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S.F. No. 1374 - Election Law Modifications (Committee Engrossment)
 
Author: Senator Katie Sieben
 
Prepared By: Alexis C. Stangl, Senate Counsel (651/296-4397)
 
Date: March 19, 2013



 

S.F. No. 1374 amends various provisions of election law.  The boundaries of Senate District 39 are adjusted.  Candidates are prohibited from filing multiple affidavits of candidacy.  Timelines are adjusted.  Clarification is provided.  The Secretary of State is required to monitor and evaluate fewer precincts.  Obsolete provisions are removed.  This bill combines sections of several bills heard earlier this session by the Subcommittee on Elections.

Section 1, subdivision 1 codifies Senate District 39 as it appears in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel. 

Subdivision 2 amends the boundaries of House of Representatives districts 39A and 39B along the border of Stillwater City and Stillwater Township.  Instead of using the district in the order of the Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel, the districts are as designated by the specified map that is on file with the Geographic Information Systems Office.

This section is effective for the state primary in 2014 and thereafter.

Section 2 removes a reference to a colored ballot and replaces it with a reference to the state general election ballot.

Section 3 requires voter registration instructions to be available in an audio format instead of on a cassette tape.

Section 4 provides that a voter may vote by absentee ballot in person during the 46 days before an election, except that in person absentee voters in town elections held in March may vote during the 30 days before the election.

Section 5 removes a reference to the state write-in absentee ballot for uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voters.

Section 6 prohibits a candidate from filing multiple affidavits of candidacy, unless the earlier petitions are withdrawn.  A violation of this section is not a crime.

Section 7 removes requirements for having ballot boxes for each color of ballot.

Sections 8 to 18 remove references to colored ballots.

Section 19 removes references to colored ballots. This section specifies that at least 11 weeks before the state general election, the secretary of state must determine the order of the candidates who were nominated by petition.

Sections 20, 21, and 22 remove references to colored ballots.

Section 23 requires the municipal clerk’s office to be open to accept candidate filings from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the last day of the filing period.

Sections 24 and 25 make ballot requirements the same for all cities and towns. References to colored ballots are removed.

Sections 26 and 27 remove references to colored ballots.

Section 28 removes a reference to colored ballots.

Section 29 allows any size and number of noncommercial signs (i.e. campaign signs) to be posted beginning 46 days before the state primary until ten days after the state general election. Municipal ordinances may regulate the size and number of noncommercial signs at other times.

Section 30 requires notice of elections hospital district elections be given 74 days prior to the election, instead of 53 days. The county auditor must immediately provide notice to the secretary of state. Notice of an election must be posted at least two weeks before the election, instead of ten days.

Section 31 repeals Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 204B.42 (prohibits sample ballots from being printed on paper the same color as any official colored ballot); 204D.11, subdivisions 2 and 3 (describes colored ballots); 205.17, subdivision 2 (provides different election procedures for first class cities than for all other cities); 205.17, subdivision 4 (describes colored ballots); and 205A.08, subdivision 4 (describes colored ballots).

 
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