This bill proposes various amendments to Minnesota's election administration laws, focusing on absentee voting and the management of election procedures. Key changes include the requirement for municipal clerks to receive training approved by the secretary of state before administering absentee voting, and the establishment of specific timelines for mailing absentee ballots. The bill also introduces new provisions for the use of the statewide voter registration system, including the recording of ballot acceptance and rejection, and mandates that ballots contain bar codes to facilitate tracking. Additionally, it specifies that the requirements for the registration system do not apply to town elections held in March.

Furthermore, the bill includes a new section that mandates the reimbursement of local governments for expenses incurred during special elections not held in conjunction with state primaries or general elections. This includes costs related to ballot preparation, postage, and election staff compensation. The secretary of state is tasked with providing appropriate forms for reimbursement requests and ensuring that payments are processed within a specified timeframe. The bill also repeals a previous statute regarding the sale of intellectual property rights associated with the statewide voter registration system. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the efficiency and security of the election process in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 203B.05, 203B.06, 203B.065, 204B.27, 204C.26, 5.31