City Council Meeting Date: October 21, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Title
Consider approving Resolution for Counting Write-In Votes for Local Elective Office.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution for counting write-in votes for local elective office.
Summary Report:
A new law change in 2023 allowed for a governing body of a statutory or home rule charter city to adopt a resolution governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office. City Council adopted a resolution requiring write-in candidates submit a request to have their individual votes tallied on November 21, 2023.
In this year’s legislative session (SF 3045), M.S. 204B.09 subd.3 was amended and now requires candidates to file no later than the 19th day before an election (used to be seven days). This change was meant to align the deadline to coincide with the date in which absentee ballots can be opened and counted.
Staff recommends an update to our resolution referencing the deadline within the M.S. 204B.09. This change would cover the City in case of any future legislative changes.
Alternative Options:
Council could opt to revise the language to specify 19 days before the election; however, if further legislative changes occur, the City would need to adopt an updated resolution. Staff believes that referencing the statute provides a cleaner approach for updating the resolution.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Tentative Timelines:
N/A