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Bill to Allow Colleges to Require Polling Place on Campus Approved by Senate Elections Committee
The bill would allow a postsecondary institution to require a city or county to provide a temporary polling place at the request of the college or a student group.
The Senate Elections Committee heard a bill on Feb. 20 that would allow a postsecondary institution to require a city or county to provide a temporary polling place before election day. SF 3616 (Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury) was amended by the author to make the following changes:
- Authorize the request for the polling place to come from a postsecondary institution or the student government organization of a postsecondary institution.
- The request must be made no later than May 31 in the year of the election.
- Allow the requests only for state general elections.
- Limit the bill’s applicability to postsecondary institutions with enrollment of at least 1,500 students, not including institutions where students attend courses primarily online.
Read the amendment to SF 3616.
Background
This bill builds upon legislation that passed during the 2023 legislative session that authorizes cities and counties to designate temporary polling places before an election. Under the law, cities may designate polling places for days and hours that differ from those required for standard polling places.
This law also allows a federally recognized American Indian tribe to require a county to establish an additional polling place for at least one day. This law currently allows a city to establish a temporary polling place at a postsecondary institution, but it has yet to be in effect for a statewide general election.
Discussion of the bill
The committee had a robust discussion on the impacts this legislation would have on local governments, including the potential of diverting resources from other elections responsibilities.
The League submitted written testimony in partnership with the Minnesota Association of County Officers (MACO). The letter expresses concerns regarding the impacts on election resources and staff, and requests that the Legislature continue to keep the ability to establish temporary polling places optional for local jurisdictions.
Read the written testimony from the League and MACO (pdf).
Next steps
The House bill, HF 3447 (Rep. Kristi Pursell, DFL-Northfield), passed the House Elections Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 14 and was moved to the general register. SF 3616 passed the Senate Elections Committee on Feb. 20 and was re-referred to the Senate Higher Education Committee. League staff will continue to share concerns regarding the administrative and cost impacts this legislation will place on cities.