Minnesota Supreme Court: Bipartisan Election Judges Required at Early Voting

• The Minnesota Supreme Court is considering whether Minneapolis must use bipartisan election judges at early voting locations.
• State law requires at least two judges in each precinct to represent different major political parties for Election Day, but the city has been using nonpartisan officials for early voting.
• The outcome of this case could impact rural areas, where resources may be limited and local election administration may be disrupted.

It would be senseless to require all those checks and balances on Election Day only to allow them to be completely circumvented by an early voting process where anything goes.

The Minnesota Supreme Court is grappling with a contentious issue: whether Minneapolis must use bipartisan election judges at early voting locations, as required by state law. The city's reliance on nonpartisan officials has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and potential disparities in voter support. At stake are not only the rights of voters but also the administrative burden on local election officials, particularly in rural areas where resources may be scarce.

Minnesota's election laws dictate that at least two judges in each precinct must represent different major political parties. This requirement is designed to ensure equity and prevent any single party from dominating the electoral process. However, the city of Minneapolis has been using nonpartisan officials for early voting, sparking a debate over whether this practice complies with state law. The Minnesota Voters Alliance argues that election judges are necessary to oversee key tasks such as assisting voters with ballot marking and resolving registration challenges.

The outcome of this case has significant implications for the administration of elections in rural areas, where resources may be limited. If the court requires bipartisan election judges at early voting locations, it could disrupt local election administration and potentially reduce early voting opportunities. On the other hand, if the city is allowed to continue using nonpartisan officials, it may undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create disparities in voter support.

A lawyer or compliance officer should watch for the potential disruption to local election administration in rural areas and the possible reduction of early voting if the court requires bipartisan election judges at early voting locations.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News