Elections provisions modifications (new law)

When voters go to the polls in November, elections will be operating under streamlined processes.

Signed April 25 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and sponsored by Rep. Bill Hilty (DFL-Finlayson) and Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), the law, among other things:

• permits registering voters who are unable to sign their name to sign by making a mark;

• requires that affidavits of candidacy and nominating petitions be filed with the county auditor for county elections, the secretary of state for federal elections and either for state elections;

• prohibits lingering at the polling place;

• introduces new regulations for discretionary recounts; and

• specifies the number of signatures required for a federal or state office nominating petition, to be the lesser of 1 percent of the total number of individuals voting in the last general election or 2,000.

A provision requiring filing officers to restrict public access to the address of any individual who has made a contribution that exceeds $100 for the purposes of their safety is effective April 26, 2008, and applies to contributions made after Dec. 31, 2007.

Regulations dealing with voter registrations being incomplete due to a failure to match the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number are effective retroactively to Nov. 29, 2007.

All other sections of the law are effective June 1, 2008.

HF1110/SF1298*/CH244