This bill mandates that all ballot board activities during elections in Minnesota be livestreamed to enhance transparency and public access. Specifically, it requires county auditors, municipal clerks, or school district clerks to ensure that livestreaming occurs during the absentee voting period, on election day, and the day after if absentee ballots are being processed. The livestream must capture key activities such as examining and accepting or rejecting envelopes, opening envelopes, duplicating ballots, depositing absentee ballots, and counting and tabulating ballots. The bill also stipulates that the commissioner of information technology services will provide the necessary livestreaming services and retain the recorded data for at least 22 months.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the classification of data, ensuring that while the livestreamed recordings are public, any private data visible in the recordings may be obscured. It outlines the responsibilities of the commissioner to maintain the livestream and provide access to the public without charging fees. Furthermore, it addresses potential disruptions in livestreaming, stating that if a disruption occurs, ballot board activities may continue under certain conditions. The bill also includes an appropriation for the implementation of these requirements, effective September 1, 2025, for elections conducted thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 203B.121