Bill > SF2489

This bill improves the testing requirements for voting systems in Minnesota by extending several key timelines and adding more detailed testing procedures. Specifically, the bill increases the advance notice period for voting system testing from three to ten days before absentee ballots are used, and changes the public notice period from two to five days. The testing process now requires more comprehensive examination of voting systems, including processing test ballots with uniquely valid votes and deliberately including ballots with votes exceeding legal limits to verify the system's ability to reject such ballots. The bill mandates that the test must be observed by at least two election judges from different political parties and be open to political representatives, candidates, press, and the public. Additionally, the bill now requires that a detailed precinct report by ballot style must be made publicly available within 24 hours of testing, enhancing transparency in the election preparation process. The testing must include verifying the system's ability to mark ballots using all methods, including assistive technologies like electronic ballot displays and audio ballot readers. If any errors are detected during testing, they must be fully investigated and corrected before the voting system can be used in an election. The bill becomes effective the day after final enactment.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2489&ssn=0&y=2025