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SF2702 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Date of the state primary modification from August to May

Related bill: HF2343

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this legislative bill is to change the date of the state primary elections in Minnesota from August to May. The bill also adjusts related timelines and procedures to accommodate this shift in the election schedule.

Main Provisions

  • Election Date Change: The bill proposes to move the Minnesota state primary to the first Tuesday in May instead of the second Tuesday in August. This change affects both partisan and nonpartisan races held during the state primary.
  • Adjustment for Local Elections: It specifies that primary elections conducted by political subdivisions like cities or school districts are also affected by this calendar change.
  • Modifications in Preparation and Filing Deadlines: Various statutory requirements tied to the election timeline are updated, including:
    • The appointment lists for election judges by political parties must be prepared by February 1 instead of May 1.
    • Example ballots must be supplied by the Secretary of State by February 1 instead of May 1.
    • The filing period for school district nominations is adjusted to align with the new primary date.
    • The deadline for precinct boundary changes connected to elections is similarly adjusted.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Election Scheduling Impact: Changing the state primary to May is a significant shift from the traditional August scheduling. This will impact various processes and deadlines related to how elections are managed, such as preparations by county auditors and municipal clerks, who must adjust their timelines for tasks like publishing notices, confirming precinct boundaries, and processing election materials.
  • Emergency Measures: The bill also includes provisions for emergency situations that allow for the combination of polling places to ensure the election proceeds smoothly despite potential disruptions.
  • Precinct and Polling Place Adjustments: Definitions and requirements for combined polling places are revised to reflect the new timeline and provide flexibility in emergency situations.

Relevant Terms

state primary, election date change, polling place, precinct, election judge, partisan office, nonpartisan office, municipal election, school district election, candidate filing period, emergency polling location adjustment.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 19, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toElections

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Inclusion of deadlines for establishment of combined polling places in non-emergency situations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the establishment of combined polling places for separate precincts under section 204B.14.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjustments to timing and authority for establishing combined polling places in emergency situations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.14",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill modifies the timeline for political parties to submit election judge appointment lists under section 204B.21.",
      "modified": [
        "Changes the deadline for submission from May 1 to February 1."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.21",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill changes the date of the state primary election under section 204D.03.",
      "modified": [
        "Moves the state primary from the second Tuesday in August to the first Tuesday in May."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204D.03",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill addresses alternation of candidate names on ballots under section 206.61.",
      "modified": [
        "Uses registered voter numbers from February 1 instead of May 1 for determining name alternation."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "206.61",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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