SF2232

This bill makes several modifications to Minnesota's election laws, including changes to election administration, absentee voting procedures, timelines, and filing periods for certain local offices. Below are key provisions:

1. Electronic Rosters

   • Updates requirements for electronic voter rosters, ensuring they support scanning driver's licenses, alert election judges to voter eligibility issues, and provide instructions for resolving challenges.

2. Absentee Voting Changes

   • Adjusts the deadline for submitting absentee ballot applications when not delivered in person (from one day before to seven days before the election).
     
   • Allows electronic submission of absentee ballot applications with verification against government databases.
     
   • Requires the absentee ballot board to process ballot envelopes within specific timeframes and attempt to contact voters if a ballot is rejected within five days of the election.
     

3. Expanded Electronic Transmission of Ballots

   • Permits ballots to be sent electronically to emergency response providers deployed during a state of emergency and to voters with print disabilities in an accessible format.

4. Filing Period Modifications

   • Changes the timeframes during which candidates for city, town, and school board elections must file their affidavits of candidacy.
     
   • Requires notification of ballot changes within one business day of a filing or immediately after the close of the filing period.

5. Combined Polling Places

   • Allows emergency polling place consolidation on election day if an emergency prevents normal voting operations, subject to notification and signage requirements.
     
   • Establishes new rules for combining precincts for elections.

6. Mail Ballot Procedures

   • Modifies the timeline for mailing and processing ballots in precincts using mail balloting, including requiring absentee ballot boards to mark ballots as accepted or rejected within defined timeframes.

7. Write-In Candidates

   • Extends the deadline for write-in candidates for county, state, and federal office to file their intent from seven days before the election to 19 days before.

8. Election Judge Appointments and Training

   • Requires better election judge training on absentee ballot processes.
     
   • Changes open ballot board membership rules by allowing some deputy clerks to serve.

This bill aims to streamline election operations, improve absentee voting accessibility, enhance security features in voter registration, and update election deadlines to allow more efficient administration.