Bill > HF992

This bill modifies Minnesota election laws to expand the rights and roles of challengers in polling places, specifically for early and absentee voting locations. The bill broadens the definition of "polling place" to include early voting sites and in-person absentee voting locations during the 18 days before an election. It allows political parties and candidates to appoint challengers at these locations, with limitations on their conduct: challengers cannot handle voter registration materials, create lists of voters, or attempt to influence voting. The bill clarifies that challengers must be residents of the state and can prove their residency using standard identification documents, and they do not need to be residents of the specific precinct where they are challenging. Importantly, the bill prohibits election judges and personnel authorized to conduct early or absentee voting from serving as challengers. The bill also maintains existing restrictions on challengers, such as not being allowed to converse with voters, and explicitly makes it a gross misdemeanor for political parties to compile challenge lists based on undelivered mail. These changes aim to provide additional oversight of the voting process while setting clear boundaries for challenger behavior.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0992&ssn=0&y=2025