This bill requires early voting to be available for all primary, general, and special elections for federal, state, or county office.  The early voting period is 15 days prior to the election through 5:00 p.m. on the third day before the election.

Section 1 requires that the statewide voter registration system be able to provide reports necessary for early voting.

Section 2 provides that Minnesota Election Law applies to early voting unless otherwise specified.

Section 3 provides a definition of early voting.

Section 4 adds references to early voting to existing list of prohibited activities related to absentee voting.

Section 5 allows a city clerk of a city or town to administer early voting.  The process for determining when a clerk will administer early voting is the same as the current process for absentee voting.

Section 6 provides that an eligible voter may not vote by in-person absentee ballot during the early voting period.

Section 7 provides the time period during which a county auditor’s office, city clerk’s office, or town clerk’s office must be open to accept absentee ballot applications and for in-person absentee voting.  The offices must be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the day before a federal, state, or county election.  For an election not held in conjunction with a federal, state, or county election, the office must be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and until 5:00 p.m. the day before a primary, special, or general election; this is the time period stated in current law.

Section 8 requires local governments that are administering early voting to establish a ballot board.

Section 9 requires the members of an early voting absentee ballot board to administer the provisions of early voting.  The ballot board must make a record of voters who cast ballots early.  The ballots must be counted in the same manner as absentee ballots.

Section 10 requires the county auditor or municipal clerk to record when a voter casts a ballot under the early voting procedures.  A voter whose record indicates they have cast an early ballot must not be allowed to cast another ballot in the election.  At the close of business on the day before the early voting period begins, a voter whose record indicates that an absentee ballot has been accepted must not be allowed to cast another ballot in the election.  The auditor or clerk must also record information for early voters and absentee voters for county elections, in addition to the currently required elections.  Early voters must also be marked on the supplemental report required by current law.

Section 11 allows accepted absentee ballots to be opened after the close of business on the day before the early voting period starts.

Section 12 requires early voting ballots to be stored and counted in the same manner as absentee ballots.

Section 13 provides for an eligible voter to vote in person before election day in the manner provided in the bill.

Section 14 states that the time period for early voting is 15 days before the election through 5:00 p.m. on the third day before the election.  This applies to every primary, general, and special election for federal, state, or county office.  All voters in line at 5:00 p.m. on the last day of early voting must be allowed to vote in the same manner as voters in line on Election Day.

Section 15 provides that early voting must be available between 8:00 a.m and 4:30 p.m. on each weekday during the early voting period, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on at least one weekday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the two Saturdays before the election.

Section 16 requires that early voting be available at polling places designated in county auditor offices in county-owned or operated buildings and at the municipal clerk’s office.  At least one voting station and one ballot marking device for disabled voters must be available at each polling place.  The county auditor must make an electronic ballot counter available in each polling place.

Section 17 requires the county auditor to notify voters on the days, times, and locations for early voting. The notice must be posted on county and municipal Web sites.  If there is no Web site, the notice must be published.

Section 18 requires each voter to sign the same certification election day voters are required to sign before the voter gets a ballot.  An individual not registered to vote must follow current registration laws.  The voter may not leave the polling place with the ballot.  Ballots cast pursuant to this act must be processed and counted by a ballot board.

Section 19 requires the county auditor to prepare and make available early voting election materials be made available to city clerks at least one day prior to the beginning of the early voting period.

Section 20 requires the computer program for an election to be completed and delivered to the election jurisdiction or county auditor at least 27 days prior to the election.

Section 21 requires testing of voting systems within 22 days before an election, instead of 14.

Section 22 provides that the act is effective when the Secretary of State makes the required certifications.

Section 23 provides for an appropriation in fiscal year 2014 from the general fund to the Secretary of State to implement this act.

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