SF1217

SF1217 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Absentee and early voting polling places challengers authorization provision

Related bill: HF992

AI Generated Summary

The bill amends Minnesota election law to regulate the presence and activities of challengers at polling places where absentee and early voting occurs. It specifies that each major political party, nonpartisan candidate, and organization involved in a ballot question can appoint a single challenger per precinct to monitor the voting process. Challengers must be residents of Minnesota but not necessarily of the precinct they are monitoring. They are barred from several activities including handling voter registration lists, compiling challenge lists based on undeliverable mail, and communicating with voters in a manner that could influence their vote. Actions contrary to these regulations are classified as gross misdemeanors, demonstrating the seriousness of these offenses. The bill aims to ensure that election integrity and voter rights are upheld during the voting process.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 09, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Elections

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Subsection detailing residence requirements for challengers.",
        "Clarification on who can serve as a challenger and the necessary documentation."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Unclear references previously allowing unrestricted communication between challengers and voters."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill addresses rules and definitions concerning challengers at polling places, modifying their conduct and restrictions as defined under section 204C.07.",
      "modified": [
        "Conduct rules for challengers during election times, emphasizing restrictions on compiling lists and handling registration details."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.07"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Expanded responsibilities for authorized challengers paralleling election judges."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Obsolete procedures regarding pre-existing exceptions for voter challenges."
      ],
      "summary": "Amendments to the scope and manner of challenging voters at polling places as referenced in section 204C.12.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified roles for individuals authorized to perform election duties to include those of election judges."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.12"
  }
]