The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 206.83, to enhance the testing protocols for voting systems. It increases the requirement for testing from three to ten voting systems or absentee ballots, ensuring that the systems accurately mark and count votes for all candidates and questions. The bill mandates that public notice of the testing time and location be provided at least five times in official newspapers, and that the testing be observed by at least two election judges from different political parties, as well as representatives from political parties, candidates, the press, and the public.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the testing process must include the use of a preaudited group of ballots and an additional test deck marked with various assistive technologies. If any errors are found during testing, they must be corrected before the voting system can be used in an election. A new requirement is introduced that a detailed precinct report by ballot style must be made available for public inspection within 24 hours of testing. The bill will take effect the day after it is enacted.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 206.83