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HF66 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Set filing period for special elections established.

Related bill: SF1020

AI Generated Summary

The bill aims to set clear rules for the timing of filing periods and the scheduling of special elections in Minnesota. It specifies that:

  1. If a legislative vacancy occurs more than 150 days before the next general election and the legislature isn't meeting before that election, the vacancy will be filled during the general election. The filing period for candidates should align with the general election filing period when feasible, but if not, it must last at least seven days and no more than ten days, excluding holidays.

  2. If a vacancy happens while the legislature is in session or will be in session soon (within 40 to 50 days before the session starts), the governor must quickly call a special election—within five days of the vacancy occurring. The candidate filing period for these elections also spans between seven and ten days, excluding holidays, with the election held no later than 45 days after the election call. Special elections aren't scheduled too close to holidays—avoiding four days before or after.

  3. For vacancies occurring at other times not specified in the above cases, the governor is again required to call a special election so the elected individual can join at the next or ongoing legislative session. The filing period rules apply similarly.

Overall, the bill structures and clarifies the process for handling legislative vacancies in Minnesota, ensuring timely elections and candidate filings while avoiding conflicts with holidays.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 09, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
February 09, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added
February 18, 2025HouseFloorActionCommittee report, to adopt
February 18, 2025HouseFloorActionSecond reading
March 10, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 10, 2025HouseFloorActionHouse rule 1.21, placed on Calendar for the Day
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to lay on the table
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to lay on the table
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion prevailed
March 12, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion prevailed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Establishes concurrent filing periods for special elections when possible."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references the general election filing period as outlined in section 204B.09.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies alternative filing period durations for special elections."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.09",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill refers to the notice requirements for special elections from section 204D.22, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": [
        "Extends the maximum duration for holding a special election from 35 to 45 days after issuing a writ."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204D.22",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill references the definition of holidays affecting special election scheduling in section 645.44, subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the restriction on scheduling special elections around holidays."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "645.44",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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