DEPARTMENT: Elections
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements To Serve As State Recount Official In Event Of State Or Federal Recounts In 2026 Elections
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Dakota County has assisted the Secretary of State's Office by agreeing to accept designation as a Deputy Recount Official in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024; and
WHEREAS, recounts in State Primaries must be completed in a timely way to avoid delays in ballot preparation and absentee ballot delivery statewide for the State General Election; and
WHEREAS, recounts in State General Elections must also be completed in a timely way to avoid delays in elected officials from taking office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager or delegate to enter into joint powers agreements with the Office of the Secretary of State to serve as a Deputy Recount Official in the event a recount is needed for certain contests in the 2026 State Primary Election and the State General Election.
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BACKGROUND
Minnesota Rules 8235.0200 provides that a recount official (the Secretary of State in this case) may designate the duty to conduct a recount to a County Auditor by mutual consent.
Delegation of recounts by the Secretary of State's Office allows recounts to be completed concurrently in the majority of counties. By distributing the recount to county election staff, delays in canvassing results are minimized, allowing (in the case of a primary election) programming of general election ballots to proceed in a timely manner. In the case of the general election, timely completion of a recount avoids possible delays in elected officials taking office.
In 2008, the County accepted designation as a Deputy Recount Official and assisted the Secretary of State's Office in conducting the recounts for the offices of Supreme Court Justice and U.S. Senator.
In 20...
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