reject each challenged ballot. If more than two election
17.3judges are processing registration applications, the party balance requirements of section
17.4204B.19, subdivision 5, apply. All election judges processing voter registration applications
17.5must have a major political party affiliation. The election judges must review the information
17.6in the statewide voter registration system, required by section 201.145, subdivision 1, for
17.7the date of the election. If the information shows that the voter was not challenged, or should
17.8not have been challenged on that date and was otherwise eligible to vote, that voter's
17.9challenged ballot must be accepted. The election judges must mark the challenged ballot
17.10envelope "Accepted" and initial or sign the envelope below the word "Accepted." If a
17.11challenged ballot envelope is not accepted, the election judges must mark the challenged
17.12ballot envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the word "Rejected," and list the reason
17.13for the rejection on the envelope. The election judges must promptly record in the statewide
17.14voter registration system that a voter's challenged ballot has been accepted or rejected.
17.15(b) This paragraph applies to accepting or rejecting verification-challenged ballot
17.16envelopes. A voter who casts a verification-challenged ballot may personally appear at the
17.17office of the county auditor or municipal clerk no later than seven calendar days following
17.18the election to prove that the voter's challenged ballot should be counted. The county auditor's
17.19office and the city clerk's office must be open for approving verification-challenged ballots
17.20on the Saturday following the election for the hours prescribed in section 203B.085. The
17.21voter must provide proof of eligibility to vote in the precinct where the voter cast the
17.22verification-challenged ballot. Two or more election judges that are affiliated with different
17.23major political parties must review the voter's proof of eligibility. If more than two election
17.24judges are reviewing eligibility, the party balance requirements of section 204B.19,
17.25subdivision 5, apply. All election judges processing voter registration applications must
17.26have a major political party affiliation. The election judges must accept a challenged ballot
17.27if the voter is able to provide satisfactory proof of the voter's eligibility. The election judges
17.28must mark the challenged ballot envelope "Accepted" and initial or sign the envelope below
17.29the word "Accepted." If a challenged ballot envelope is not accepted, the election judges
17.30must mark the challenged ballot envelope "Rejected," initial or sign it below the word
17.31"Rejected," and list the reason for the rejection on the envelope. The election judges must
17.32promptly record in the statewide voter registration system that a voter's challenged ballot
17.33has been accepted or rejected.
17.34(c) The county auditor or municipal clerk must mail the voter a written notice of
17.35challenged ballot rejection between six and ten weeks following the election. The notice
18.1must include the reason for rejection and the name of the appropriate election official to
18.2whom the voter may direct further questions, along with appropriate contact information.
18.3(d) A challenged ballot envelope marked "Rejected" may not be opened or subject to
18.4further review except in an election contest filed pursuant to chapter 209.
18.5    Subd. 3. Challenged ballots; reconciliation. Prior to counting any challenged ballots
18.6in the final vote totals from a precinct, the two or more election judges that are affiliated
18.7with different major political parties must verify that the number of signatures appearing
18.8on the challenged ballot roster from that precinct is equal to or greater than the number of
18.9challenged ballots submitted by voters in the precinct on election day. If more than two
18.10election judges are reconciling ballots, the party balance requirements of section 204B.19,
18.11subdivision 5, apply. All election judges must have a major political party affiliation. Any
18.12discrepancy must be resolved before the challenged ballots from the precinct may be counted.
18.13Excess challenged ballots to be counted must be randomly withdrawn in the manner required
18.14by section 204C.20, subdivision 2.
18.15    Subd. 4. Counting challenged ballots. Accepted challenged ballot envelopes must be
18.16opened, duplicated as needed in the manner provided in section 206.86, subdivision 5,
18.17initialed by the election judges, and deposited in the appropriate ballot box. If more than
18.18one ballot is enclosed in the ballot envelope, the ballots must be spoiled and must not be
18.19counted.
18.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
18.21held on or after that date.

18.22    Sec. 49. [204C.137] PROVISIONAL AND CHALLENGED BALLOTS; PUBLIC
18.23INFORMATION LISTS.
18.24On the eighth day after the election, the following information must be made available
18.25for public inspection:
18.26(1) the names of all voters who cast provisional ballots;
18.27(2) the names of all voters whose provisional ballots were rejected;
18.28(3) the names of all voters who cast challenged ballots and whether the ballot was an
18.29administrative-challenged ballot or a verification-challenged ballot; and
18.30(4) the names of all voters whose challenged ballots were rejected.
18.31This information must be available to the public in the same manner as public information
18.32lists in section 201.091, subdivisions 4, 5, and 9.
19.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
19.2held on or after that date."
19.3Page 35, after line 6, insert:

19.4    "Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 204C.32, is amended to read:
19.5204C.32 CANVASS OF STATE PRIMARIES.
19.6    Subdivision 1. County canvass. The county canvassing board shall meet at the county
19.7auditor's office on either the second or third the tenth day following the state primary. After
19.8taking the oath of office, the canvassing board shall publicly canvass the election returns
19.9delivered to the county auditor. The board shall complete the canvass by the third tenth day
19.10following the state primary and shall promptly prepare and file with the county auditor a
19.11report that states:
19.12(a) the number of individuals voting at the election in the county, and in each precinct;
19.13(b) the number of individuals registering to vote on election day and the number of
19.14individuals registered before election day in each precinct;
19.15(c) for each major political party, the names of the candidates running for each partisan
19.16office and the number of votes received by each candidate in the county and in each precinct;
19.17(d) the names of the candidates of each major political party who are nominated; and
19.18(e) the number of votes received by each of the candidates for nonpartisan office in each
19.19precinct in the county and the names of the candidates nominated for nonpartisan office.
19.20Upon completion of the canvass, the county auditor shall mail or deliver a notice of
19.21nomination to each nominee for county office voted for only in that county. The county
19.22auditor shall transmit one of the certified copies of the county canvassing board report for
19.23state and federal offices to the secretary of state by express mail or similar service
19.24immediately upon conclusion of the county canvass. The secretary of state shall mail a
19.25notice of nomination to each nominee for state or federal office.
19.26    Subd. 2. State canvass. The State Canvassing Board shall meet at a public meeting
19.27space located in the Capitol complex area seven 14 days after the state primary to canvass
19.28the certified copies of the county canvassing board reports received from the county auditors.
19.29Immediately after the canvassing board declares the results, the secretary of state shall
19.30certify the names of the nominees to the county auditors. The secretary of state shall mail
19.31to each nominee a notice of nomination.
20.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
20.2held on or after that date."
20.3Page 35, line 9, strike "third" and insert "tenth" and delete "eighth" and insert "17th"
20.4Page 36, after line 5, insert:
20.5"EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
20.6held on or after that date."
20.7Page 36, delete section 41
20.8Page 40, after line 21, insert:

20.9    "Sec. 61. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 205.065, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
20.10    Subd. 5. Results. The municipal primary shall be conducted and the returns made in the
20.11manner provided for the state primary so far as practicable. The canvass may be conducted
20.12on either the second or third day after the primary.
20.13The governing body of the municipality shall canvass the returns on the tenth day after
20.14the primary, and the two candidates for each office who receive the highest number of votes,
20.15or a number of candidates equal to twice the number of individuals to be elected to the
20.16office, who receive the highest number of votes, shall be the nominees for the office named.
20.17Their names shall be certified to the municipal clerk who shall place them on the municipal
20.18general election ballot without partisan designation and without payment of an additional
20.19fee.
20.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
20.21held on or after that date."
20.22Page 41, after line 7, insert:

20.23    "Sec. 65. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 205.185, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
20.24    Subd. 3. Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition. (a) Between
20.25the third tenth and tenth 17th days after an election, the governing body of a city conducting
20.26any election including a special municipal election, or the governing body of a town
20.27conducting the general election in November shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the
20.28returns, and declare the results of the election. The governing body of a town conducting
20.29the general election in March shall act as the canvassing board, canvass the returns, and
20.30declare the results of the election within two nine days after an election.
21.1(b) After the time for contesting elections has passed, the municipal clerk shall issue a
21.2certificate of election to each successful candidate. In case of a contest, the certificate shall
21.3not be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court.
21.4(c) In case of a tie vote, the canvassing board having jurisdiction over the municipality
21.5shall determine the result by lot. The clerk of the canvassing board shall certify the results
21.6of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final custodian of the ballots
21.7and the returns of the election.
21.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
21.9held on or after that date.

21.10    Sec. 66. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 205A.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
21.11    Subd. 4. Results. (a) The school district primary must be conducted and the returns
21.12made in the manner provided for the state primary as far as practicable. If the primary is
21.13conducted:
21.14(1) only within that school district, a canvass may be conducted on either the second or
21.15third day after the primary; or
21.16(2) in conjunction with the state primary, the canvass must be conducted on the third
21.17day after the primary, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b).
21.18On the tenth day after the primary, the school board of the school district shall canvass
21.19the returns, and the two candidates for each specified school board position who receive
21.20the highest number of votes, or a number of candidates equal to twice the number of
21.21individuals to be elected to at-large school board positions who receive the highest number
21.22of votes, are the nominees for the office named. Their names must be certified to the school
21.23district clerk who shall place them on the school district general election ballot without
21.24partisan designation and without payment of an additional fee.
21.25(b) Following a school district primary as described in paragraph (a), clause (2), a canvass
21.26may be conducted on the second day after the primary if the county auditor of each county
21.27in which the school district is located agrees to administratively review the school district's
21.28primary voting statistics for accuracy and completeness within a time that permits the canvass
21.29to be conducted on that day.
21.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
21.31held on or after that date."
21.32Page 41, after line 29, insert:

22.1    "Sec. 70. Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 205A.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.2    Subd. 3. Canvass of returns, certificate of election, ballots, disposition. Between the
22.3third tenth and tenth 17th days after a school district election other than a recount of a special
22.4election conducted under section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59, the school board shall
22.5canvass the returns and declare the results of the election. After the time for contesting
22.6elections has passed, the school district clerk shall issue a certificate of election to each
22.7successful candidate. If there is a contest, the certificate of election to that office must not
22.8be issued until the outcome of the contest has been determined by the proper court. If there
22.9is a tie vote, the school board shall determine the result by lot. The clerk shall deliver the
22.10certificate of election to the successful candidate by personal service or certified mail. The
22.11successful candidate shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk
22.12within 30 days of the date of mailing or personal service. A person who fails to qualify prior
22.13to the time specified shall be deemed to have refused to serve, but that filing may be made
22.14at any time before action to fill the vacancy has been taken. The school district clerk shall
22.15certify the results of the election to the county auditor, and the clerk shall be the final
22.16custodian of the ballots and the returns of the election.
22.17A school district canvassing board shall perform the duties of the school board according
22.18to the requirements of this subdivision for a recount of a special election conducted under
22.19section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or 475.59.
22.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
22.21held on or after that date."
22.22Page 43, delete section 55
22.23Page 60, after line 12, insert:

22.24    "Sec. 115. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN; SECRETARY OF STATE.
22.25The secretary of state must contract with a vendor to conduct a public awareness campaign
22.26to encourage people to register to vote prior to election day. At a minimum, the vendor must
22.27conduct the public awareness campaign in each even-numbered year from June 1 until the
22.28voter registration period ends prior to the state general election. The secretary of state may
22.29consult with the vendor in coordinating material related to the campaign, but the secretary,
22.30the secretary's staff, and any other documents or materials promoting the Office of the
22.31Secretary of State may not appear visually or audibly in any advertising or promotional
22.32items disseminated by the vendor as part of the public awareness campaign.
23.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
23.2held on or after that date."
23.3Page 61, after line 3, insert:

23.4    "Sec. 119. REPEALER.
23.5Minnesota Statutes 2022, sections 201.061, subdivision 7; and 204C.12, subdivision 3,
23.6are repealed.
23.7Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 135A.17, subdivision 2; and 201.061,
23.8subdivision 3a, are repealed.
23.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2025, and applies to elections
23.10held on or after that date."
23.11Renumber the sections in sequence and correct the internal references
23.12Amend the title accordingly
23.13The motion prevailed. #did not prevail. So the amendment was #not adopted.