SF 4552

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2026 10:38 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to elections; Independent School District No. 535, Rochester; providing
for school board elections under chapter 205A; amending Laws 1969, chapter 193,
section 3, as amended.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Laws 1969, chapter 193, section 3, as amended by Laws 1974, chapter 235,
section 1, and Laws 1980, chapter 371, section 1, is amended to read:

Sec. 3. INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 535; ELECTIONS.

deleted text begin Election districts may at any time be established in the manner provided by this act or
the board of education of the district may by resolution at any time provide that the board
members be elected at large. If the members are elected at large the notice of election should
include substantially the following form:
deleted text end

deleted text begin "Position number 3 and Position number 5 are to be filled by election. Candidates may
not file for more than one position."
deleted text end

deleted text begin If the members are elected at large the ballots shall read as follows:
deleted text end

deleted text begin "For school board position number 3 of Independent School District Number 535" or
"For school board position number 5 of Independent School District Number 535."
deleted text end

deleted text begin The names of the candidates for each seat shall be rotated on the ballots to avoid any
appearance of preference for incumbents, and incumbency shall not be indicated on the
ballot.
deleted text end

deleted text begin Newly elected school board members shall take office at the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the board following receipt of their certificates of election and notwithstanding
section 123.34, subdivision 1, the board may organize at that meeting rather than at the time
required by section 123.34, subdivision 1. If the school district changes from election by
district to election at large or from election at large to election by district incumbents shall
serve the entire terms to which they were elected under the prior system. If the school district
changes from election by district to election at large incumbents shall be assigned by lot to
the numbered positions.
deleted text end

new text begin School board elections for Independent School District No. 535, Rochester, shall be
conducted in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 205A, including but not limited
to provisions relating to district organization. School board membership shall be governed
by Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.09.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SPECIAL LAW.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is a special law enacted pursuant to the Minnesota Constitution, article XII,
section 2, and applies to Independent School District No. 535, Rochester.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective upon approval by the governing body of Independent School
District No. 535 and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2
and 3, for school district elections held after completion of local approval. The local approval
process must be completed by June 30, 2026, to apply to 2026 school district elections.
new text end