City Council Work Session Date: April 14, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Title
2026 Absentee/Early Voting, Primary Election and General Election Update
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council will receive an update from the City Clerk regarding the 2026 Elections including absentee/early voting and Primary Election and General Election information. Staff is seeking City Council input on aligning absentee/early voting hours with Rice County.
Summary Report:
This report provides an overview of key dates and logistics for the 2026 election cycle, including candidate filing, primary and general election absentee/early voting periods, and proposed absentee/early voting hours (attachment #1). Staff is seeking City Council input on aligning absentee/early voting hours with Rice County.
The City Clerk’s Office will administer the 2026 election cycle, which includes candidate filing, the state primary election, and the state general election. The City Clerk’s Office is responsible for coordinating election activities, including absentee/early voting, staffing, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
Candidate filing will occur from May 19 through June 2, 2026, at the City Clerk’s Office. Filing packets will be posted online the week prior to filings being open. The following elected positions will be open for filing:
• Council Member At-Large
• Council Member Ward 1
• Council Member Ward 4
The state primary election will be held on August 11, 2026. Absentee/early voting will be open from June 26 through August 10, 2026 in the 2nd Floor Training Room. The pre-registration deadline for the state primary election is July 21, 2026. If residents do not register before this date, they are able to register at the polling place on election day.
Staff proposes the following absentee/early voting hours for both the State Primary and State General Elections (attachment #2):
• Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
These hours are consistent with Rice County’s absentee/early voting schedule. In 2024, absentee/early voting hours were the same as City Hall hours.
State Statute requires absentee/early voting locations to be open the following additional hours for the State Primary Election:
• Saturday, August 8: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, August 10: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The state general election will be held on November 3, 2026. Absentee/early voting will be open from September 18 through November 2, 2026 in the 2nd Floor Training Room. The pre-registration deadline for the state general election is October 13, 2026. If residents do not register before this date, they are able to register at the polling place on election day.
State Statute requires absentee/early voting locations to be open the following additional hours for the State General Election:
• Saturday, October 24: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, November 1: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, November 2: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Early voting (EV) is a new in-person voting process required during the 18 days preceding state, federal, county, and certain municipal elections, beginning with the 2026 Primary Election. Under this process, voters sign a certification, cast their ballot, and deposit it directly into a tabulator. Early voting replaces the former direct balloting process and is administered with procedures similar to absentee voting. The process requires a minimum of two election officials, includes daily reconciliation to ensure the number of ballots cast matches voter certifications, and requires secure sealing and storage of ballots. Early voting activity is reported as part of absentee ballot totals and will be supported by updates to the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS), with additional training and public communication provided prior to implementation.
Staff is requesting Council input on mirroring Rice County’s absentee/early voting hours. Aligning with the County would promote consistency for voters, reduce confusion about availability, and provide operational efficiencies for City staff. It would allow adequate time at the end of each day to complete required closing procedures, including secure ballot handling, reconciliation, and reporting, while also supporting accuracy and compliance with election requirements. This approach would improve workflow, reduce time constraints on staff, and is expected to decrease the total hours worked by temporary election staff, resulting in more efficient staffing and potential cost savings.
Staff requests that the City Council review the proposed 2026 proposed absentee/early balloting hours (Attachment 1) and provide direction regarding aligning hours with Rice County.
Staff is planning Candidate Information Meetings to occur after the filing period closes and prior to the Primary Election. At these meetings, staff will provide an overview of the election process and City Council procedures. The meeting date will be established before candidate filing opens so it can be shared with candidates at the time of filing. An additional meeting will be held following the Primary Election for candidates advancing to the General Election.
In 2024, the binder prepared for the candidate meetings included the following materials:
• City Council Calendar
• Board and Commission Schedule
• Organizational Charts
• Strategic Plan
• Training and Conference Opportunities
• Board and Commission & City Council Member Guide
• Robert’s Rules of Order
• City Council Rules of Business
• Board and Commission Rules of Business
• Board and Commission Appointment Process
• Board and Commission Overview
Staff welcomes Council input on the usefulness of these materials for individuals running for City Council. Council Members are also encouraged to provide feedback on any additional documents or resources that should be included in future candidate materials.
City Council onboarding is anticipated to occur following the General Election in late November or early December.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could consider extending absentee/early voting hours beyond those of Rice County to align with the regular business hours of City Hall or extend Tuesday hours as that is the day City Hall is open later.
Financial Impacts:
The City has an agreement with Rice County to receive $22,000 for administering absentee balloting services at Northfield City Hall, which also includes mileage reimbursement for election judges traveling to Faribault for required training. Reducing temporary election staff hours may result in additional cost savings, and improved operational efficiency may further minimize the need for extended hours or overtime for full-time staff.
Tentative Timelines:
May 19: June 2: Candidate Filings
August 11: State Primary Election
November 3: State General Election