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Council opts for 18-day early-voting option for the coming cycle
Summary
Following state law changes, Minnetrista City Council directed staff to implement the 18-day early-voting option for the coming election cycle, with staff to collect usage statistics for two-year review.
The Minnetrista City Council voted June 1 to adopt the 18-day early-voting option for the current election cycle.
Paula Bowman, assistant administrator, explained that new state legislation requires municipalities to choose between administering a full absentee-processing system or adopting an 18-day early-voting option. Bowman said the council may reverse the decision for a future cycle but must apply the chosen option consistently for the full election cycle.
Council members asked operational questions — whether the 18-day window can vary by election type and how mail-in ballots and drop-off options would function. Bowman clarified that mail-in ballots remain available and that ballots dropped off at the city are carried to Hennepin County for processing; she gave calendar markers for absentee/mail processing and early voting.
The council moved and approved the 18-day option by voice vote and asked staff to compile participation statistics and report back after the cycle to determine whether the option should be retained or changed for a later election.
