Anoka County board affirms head elections official, backs electronic rosters after heated debate

The Anoka County Board on July 16 adopted Resolution 2025 G08 reaffirming the chief officer of the Property Records and Taxation Division as the county's head elections official and supporting the use of electronic rosters, commonly called poll pads, for statewide elections. The measure was offered by Commissioner Schulte and passed by roll call.

The resolution affirms county election administration authority and encourages standardized use of electronic rosters across precincts. The board said the change is intended to streamline check-in procedures at polling places and to formalize current operational practices.

Opposition focused on local control and practical access. Commissioner Michael Reiner said he would not support the resolution because it transfers decision-making authority from elected municipal officials to county election staff and limits municipal choice. "I am not advocating for or against poll pads. I am advocating for municipalities in the county to have the autonomy to choose between poll pads and paper rosters," Reiner said during an extended floor statement, noting some smaller cities lack reliable cell service and therefore need paper rosters.

Commissioner Heinrich also announced he would vote no, saying he supports a roadmap that would let municipalities adopt paper rosters where needed and that the resolution before the board did not provide that guidance.

Supporters, including the resolution's sponsor, said the board heard that electronic rosters are efficient and accurate and that county election staff and the county attorney recommended formalizing the head elections official's authority. The board discussed a 2018 county purchase of poll pads and conflicting accounts about whether municipalities were required or permitted to decline their use. Commissioner Reiner said he had been told in earlier years that municipalities would need to vote to adopt new election procedures and that some cities chose to keep paper rosters.

The debate included claims that the city of Oak Grove passed a resolution declining poll pads and later received an unsigned letter suggesting legal consequences; the letter and its origin were described in the meeting but not introduced as formal evidence. Board members asked county staff and the county attorney for documentation about prior decisions and legal authority; Commissioner Reiner said he had requested documentation and did not receive it.

The vote was taken by roll call. Commissioner Schulte, Commissioner Jepsen and Commissioner Meissner recorded "aye." Commissioner Heinrich recorded "no." Commissioner Braastad recorded "aye." (Not all individual roll-call entries appear in the transcript excerpt.) The resolution passed.

The board's action affirms county-level election administration practices and raises outstanding questions members requested staff to clarify about past county votes, municipal approvals and how the county will handle municipalities that lack reliable electronic connectivity.

The board moved on to the next agenda items and requested follow-up documentation and clarification from county election staff and the county attorney regarding the 2018 actions and the legal basis for assigning or reclaiming municipal choice over roster methods.