01-27-2025 CC Agenda Packet - work session

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RELEVANT LINKS: League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 5/15/2024 City Special Elections Page 17 Appendix E: Sample question titles and language See Appendix E for sample language from common questions recently placed on the ballot by cities. D. Primary ballots Minn. Stat. § 200.02, subds. 3, 5. Handbook, Election Procedures. Secretary of State City Clerk Election Guide. Secretary of State Sample Primary Ballot. Some cities hold primary elections for city offices. In a primary election, voters choose the nominees for the offices to be filled at a general election. When a city with primaries holds a special election to fill a vacancy, a special primary may be necessary. Optical scan primary ballots are very similar to general election optical scan ballots. IX. After the election A. Ties Minn. Stat. § 204C.34. Under Minnesota law, when an election results in a tie, state law requires the canvassing board to declare the winner of the tie “by lot.” “By lot” means determining the winner of a tie by any game of chance in which both candidates have an equal chance of winning—like flipping a coin or drawing straws. B. Recounts Handbook, Election Procedures. Secretary of State City Clerk Election Guide. As with any election, a special election candidate may request a recount. Any candidate or voter may also contest the special election. A recount or contest of a special election should be handled in the same manner as a regular election contest Minn. Stat. § 204C.36, subd. 3. A discretionary recount may be conducted at city expense for a ballot question when the vote is close, meaning a difference between the votes for and the votes against the question is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the total votes counted for that question or 10 votes or less when the number of votes cast on that question is 400 or less. Minn. Stat. § 204C.36, subd. 3. The recount may be requested by any person eligible to vote on the ballot question and must be accompanied by a petition signed by 25 voters also eligible to vote on the question. When the written request is received and the difference between the votes for and the votes against is less than that mentioned above, the city must recount the votes for the question at its own expense. If the difference is greater, the person requesting the recount must also file a bond, cash, or surety in an appropriate amount set by the council. The written request, petition, and any bond, cash, or surety must be filed during the time for notice of contest for the election for which the recount is requested. 25