Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting
Section 203B.08 — Marking And Return Of Absentee Ballots.

Subdivision 1. Marking and return by voter. (a) An eligible voter who receives absentee ballots as provided in this chapter shall mark them in the manner specified in the directions for casting the absentee ballots. The return envelope containing marked ballots may be mailed as provided in the directions for casting the absentee ballots, may be left with the county auditor or municipal clerk who transmitted the absentee ballots to the voter, or may be left in a drop box as provided in section 203B.082. If delivered in person, the return envelope must be submitted to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 3:00 p.m. on election day.
(b) The voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk or to deposit the return envelope in the mail. An agent may deliver or mail the return envelopes of not more than three voters in any election. Any person designated as an agent who tampers with either the return envelope or the voted ballots or does not immediately mail or deliver the return envelope to the county auditor or municipal clerk is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Subd. 1a. [Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46]
Subd. 2. Address on return envelopes. The county auditor or municipal clerk shall address return envelopes to allow direct mailing of the absentee ballots to the county auditor or municipal clerk who has the responsibility to accept and reject the absentee ballots.
Subd. 3. Procedures on receipt of ballots. When absentee ballots are returned to a county auditor or municipal clerk, that official shall stamp or initial and date the return envelope and place it in a locked ballot container or other secured and locked space with other return envelopes received by that office. Within five days after receipt, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver to the ballot board all ballots received, except that during the 14 days immediately preceding an election, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall deliver all ballots received to the ballot board within three days. Ballots received on election day either (1) after 3:00 p.m., if delivered in person; or (2) after 8:00 p.m., if delivered by mail or a package delivery service, shall be marked as received late by the county auditor or municipal clerk, and must not be delivered to the ballot board.
Subd. 3a. [Repealed, 1999 c 132 s 46]
Subd. 4. Rules. The secretary of state shall adopt rules establishing procedures to be followed by county auditors and municipal clerks to assure accurate and timely return of absentee ballots. The rules of the secretary of state may authorize procedures and methods of return in addition to those specified in this section.
1981 c 29 art 3 s 8; 1983 c 253 s 2,3; 1986 c 362 s 1,2; 1987 c 266 art 1 s 16; 1990 c 453 s 2; 1997 c 147 s 16; 1999 c 132 s 11; 2004 c 293 art 1 s 22; 2008 c 244 art 2 s 14; 2010 c 194 s 7,8; 2013 c 131 art 2 s 15; 2015 c 70 art 1 s 13,14; 1Sp2021 c 12 art 4 s 3,4

Structure Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Statutes

Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections

Chapter 203B — Absentee Voting

Section 203B.001 — Election Law Applicability.

Section 203B.01 — Absentee Balloting; Definitions.

Section 203B.02 — General Eligibility Requirements.

Section 203B.03 — Prohibitions; Penalties.

Section 203B.04 — Application For Ballots.

Section 203B.05 — Designation Of Municipal Clerks To Administer Absentee Voting Laws.

Section 203B.06 — Applications; Filing With County Auditor Or Municipal Clerk; Delivery Of Ballot.

Section 203B.065 — Using The Registration System.

Section 203B.07 — Return And Ballot Envelopes; Directions To Voters.

Section 203B.08 — Marking And Return Of Absentee Ballots.

Section 203B.081 — Locations And Methods For Absentee Voting In Person.

Section 203B.082 — Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes; Security And Integrity.

Section 203B.085 — County Auditor's And Municipal Clerk's Offices To Remain Open During Certain Hours Preceding Election.

Section 203B.09 — Form And Content Of Required Materials; Rules Of Secretary Of State.

Section 203B.11 — Hospital Patients And Residents Of Health Care Facilities.

Section 203B.12 — Absentee Voter Names.

Section 203B.121 — Ballot Boards.

Section 203B.125 — Secretary Of State To Make Rules.

Section 203B.14 — County Auditor Or Municipal Clerk May Employ Additional Help.

Section 203B.15 — Administrative Expenses.

Section 203B.16 — Absent Voters In The Military Or Outside The United States.

Section 203B.17 — Application For Ballot.

Section 203B.18 — Forwarding Applications.

Section 203B.19 — Recording Applications.

Section 203B.20 — Challenges.

Section 203B.21 — Ballots And Envelopes.

Section 203B.22 — Transmitting Ballots.

Section 203B.225 — Transmitting And Returning Ballots.

Section 203B.227 — Write-in Absentee Ballot.

Section 203B.23 — Absentee Ballot Board.

Section 203B.24 — Duties Of Election Judges.

Section 203B.26 — Separate Record.

Section 203B.27 — Expense Chargeable To General Revenue.

Section 203B.28 — Postelection Report To Legislature.