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SF 1094

Duties related to ballot reconciliation and postelection review to be completed before a canvassing board may certify the results of an election requirement

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cal Bahr and 1 co-sponsor

Certification of election results would be contingent on completing ballot reconciliation and postelection review before the canvassing board can certify.

Referred to Elections
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Bill Summary · SF 1094

Summary of SF 1094 (Minnesota): Duties Related to Ballot Reconciliation and Postelection Review Before Canvassing Board Certification

Overview

SF 1094, introduced in the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session, would require certain ballot reconciliation and postelection review activities to be completed prior to a canvassing board certifying the results of an election. The bill is sponsored by Senator(s) Cal Bahr and Eric Pratt (co-sponsors). The action history shows introduction and referral to the Elections committee on February 6, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

  • The central aim is to ensure a formal, pre-certification process that reviews ballots and election-related materials before the canvassing board can certify election results.
  • By mandating reconciliation and postelection review before certification, the bill seeks to address potential discrepancies or questions about ballot handling, counting, and overall election integrity prior to final certification.

Key Provisions and Changes (as described by title and legislative framing)

  • Pre-Certification Duties: The bill requires the completion of certain duties related to ballot reconciliation and postelection review before the canvassing board may certify an election’s results.
  • Ballot Reconciliation: Likely involves verifying that ballots counted align with eligible voter records, proper chain-of-custody, and consistency between ballots cast and ballots counted. The exact mechanics (e.g., timelines, documentation requirements, reconciliation steps) are not detailed in the provided description, but the term suggests a formal reconciliation process.
  • Postelection Review: Requires a review process after the election (post-election) to assess and address issues related to ballots and processing before certification.
  • Certification Prerequisite: The canvassing board is barred from certifying results until these duties are completed, tying certification to the completion of the prescribed reconciliation and review activities.

Note: The summary is based on the bill’s title and general legislative framing. Specific procedures, forms, deadlines, and criteria would be detailed in the bill’s text.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Canvassing Boards: The primary entity affected, as their authority to certify results would be contingent on completing the mandated duties.
  • Election Officials/Staff: Those responsible for performing ballot reconciliation and postelection reviews would implement the required processes.
  • Voters and Ballot Handling Entities: Indirectly affected, since changes in reconciliation and review procedures can influence timelines, transparency, and the handling of ballots.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The bill was introduced and referred to the Elections committee on February 6, 2025.
  • Timeline to Certification: The bill would explicitly condition the certification timeline on the completion of specified reconciliation and postelection review tasks, potentially delaying certification until those duties are fulfilled.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Election Integrity: Aims to bolster confidence in the accuracy of ballot counts by ensuring issues are identified and addressed before certification.
  • Certification Delays: Could extend the period between election day and final certification if reconciliation and review steps take substantial time.
  • Implementation Details Needed: For a complete assessment, the bill’s full text would specify:
    • Exact steps and documentation required for reconciliation and postelection review
    • Deadlines and sequencing (e.g., whether reviews can occur concurrently with other post-election procedures)
    • How disagreements or unresolved issues are resolved prior to certification
    • Any exemptions or scope limits (e.g., federal elections, local races)

Summary

SF 1094 would make completion of ballot reconciliation and postelection review a precondition for canvassing boards to certify election results. By tying certification to these duties, the bill seeks to ensure thorough post-election scrutiny of ballots before final results are formalized. The full bill text would provide the precise procedures, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms.

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

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