The legislature made some changes to election law in 2017. The city is now required to designate polling places by resolution for each precinct by December 31 each year for the next calendar year.

This year we are only designating two polling locations in preparation for the Special Election we will be required to hold next year to fill the vacancy of Council Member seat that will occur at the swearing in of our new Mayor in January. One precinct for the Special Election and one for Absentee voting.

MN. Statute 204.14, subd. 2 (b)(2) authorizes the City Council to designate a single assessible, combined polling place for contiguous precincts in the same municipality. Past history has shown that voter turnout on odd year elections is quite small in comparison to even year elections. With that in mind, staff felt that having one precinct would meet the need for the voter turnout on election day.

There will be multiple ballot counters available so that voters will be able to move through the lines quickly. Voters will also be able to vote absentee for 46 days before the Special Election. Absentee voting begins on February 24, 2023.