Chapter 204C — Chapter Application; Individuals Unable to Write

15.001 Application of Laws 2005, Chapter 56, Terminology Changes State agencies must use updated terminology from Laws 2005, chapter 56 when they replace or obtain new printed materials … 204C.001 This section has been renumbered. Its content is now found in section 15.001. 204C.01 Definitions The definitions used in chapter 200 (the general election definitions chapter) also apply to this chapter on election … 204C.02 Chapter Application; Individuals Unable to Write This chapter applies to all elections in Minnesota unless another law says otherwise. A person who cannot write their … 204C.03 Public Meetings Prohibited on Election Day On election day, local government boards, schools, and state colleges cannot hold meetings or events between 6:00 p.m. … 204C.035 Deceptive Practices in Elections It is a crime (gross misdemeanor) to knowingly give someone false information about when, where, or how to vote, or … 204C.04 Employees; Time Off to Vote Every eligible employee has the right to take time off work to vote on election day or during early voting, without … 204C.05 State Elections; Hours for Voting Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for state primaries and general elections. Small towns (under 500 people, … 204C.06 Conduct in and Near Polling Places People must be able to get to and from the polling place without interference. No one except voters, election officials, … 204C.07 Challengers Political parties and candidates may appoint challengers to observe voting at polling places. Challengers must be … 204C.08 Opening of Polling Places Election judges must arrive at the polling place at least one hour before polls open. They verify the ballots match … 204C.09 Ballot Preparation by Election Judges Before voting begins, at least two election judges must count the ballots and initial them. Each ballot package is … 204C.10 Polling Place Roster; Voter Signature Certificate; Voter Receipt Before voting, each person must sign a polling place roster confirming they meet voter eligibility requirements, … 204C.11 This section was repealed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1984. 204C.12 Challenges to Voters; Penalty Election judges must challenge a voter they personally know to be ineligible. Authorized challengers and other voters … 204C.13 Receiving and Marking Ballots After eligibility is confirmed, the voter receives one ballot of each kind for their precinct. The voter goes alone to a … 204C.14 Unlawful Voting; Penalty It is a felony to lie about your identity when voting, vote more than once, put a ballot in the box for an illegal … 204C.15 Assistance to Voters Voters who cannot read English or are physically unable to mark a ballot can get help from two election judges of … 204C.16 Mismarking Ballots; Disclosure of Markings by Others; Penalty An election judge or anyone helping a voter who marks the ballot differently than the voter directed, or who tells … 204C.17 Voting; Secrecy Voters must not tell anyone at the polling place who they voted for or plan to vote for. They cannot ask for help … 204C.18 Ballots; Secrecy Election judges must not record or let anyone record which party a voter belongs to or voted for. No one may put any … 204C.19 Counting Votes; Penalty After polls close, election judges must immediately begin counting votes publicly at the polling place and continue … 204C.20 Ballots; Number to Be Counted Election judges determine how many ballots should be in the box by counting signed voter certificates, then check that … 204C.21 Counting Ballots; Piling System Ballots are counted by sorting them into piles: one pile for each candidate who got votes, separate piles for blank and … 204C.22 Determining Voter's Intent Ballots should not be thrown out for minor errors if the voter's intent can be determined from the face of the ballot. A … 204C.23 Defective Ballots If election judges cannot determine the voter's intent on a ballot, they mark it 'Defective' on the back. If only part … 204C.24 Election Returns; Summary Statements Election judges must complete at least three copies of a summary statement for each precinct showing ballot counts, … 204C.25 Disposition of Ballots After counting is done, all counted, defective, and blank ballots are placed in envelopes, sealed, and signed by … 204C.26 Summary Statements and Envelopes for Ballot Returns; Election Officials to Furnish Election officials must provide blank summary statement forms and ballot envelopes to each precinct before the election. … 204C.27 Delivery of Returns to County Auditors Election judges must deliver one set of summary statements, spoiled ballots, and ballot envelopes to the county auditor … 204C.28 Election Night; Duties of County Auditors and Municipal Clerks County auditors must stay at their office on election night to receive returns, let the public inspect summary … 204C.29 Improper Delivery of Returns If election judges fail to deliver returns on time, the county auditor or clerk sends a special messenger to get them. … 204C.30 All subdivisions of this section have been repealed by the Minnesota Legislature. 204C.31 Canvassing Boards; Membership The county canvassing board includes the county auditor, district court administrator, the mayor or town board chair of … 204C.32 Canvass of State Primaries The county canvassing board meets two or three days after the state primary to publicly review and certify election … 204C.33 Canvass of State General Elections The county canvassing board meets between three and eight days after the general election to certify results, including … 204C.34 Tie Votes When candidates receive the exact same number of votes, the canvassing board responsible for that office decides the … 204C.35 Federal, State, and Judicial Races Losing candidates in very close federal, state, or judicial races can get a free manual recount if the vote margin is … 204C.36 Recounts in County, School District, and Municipal Elections Losing candidates in close county, school district, or municipal races can request a free recount if the margin is small … 204C.361 Rules for Recounts The secretary of state must adopt rules establishing uniform procedures for all recounts statewide. Ballots must be kept … 204C.37 County Canvass; Return of Reports to Secretary of State The county auditor must send a certified copy of the county canvassing board report to the secretary of state by express … 204C.38 Correction of Obvious Errors; When Candidates Agree If all candidates for an office agree in writing that election judges or a canvassing board made an obvious counting or … 204C.39 Correction of Other Obvious Errors If a county canvassing board believes election judges made an obvious counting error (without candidate agreement), the … 204C.40 Certificates of Election The county auditor or secretary of state prepares a certificate of election for each winning candidate. No certificate … 204C.41 Neglect of Duty; Other Offenses by Election Officials; Penalty An election officer who intentionally fails to perform a required duty, does something the law prohibits, or engages in … 204C.50 All subdivisions of this section have been repealed by the Minnesota Legislature.