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S.F. No. 3303 - Secretary of State Responsibilities for Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Ballots
Author: Senator David Hann
Prepared by: Thomas S. Bottern, Senate Counsel (651/296-3810)
Date: March 28, 2006

This bill designates the Secretary of State, rather than county auditors, to receive applications for absentee ballots from absent voters in the military or residing outside the United States. Additional responsibilities are provided for the Secretary of State to evaluate the applications and forward them to county auditors when appropriate. The bill also places additional record-keeping requirements on county auditors.

Section 1. APPLICATION FOR BALLOT. requires that applications for absentee ballots from members of the military and other citizens who reside overseas must be sent to the Secretary of State rather than individual county auditors. Subdivision 1, paragraph (c), provides authority for the Secretary of State to reject an application for an absentee ballot and requires the Secretary to mail the applicant a new blank application after rejecting the initial application.

Section 2. FORWARDING APPLICATIONS. requires the Secretary of State to forward applications for absentee ballots that have been accepted to the appropriate county auditor, authorizing electronic means to do so.

Section 3. RECORDING APPLICATIONS, BALLOTS SENT AND RECEIVED. requires the Secretary of State, rather than a county auditor, to record in the statewide voter registration system information pertinent to absentee ballot applications that have been accepted. Requires the Secretary of State to forward the application to a county auditor, who is given either two business days or the first business day that absentee ballot materials are available, whichever is later, to mail the materials to the voter. Imposes record-keeping obligations on county auditors to enter pertinent information regarding absentee ballots that are mailed to the voter under this section. Requires county auditors to send notice to voters regarding any rejected ballots and requires them to mail a replacement ballot to the voter if practicable. Requires county auditors to record all information regarding rejected ballots in the statewide voter registration system. Also requires the county auditor to keep a record of ballots that are mailed and returned as undeliverable.

Section 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. makes the bill effective July 1, 2006.

TSB:rdr




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