Signed by Governor Tim Walz

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report vote and pass a bill that establishes various election policies and state campaign finance laws in Minnesota.

Highlights:

• Authorizes VOTER account funds to be used for transitioning to a .gov domain (Article 2).

• Requires any county and municipality that uses absentee voting to use a .gov domain for their web address (Article 2).

• Requires the county auditor or municipal clerk to establish a temporary polling place that is accessible, close by the institution, and meets state and federal requirements for a state general election or an odd-year city election for at least 1 day requested by a postsecondary institution or its student government (Article 2).

• Establishes the Minnesota Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression and dilution and establishes conditions and penalties for violation (Article 3).

• Authorizes transfers within various Minnesota Secretary of State Office accounts to provide more funds in the VOTER Account (Article 3).

• Appropriates $200,000 for reimbursement to local governments that set up a temporary polling location on the campus of a postsecondary institution (Article 3).

• Requires the Secretary of State will reimburse cities and counties for the actual costs of operating the location up to $5,000 for one polling place the first year, and $3,000 for each additional location in the first year, and all locations in subsequent years (Article 4).

• Establishes a Voting Rights Act cost sharing account and appropriates $144,000 (Article 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report vote and pass a bill that establishes various election policies and state campaign finance laws in Minnesota.

Highlights:

• Authorizes VOTER account funds to be used for transitioning to a .gov domain (Article 2).

• Requires any county and municipality that uses absentee voting to use a .gov domain for their web address (Article 2).

• Requires the county auditor or municipal clerk to establish a temporary polling place that is accessible, close by the institution, and meets state and federal requirements for a state general election or an odd-year city election for at least 1 day requested by a postsecondary institution or its student government (Article 2).

• Establishes the Minnesota Voting Rights Act to combat voter suppression and dilution and establishes conditions and penalties for violation (Article 3).

• Authorizes transfers within various Minnesota Secretary of State Office accounts to provide more funds in the VOTER Account (Article 3).

• Appropriates $200,000 for reimbursement to local governments that set up a temporary polling location on the campus of a postsecondary institution (Article 3).

• Requires the Secretary of State will reimburse cities and counties for the actual costs of operating the location up to $5,000 for one polling place the first year, and $3,000 for each additional location in the first year, and all locations in subsequent years (Article 4).

• Establishes a Voting Rights Act cost sharing account and appropriates $144,000 (Article 4).

Full Bill Text