Agenda - Charter Commission - 09/06/2000

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Mit,'.. Stat. § 205.065, subd. 5. Minn. Stat. §§ 204C.02. subd. 1; 202A.t 9, subd. 7; 202A. 192; 204B. 16, subd. 6. Minn. Stat. § 204B.14, subd. 2. 94 ~-24- HANDBOOK FOR MINNESOTA CITIES As in the case of nonpartisan offices; generally, a primary is not necessary when not more than twice the number of people to be elected file for office. In this case, the names of the candidates go directly on the generaI election ballot. Names go on the ballot without partisan designation. Within two days after the primary, the council must canvass the votes and certify to the city clerk the names of the two candidates for each office who receive the highest number of votes. If two councitmembers are up for election, however, the council must issue certificates of nomination to the four candidates receiving the highest number of votes. Primary winners' names go on the official ballot without partisan designation and without payment of an additional fee or filing of any additional papers. Election procedures The statutes describe procedures for conducting elections in detail, including the manner in which election judges must take the blank ballots out of the ballot boxes as they prepare for the opening of the polling place on election day. Because a mistake at any point in the procedures may result in contested elections, it is imperative that all election officials adhere rigidly to the statutory procedures. City councils and other local governing bodies cannot hold any meetings betwee'n 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the day of any election within their boundaries, nor can they hold meetings after 6 p.m. on the day of a state precinct caucus. City councils and other local governing bodies, such as school districts, must make their public facilities available for holding precinct caucuses and legislative district or county conventions. These facilities (including parking) must be available for city, county, state and federal elections as well. A local government may charge no more than the lowest amount it · charges any other group. Precincts Each city and town must constitute at least one election precinct. Up to four contiguous municipalities outside the metropolitan area may, by resolution passed by all affected units, combine to form one polling place for state and county election purposes. A city council may divide the city into several precincts. Precincts may have any number of individuals. Logically, however, no election precinct should contain so many voters that the task of managing the polling place and counting the ballots becomes too difficult. A precinct should not become so large that the polling place is a great distance away from a number of voters.