Minnesota Agencies

The task force must research the following issues:
(1) potential emergency scenarios that could impact elections;
(2) current capacity and authority to address emergency situations;
(3) potential direct and indirect costs of an emergency that disrupts elections;
(4) maintaining ballot security in event of an emergency;
(5) continuity of operations procedures; and
(6) communications plans and key emergency contacts

The Secretary of State, or the Secretary's designee, must convene the initial meeting of the task force by August 1, 2015. The members of the task force must elect a chair and vice-chair from the members of the task force at the first meeting.

The task force must submit a report by January 1, 2016, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees in the Senate and House of Representatives with primary jurisdiction over elections, summarizing its findings and listing recommendations for the development of elections emergency plans statewide. The report shall include draft legislation to implement the recommendationsof the task force.

The task force shall sunset the day following the submission of the report, or January 1, 2016, whichever is earlier.

The task force consists of 14 members: Secretary Steve Simon, Chair, Office of the Secretary of State; Debby Erickson, Vice chair, Minnesota Association of County Officers; Major Taylor Cox, Minnesota Adjutant General; Rep. Kelly Fenton, Speaker of the House; Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disability; Joe Kelly, Department of Public Safety; Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, Senate Minority Leader; Barret Lane, Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers; Lucinda Messman, Minnesota Association of Townships; Rep. Mike Nelson, House Minority Leader; Gary Poser, Office of the Secretary of State; Barb Proulx, Minnesota School Boards Association; Sen. Katie Sieben, Senate Majority Leader; Grace Wachlarowicz, League of Minnesota Cities

Chair: Secretary Steve Simon, Office of the Secretary of State