Minnesota Statutes Elections (Ch. 200-212) § 211A.01. Definitions

Subdivision 1. Application. The definitions in chapter 200 and this section apply to this chapter.

Subd. 2. Ballot question. “Ballot question” means a proposition placed on the ballot to be voted on by the voters of one or more political subdivisions but not by all the voters of the state.

Subd. 3. Candidate. “Candidate” means an individual who seeks nomination or election to a county, municipal, school district, or other political subdivision office. This definition does not include an individual seeking a judicial office. For purposes of sections 211A.01 to 211A.05 and 211A.07, “candidate” also includes a candidate for the United States Senate or House of Representatives.

Subd. 4. Committee. “Committee” means a corporation or association or persons acting together to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of a candidate or to promote or defeat a ballot question. Promoting or defeating a ballot question includes efforts to qualify or prevent a proposition from qualifying for placement on the ballot.

Subd. 5. Contribution. “Contribution” means anything of monetary value that is given or loaned to a candidate or committee for a political purpose. “Contribution” does not include a service provided without compensation by an individual.

Subd. 6. Disbursement. “Disbursement” means money, property, office, position, or any other thing of value that passes or is directly or indirectly conveyed, given, promised, paid, expended, pledged, contributed, or lent. “Disbursement” does not include payment by a county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision for election-related expenditures required or authorized by law.

Subd. 7. Filing officer. “Filing officer” means the officer authorized by law to accept affidavits of candidacy or nominating petitions for an office or the officer authorized by law to place a ballot question on the ballot.

Subd. 8. Political purposes. An act is done for “political purposes” if it is of a nature, done with the intent, or done in a way to influence or tend to influence, directly or indirectly, voting at a primary or an election or if it is done because a person is about to vote, has voted, or has refrained from voting at a primary or an election.