HF368

This legislative bill from Minnesota aims to modify the existing laws concerning the handling of absentee ballots and applications. Specifically, it increases penalties and introduces new rules to prevent fraudulent activities and misuse in the absentee voting process. Here’s a summary of the main points:

1. Prohibited Actions: The bill lists several unlawful actions related to absentee voting, such as falsifying applications, voting more than once, showing others how you voted, and misusing absentee voting materials.

2. Limits on Assisting Voters: Assistance to voters must be provided in a designated manner. It also restricts individuals from being present and soliciting votes from an absentee voter during the voting process.

3. Handling Absentee Ballots: It is illegal to solicit, collect, accept, or deliver more absentee ballots than permitted. Election officials may adjust a ballot application for administrative reasons, but no one else can alter it after the voter has signed.

4. Compensation for Ballot Handling: The bill prohibits any payment schemes that compensate individuals based on the number of collected or delivered absentee ballots or applications. It also prevents payment reductions or bonuses based on these activities.

5. Penalties: Violating these rules about absentee ballots handling can lead to felony charges, while specific violations regarding compensation methods are considered petty misdemeanors.

Overall, the bill clarifies and tightens regulations on the management and processing of absentee ballots to ensure a fair and secure voting process.