MN HF978

Allows cities of the first class to optionally reestablish ward boundaries up to 14 days before candidate filing, rather than requiring reestablishment, and removes the five percent population change limitation for ward boundary modifications.

Removes voter count requirements for combining polling places for two contiguous precincts in the same municipality, allowing any two contiguous precincts to establish a combined polling place by May 1.

Requires mail and absentee ballots for each precinct to be counted together and reported as a single vote total rather than separately.

Changes county redistricting challenge deadline from 14 weeks to one week before the first day to file for office in years ending in "2", and reduces the timeline for redistricting plan effectiveness from 30 days to two weeks before candidate filing.

Expands voting system certification requirements to include any independent testing authority accredited by the Election Assistance Commission or other appropriate federal agency responsible for voting systems compliance testing.