This bill proposes an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to allow political subdivisions (counties, municipalities, and school districts) to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections. The amendment would not change other voter eligibility requirements.

Key provisions of the bill include:

1. Constitutional Amendment: The bill proposes changing Article VII, Section 1 of the Minnesota Constitution to permit local governments to reduce the voting age to 16 for local elections, while maintaining existing residency and citizenship requirements. The amendment would be put to a public vote in the 2026 general election.

2. Conforming Changes to State Law:

   • Minnesota Statutes would be amended to reflect the ability of local jurisdictions to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections.
   • A new statute (§201.017) would authorize local governments to pass resolutions lowering the voting age.
   • Voter registration forms and absentee ballot procedures would be updated to include 16- and 17-year-old voters for local elections.
   • The polling place process would include provisions to ensure that young voters can only vote in local elections, not state or federal races.

3. Implementation Details:

   • Any county, municipality, or school district that adopts a lower voting age must ensure ballots for 16- and 17-year-olds include only local races and questions.
   • Registration forms and election materials would explicitly differentiate between eligibility for local elections (16+) and state/federal elections (18+).

The bill's success depends on voter approval of the constitutional amendment in 2026 before local governments can implement the lowered voting age.