SF 848

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:16am

A bill for an act
relating to elections; changing certain requirements for town elections;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 205.075, subdivision 1, by adding a
subdivision; 367.03, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 205.075, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Date of election.

The general election in a town must be held on the
second Tuesday in March, except as provided in subdivision 2 new text begin or when moved for bad
weather as provided in section 365.51, subdivision 1 new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 205.075, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Return to March election. new text end

new text begin The town board of a town that has adopted
the alternative November election date under subdivision 2 may, after having conducted
at least two elections on the alternative date, adopt a resolution designating the second
Tuesday in march as the date of the town general election. The resolution must be
adopted by a unanimous vote of the town supervisors and must include a plan to shorten
or lengthen the terms of office to provide an orderly transition to the march election
schedule. The resolution becomes effective upon an affirmative vote of the electors at
the next town general election.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 367.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Officers; November election.

new text begin Except as provided in subdivision 4a,
new text end supervisors and other town officers in towns that hold the town general election in
November shall be elected for terms of four years commencing on the first Monday in
January and until their successors are elected and qualified. The clerk and treasurer shall
be elected in alternate years.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 367.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Optional six-year terms. new text end

new text begin The resolution required under section 205.075,
subdivision 2, to adopt the alternative November date for town general election may
include the proposal and corresponding transition plan to provide for a six-year term for
town supervisors. A town that has adopted the alternative November date for general town
elections using the four-year terms provided under subdivision 4 may adopt a resolution
establishing six-year terms for supervisors as provided under this subdivision. The
resolution must include a plan to provide an orderly transition to six-year terms. The
resolution adopting the six-year term for town supervisors may be proposed by the town
board or by a resolution of the electors adopted at the annual town meeting and is effective
upon an affirmative vote of the electors at the next town general election.
new text end