1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to elections; increasing news media access to
1.3 	polling places; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
1.4 	section 204C.06, subdivision 8.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 204C.06,
1.7 	subdivision 8, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Access for news media. The county auditor or
1.9 	municipal or school district clerk, or their designee, may, by
1.10 	written authorization, permit A news media representatives to 
1.11 	representative may enter a polling places for up to 15 minutes 
1.12 	place for up to 60 minutes during voting hours to observe the
1.13 	voting process. The time limit may be extended by the head
1.14 	election judge.A media representative must obtain prior
1.15 	authorization and present photo identification to the head
1.16 	election judge upon arrival at the polling place and , along with
1.17 	either a recognized media credential or written acknowledgment
1.18 	from a local election official of the media representative's
1.19 	credentials.  A media representative must not otherwise:
1.20 	(1) approach within six feet of an election judge or a 
1.21 	voter;
1.22 	(2) converse with a voter while in the polling place;
1.23 	(3) make a list of persons voting or not voting; or
1.24 	(4) interview a voter within the polling place interfere
1.25 	with the voting process.

2.1 	Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.
 2.2 	This act is effective the day following final enactment.