Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 564 - Absentee Voting Modifications (As Amended, the A-1 Amendment)
 
Author: Senator Katie Sieben
 
Prepared By: Alexis C. Stangl, Senate Counsel (651/296-4397)
 
Date: February 20, 2013



 

This bill allows all voters to vote by absentee ballot without excuse or reason.  The bill also amends the process for in-person absentee voting during the three days leading up to an election.  During this period, a voter that casts an absentee ballot places the ballot in the ballot box instead of into an absentee ballot envelope.  These ballots are generally handled in the same manner as other absentee ballots.

Section 1 removes the reasons for which a person may vote by absentee ballot.  Thus, any eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot without excuse.

Section 2 makes conforming changes in the existing list of prohibited activities.

Section 3 removes a cross-reference to the reasons for which a person may vote by absentee ballot.

Section 4 allows any eligible voter to apply to automatically receive an absentee ballot before each election.  The voter must then automatically be provided an absentee ballot for each election.  Permanent absentee status ends upon the occurrence of one of the specified events.  This provision is similar to both the current permanent absentee voting provisions and the ongoing absentee voting provisions.

Section 5 makes conforming changes.  The delete lines cross-reference one subdivision that is amended by section 4 of the bill and another subdivision that is repealed by the bill.

Section 6 allows the county auditor or municipal clerk to deliver an absentee ballot directly to a voter who is casting an in-person absentee ballot in the three days prior to an election.

Section 7 requires the county auditor or municipal clerk to record in the statewide voter registration system that a voter has cast an in-person absentee ballot in the three days prior to the election.

Section 8 creates a new section of law that applies to in-person absentee voting during the three days prior to an election.

Subdivision 1 provides that an eligible voter must be allowed to cast an in-person absentee ballot at a primary, general, or special federal, state, or county election pursuant to outlined provisions.  Cities, towns, and school districts may also follow the procedures if they have necessary access to the statewide voter registration system and have approval by the governing body.

Subdivision 2 states that the provisions of this section apply from the start of business on the third day prior to an election and continue through the close of business on the day before the election.  During this time, any eligible voter may cast an in-person absentee ballot at the county auditor’s office or designated municipal or school district clerk’s office.  Ballots cast under this section are handled in the same manner as absentee ballots.

Subdivision 3 provides the process for verifying the voter’s registration status and requesting a ballot.  If an individual is not registered to vote, the voter must register before receiving a ballot.

Subdivision 4 requires an individual to sign the same oath as a voter in a polling place on Election Day.

Subdivision 5 provides that after the voter signs the oath, they are given a ballot.  The voter must not take the ballot out of the office.  After the voter completes the ballot, the voter deposits the ballot into the designated ballot box.

Section 9 provides that the names of voters who have cast in-person absentee ballots in the three days prior to the election must not be made available until after the close of voting on Election Day; this same requirement applies to the names of other absentee voters.

Section 10 is deleted by the A-1 amendment.

Section 11 requires the county auditor or municipal clerk to immediately record when a person has cast a ballot in the three days prior to the election.  The record of a voter who cast an absentee ballot in that period must be marked on the roster or contained in the required supplemental report.

Section 12 adds a reference to absentee ballots cast in the three days prior to the election in the section relating to storage and counting absentee ballots to absentee ballots that were cast.  This section also differentiates between absentee ballots cast in the three days prior to the election and other absentee ballots for purposes cross-checking absentee ballots received after the rosters were marked or supplemental reports were generated with the voters who voted on Election Day.

Section 13 requires county auditor’s to mail explanations of the changes and a new application to all voters with a permanent absentee ballot status or ongoing absentee ballot status.  A voter must return the application to maintain his or her status as a permanent absentee voter.  The county auditor must retain an electronic copy of the application until the voter’s permanent absentee status ends.

Section 14 repeals Minnesota Statutes, section 203B.04, subdivision 6 (ongoing absentee ballot status).

Section 15 provides that the act is effective on January 1, 2014 to voting at elections conducted on and after the date of the state primary in 2014.

ACS/syl

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 02/20/2013
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn