In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature amended Minnesota Statute, Section 204B.09, subd. 3, authorizing the City to adopt a resolution governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. Pursuant to MN Statute 204B.09 subd. 3(b)(2), by adopting a resolution the City may require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate. A city that adopts a resolution must do so before the first day of filing for office begins.

Election staff spend a substantial amount of time counting the various write-in votes, most of which are false or fictitious candidates. By adopting this resolution, it will allow election staff to better administer the city's local elections.