1.1    .................... moves to amend H. F. No. 1110 as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3    "Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 200.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
1.4    Subd. 7. Major political party. (a) "Major political party" means a political party
1.5that maintains a party organization in the state, political division, or precinct in question
1.6and that has presented at least one candidate for election to the office of:
1.7    (1) governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney
1.8general at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or
1.9    (2) presidential elector or U.S. senator at the last preceding state general election for
1.10presidential electors; and
1.11    whose candidate received votes in each county in that election and received votes
1.12from not less than five percent of the total number of individuals who voted in that election.
1.13    (b) "Major political party" also means a political party that maintains a party
1.14organization in the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and that has
1.15presented at least 45 candidates for election to the office of state representative, 23
1.16candidates for election to the office of state senator, four candidates for election to
1.17the office of representative in Congress, and one candidate for election to each of the
1.18following offices: governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state,
1.19and state auditor, at the last preceding state general election for those offices.
1.20    (c) "Major political party" also means a political party that maintains a party
1.21organization in the state, political subdivision, or precinct in question and whose members
1.22present to the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for the state partisan
1.23primary ballot at least six weeks before the start of the filing period a petition for a place
1.24on the state partisan primary ballot, which petition contains signatures of a number of
1.25the party members equal to at least five percent of the total number of individuals who
1.26voted in the preceding state general election. The petition may be circulated at any time
2.1after January 1 and more than six weeks before the start of the filing period in the year
2.2the petition is submitted.
2.3    (d) A political party whose candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a state
2.4general election described in paragraph (a) or a political party that presents candidates at
2.5an election as required by paragraph (b) becomes a major political party as of January
2.61 following that election and retains its major party status for at least two state general
2.7elections even if the party fails to present a candidate who receives the number and
2.8percentage of votes required under paragraph (a) or fails to present candidates as required
2.9by paragraph (b) at subsequent state general elections.
2.10    (e) A major political party whose candidates fail to receive the number and
2.11percentage of votes required under paragraph (a) and that fails to present candidates as
2.12required by paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general elections described by
2.13paragraph (a) or (b), respectively, loses major party status as of December 31 following
2.14the later of the two consecutive state general elections.

2.15    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 200.02, subdivision 23, is amended to read:
2.16    Subd. 23. Minor political party. (a) "Minor political party" means a political party
2.17that has adopted a state constitution, designated a state party chair, held a state convention
2.18in the last two years, filed with the secretary of state no later than December 31 following
2.19the most recent state general election a certification that the party has met the foregoing
2.20requirements, and met the requirements of paragraph (b) or (e), as applicable.
2.21    (b) To be considered a minor party in all elections statewide, the political party must
2.22have presented at least one candidate for election to the office of:
2.23    (1) governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, or attorney
2.24general, at the last preceding state general election for those offices; or
2.25    (2) presidential elector or U.S. senator at the preceding state general election for
2.26presidential electors; and
2.27    who received votes in each county that in the aggregate equal at least one percent
2.28of the total number of individuals who voted in the election, or its members must have
2.29presented to the secretary of state at any time before the close of filing for the state
2.30partisan primary ballot at least six weeks before the start of the filing period a nominating
2.31petition in a form prescribed by the secretary of state containing the signatures of party
2.32members in a number equal to at least one percent of the total number of individuals who
2.33voted in the preceding state general election. The petition may be circulated at any time
2.34after January 1 and more than six weeks before the start of the filing period in the year
2.35the petition is submitted.
3.1    (c) A political party whose candidate receives a sufficient number of votes at a
3.2state general election described in paragraph (b) becomes a minor political party as of
3.3January 1 following that election and retains its minor party status for at least two state
3.4general elections even if the party fails to present a candidate who receives the number
3.5and percentage of votes required under paragraph (b) at subsequent state general elections.
3.6    (d) A minor political party whose candidates fail to receive the number and
3.7percentage of votes required under paragraph (b) at each of two consecutive state general
3.8elections described by paragraph (b) loses minor party status as of December 31 following
3.9the later of the two consecutive state general elections.
3.10    (e) A minor party that qualifies to be a major party loses its status as a minor party
3.11at the time it becomes a major party. Votes received by the candidates of a major party
3.12must be counted in determining whether the party received sufficient votes to qualify as
3.13a minor party, notwithstanding that the party does not receive sufficient votes to retain
3.14its major party status. To be considered a minor party in an election in a legislative
3.15district, the political party must have presented at least one candidate for a legislative
3.16office in that district who received votes from at least ten percent of the total number of
3.17individuals who voted for that office, or its members must have presented to the secretary
3.18of state a nominating petition in a form prescribed by the secretary of state containing the
3.19signatures of party members in a number equal to at least ten percent of the total number
3.20of individuals who voted in the preceding state general election for that legislative office.

3.21    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.016, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
3.22    Subd. 1a. Violations; penalty. (a) The county auditor shall mail a violation notice
3.23to any voter who the county auditor can determine has voted in a precinct other than the
3.24precinct in using an address at which the voter maintains does not maintain residence on
3.25election day. The notice must be in the form provided by the secretary of state. The
3.26county auditor shall also change the status of the voter in the statewide registration system
3.27to "challenged" and the voter shall be required to provide proof of residence to either the
3.28county auditor or to the election judges in the voter's precinct before voting in the next
3.29election. Any of the forms authorized by section 201.061 for registration at the polling
3.30place may be used for this purpose.
3.31    (b) A voter who votes in a precinct other than the precinct in which the voter
3.32maintains residence after receiving an initial violation notice as provided in this
3.33subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.
3.34    (c) A voter who votes in a precinct other than the precinct in which the voter
3.35maintains residence after having been found to have committed a petty misdemeanor
3.36under paragraph (b) is guilty of a misdemeanor.
4.1    (d) Reliance by the voter on inaccurate information regarding the location of the
4.2voter's polling place provided by the state, county, or municipality is an affirmative
4.3defense to a prosecution under this subdivision.

4.4    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.056, is amended to read:
4.5201.056 SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED VOTER; MARKS ALLOWED.
4.6    An individual who is unable to write the individual's name shall be required to sign a
4.7registration card by making the individual's mark application in the manner provided by
4.8section 645.44, subdivision 14. If the individual registers in person and signs by making
4.9a mark, the clerk or election judge accepting the registration shall certify the mark by
4.10signing the individual's name. If the individual registers by mail and signs by making a
4.11mark, the mark shall be certified by having a voter registered in the individual's precinct
4.12sign the individual's name and the voter's own name and give the voter's own address.

4.13    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.14    Subdivision 1. Prior to election day. At any time except during the 20 days
4.15immediately preceding any regularly scheduled election, an eligible voter or any
4.16individual who will be an eligible voter at the time of the next election may register to
4.17vote in the precinct in which the voter maintains residence by completing a paper voter
4.18registration application as described in section 201.071, subdivision 1, and submitting it in
4.19person or by mail to the county auditor of that county or to the Secretary of State's Office.
4.20If the individual has a Minnesota driver's license, identification card, or learner's permit,
4.21the individual may register online using the Web site maintained by the secretary of state.
4.22A registration that is received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day preceding any
4.23election shall be accepted. An improperly addressed or delivered registration application
4.24shall be forwarded within two working days after receipt to the county auditor of the
4.25county where the voter maintains residence. A state or local agency or an individual that
4.26accepts completed voter registration applications from a voter must submit the completed
4.27applications to the secretary of state or the appropriate county auditor within ten business
4.28days after the applications are dated by the voter.
4.29    For purposes of this section, mail registration is defined as a voter registration
4.30application delivered to the secretary of state, county auditor, or municipal clerk by the
4.31United States Postal Service or a commercial carrier.

4.32    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, is amended by adding a subdivision
4.33to read:
4.34    Subd. 1b. Prohibited methods of compensation; penalty. (a) No individual
4.35may be compensated for the solicitation, collection, or acceptance of voter registration
5.1applications from voters for submission to the secretary of state, a county auditor, or other
5.2local election official in a manner in which payment is calculated by multiplying (1)
5.3either a set or variable payment rate, by (2) the number of voter registration applications
5.4solicited, collected, or accepted.
5.5    (b) No individual may be deprived of compensation or have compensation
5.6automatically reduced exclusively for failure to solicit, collect, or accept a minimum
5.7number of voter registration applications and no individual may receive additional
5.8compensation for reaching or exceeding a minimum number of voter registration
5.9applications.
5.10    (c) A person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

5.11    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.061, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
5.12    Subd. 3. Election day registration. (a) An individual who is eligible to vote may
5.13register on election day by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in
5.14which the individual maintains residence, by completing a registration application, making
5.15an oath in the form prescribed by the secretary of state and providing proof of residence.
5.16An individual may prove residence for purposes of registering by:
5.17    (1) presenting a driver's license or Minnesota identification card issued pursuant
5.18to section 171.07;
5.19    (2) presenting any document approved by the secretary of state as proper
5.20identification;
5.21    (3) presenting one of the following:
5.22    (i) a current valid student identification card from a postsecondary educational
5.23institution in Minnesota, if a list of students from that institution has been prepared under
5.24section 135A.17 and certified to the county auditor in the manner provided in rules of
5.25the secretary of state; or
5.26    (ii) a current student fee statement that contains the student's valid address in the
5.27precinct together with a picture identification card; or
5.28    (4) having a voter who is registered to vote in the precinct, or who is an employee
5.29employed by and working in a residential facility in the precinct and vouching for a
5.30resident in the facility, sign an oath in the presence of the election judge vouching that the
5.31voter or employee personally knows that the individual is a resident of the precinct. A
5.32voter who has been vouched for on election day may not sign a proof of residence oath
5.33vouching for any other individual on that election day. A voter who is registered to vote in
5.34the precinct may sign up to 15 proof-of-residence oaths on any election day. This limitation
5.35does not apply to an employee of a residential facility described in this clause. The
5.36secretary of state shall provide a form for election judges to use in recording the number
6.1of individuals for whom a voter signs proof-of-residence oaths on election day. The
6.2form must include space for the maximum number of individuals for whom a voter may
6.3sign proof-of-residence oaths. For each proof-of-residence oath, the form must include
6.4a statement that the voter is registered to vote in the precinct, personally knows that the
6.5individual is a resident of the precinct, and is making the statement on oath. The form must
6.6include a space for the voter's printed name, signature, telephone number, and address.
6.7    The oath required by this subdivision and Minnesota Rules, part 8200.9939, must
6.8be attached to the voter registration application and the information on the oath must be
6.9recorded on the records of both the voter registering on election day and the voter who
6.10is vouching for the person's residence, and entered into the statewide voter registration
6.11system by the county auditor when the voter registration application is entered into that
6.12system.
6.13    (b) The operator of a residential facility shall prepare a list of the names of its
6.14employees currently working in the residential facility and the address of the residential
6.15facility. The operator shall certify the list and provide it to the appropriate county auditor
6.16no less than 20 days before each election for use in election day registration.
6.17    (c) "Residential facility" means transitional housing as defined in section 256E.33,
6.18subdivision 1 ; a supervised living facility licensed by the commissioner of health under
6.19section 144.50, subdivision 6; a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision
6.205 ; a residence registered with the commissioner of health as a housing with services
6.21establishment as defined in section 144D.01, subdivision 4; a veterans home operated by
6.22the board of directors of the Minnesota Veterans Homes under chapter 198; a residence
6.23licensed by the commissioner of human services to provide a residential program as
6.24defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 14; a residential facility for persons with a
6.25developmental disability licensed by the commissioner of human services under section
6.26252.28 ; group residential housing as defined in section 256I.03, subdivision 3; a shelter
6.27for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4; or a supervised
6.28publicly or privately operated shelter or dwelling designed to provide temporary living
6.29accommodations for the homeless.
6.30    (d) For tribal band members, an individual may prove residence for purposes of
6.31registering by:
6.32    (1) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe
6.33recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that
6.34contains the name, address, signature, and picture of the individual; or
6.35    (2) presenting an identification card issued by the tribal government of a tribe
6.36recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, that
7.1contains the name, signature, and picture of the individual and also presenting one of the
7.2documents listed in Minnesota Rules, part 8200.5100, subpart 2, item B.
7.3    (e) A county, school district, or municipality may require that an election judge
7.4responsible for election day registration initial each completed registration application.

7.5    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.071, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
7.6    Subdivision 1. Form. A voter registration application must be of suitable size and
7.7weight for mailing and contain spaces for the following required information: voter's first
7.8name, middle name, and last name; voter's previous name, if any; voter's current address;
7.9voter's previous address, if any; voter's date of birth; voter's municipality and county of
7.10residence; voter's telephone number, if provided by the voter; date of registration; current
7.11and valid Minnesota driver's license number or Minnesota state identification number,
7.12or if the voter has no current and valid Minnesota driver's license or Minnesota state
7.13identification, and the last four digits of the voter's Social Security number; and voter's
7.14signature. The registration application may include the voter's e-mail address, if provided
7.15by the voter, and the voter's interest in serving as an election judge, if indicated by the
7.16voter. The application must also contain the following certification of voter eligibility:
7.17    "I certify that I:
7.18    (1) will be at least 18 years old on election day;
7.19    (2) am a citizen of the United States;
7.20    (3) will have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding election day;
7.21    (4) maintain residence at the address given on the registration form;
7.22    (5) am not under court-ordered guardianship in which the court order revokes my
7.23right to vote;
7.24    (6) have not been found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote;
7.25    (7) have the right to vote because, if I have been convicted of a felony, my felony
7.26sentence has expired (been completed) or I have been discharged from my sentence; and
7.27    (8) have read and understand the following statement: that giving false information
7.28is a felony punishable by not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more
7.29than $10,000, or both."
7.30    The certification must include boxes for the voter to respond to the following
7.31questions:
7.32    "(1) Are you a citizen of the United States?" and
7.33    "(2) Will you be 18 years old on or before election day?"
7.34    And the instruction:
7.35    "If you checked 'no' to either of these questions, do not complete this form."
8.1    The form of the voter registration application and the certification of voter eligibility
8.2must be as provided in this subdivision and approved by the secretary of state. Voter
8.3registration forms authorized by the National Voter Registration Act must also be accepted
8.4as valid. The federal postcard application form must also be accepted as valid if it is not
8.5deficient and the voter is eligible to register in Minnesota.
8.6    An individual may use a voter registration application to apply to register to vote in
8.7Minnesota or to change information on an existing registration.
8.8    A paper voter registration application must include space for the voter's signature
8.9and be of suitable size and weight for mailing.

8.10    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.091, is amended by adding a subdivision
8.11to read:
8.12    Subd. 5a. Registration verification to registered voter. The secretary of state
8.13must provide for voter registration verification to a registered voter on the secretary of
8.14state's Web site. An individual must provide the individual's name, address, and date of
8.15birth when requesting registration verification. If the verification information provided
8.16completely matches an active registration record in the statewide registration system, the
8.17individual must be informed that the individual is a registered voter and provided with
8.18the individual's polling place location. If the verification information provided does not
8.19completely match an active registration record in the statewide registration system, the
8.20individual must be informed that a registration record at the name and address provided
8.21cannot be retrieved and advised to contact the county auditor or secretary of state for
8.22further information.

8.23    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.121, is amended by adding a subdivision
8.24to read:
8.25    Subd. 4. Biennial verification. At least seven weeks before the state general
8.26election, the secretary of state shall mail a notice about the upcoming election to every
8.27registered voter in the state. The notice must include the voter's polling place location
8.28and the legislative, congressional, county commissioner, and school district in which the
8.29voter resides. It must also include information on voting eligibility and how to register
8.30to vote on election day.

8.31    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 201.171, is amended to read:
8.32201.171 POSTING VOTING HISTORY; FAILURE TO VOTE;
8.33REGISTRATION REMOVED.
8.34    Within six weeks after every election, the county auditor shall post the voting
8.35history for every person who voted in the election. After the close of the calendar year, the
9.1secretary of state shall determine if any registrants have not voted during the preceding
9.2four six years. The secretary of state shall perform list maintenance by changing the status
9.3of those registrants to "inactive" in the statewide registration system. The list maintenance
9.4performed must be conducted in a manner that ensures that the name of each registered
9.5voter appears in the official list of eligible voters in the statewide registration system.
9.6A voter must not be removed from the official list of eligible voters unless the voter is
9.7not eligible or is not registered to vote. List maintenance must include procedures for
9.8eliminating duplicate names from the official list of eligible voters.
9.9    The secretary of state shall also prepare a report to the county auditor containing the
9.10names of all registrants whose status was changed to "inactive."
9.11    Registrants whose status was changed to "inactive" must register in the manner
9.12specified in section 201.054 before voting in any primary, special primary, general, school
9.13district, or special election, as required by section 201.018.
9.14    Although not counted in an election, a late or rejected absentee or mail ballot must
9.15be considered a vote for the purpose of continuing registration.

9.16    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
9.17    Subd. 2. Design of envelopes. The return envelope shall be of sufficient size
9.18to conveniently enclose and contain the ballot envelope and a voter registration card
9.19application folded along its perforations. The return envelope shall be designed to open
9.20on the left-hand end. Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, the return envelope must
9.21be designed in one of the following ways:
9.22    (1) it must be of sufficient size to contain an additional envelope that when sealed,
9.23conceals the signature, identification, and other information; or
9.24    (2) it must provide an additional flap that when sealed, conceals the signature,
9.25identification, and other information. Election officials may open the flap or the additional
9.26envelope at any time after receiving the returned ballot to inspect the returned certificate
9.27for completeness or to ascertain other information. A certificate of eligibility to vote by
9.28absentee ballot shall be printed on the back of the envelope. The certificate shall contain a
9.29statement to be signed and sworn by the voter indicating that the voter meets all of the
9.30requirements established by law for voting by absentee ballot. The certificate shall also
9.31contain a statement signed by a person who is registered to vote in Minnesota or by a
9.32notary public or other individual authorized to administer oaths stating that:
9.33    (a) the ballots were displayed to that individual unmarked;
9.34    (b) the voter marked the ballots in that individual's presence without showing how
9.35they were marked, or, if the voter was physically unable to mark them, that the voter
9.36directed another individual to mark them; and
10.1    (c) if the voter was not previously registered, the voter has provided proof of
10.2residence as required by section 201.061, subdivision 3.
10.3    The county auditor or municipal clerk shall affix first class postage to the return
10.4envelopes.

10.5    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.081, is amended to read:
10.6203B.081 LOCATIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTING IN PERSON.
10.7    An eligible voter may vote by absentee ballot during the 30 days before the election
10.8in the office of the county auditor and at any other polling place designated by the county
10.9auditor. The county auditor shall make such designations at least 90 days before the
10.10election. At least one voting booth and at least one electronic ballot marker in each polling
10.11place must be made available by the county auditor for this purpose.

10.12    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.12, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
10.13    Subd. 4. Placement in container; opening and counting of ballots. The ballot
10.14envelopes from return envelopes marked "Accepted" shall be placed by the election
10.15judges in a separate absentee ballot container. The container and each ballot envelope may
10.16be opened only after the last regular mail delivery by the United States postal service
10.17noon on election day. The ballots shall then be initialed by the election judges in the
10.18same manner as ballots delivered by them to voters in person and shall be deposited in
10.19the appropriate ballot box.
10.20    If more than one ballot of any kind is enclosed in the ballot envelope, none of the
10.21ballots of that kind shall be counted but all ballots of that kind shall be returned in the
10.22manner provided by section 204C.25 for return of spoiled ballots.

10.23    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
10.24    Subdivision 1. Establishment. The governing body of any county that has
10.25established a counting center as provided in section 206.85, subdivision 2, any
10.26municipality, or any school district may by ordinance or resolution, authorize an absentee
10.27ballot board. The board shall consist of a sufficient number of election judges appointed as
10.28provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22.

10.29    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 203B.13, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
10.30    Subd. 2. Duties. The absentee ballot board may do any of the following:
10.31    (a) receive from each precinct in the municipality or school district all ballot
10.32envelopes marked "Accepted" by the election judges; provided that the governing body of
10.33a municipality or the school board of a school district may authorize the board to examine
10.34all return absentee ballot envelopes and receive accept or reject absentee ballots in the
10.35manner provided in section 203B.12;.
11.1    (b) open and count the absentee ballots, tabulating the vote in a manner that indicates
11.2each vote of the absentee voter and the total absentee vote cast for each candidate or
11.3question in each precinct; or
11.4    (c) report the vote totals tabulated for each precinct.
11.5    The absentee ballot board may begin the process of examining the return envelopes
11.6and marking them "accepted" or "rejected" at any time during the 30 days before the
11.7election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the election, the
11.8ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and the official in charge of the
11.9absentee ballot board shall provide the voter with a replacement absentee ballot and return
11.10envelope in place of the spoiled ballot. The secretary of state shall provide samples of the
11.11replacement ballot and return envelope for use by the county auditor.

11.12    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.13    Subdivision 1. Form of affidavit. An affidavit of candidacy shall state the name of
11.14the office sought and, except as provided in subdivision 4, shall state that the candidate:
11.15    (1) is an eligible voter;
11.16    (2) has no other affidavit on file as a candidate for any office at the same primary
11.17or next ensuing general election, except that a candidate for soil and water conservation
11.18district supervisor in a district not located in whole or in part in Anoka, Hennepin,
11.19Ramsey, or Washington County, may also have on file an affidavit of candidacy for
11.20mayor or council member of a statutory or home rule charter city of not more than 2,500
11.21population contained in whole or in part in the soil and water conservation district or for
11.22town supervisor in a town of not more than 2,500 population contained in whole or in part
11.23in the soil and water conservation district; and
11.24    (3) is, or will be on assuming the office, 21 years of age or more, and will have
11.25maintained residence in the district from which the candidate seeks election for 30 days
11.26before the general election.
11.27    An affidavit of candidacy must include a statement that the candidate's name as
11.28written on the affidavit for ballot designation is the candidate's true name or the name by
11.29which the candidate is commonly and generally known in the community.
11.30    An affidavit of candidacy for partisan office shall also state the name of the
11.31candidate's political party or political principle, stated in three words or less. The affidavit
11.32of candidacy must include an original signature of the candidate.

11.33    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
11.34    Subdivision 1. Candidates in state and county general elections. (a) Except as
11.35otherwise provided by this subdivision, affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions
11.36for county, state, and federal offices filled at the state general election shall be filed not
12.1more than 70 days nor less than 56 days before the state primary. The affidavit may
12.2be prepared and signed at any time between 60 days before the filing period opens and
12.3the last day of the filing period.
12.4    (b) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, the affidavit of candidacy must be
12.5signed in the presence of a notarial officer or an individual authorized to administer oaths
12.6under section 358.10.
12.7    (c) This provision does not apply to candidates for presidential elector nominated
12.8by major political parties. Major party candidates for presidential elector are certified
12.9under section 208.03. Other candidates for presidential electors may file petitions on or
12.10before the state primary day pursuant to section 204B.07, but no earlier than 70 days
12.11before the state primary . Nominating petitions to fill vacancies in nominations shall be
12.12filed as provided in section 204B.13. No affidavit or petition shall be accepted later than
12.135:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.
12.14    (d) Affidavits and petitions for county offices to be voted on in only one county shall
12.15must be filed with the county auditor of that county. Affidavits and petitions for federal
12.16offices to be voted on in more than one county shall must be filed with the secretary of
12.17state. Affidavits and petitions for state offices must be filed with the secretary of state or
12.18with the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

12.19    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
12.20    Subd. 3. Write-in candidates. (a) A candidate for county, state, or federal office
12.21who wants write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with
12.22the filing office for the office sought no later than the fifth seventh day before the general
12.23election. The filing officer shall provide copies of the form to make the request.
12.24    (b) A candidate for president of the United States who files a request under this
12.25subdivision must include the name of a candidate for vice-president of the United States.
12.26The request must also include the name of at least one candidate for presidential elector.
12.27The total number of names of candidates for presidential elector on the request may not
12.28exceed the total number of electoral votes to be cast by Minnesota in the presidential
12.29election.
12.30    (c) A candidate for governor who files a request under this subdivision must include
12.31the name of a candidate for lieutenant governor.

12.32    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
12.33    Subd. 2. Petition in place of filing fee. At the time of filing an affidavit of
12.34candidacy, a candidate may present a petition in place of the filing fee. The petition may be
12.35circulated from the date of precinct caucuses to the end of the period for filing affidavits of
12.36candidacy. The petition may be signed by any individual eligible to vote for the candidate.
13.1A nominating petition filed pursuant to section 204B.07 or 204B.13, subdivision 4, is
13.2effective as a petition in place of a filing fee if the nominating petition includes a prominent
13.3statement informing the signers of the petition that it will be used for that purpose.
13.4    The number of signatures on a petition in place of a filing fee shall be as follows:
13.5    (a) for a state office voted on statewide, or for president of the United States, or
13.6United States senator, 2,000;
13.7    (b) for a congressional office, 1,000;
13.8    (c) for a county or legislative office, or for the office of district judge, 500; and
13.9    (d) for any other office which requires a filing fee as prescribed by law, municipal
13.10charter, or ordinance, the lesser of 500 signatures or five percent of the total number of
13.11votes cast in the municipality, ward, or other election district at the preceding general
13.12election at which that office was on the ballot.
13.13    An official with whom petitions are filed shall make sample forms for petitions in
13.14place of filing fees available upon request.

13.15    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
13.16    Subdivision 1. Authority; location. The governing body of each municipality and
13.17of each county with precincts in unorganized territory shall designate by ordinance or
13.18resolution a polling place for each election precinct. Polling places must be designated
13.19and ballots must be distributed so that no one is required to go to more than one polling
13.20place to vote in a school district and municipal election held on the same day. The polling
13.21place for a precinct in a city or in a school district located in whole or in part in the
13.22metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24, shall be located within the
13.23boundaries of the precinct or within 3,000 feet one mile of one of those boundaries unless
13.24a single polling place is designated for a city pursuant to section 204B.14, subdivision
13.252 , or a school district pursuant to section 205A.11. The polling place for a precinct in
13.26unorganized territory may be located outside the precinct at a place which is convenient to
13.27the voters of the precinct. If no suitable place is available within a town or within a school
13.28district located outside the metropolitan area defined by section 200.02, subdivision 24,
13.29then the polling place for a town or school district may be located outside the town or
13.30school district within five miles of one of the boundaries of the town or school district.

13.31    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.27, is amended by adding a
13.32subdivision to read:
13.33    Subd. 12. Information to naturalized citizens. Each month, the secretary of state
13.34shall obtain a list of the name and residential address of each citizen newly naturalized in
13.35this state during the previous month and shall mail to each person on the list information
13.36on registering to vote and serving as an election judge.

14.1    Sec. 23. [204B.445] VOTER COMPLAINT AND RESOLUTION PROCESS.
14.2    Subdivision 1. Scope. An eligible voter may file a complaint to seek the resolution
14.3of any of the following conditions that have occurred or are about to occur:
14.4    (1) voter records in the statewide registration system are not maintained by the
14.5secretary of state or a county auditor in the manner provided in chapter 201;
14.6    (2) voters are unable to register to vote in the manner provided by section 201.061;
14.7    (3) a voting system, including an electronic ballot marker, meeting the requirements
14.8of section 206.80 is not available for use by voters either casting an absentee ballot in
14.9person at the locations designated by the county auditor or local election official, or for
14.10voting at any polling place on election day; or
14.11    (4) the secretary of state, county auditor, or local election official has failed to carry
14.12out a duty required by Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
14.13    A complaint against a municipal or school district clerk must be filed with the county
14.14auditor of the county in which the action has occurred or is about to occur. A complaint
14.15against a county auditor must be filed with the secretary of state. A complaint against the
14.16secretary of state must be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings. The secretary
14.17of state shall provide a standard form for a complaint under this section. The form must
14.18provide space for the complainant to specify the legal basis for the complaint. The
14.19proceedings authorized by this section are not subject to the requirements of chapter 14.
14.20    Subd. 2. Notice of complaint. The official with whom the complaint is filed must,
14.21within seven days after the complaint was filed, provide written notice of the complaint,
14.22including a copy of the complaint, to the official against whom the complaint has been
14.23made.
14.24    Subd. 3. Response. Within 14 days after the notice of complaint is received, the
14.25official complained against must respond in writing to the complainant and state the
14.26manner in which the respondent proposes to resolve the complaint.
14.27    Subd. 4. Hearing. If the complainant believes the response does not resolve the
14.28complaint, the complainant may file with the official with whom the complaint was
14.29filed a request for a hearing. The request must state the objection to the response and
14.30propose to resolve the complaint in a way that is consistent with the Minnesota Election
14.31Law. The official with whom the complaint was filed must rule on the complaint within
14.3214 days after the hearing.
14.33    Subd. 5. Appeal. No later than 30 days after the ruling, the complainant may appeal
14.34the ruling. If the complaint was filed against a municipal clerk, school district clerk, or
14.35county auditor, the appeal must be filed with the secretary of state. If the complaint was
15.1filed against the secretary of state, the appeal must be filed with the Ramsey County
15.2District Court. The appeal must be heard within 14 days. Upon hearing the appeal, the
15.3secretary of state or district court may affirm, reverse, or modify the ruling and give
15.4appropriate instructions, as needed, to the secretary of state, county auditor, or local
15.5election official to resolve the complaint.
15.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective January 1, 2008.

15.7    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.45, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
15.8    Subd. 2. Procedure. Notice of the election and the special mail procedure must be
15.9given at least six weeks prior to the election. No earlier Not more than 20 30 days or nor
15.10later than 14 days prior to the election, the auditor shall mail ballots by nonforwardable
15.11mail to all voters registered in the town municipality or unorganized territory. No later
15.12than 14 days before the election, the auditor must make a subsequent mailing of ballots to
15.13those voters who register to vote after the initial mailing but before the 20th day before the
15.14election. Eligible voters not registered at the time the ballots are mailed may apply for
15.15ballots as provided in chapter 203B. Ballot return envelopes, with return postage provided,
15.16must be preaddressed to the auditor or clerk and the voter may return the ballot by mail or
15.17in person to the office of the auditor or clerk. The auditor or clerk must appoint election
15.18judges to examine the return envelopes and mark them "accepted" or "rejected" during the
15.1930 days before the election. If an envelope has been rejected at least five days before the
15.20election, the ballots in the envelope must be considered spoiled ballots and the auditor
15.21or clerk shall provide the voter with a replacement ballot and return envelope in place of
15.22the spoiled ballot. The costs of the mailing shall be paid by the election jurisdiction in
15.23which the voter resides. Any ballot received by 8:00 p.m. on the day of the election
15.24must be counted.

15.25    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
15.26    Subdivision 1. Lingering near polling place. An individual shall be allowed to go
15.27to and from the polling place for the purpose of voting without unlawful interference. No
15.28one except an election official or an individual who is waiting to register or to vote shall
15.29stand within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place. The entrance to a polling place
15.30is the doorway or point of entry leading into the room or area where voting is occurring
15.31building in which a polling place is located.

15.32    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204C.06, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
15.33    Subd. 8. Access for news media. A news media representative may enter a polling
15.34place during voting hours only to observe the voting process. A media representative must
15.35present photo identification to the head election judge upon arrival at the polling place,
16.1along with either a recognized media credential or written statement from a local election
16.2official attesting to the media representative's credentials. A media representative must not:
16.3    (1) approach within six feet of a voter;
16.4    (2) converse with a voter while in the polling place;
16.5    (3) make a list of persons voting or not voting; or
16.6    (4) photograph a voter without the voter's consent; or
16.7    (5) interfere with the voting process.

16.8    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204D.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
16.9    Subd. 2. Sample ballot. At least two weeks before the state primary the county
16.10auditor shall prepare a sample state partisan primary ballot ballots and a sample state and
16.11county nonpartisan primary ballot ballots showing the offices and questions to be voted on
16.12in each precinct in the county and make them available for public inspection in the county
16.13auditor's office. The names of all of the candidates to be voted for in the county shall be
16.14placed on the sample ballots, with the names of the candidates for each office arranged
16.15alphabetically according to the surname. Only one sample state partisan primary ballot
16.16and one sample state and county nonpartisan ballot shall be prepared for any county.
16.17The county auditor shall post the sample ballots in a conspicuous place in the auditor's
16.18office and shall cause them to be published at least one week before the state primary in
16.19at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. A county auditor must also
16.20either post the sample ballot for each precinct electronically on the county's website and
16.21on the website of at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county, or publish
16.22a single sample ballot in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. If
16.23the sample ballots are posted on Web sites, the county auditor must publish a notice in
16.24the newspaper of general circulation that the sample ballots for the election are posted
16.25and the website address where they are located. The published sample ballot must list the
16.26candidates in base rotation order for every office on the ballot and include all questions
16.27that will appear on the ballot.

16.28    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204D.16, is amended to read:
16.29204D.16 SAMPLE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOTS; POSTING;
16.30PUBLICATION.
16.31    At least two weeks before the state general election the county auditor shall prepare
16.32sample copies of the white and canary ballots and shall post copies of these sample ballots
16.33and a sample of the pink ballot in the auditor's office for public inspection. No earlier than
16.3415 days and no later than two days before the state general election The county auditor
16.35shall cause the sample white and canary ballots to be published in at least one newspaper
16.36of general circulation in the county. for each precinct in the county and make them
17.1available for public inspection in the county auditor's office. A county auditor must also
17.2either post the sample ballot for each precinct electronically on the county's Web site and
17.3on the Web site of at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county, or publish a
17.4single sample ballot in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the county. If the
17.5sample ballots are posted on Web sites, the county auditor must publish a notice in the
17.6newspaper of general circulation that the sample ballots for the election are posted and
17.7the Web site address where they are located. The published sample ballot must list the
17.8candidates in base rotation order for every office on the ballot and include all questions
17.9that will appear on the ballot.

17.10    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.10, is amended by adding a subdivision
17.11to read:
17.12    Subd. 6. Cancellation. A special election ordered by the governing body of the
17.13municipality on its own motion under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the
17.14governing body, but not less than 46 days before the election.

17.15    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
17.16to read:
17.17    Subd. 7. Write-in candidates. A candidate for a city office who wants write-in
17.18votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the filing officer for
17.19the office sought no later than the seventh day before the general election. The filing
17.20officer must provide copies of the form to make the request.

17.21    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
17.22    Subd. 2. Sample ballot, publication. For every municipal election, the municipal
17.23clerk shall, at least one week before the election, publish a sample ballot in the official
17.24newspaper of the municipality, except that either post the sample ballot for each precinct
17.25electronically on the municipality's Web site and on the Web site of at least one newspaper
17.26of general circulation in the municipality, or publish a single sample ballot in at least one
17.27newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. If the sample ballots are posted on
17.28Web sites, the municipal clerk must publish a notice in the newspaper of general circulation
17.29that the sample ballots for the election are posted and the Web site address where they are
17.30located. The published sample ballot must list the candidates in base rotation order for
17.31every municipal office on the ballot and include all municipal questions that will appear
17.32on the ballot. The governing body of a fourth class city or a town not located within a
17.33metropolitan county as defined in section 473.121 may dispense with publication.

17.34    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
18.1    Subd. 3. Sample ballot, posting. For every municipal election, the municipal clerk
18.2shall at least four days two weeks before the election post prepare a sample ballot for each
18.3precinct in the municipality, make them available for public inspection in the clerk's office
18.4for public inspection, and post a sample ballot in each polling place on election day.

18.5    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205.16, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
18.6    Subd. 4. Notice to auditor. At least 53 days prior to every municipal election, the
18.7municipal clerk shall provide a written notice to the county auditor, including the date of
18.8the election, the offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and language for each
18.9ballot question to be voted on at the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the
18.10municipal clerk must provide written notice to the county auditor of any special election
18.11canceled under section 205.10, subdivision 6.

18.12    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.05, is amended by adding a
18.13subdivision to read:
18.14    Subd. 3. Cancellation. A special election ordered by the school board on its own
18.15motion under subdivision 1 may be canceled by motion of the school board, but not less
18.16than 46 days before the election.

18.17    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.06, is amended by adding a
18.18subdivision to read:
18.19    Subd. 6. Write-in candidates. A candidate for a school district office who wants
18.20write-in votes for the candidate to be counted must file a written request with the filing
18.21officer for the office sought no later than the seventh day before the general election. The
18.22filing officer must provide copies of the form to make the request.

18.23    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
18.24    Subd. 2. Sample ballot, posting. For At least two weeks before every school
18.25district primary, general, or special election, the school district clerk shall at least four
18.26days before the primary, general, or special election, post a sample ballot for each
18.27precinct in the school district in the administrative offices of the school district for public
18.28inspection, and. The school district clerk must also either post the sample ballot for each
18.29precinct electronically on the school district's Web site and on the Web site of at least one
18.30newspaper of general circulation in the district, or publish a single sample ballot in at least
18.31one newspaper of general circulation in the district. If the sample ballots are posted on
18.32Web sites, the school district clerk must publish a notice in the newspaper of general
18.33circulation that the sample ballots for the election are posted and the Web site address
18.34where they are located. The published sample ballot must list the candidates in base
18.35rotation order for every school district office on the ballot and include all school district
19.1questions that will appear on the ballot. The school district clerk shall also post a sample
19.2ballot in each polling place on election day.

19.3    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
19.4    Subd. 3. Notice to auditor. At least 53 days prior to every school district election,
19.5the school district clerk shall provide a written notice to the county auditor of each county
19.6in which the school district is located. The notice must include the date of the election, the
19.7offices to be voted on at the election, and the title and language for each ballot question to
19.8be voted on at the election. For the purposes of meeting the timelines of this section, in
19.9a bond election, a notice, including a proposed question, may be provided to the county
19.10auditor prior to receipt of a review and comment from the commissioner of education and
19.11prior to actual initiation of the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the
19.12school district clerk must provide written notice to the county auditor of any special
19.13election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3.

19.14    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 205A.07, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
19.15    Subd. 3a. Notice to commissioner of education. At least 49 days prior to every
19.16school district election, under section 123B.62, 123B.63, 126C.17, 126C.69, or 475.58,
19.17the school district clerk shall provide a written notice to the commissioner of education.
19.18The notice must include the date of the election and the title and language for each ballot
19.19question to be voted on at the election. Not less than 46 days before the election, the
19.20school district clerk must provide a written notice to the commissioner of education of
19.21any special election canceled under section 205A.05, subdivision 3. The certified vote
19.22totals for each ballot question shall be provided in a written notice to the commissioner
19.23in a timely manner.

19.24    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
19.25    Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section "postelection review official"
19.26means the election administration official who is responsible for the conduct of elections
19.27in a precinct selected for review under this section. county auditor, unless the county
19.28auditor designates the municipal clerk as the "postelection review official" within 24 hours
19.29after the canvass of the state general election.

19.30    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 206.89, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
19.31    Subd. 5. Additional review. (a) If the postelection review in one of the reviewed
19.32precincts reveals a difference greater than one-half of one percent, or greater than two
19.33votes in a precinct where 400 or fewer voters cast ballots, the postelection review official
19.34must, within two days, conduct an additional review of the races indicated in subdivision 3
19.35in at least three precincts in the same jurisdiction where the discrepancy was discovered. If
20.1all precincts in that jurisdiction have been reviewed, the county auditor must immediately
20.2publicly select by lot at least three additional precincts for review. The postelection review
20.3official must complete the additional review within two days after the precincts are
20.4selected and report the results immediately to the county auditor. If the second review in
20.5any of the reviewed precincts also indicates a difference in the vote totals compiled by the
20.6voting system that is greater than one-half of one percent from the result indicated by the
20.7postelection review, or greater than two votes in a precinct where 400 or fewer voters cast
20.8ballots, the county auditor must conduct a review of the ballots from all the remaining
20.9precincts in the county for the races indicated in subdivision 3. This review must be
20.10completed no later than six weeks after the state general election.
20.11    (b) If the results from the countywide reviews from one or more counties comprising
20.12in the aggregate more than ten percent of the total number of persons voting in the election
20.13clearly indicate that an error in vote counting has occurred, the postelection review official
20.14must conduct a manual recount of all the ballots in the district for the affected office. The
20.15recount must be completed and the results reported to the appropriate canvassing board no
20.16later than ten weeks after the state general election.

20.17    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
20.18    Subd. 2. Information required. The report to be filed by a candidate or committee
20.19must include:
20.20    (1) the name of the candidate or ballot question;
20.21    (2) the printed name and, address, phone number, signature, and e-mail address, if
20.22available, of the person responsible for filing the report;
20.23    (3) the total amount of receipts and expenditures for the period from the last previous
20.24report to five days before the current report is due;
20.25    (4) the amount, date, and purpose for each expenditure; and
20.26    (5) the name, address, and employer, or occupation if self-employed, of any
20.27individual or committee that during the year has made one or more contributions that in the
20.28aggregate are equal to or greater than $100, and the amount and date of each contribution.
20.29The filing officer must restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made
20.30a contribution equal to or greater than $100 and who has filed with the filing officer a
20.31written statement signed by the individual that withholding the individual's address from
20.32the financial report is required for the safety of the individual or the individual's family.

20.33    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211A.05, is amended to read:
20.34211A.05 FAILURE TO FILE STATEMENT.
20.35    Subdivision 1. Penalty. A candidate who intentionally fails to file a report required
20.36by section 211A.02 or a certification required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
21.1The treasurer of a committee formed to promote or defeat a ballot question who
21.2intentionally fails to file a report required by section 211A.02 or a certification required
21.3by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each candidate or treasurer of a committee
21.4formed to promote or defeat a ballot question shall certify to the filing officer that all
21.5reports required by section 211A.02 have been submitted to the filing officer or that the
21.6candidate or committee has not received contributions or made disbursements exceeding
21.7$750 in the calendar year. The certification shall be submitted to the filing officer no
21.8later than seven days after the general or special election. The secretary of state shall
21.9prepare blanks for this certification. An officer who issues a certificate of election to a
21.10candidate who has not certified that all reports required by section 211A.02 have been
21.11filed is guilty of a misdemeanor.
21.12    Subd. 2. Notice of failure to file; penalty. If a candidate or committee fails to file
21.13a report on the date it is due, the filing officer shall immediately notify the candidate or
21.14committee of the failure to file. If a report is not filed within ten days after the notification
21.15is mailed, the filing officer shall file a complaint under section 211B.32. No later than four
21.16business days after the date on which a report is due, the filing officer must send a notice
21.17by certified mail to any individual who fails to file a statement required by this chapter. If
21.18an individual fails to file a statement within ten business days after the notice of failure to
21.19file was sent, the filing officer must impose a late filing fee of $10 per day, not to exceed
21.20$200, commencing with the 11th day after the notice was sent. If the individual fails to
21.21file the statement within 30 days after the notice was sent, the filing officer must file a
21.22complaint under section 211B.32 and the late filing fee must be made payable to the Office
21.23of Administrative Hearings in lieu of any payment that would otherwise be assessed to the
21.24county from which the complaint was filed.

21.25    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 211B.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.26    Subdivision 1. Soliciting near polling places. A person may not display campaign
21.27material, post signs, ask, solicit, or in any manner try to induce or persuade a voter within
21.28a polling place or within 100 feet of the building in which a polling place is situated, or
21.29anywhere on the public property on which a polling place is situated located, on primary
21.30or election day to vote for or refrain from voting for a candidate or ballot question. A
21.31person may not provide political badges, political buttons, or other political insignia to be
21.32worn at or about the polling place on the day of a primary or election. A political badge,
21.33political button, or other political insignia may not be worn at or about the polling place on
21.34primary or election day. This section applies to areas established by the county auditor or
21.35municipal clerk for absentee voting as provided in chapter 203B.
22.1    The secretary of state, county auditor, municipal clerk, or school district clerk may
22.2provide stickers which contain the words "I VOTED" and nothing more. Election judges
22.3may offer a sticker of this type to each voter who has signed the polling place roster.

22.4    Sec. 44. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 325L.03, is amended to read:
22.5325L.03 SCOPE.
22.6    (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (b) and (e), this chapter applies to
22.7electronic records and electronic signatures relating to a transaction.
22.8    (b) This chapter does not apply to a transaction to the extent it is governed by:
22.9    (1) the Uniform Commercial Code other than section 336.1-306, article 2, and
22.10article 2A; and
22.11    (2) section 145C.03, subdivision 1, relating to requirements for creation of a health
22.12care directive; section 507.24, relating to requirements for recording any conveyance,
22.13power of attorney, or other instrument affecting real estate; section 523.23, subdivision
22.143 , relating to requirements for creation of a statutory short form power of attorney; and
22.15section 253B.03, subdivision 6b, relating to requirements for creation of a declaration of
22.16preferences or instructions regarding intrusive mental health treatment.
22.17    (c) This chapter applies to an electronic record or electronic signature otherwise
22.18excluded from the application of this chapter under paragraph (b) to the extent it is
22.19governed by a law other than those specified in paragraph (b).
22.20    (d) A transaction subject to this chapter is also subject to other applicable substantive
22.21law.
22.22    (e) This chapter does not apply to the creation and execution of wills, codicils, or
22.23trusts other than trusts relating to the conduct of business, commercial, or governmental
22.24purposes.
22.25    (f) This chapter does not apply to affidavits of candidacy relating to the conduct of
22.26elections.

22.27    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 375.101, is amended by adding a subdivision
22.28to read:
22.29    Subd. 1a. Appointments to fill vacancies. Except as provided in subdivision 3, any
22.30other vacancy in the office of county commissioner must be filled by board appointment at
22.31a regular or special meeting. The appointment shall be evidenced by a resolution entered
22.32in the minutes and shall continue until an election is held under this subdivision. All
22.33elections to fill vacancies shall be for the unexpired term. If the vacancy occurs before the
22.34first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the next county general election and more than
22.35two years remain in the unexpired term, a special election shall be held in conjunction
22.36with the county general election. The appointed person shall serve until the qualification
23.1of the successor elected to fill the unexpired part of the term at that special election. If the
23.2vacancy occurs on or after the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for the county general
23.3election, or when less than two years remain in the unexpired term, there shall be no special
23.4election to fill the vacancy and the appointed person shall serve the remainder of the
23.5unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualifies at the county general election.
23.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

23.7    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 410.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
23.8    Subdivision 1. Proposals. The charter commission may propose amendments to
23.9such charter and shall do so upon the petition of voters equal in number to five percent of
23.10the total votes cast at the last previous state general election in the city. Proposed charter
23.11amendments must be submitted at least 12 weeks before the general election. Petitions
23.12may be signed no earlier than 26 weeks before the general election. Only registered
23.13voters are eligible to sign the petition. All petitions circulated with respect to a charter
23.14amendment shall be uniform in character and shall have attached thereto the text of the
23.15proposed amendment in full; except that in the case of a proposed amendment containing
23.16more than 1,000 words, a true and correct copy of the same may be filed with the city
23.17clerk, and the petition shall then contain a summary of not less than 50 nor more than 300
23.18words setting forth in substance the nature of the proposed amendment. Such summary
23.19shall contain a statement of the objects and purposes of the amendment proposed and an
23.20outline of any proposed new scheme or frame work of government and shall be sufficient
23.21to inform the signers of the petition as to what change in government is sought to be
23.22accomplished by the amendment. The summary, together with a copy of the proposed
23.23amendment, shall first be submitted to the charter commission for its approval as to form
23.24and substance. The commission shall within ten days after such submission to it, return
23.25the same to the proposers of the amendment with such modifications in statement as it
23.26may deem necessary in order that the summary may fairly comply with the requirements
23.27above set forth.

23.28    Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 447.32, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
23.29    Subd. 4. Candidates; ballots; certifying election. A person who wants to be a
23.30candidate for the hospital board shall file an affidavit of candidacy for the election either
23.31as member at large or as a member representing the city or town where the candidate
23.32resides. The affidavit of candidacy must be filed with the city or town clerk not more than
23.3370 days nor less than 56 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
23.34of the year in which the general election is held. The city or town clerk must forward the
23.35affidavits of candidacy to the clerk of the hospital district or, for the first election, the clerk
24.1of the most populous city or town immediately after the last day of the filing period. A
24.2candidate may withdraw from the election by filing an affidavit of withdrawal with the
24.3clerk of the district no later than 5:00 p.m. two days after the last day to file affidavits
24.4of candidacy. A candidate for a hospital district office who wants write-in votes for the
24.5candidate to be counted must file a written request with the filing officer for the office
24.6sought no later than the seventh day before the general election. The filing officer must
24.7provide copies of the form to make the request.
24.8    Voting must be by secret ballot. The clerk shall prepare, at the expense of the
24.9district, necessary ballots for the election of officers. Ballots must be printed on tan paper
24.10and prepared as provided in the rules of the secretary of state. The ballots must be marked
24.11and initialed by at least two judges as official ballots and used exclusively at the election.
24.12Any proposition to be voted on may be printed on the ballot provided for the election
24.13of officers. The hospital board may also authorize the use of voting systems subject to
24.14chapter 206. Enough election judges may be appointed to receive the votes at each
24.15polling place. The election judges shall act as clerks of election, count the ballots cast,
24.16and submit them to the board for canvass.
24.17    After canvassing the election, the board shall issue a certificate of election to the
24.18candidate who received the largest number of votes cast for each office. The clerk shall
24.19deliver the certificate to the person entitled to it in person or by certified mail. Each person
24.20certified shall file an acceptance and oath of office in writing with the clerk within 30
24.21days after the date of delivery or mailing of the certificate. The board may fill any office
24.22as provided in subdivision 1 if the person elected fails to qualify within 30 days, but
24.23qualification is effective if made before the board acts to fill the vacancy.

24.24    Sec. 48. APPROPRIATION.
24.25    $....... in fiscal year 2008 and $....... in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated from the
24.26general fund to the secretary of state for the purpose of implementing sections 1 to 27.

24.27    Sec. 49. REPEALER.
24.28Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 200.04; 201.061, subdivision 7; 201.096; 203B.02,
24.29subdivision 1a; 203B.13, subdivision 3a; and 375.101, subdivisions 1 and 2, are repealed."
24.30Delete the title and insert:
24.32relating to elections; changing certain definitions, voter registration procedures
24.33and requirements, filing requirements, voting procedures, election day
24.34prohibitions, and ballot preparation requirements; establishing a complaint
24.35and resolution process; requiring certain notices; providing for assessment of
24.36certain costs; changing a petition requirement; imposing penalties; appropriating
24.37money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 200.02, subdivisions 7,
24.3823; 201.016, subdivision 1a; 201.056; 201.061, subdivisions 1, 3, by adding a
25.1subdivision; 201.071, subdivision 1; 201.091, by adding a subdivision; 201.121,
25.2by adding a subdivision; 201.171; 203B.07, subdivision 2; 203B.081; 203B.12,
25.3subdivision 4; 203B.13, subdivisions 1, 2; 204B.06, subdivision 1; 204B.09,
25.4subdivisions 1, 3; 204B.11, subdivision 2; 204B.16, subdivision 1; 204B.27,
25.5by adding a subdivision; 204B.45, subdivision 2; 204C.06, subdivisions 1, 8;
25.6204D.09, subdivision 2; 204D.16; 205.10, by adding a subdivision; 205.13,
25.7by adding a subdivision; 205.16, subdivisions 2, 3, 4; 205A.05, by adding a
25.8subdivision; 205A.06, by adding a subdivision; 205A.07, subdivisions 2, 3,
25.93a; 206.89, subdivisions 1, 5; 211A.02, subdivision 2; 211A.05; 211B.11,
25.10subdivision 1; 325L.03; 375.101, by adding a subdivision; 410.12, subdivision
25.111; 447.32, subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
25.12chapter 204B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 200.04; 201.061,
25.13subdivision 7; 201.096; 203B.02, subdivision 1a; 203B.13, subdivision 3a;
25.14375.101, subdivisions 1, 2."