DEPARTMENT: Elections
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Establish Absentee Ballot Board
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize to establish an absentee ballot board for 2026 and subsequent elections.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 203B.121 Subd. 1, the governing body of each county, municipality, and
school district with responsibility to accept and reject absentee ballots must, by ordinance or
resolution, establish a Ballot Board. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 204B.19 to 204B.22, the Ballot Board membership must consist of a sufficient number of elections judges in equal number from each of the major political parties in Minnesota. The Ballot Board may also include deputy county auditors.
Most recently, on June 21, 2022, by Resolution No. 22-248, the County Board of Commissioners authorized the establishment of the Absentee Ballot Board for voters in Dakota County townships and in Dakota County cities that do not have a full-time city clerk, and for absentee ballots cast pursuant to the uniformed and overseas citizen absentee ballot act (UOCAVA). This authorization must be updated in accordance with Joint Powers Agreements for Absentee Balloting Services since the Elections Department convenes an absentee ballot board for all jurisdictions in the County.
The Elections Department uses the party-provided election judge list received from the Office of the Secretary of State to appoint election judges to the County absentee ballot board pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 203B.121. Deputy county auditors, who have received training in the processing and counting of absentee ballots, will only serve on the County Absentee Ballot Board if a sufficient number of election judges are not available to serve on the board. When required by law, party balance will be maintained by not having a majority of any one major political party.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board establish an absentee ballot board, that is staffed by election judges and direct the Election Director to appoint members in accordance with statute and Joint Powers Agreements for Absentee Balloting Services.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The cost to staff the Absentee Ballot Board is included in the Elections Department annual budget and shared with election partners as defined within the Joint Powers Agreement for Absentee Ballot Services.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 203B.121 requires that any governing body with the responsibility to accept
and reject ballots establish an absentee ballot board; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 204B.19 to 204B. 22, requires the Absentee Ballot Board membership
must consist of a sufficient number of elections judges in equal number from each of the major
political parties in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, the major political parties of this state provide the Secretary of State’s Office with
a list of prospective election judges, which in turn is provided to each county; and
WHEREAS, the Ballot Board may also include Deputy County auditors; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Elections Department is responsible for the administration of absentee
voting for the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby rescinds Resolution No. 22-248 (June 21, 2022); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, pursuant
to Minn. Stat. § 203B.121 hereby establishes the Dakota County Absentee Ballot Board, with the
responsibility to accept or reject absentee ballots cast by voters in Dakota County and absentee ballots cast pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizen Absentee Ballot Act (UOCAVA), effective for the 2026 State primary election and until this resolution is rescinded; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby directs the
Director of Elections to use the election judge list received from the Office of the Secretary of State to
appoint election judges to the County Absentee Ballot Board pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 203B.121; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Director of Elections to appoint trained deputy county auditors to serve on the County Absentee Ballot Board when one or more appointed election judges are unavailable and the Absentee Ballot Board requires additional members to fulfill its statutory obligations.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
10-319; 6/8/10
22-248; 6/21/22
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Michelle Blue
Author: Michelle Blue