Certain candidates, candidate representatives, and political parties permitted to observe the work of absentee ballot boards and permitted to observe recounts.

HF 1495 allows candidates, their representatives, and political parties to observe absentee ballot processing and recounts in Minnesota. The bill specifies that candidates may have one representative present during absentee ballot envelope acceptance/rejection and one additional representative when ballots are opened and counted. During recounts, candidates may have one representative observe ballot sorting and one additional for counting, with all observation occurring in designated public viewing areas. The bill requires election officials to ensure observers do not interfere with ballot handling while maintaining transparency in these specific election procedures.