Minnesota § 200.52 - DEFINITIONS
Full text of Minnesota Minnesota Statutes § 200.52 — DEFINITIONS, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 200.52. DEFINITIONS
Subdivision 1.Application.
As used in sections 200.50 to 200.59, the terms as defined in this section have the meanings given.
Subd. 2.Government official.
"Government official" means any individual who is elected or appointed to an office in this state or a political subdivision or who is authorized to act in an official capacity on behalf of the state or a political subdivision.
Subd. 3.Language minority group.
"Language minority group" means a language minority group as that term is defined in the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, as of the effective date of this act.
Subd. 4.Method of election.
(a) "Method of election" means the method by which candidates are elected to the legislative body of a political subdivision, and includes at-large method of election, district-based method of election, or any alternative method of election. Method of election also includes the districting or redistricting plan used to elect candidates to the legislative body of a political subdivision.
(b) "At-large method of election" means a method of electing candidates to the legislative body of a political subdivision in which candidates are voted on by all voters of the political subdivision or that combines at-large with district-based methods of elections. At-large method of election does not include any alternative method of election.
(c) "District-based method of election" means a method of electing candidates to the legislative body of a political subdivision in which, for political subdivisions divided into districts, a candidate for any district is required to reside in the district and candidates representing or seeking to represent the district are voted on by only the voters who reside in the district. District-based method of election does not include any alternative method of election.
(d) "Alternative method of election" means a method of electing candidates to the legislative body of a political subdivision other than an at-large method of election or a district-based method of election and includes but is not limited to cumulative voting, limited voting, and proportional ranked choice voting.
Subd. 5.Political subdivision.
"Political subdivision" means a county, city, town, or school district.
Subd. 6.Politically cohesive.
"Politically cohesive" means that members of a group tend to prefer the same candidates, electoral choices, or policies.
Subd. 7.Protected class.
"Protected class" means a class of citizens who are members of a racial, color, or language minority group, or who are members of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, including a class of two or more such groups.
Subd. 8.Polarized voting.
"Polarized voting" means voting in which the candidate or electoral choice preferred by a protected class diverges from the candidate or electoral choice preferred by other voters.
Subd. 9.Vote; voting.
"Vote" or "voting" includes any action necessary to cast a ballot and make that ballot count in any election, including but not limited to: registering to vote; applying for an absentee ballot; and any other action required by law as a prerequisite to casting a ballot and having that ballot counted, canvassed, certified, and included in the appropriate totals of votes cast with respect to an election.
Subd. 10.Voting eligible population.
"Voting eligible population" means those individuals who are eligible to register and vote, regardless of whether the individuals are registered to vote.
History:
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota § 200.52
What does Minnesota Statutes § 200.52 cover?
Section 200.52 ("DEFINITIONS") is part of the Minnesota Statutes, the codified statutory law of Minnesota. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Minnesota § 200.52?
A common citation format is "Minnesota Statutes § 200.52" (Minnesota). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Minnesota law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Minnesota official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Minnesota attorney.
How does Minnesota § 200.52 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Minnesota can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Minnesota.