The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 203B.03, to enhance penalties related to the solicitation, collection, acceptance, or delivery of absentee ballots and ballot applications. Key changes include the addition of new prohibitions against soliciting, collecting, accepting, or delivering absentee ballots as a voter's agent beyond the number permitted by existing law. It also specifies that individuals may not be compensated based on the number of absentee ballots or applications they solicit, collect, or accept, and introduces new provisions regarding compensation for these activities.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that violations of these provisions will be classified as felonies, replacing previous language that categorized certain violations as petty misdemeanors. The effective date of the new regulations will be the day following final enactment. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the integrity of the absentee voting process by imposing stricter rules and penalties on those involved in the handling of absentee ballots.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 203B.03