Penalties for intimidation and interference with the voting process increased, and penalties for interference related to the performance of duties by an election official increased.

This bill increases criminal penalties for intimidating voters or interfering with election officials in Minnesota by upgrading these offenses from gross misdemeanors to felonies. It also raises civil penalties that courts can impose for each violation from $1,000 to $10,000 and allows injured individuals to seek damages and legal fees. The changes directly affect anyone accused of disrupting voting processes or election duties, while giving election officials and private citizens stronger tools to pursue legal action. These provisions apply to crimes committed after the bill becomes law and do not change how complaints are filed through existing administrative processes.