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WS — Item 10 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item #10 Date: May 2, 2011 To: City Council From: Julie Bartell, City Clerk Jean Viger, Deputy City Clerk Re: Charter Amendments relating to Elections Background The United States Congress adopted legislation in 2009 requiring a period of 45 days for absentee ballot voting to allow the time necessary for military and overseas voting. As a result the Minnesota State Legislature adopted and the governor signed into law legislation that adjusts state election law to accommodate the extended absentee balloting period and other election administrative changes. These law changes have an impact on the city's election calendar including when the city can receive filings for office and, in the case of special improvement consideration, how long the city has to submit questions to Anoka County for inclusion on the ballot. Since the City of Lino Lakes election regulations are included in the city charter, staff is presenting the following suggestions for amendments to the charter to concur with state and federal level changes. 1. Filing for Office. With the change in the absentee voting period, the filing period reflected in Charter Section 4.02 is no longer appropriate. The filing period must occur at least soon enough to allow the city to meet the deadline for getting names on the ballot. The following changes to the City Charter would bring the city into conformance with state law. Section 4.02. Filing for Office. No earlier than eighty four (84) days and not later than seventy (70) days bBefore any municipal election, any resident of the City qualified under state law for elective office may, by filing an affidavit and by paying a filing fee to the City Clerk in an amount as set by ordinance, or by means otherwise permitted by state law, have his/her name placed on the municipal election ballot. The fling period shall be as established by Minnesota State law. (Amended 1/25/88) (Amended 05/27/2003)