Subdivision 1. Member has one vote. A member of a cooperative is only entitled to one vote, except that a member of a cooperative described in section 308A.641 may be entitled to more than one vote as provided in that section.
Subd. 2. Spouse may vote for member. If a vote of members is taken on any matter, including a petition pursuant to section 216B.02, subdivision 4, the spouse of the member may vote on behalf of the member unless the member has indicated otherwise.
Subd. 3. Right to vote at meeting. A member or delegate may exercise voting rights on any matter that is before the members at a members' meeting from the time the member or delegate arrives at the members' meeting, unless the articles or bylaws specify an earlier and specific time for closing the right to vote.
Subd. 4. Voting method. A member's vote at a members' meeting must be in person or by mail if a mail vote is authorized by the board, or by electronic means if an electronic vote is authorized by the board, and not by proxy except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 5.
Subd. 5. Members represented by delegates. (a) A cooperative may provide in the articles or bylaws that local units of members are entitled to be represented at members' meetings by delegates chosen by the members of the unit. The delegates may vote on matters at the members' meeting in the same manner as a member. The delegates may only exercise the voting rights on a basis and with the number of votes as prescribed in the articles or bylaws.
(b) If the approval of a certain portion of the members is required for adoption of amendments, a dissolution, a merger, a consolidation, or a sale of assets, the votes of delegates shall be counted as votes by the members represented by the delegate.
Subd. 5a. Health care cooperative. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the requirements and procedures for membership voting for a health care cooperative shall be as provided in the bylaws.
Subd. 6. Absentee ballots. (a) A member who is absent from a members' meeting may vote by mail or by electronic means on the ballot prescribed in this subdivision on any motion, resolution, or amendment that the board submits for vote by mail to the members.
(b) The ballot shall be in the form prescribed by the board and contain:
(1) the exact text of the proposed motion, resolution, or amendment to be acted on at the meeting; and
(2) spaces opposite the text of the motion, resolution, or amendment in which the member may indicate an affirmative or negative vote.
(c) If the vote is by mail, the member shall express a choice by marking an "X" in the appropriate space on the ballot and mail or deliver the ballot to the cooperative in a plain, sealed envelope inside another envelope bearing the member's name.
(d) The member may vote by electronic means if the cooperative is able to authenticate that it is the cooperative member who is casting the vote.
(e) A properly executed ballot shall be accepted by the board and counted as the vote of the absent member at the meeting.
1989 c 144 art 1 s 34; art 3 s 23,24; 1991 c 320 s 15; 1994 c 625 art 11 s 11; 1995 c 150 s 2; 2002 c 303 s 3,4
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 300 - 323A — Business, Social, And Charitable Organizations
Section 308A.005 — Definitions.
Section 308A.011 — Use Of Term Cooperative Restricted.
Section 308A.015 — Reservation Of Right.
Section 308A.021 — Filing Fee.
Section 308A.025 — Registered Office.
Section 308A.027 — Annual Renewal.
Section 308A.032 — Foreign Cooperatives; Sections Applicable.
Section 308A.101 — Organizational Purpose.
Section 308A.105 — Incorporators.
Section 308A.121 — Cooperative Name.
Section 308A.125 — Stock And Nonstock Organization.
Section 308A.131 — Articles Of Incorporation.
Section 308A.135 — Amendment Of Articles.
Section 308A.141 — Amendment Of Articles To Be Governed By This Chapter.
Section 308A.145 — Amendment Of Articles To Incorporate Defectively Organized Cooperative.
Section 308A.155 — Corporate Existence.
Section 308A.205 — Agricultural Marketing Contracts.
Section 308A.210 — Telecommunication Services Purchasing Cooperatives.
Section 308A.301 — Board Governs Cooperative.
Section 308A.305 — Number Of Directors.
Section 308A.311 — Election Of Directors.
Section 308A.313 — Apportionment Of Directors Among Districts Or Units.
Section 308A.315 — Filling Vacancies.
Section 308A.321 — Removal Of Directors.
Section 308A.325 — Limitation Of Director's Liability.
Section 308A.327 — Electric Cooperative; Board Meetings.
Section 308A.328 — Standard Of Conduct.
Section 308A.501 — Capital Stock.
Section 308A.503 — Health Care Cooperative Members.
Section 308A.505 — Subject To Securities Law.
Section 308A.601 — Grouping Of Members.
Section 308A.605 — Member And Stockholder Violations.
Section 308A.611 — Regular Members' Meetings.
Section 308A.615 — Special Members' Meetings.
Section 308A.621 — Certification Of Mailed Meeting Notice.
Section 308A.625 — Failure To Receive Meeting Notice.
Section 308A.635 — Member Voting Rights.
Section 308A.645 — Vote Of Corporate Stock Held By Cooperative.
Section 308A.705 — Distribution Of Income.
Section 308A.711 — Distribution Of Unclaimed Property.
Section 308A.801 — Merger And Consolidation.
Section 308A.901 — Liquidation.
Section 308A.905 — Methods Of Dissolution.
Section 308A.911 — Voluntary Dissolution By Members.
Section 308A.915 — Winding Up.
Section 308A.921 — Revocation Of Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.925 — Statute Of Limitations.
Section 308A.931 — Articles Of Dissolution.
Section 308A.935 — Application For Court-supervised Voluntary Dissolution.
Section 308A.941 — Court-ordered Remedies Or Dissolution.
Section 308A.945 — Procedure In Involuntary Or Court-supervised Voluntary Dissolution.
Section 308A.951 — Receiver Qualifications And Powers.
Section 308A.955 — Dissolution Action By Attorney General.
Section 308A.961 — Filing Claims In Court-supervised Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.965 — Discontinuance Of Court-supervised Dissolution Proceedings.
Section 308A.971 — Court-supervised Dissolution Order.
Section 308A.975 — Filing Court's Dissolution Order.
Section 308A.981 — Barring Of Claims.
Section 308A.985 — Right To Sue Or Defend After Dissolution.