SF3893

Purpose

• This bill aims to strengthen protections around voting and the work of election officials by increasing criminal penalties for intimidation and interference with the voting process, and for interference related to the performance of duties by election officials. It also adds civil remedies and enforcement options to address violations.

Main Provisions

• Criminal penalties: Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 211B.075 subdivision 5 to specify that violations are punishable as gross misdemeanors or felonies.
• Civil actions and remedies: Allows the attorney general, a county attorney, or any person injured by a prohibited act to file a civil action to prevent or restrain violations. They may seek damages, costs of investigation, reasonable attorney fees, and other equitable relief (as determined by the court). Civil actions may use remedies under section 8.31.
• Civil penalties: The court may impose a civil penalty for each violation (the text shows a maximum amount, listed in the bill as “up to 1000 10000,” which appears to indicate a range or a formatting issue). These civil penalties are in addition to other damages.
• Public interest: Actions brought under these civil remedies are in the public interest.
• Time limits and scope: Civil actions must be brought within two years of the violation. The usual complaint process for certain unlawful acts (as described in sections 211B.31 to 211B.36) does not apply to violations of this section.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds civil enforcement: In addition to criminal penalties, individuals and the state can pursue civil actions for violations, with potential damages, costs, fees, and equitable relief.
• Expands penalties: Introduces or increases consequences for intimidation and interference related to voting and for interference with election officials.
• Removes standard complaint process: The usual complaint process for election law violations (211B.31–211B.36) does not apply to violations of this section, shifting some enforcement away from that process.

Key Terms from the Bill (for clarity and search relevance)

• fair campaign practices
• intimidation
• interference with the voting process
• interference with the performance of duties by an election official
• civil action
• attorney general
• county attorney
• injured party / person injured
• civil remedies
• damages
• costs of investigation
• attorney fees
• equitable relief
• civil penalty
• two-year statute of limitations
• public interest
• complaint process (211B.31–211B.36)

Relevant Terms - fair campaign practices - intimidation - interference with the voting process - interference with duties of an election official - civil action - attorney general - county attorney - injured person - damages - costs of investigation - attorney fees - equitable relief - civil penalty - two years - public interest - complaint process (211B.31–211B.36)