An eligible voter who on the day before an election becomes a resident or patient in a health care facility or hospital located in the municipality in which the eligible voter maintains residence may apply for absentee ballots on election day if the voter:

(1) requests an application form by telephone from the municipal clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before election day; or

(2) submits an absentee ballot application to the election judges engaged in delivering absentee ballots pursuant to section 203B.11.

203B.11 HOSPITAL PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

(Updated 2023)

Subd. 3.Election day.

On election day, the election judges shall deliver absentee ballots only to an eligible voter who on the day before the election became a resident or patient in a health care facility or hospital and who has applied for absentee ballots under section 203B.04, subdivision 2.

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 203B.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read

Agent delivery of ballots.

During the seven days preceding an election and until 8:00 p.m. on election day, an eligible voter who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons, or who is disabled, or who is a patient of a health care facility, a resident of an assisted living facility licensed under chapter 144G, a participant in a residential program for adults licensed under section 245A.02, subdivision 14, or a resident of a shelter for battered women as defined in section 611A.37, subdivision 4, may designate an agent to deliver the ballots to the voter from the county auditor or municipal clerk. An agent must have a preexisting relationship with the voter. A candidate at the election may not be designated as an agent. The voted ballots must be returned to the county auditor or municipal clerk no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day. The voter must complete an affidavit requesting the auditor or clerk to provide the agent with the ballots in a sealed transmittal envelope. The affidavit must include a statement from the voter stating that the ballots were delivered to the voter by the agent in the sealed transmittal envelope. An agent may deliver ballots to no more than three persons in any election. The secretary of state shall provide samples of the affidavit and transmission envelope for use by the county auditors.

COVID19

COVID-19 and Patient Voting

Here is how COVID-19 is affecting Patient Voting in this state:

For upcoming elections, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State is encouraging voters to vote by mail using an absentee. Further information, including applications for the ballot, can be found here.