Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to increase transparency and integrity in the election process by requiring the livestreaming of ballot board activities in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Livestreaming Requirement: The bill mandates that all activities conducted by ballot boards during the absentee voting period, on election day, and the day after election day (if absentee ballots are being processed) be livestreamed. These activities include:

  • Examining and accepting or rejecting absentee ballot envelopes.
  • Opening envelopes and duplicating ballots if necessary.
  • Depositing absentee ballots into ballot boxes.
  • Counting and tabulating the ballots.

• Camera Placement: Cameras must be set up by county auditors, municipal clerks, or school district clerks to capture:

  • The members of the ballot board executing election tasks.
  • All ballots in the room where activities are conducted.
  • Every door in the room where activities are occurring.

• Privacy Considerations: Efforts must be made to position cameras in a way that prevents the recording of any private data included on absentee ballot envelopes or other documents.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a new requirement for the use of technology to provide transparency during the election process by ensuring that certain election activities are publicly accessible via livestream.
• It amends the Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.121, by adding a new subdivision focused on livestreaming for election transparency.

Relevant Terms

• Livestreaming
• Ballot board
• Absentee voting
• Election integrity
• Privacy data
• Minnesota Statutes 203B.121