This bill amends Minnesota election laws to establish procedures for filling vacancies in legislative offices under specific circumstances. It introduces a new provision that allows the candidate who received the second-most votes in the most recent general election to take office if a vacancy arises due to a successful election contest based on candidate misconduct. The chief clerk of the house or the secretary of the senate is required to notify the secretary of state of such vacancies, and if no election contest is filed within two business days, the secretary of state must issue a certificate of election to the second-place candidate.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of what constitutes a vacancy in legislative offices by adding new criteria, including the ineligibility of an incumbent or significant violations of election laws. It specifies that the process for filling these vacancies does not require a special election, streamlining the transition of power in the event of a vacancy. The amendments aim to ensure that legislative offices are filled promptly and efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 209.021, 209.10, 351.02