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Council reviews HF 4240 changes and a likely shift to 18-day direct balloting to reduce local costs
Summary
The city clerk outlined HF 4240—s changes to absentee and early voting and presented turnout and cost data; council members signaled preliminary support for switching from a full 46-day absentee program to an 18-day direct balloting model that could save roughly $21,000 in 2026 but would move some early voters to county locations.
The Shakopee City Clerk briefed the council on HF 4240 and proposed changes to local administration of absentee and early voting on June 2.
The clerk explained that under HF 4240 cities can choose to operate 46 days of absentee voting or an 18-day direct balloting model. Under the 18-day approach the county would administer absentee voting for the first 28 days and the city would operate an 18-day direct balloting location closer to election day. "Should a city choose to do that, the first 28 days of absentee would be essentially administered by the county," the clerk said.
Using 2024 turnout data, the clerk showed Shakopee had 23,484 voters in the 2024 general election and 9,233 absentee voters (just under 40%). Of those, only about 1,760 votes came to the city's absentee location during the first 28-day window while nearly 5,000 were cast in the 18-day direct balloting period. The clerk calculated cost-per-vote examples: roughly $271 per vote for the primary's low-volume 28-day staffing example and about $1,110 per vote for the general election 28-day period when staff costs are allocated across the low-volume turnout.
Switching to 18-day direct balloting would save Shakopee approximately $21,000 in election judge costs for the two 2026 elections under the clerk's projection, though the clerk noted the estimate excluded staff overtime, training and facility costs. Neighboring cities (Prior Lake and Savage) reportedly plan similar moves; councilmembers said they were comfortable with shifting to an 18-day city-run direct balloting location while relying on a county location for earlier absentee in the 28-day period.
What happens next: The city may notify Scott County and the Secretary of State of its intent to opt into the 18-day direct balloting timeline; staff will prepare public materials to avoid voter confusion if the council formally decides to proceed.
