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SF 5248

Elections provisions modification

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

The bill replaces old nomination methods with a formal major-party caucus-based nomination process and creates a separate presidential nomination primary on ballots.

Referred to Elections
#elections #government-local #government-state
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Bill Summary · SF 5248

Summary of SF 5248 (2025-2026) – Elections Provisions Modification (Minnesota)

This bill proposes broad changes to Minnesota election law, focusing on timing of primaries, presidential nomination procedures, ballot placement for legislative/congressional candidates, and mechanisms for party nomination and local election processes. It takes effect with general applicability to elections held on or after January 1, 2028, with many provisions scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027 or later.

Primary purpose and overall intent

  • Align and restructure how primaries are scheduled, how presidential nomination primaries are conducted, and how major parties nominate candidates for legislative and congressional offices.
  • Create a formal process for major political parties to nominate legislative candidates to appear on the ballot, replacing some existing methods.
  • Implement technical and conforming changes across numerous Minnesota Statutes to support the new framework.

Key provisions and changes

1) State primary timing

  • Change the state primary date from August to March in even years (and place for presidential election years: align with the presidential nomination primary date per section 207A.11).
  • The state primary date would coincide with, or be distinct from, the presidential nomination primary depending on the year.

2) Presidential nomination primary

  • Establish a formal presidential nomination primary process with separate ballots for each participating party.
  • The presidential nomination primary ballot must appear first on the state primary ballot, followed by the regular state primary ballot.
  • Allow for ballots that let voters indicate a preference for delegates to a party’s national convention (write-in/delegate-uncertain option is possible if requested by the party chair).
  • Require administrative rules and funding framework for presidential nomination primary expenses and local reimbursements.

3) Nomination of major-party legislative/congressional candidates

  • Abolish, or modify, some of the prior nomination paths by establishing a caucus-based certificate of nomination process for major parties to nominate legislative/congressional candidates (Section 5: 204B.125).
  • Major-party candidates for legislative or congressional offices must submit an affidavit of candidacy and pay filing fees or use petitions as per the new framework.
  • The Secretary of State will transmit the list of nominated candidates to county auditors; candidates must meet affidavit/petition requirements by mid-June (with exceptions for special elections).

4) Ballot formatting and order

  • Rework how major-party presidential and legislative candidates appear on general ballots (presidential nomination ballots are separate; legislative candidates appear under party columns in the state partisan primary ballot).
  • In state partisan primaries, ensure multiple-party columns and layout requirements, including a “Do not vote for candidates of more than one party” instructional line when two major parties are listed.

5) Local and campaign finance reporting

  • Amend reporting schedules for state and local committees, political funds, and party units, including new timing for quarterly reports and pre-primary/pre-general election filings.
  • Effective January 1, 2028, with financing-related rules to support the new primary/presidential nomination structure.

6) Election administration and procedures

  • Additional clarifications on combined polling places, boundary changes, and local election official procedures to support the new primary structure.
  • New rules and processes for appointment lists of election judges and for ballot accessibility and counting at combined polling places.

Who is affected

  • Major political parties and their nominees for legislative, congressional, and presidential offices.
  • County auditors, county clerks, and municipal clerks responsible for administering primaries and presidential nomination primaries.
  • State and local political committees, political funds, and party units subject to updated reporting schedules.
  • Elections judges and canvassing boards, particularly with changes to nomination timelines and ballot layouts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date generally January 1, 2027 for most provisions; applying to elections held on or after January 1, 2028.
  • Specific sections commence on January 1, 2028, including many conforming changes and reporting requirements.
  • Repeals certain older statutes related to caucus procedures and preexisting nomination pathways, replacing them with the new major-party nomination framework.

Note: This summary emphasizes substantive changes and their potential impact on election administration, candidate nomination, and voter experience.

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

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