MN SF1507

Adds section 211B.076 to create new criminal and civil penalties for intimidation of election officials, including threats of force, coercion, violence, damage, harm, loss of employment, or economic reprisal.

Prohibits interfering with election officials' duties, obstructing their access to polling places or election facilities, disseminating personal information that poses safety threats, and tampering with voting equipment, ballot boxes, voter registration systems, and election night reporting systems.

Establishes that violations of section 211B.076 are gross misdemeanors, with civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation; allows the attorney general, county attorneys, or injured election officials to bring civil actions for damages and equitable relief.

Requires county auditors and municipal clerks to secure ballot recording and tabulating systems against unauthorized electronic access and prohibits creating or disclosing electronic images of voting system hard drives without secretary of state authorization.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the attorney general for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to enforce the new intimidation and interference protections; effective June 15, 2023 for section 211B.076 violations.