Minnesota Legislature
HF 1827
as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
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A bill for an act
relating to elections; requiring certain voting materials to be printed in languages
other than English; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.27,
subdivisions 3, 11.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.27, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3.
Instruction posters.
new text begin (a) new text end At least 25 days before every state election the
secretary of state shall prepare and furnish to the county auditor of each county in which
paper ballots are used, voter instruction posters printed in large type upon cards or heavy
paper. The instruction posters must contain the information needed to enable the voters to
cast their paper ballots quickly and correctly and indicate the types of assistance available
for elderly and disabled voters. Two instruction posters shall be furnished for each
precinct in which paper ballots are used.
new text begin
(b) Counties in which the county auditor has determined a need for non-English
voting materials, as described in subdivision 11, paragraph (c), must also be provided
posters stating: "Voter registration applications and ballot instructions are available in
..... language." This statement must be printed in large type on cards or heavy paper in
each of the non-English languages for which the county auditor has requested translated
materials. Two posters must be provided for each precinct supplied with non-English
voting materials.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 204B.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
Subd. 11.
Translation of voting deleted text begin instructionsdeleted text end new text begin materialsnew text end .
new text begin (a) new text end The secretary of state
deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin shallnew text end developnew text begin and publishnew text end voting instructionsnew text begin , voter registration applications, absentee
ballot applications, and absentee ballot instructions writtennew text end in languages other than
Englishdeleted text begin , to be posted and made available in polling places during electionsdeleted text end .new text begin Non-English
voting instructions must also include illustrations depicting the steps necessary for a voter
to complete and cast a ballot. Paper copies of any non-English voting materials published
by the secretary of state must be provided by the secretary, upon request, at no charge.
new text end
new text begin (b) The secretary of state shall publish the voting materials in any non-English
language recommended by the state demographer. new text end The state demographer shall determine
and report to the secretary of state the languages that are so common in this state that there
is a need for translated voting deleted text begin instructionsdeleted text end new text begin materialsnew text end .
new text begin
(c) Each county auditor shall determine the number of precincts, if any, that may
reasonably need non-English materials, the languages that might be requested, and the
number of materials necessary to meet the potential need for each language. The need for
materials must be determined based upon an assessment of the likely voting population in
each precinct. The secretary of state shall supply each county with non-English materials
as requested by the county auditor.
new text end