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HF594 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

State primary date changed to the same date as the presidential primary nomination, and presidential nomination primary requirements amended.

Related bill: SF651

AI Generated Summary

This legislative bill proposes changes to Minnesota's election processes, particularly focusing on aligning the dates of the state primary elections with the presidential primary elections. The main points include:

  1. The state primary will now occur on the same date as the presidential primary, which is the first Tuesday in March during presidential election years.
  2. Various adjustments to the logistics of setting up polling places, including the allowance for combined polling places under specific circumstances and emergency protocols for combining polling places on short notice due to unforeseen events.
  3. Adaptations to the requirements for appointing election judges, updating precinct boundary changes, and publication necessities to adequately inform the public.
  4. Specific updates to the procedures for handling election materials such as voter rosters and ballots, ensuring voter privacy and the transparency of the voting process.
  5. Repeal of certain statutes that are potentially redundant or conflicting with the newly proposed changes to simplify and streamline election procedures.

The bill seeks to ensure that the state primary and presidential primary are more aligned in timing and procedure, potentially increasing voter turnout and efficiency in the handling of elections in Minnesota.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 12, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toElections Finance and Government Operations
February 18, 2025HouseFloorActionMotion to return bill to author, motion prevailed

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows for the establishment of a combined polling place for up to four contiguous municipalities located entirely outside the metropolitan area."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Eliminated the provision requiring the municipal approval of secretaries from noncontiguous precincts."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the requirements for establishing combined polling places for elections under section 204B.14.",
      "modified": [
        "Changed the date for establishing a polling place to November 1 from an unspecified earlier date."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204B.14"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes a provision for extending polling place hours in emergency situations."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill provides modifications concerning the extension of polling place hours under section 204C.05.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "204C.05"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill updates the polling place roster and voter signature certificate requirements under section 204C.10.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarified the requirement for confirming applicants' name and address before signing the roster."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204C.10"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill changes the date of the state primary election specified in section 204D.03.",
      "modified": [
        "State primary election moved from the second Tuesday in August to the first Tuesday in March."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204D.03"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill adjusts requirements for the state partisan primary ballot under section 204D.05.",
      "modified": [
        "Included a requirement to incorporate the presidential nomination primary ballot during election years."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "204D.05"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill amends how the presidential nomination primary is conducted under section 207A.12.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that the presidential nomination primary must run concurrently with the state primary election."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "207A.12"
  }
]

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