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Koochiching auditor pushes plan to convert several unorganized‑territory precincts to mail ballots; board to revisit Aug. 12
Summary
The county auditor‑treasurer outlined a proposal to convert multiple unorganized‑territory precincts to all‑mail ballot status citing judge staffing challenges, early voting trends and equipment costs; commissioners asked for public notice and the item will return on Aug. 12 for further input.
Koochiching County’s auditor‑treasurer on July 8 asked the county board to consider converting several unorganized‑territory precincts to mail‑ballot precincts, citing two main reasons: difficulty staffing election judges under state rules and a growing voter preference for early/mail voting.
The auditor said state law requires election judges to sign a party‑affiliation affirmation and that, at each polling place, not more than half of judges on a shift may belong to the same political party; judges also must not be related to candidates or to other judges on the same shift. In sparsely populated unorganized areas, that requirement and last‑minute absences create acute staffing challenges. The auditor added that roughly 30% of voters in the affected precincts already vote early in the auditor’s office, and that converting the precincts to mail ballots would allow the office to discontinue use of electronic pull‑pads (tablet roster devices) and realize capital and maintenance savings.
The auditor presented estimated cost impacts: about $1,200 additional cost per election if no conversion is made (largely postage and processing), and potential multi‑year savings (an estimated $9,300 over six years) if the county discontinues pull‑pad equipment and associated maintenance. Staff also noted tabulation equipment (DS200 machines) availability could influence equipment purchasing decisions.
Commissioners asked about public notice; the auditor said the proposal would be on the July minutes and the board would seek public input before a decision. The board directed staff to bring the item back to the Aug. 12 meeting to allow time for public notice and comment. The auditor proposed the county mail a notice to every registered voter in affected households and use local media and social channels to explain options (mail ballot, in‑person early voting at the courthouse and poll‑site tabulation).
