MN SF2985

Establishes a presidential nomination primary to be held every four years in years when a president and vice president are to be nominated and elected, scheduled for the first Tuesday in March unless parties jointly submit an alternative date by March 1.

Modifies precinct caucus rules to ensure caucuses are not held on the same date as the presidential primary, with parties selecting a date or defaulting to the first Tuesday in February (or Tuesday before the primary in presidential years).

Requires voters at the presidential nomination primary to request a specific party's ballot, with their party choice recorded as public information in voter history.

Creates a presidential nomination primary elections account funded by transfers from the general fund to reimburse counties and municipalities for eligible expenses including ballot printing, polling place preparation, election judge salaries, and absentee ballot postage.

Adds $111,000 to the secretary of state's base appropriation in fiscal year 2019 for computer programming costs, effective July 1, 2017.