Section 204B.35 Preparation of Ballots - Minnesota Statutes

204B.35 PREPARATION OF BALLOTS.

Subdivision 1.Application.

All ballots for every election shall be prepared in accordance with sections 204B.35 to 204B.44 and chapter 204D, except for voting machine ballots or as otherwise provided by law.

Subd. 2.Manner of preparation.

Ballots shall be prepared in a manner that enables the voters to understand which questions are to be voted upon and the identity and number of candidates to be voted for in each office and to designate their choices easily and accurately. The name of a candidate shall not appear on a ballot in any way that gives the candidate an advantage over an opponent, including words descriptive of the candidate's occupation, qualifications, principles, or opinions, except as otherwise provided by law.

Subd. 3.Number.

The official in charge of preparing ballots shall prepare a sufficient number of ballots:

(a) to fill applications of absentee voters; and

(b) to provide each precinct with a sufficient number of ballots of each kind as required by section 204B.29, subdivision 1.

Subd. 4.Absentee ballots; preparation; delivery.

At least 46 days before a regularly scheduled election for federal, state, county, city, or school board office or a special election for federal office, and at least 30 days before any other election, ballots necessary to fill applications of absentee voters shall be prepared and delivered to the officials who administer the provisions of chapter 203B.

This section applies to school district elections held on the same day as a statewide election or an election for a county or municipality located partially or wholly within the school district.

Subd. 5.Combined local elections.

Municipalities shall determine the voting method in combined local elections when other election jurisdictions located wholly or partially within the municipality schedule elections on the same date as the regular municipal primary or general election.

History:

1981 c 29 art 4 s 35; 1983 c 303 s 11; 1985 c 72 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1986 c 475 s 14; 1987 c 62 s 4; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 33; 1991 c 227 s 15; 2010 c 184 s 17