S.F No. 2457 requires the development of election emergency plans. This legislation was recommended by the Elections Emergency Planning Task Force that met throughout 2015.
Subdivision 1 requires the Secretary of State, along with the Governor and the director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to develop a state elections emergency plan. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Minnesota State Council on Disability, must also create a state guide to assist local governments in developing a local plan. The guide must include a model county elections emergency plan.
Subdivision 2 requires a county to develop a county elections emergency plan to be used in all elections in the county. If the county contains jurisdictions that cross county lines, the counties must work together to ensure that the procedures are uniform throughout the jurisdiction. Cities, towns, and school districts may create local elections emergency plans; if so, the local plan governs all election emergencies within the jurisdiction. Local government officials must review their elections emergency plan prior to each state general election. Revisions to the plan must be filed with the Secretary of State by July 1 in a state general election year.
This act is effective on August 1, 2016. The initial required plans are due September 1, 2016.
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