Senate elections committee advances SF3096, shifts presidential-primary costs to parties

The Minnesota Senate Elections Committee on Thursday voted 6-5 to advance Senate File 3096, the elections omnibus bill, sending it to the Finance Committee after adopting several amendments that add one-time voter outreach and litigation funding and change how presidential-primary costs are billed.

The bill as amended includes a one-time $260,000 allocation for voter outreach in low-turnout counties, a $200,000 one-time transfer into the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) account to match federal funds, operating adjustments for the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board and other one-time transfers and expenses, committee staff said. The measure also directs the secretary of state to invoice major political parties equally for the costs of running a presidential nomination primary.

The changes were explained to the committee by nonpartisan staff member Mr. Erickson. Mr. Erickson told members the A4 amendment contains a list of change items, including a $79,000 operating adjustment in the first biennium and $106,000 in the tail biennium for the Campaign Finance Board and what he described as a recognition…