SF651 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Date modification of the state primary to the same date as the presidential primary nomination
Related bill: HF594
AI Generated Summary
The legislative bill SF No. 651 aims to align the date of Minnesota’s state primary elections with the presidential nomination primary, meaning both would occur on the same date. This change is intended to consolidate elections and ostensibly make voting processes more streamlined and efficient. The bill also proposes amendments to various other election-related statutes, including but not limited to precinct boundaries, the appointment of election judges, and specifics on how primary and general elections are managed concerning voter registration, electronic voting, and ballot design. The bill seeks to modify how and when election officials can combine polling places, particularly under emergency situations, and addresses details regarding the printing and distribution of ballots for consistency across voting precincts.
In summary, this bill consolidates multiple election processes to coincide on the same date, streamlines election administration protocols, and updates election procedural requirements to enhance clarity and voter accessibility.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Elections |
| February 24, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author stricken |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Procedure for establishing combined polling places under emergency conditions."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section modifies the rules regarding combined polling places for elections, detailing how precincts might be combined for polling.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts established deadlines and requirements for combined precincts in election years."
]
},
"citation": "204B.14",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The section outlines the procedure for election precinct boundary changes.",
"modified": [
"Changes the timeline for adopting precinct boundary changes and notice requirements."
]
},
"citation": "204B.14",
"subdivision": "subdivision 4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section addresses the appointment of election judges by political parties.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the deadlines for submission of election judge lists by political parties."
]
},
"citation": "204B.21",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section discusses voter requirements at polling places, including signing the polling roster.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the voter’s declaration when signing the polling place roster."
]
},
"citation": "204C.10",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Alters the scheduling of the state primary election date.",
"modified": [
"Changes the state primary date to align with the presidential nomination primary in certain years."
]
},
"citation": "204D.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Relates to the content and arrangement of the state partisan primary ballot.",
"modified": [
"Includes requirements for the presidential nomination on the primary ballot in presidential election years."
]
},
"citation": "204D.05",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specification for including a presidential nomination primary ballot."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Adds requirements related to presidential nomination primary ballots during election years.",
"modified": [
""
]
},
"citation": "204D.08",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Outlines the provision of example ballots for elections.",
"modified": [
"Adds requirements for providing example ballots for presidential nomination primary years."
]
},
"citation": "204D.09",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Defines what constitutes a regular state primary.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the timing of what is considered the regular state primary in odd-numbered years."
]
},
"citation": "204D.28",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This section discusses establishing a municipal primary for elections.",
"modified": [
"Changes the date of the municipal primary election to align with the presidential nomination primary."
]
},
"citation": "205.065",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Describes how a city may establish a primary by resolution or ordinance.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the deadline for municipal bodies to decide to hold a primary election."
]
},
"citation": "205.065",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Discusses the school board's ability to require a primary in certain circumstances.",
"modified": [
"Updates the resolution deadline by which a school board must decide to hold a primary."
]
},
"citation": "205A.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Specifies the date for a school district primary.",
"modified": [
"Changes the school district primary election date to align with the presidential nomination primary."
]
},
"citation": "205A.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Provides rules for notices related to voting in combined polling places for school district special elections.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts the notice requirements for school district special elections held on the primary date."
]
},
"citation": "205A.11",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2a"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Addresses the alternation of candidate names on electronic voting systems.",
"modified": [
"Updates methodologies for alternation according to the number of registered voters."
]
},
"citation": "206.61",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Requires preparation of plans when electronic voting systems are used.",
"modified": [
"Adds reporting and verification processes for electronic voting system use before general elections."
]
},
"citation": "206.82",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Guides the conduct of the presidential nomination primary, correlating it with the state primary.",
"modified": [
"Aligns presidential nomination primary procedures with the state primary protocols."
]
},
"citation": "207A.12",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Details the form and content of the presidential nomination primary ballots.",
"modified": [
"Specifies the requirements for separate political party ballots in presidential nominations."
]
},
"citation": "207A.13",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee