Subdivision 1. Gross misdemeanor. (a) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the preparation, dissemination, or broadcast of paid political advertising or campaign material with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat a candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.
(b) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who intentionally participates in the drafting of a letter to the editor with respect to the personal or political character or acts of a candidate, or with respect to the effect of a ballot question, that is designed or tends to elect, injure, promote, or defeat any candidate for nomination or election to a public office or to promote or defeat a ballot question, that is false, and that the person knows is false or communicates to others with reckless disregard of whether it is false.
Subd. 2. Exception. Subdivision 1 does not apply to any person or organization whose sole act is, in the normal course of their business, the printing, manufacturing, or dissemination of the false information.
History: 1988 c 578 art 3 s 6; 1998 c 376 s 3
NOTE: See 281 Care Committee v. Arneson, 766 F.3d 774 (8th Cir. 2014) for discussion of constitutionality.
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 200 - 212 — Elections
Chapter 211B — Fair Campaign Practices
Section 211B.01 — Definitions.
Section 211B.02 — False Claim Of Support.
Section 211B.03 — Use Of The Term Reelect.
Section 211B.04 — Campaign Material Must Include Disclaimer.
Section 211B.045 — Noncommercial Signs Exemption.
Section 211B.05 — Paid Advertisements In News.
Section 211B.06 — False Political And Campaign Material.
Section 211B.07 — Undue Influence On Voters Prohibited.
Section 211B.08 — Solicitation Of Contributions Prohibited.
Section 211B.09 — Prohibited Public Employee Activities.
Section 211B.10 — Inducing Or Refraining Candidacy; Time Off For Public Office Meetings.
Section 211B.11 — Election Day Prohibitions.
Section 211B.12 — Legal Expenditures.
Section 211B.13 — Bribery, Treating, And Solicitation.
Section 211B.14 — Digest Of Laws.
Section 211B.15 — Corporate Political Contributions.
Section 211B.16 — Prosecution.
Section 211B.17 — Forfeiture Of Nomination Or Office; Circumstances Where Not Forfeited.
Section 211B.18 — Disqualified Candidate Not To Hold Various Positions.
Section 211B.19 — Penalties For Violation.
Section 211B.20 — Denial Of Access By Political Candidates To Multiple Unit Dwellings.
Section 211B.205 — Participation In Public Parades.
Section 211B.21 — Applicability.
Section 211B.32 — Complaints Of Unfair Campaign Practices.
Section 211B.33 — Prima Facie Review.
Section 211B.34 — Probable Cause Hearing.