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Bill

HF 2095

Counties authorized to establish pools of election judges by random selection, and counties and cities allowed to require appointed registered voters to serve as election judges.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bianca Virnig

Minnesota counties and cities could randomly select and mandate registered voters to serve as election judges instead of relying solely on voluntary appointment.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations
#elections #governmentaloperations-local
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2095

Legislative bill overview

HF 2095 would authorize Minnesota counties to create pools of election judges selected through random selection from registered voters, and would allow both counties and cities to require appointed registered voters to serve as election judges. The bill essentially shifts from a voluntary appointment system to one that can compel voter service as election judges through random selection mechanisms.

Why is this important

Election judges are essential workers for administering elections at polling places, and Minnesota currently relies on voluntary recruitment and appointment. As communities struggle to fill these critical positions, this bill addresses potential election administration challenges by ensuring adequate staffing through mandatory selection rather than depending entirely on voluntary participation.

Potential points of contention

  • Compelled civic duty vs. individual liberty: Requiring citizens to serve as election judges without volunteering raises questions about whether mandatory service is an appropriate use of government authority compared to incentive-based recruitment.
  • Implementation burden: Random selection systems require infrastructure to maintain voter pools, conduct lottery selections, and handle exemptions or deferrals, which could add administrative costs to counties and cities.
  • Adequacy of compensation and support: The bill does not address whether compensation, training requirements, or support systems would be sufficient to ensure randomly-selected judges can effectively perform their duties without undue hardship.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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