Elections Rulemaking 2025-2026

Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to Elections Administration; Revisor’s ID Number R-4824; OAH Docket No. 8-9019-39440; Minnesota Rules Chapter 8200-8250   

The Office of the Secretary of State is proposing amendments to rules governing elections administration. This page contains public information about this rulemaking project as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 14.366.  

Prehearing comments on the rule draft were accepted in writing from August 25 to September 26 at 4:30 p.m. To review the comments, please visit the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. You may also contact the agency contact person below for a copy of all comments. 

Posthearing comments on the rule draft will be accepted in writing until October 30, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. To submit a comment please visit the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page.
  

Documents available:  

Agency contact person:   

Subject matter of the proposed rule: The proposed rules are related to election administration. In particular, the proposed rules modify language related to voter registration; ballot formatting and instructions; absentee ballot administration; ballot safeguard procedures; mail balloting procedures; testing of voting systems; and election official training. The majority of the proposed changes are technical or clarifying in nature or are to conform to the rules with Minnesota Statutes. The Office also proposes to eliminate rules that are duplicative of, or inconsistent with, changes made to Minnesota Statutes. 

Citation to all published notices relating to the proceeding: The initial request for comments was published in the State Register on August 21, 2023. The Dual Notice will be published in the State Register on August 25, 2025, and is linked above.  

Where written comments on the proposed rule may be inspected: Comments in response to the initial request for comments can be requested from the agency contact person via the contact information listed above. Comments in response to the Dual Notice can be found on the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page or requested from the agency contact via the contact information above.

  
The time during which written comments may be made: Written comments in response to the Dual Notice were accepted from August 25 to September 26 at 4:30 p.m., via the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. Written comments following the hearing can be made until October 30, 2025 at 4:30 p.m., via the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page.

The names of persons who have made written requests for a public hearing, where those requests may be inspected, and where and when the hearing will be held: A hearing was held via Webex at 12:00 p.m. on October 10. More information can be found in the Dual Notice, linked above. All comments in response to the Dual Notice, including requests for a public hearing, can be found on the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page or requested from the agency contact person above.     

The current status of the proposed rule: Written comments were in response to the dual notice were accepted from August 25 to September 26, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. To review the comments, please contact the agency contact person listed above or visit the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. Written comments following the hearing can be made until October 30, 2025 at 4:30 p.m., via the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page.

Any known timetable for agency decisions or other action in this proceeding: There are currently no anticipated agency decisions or other actions relating to this proceeding.  

The date of the rule’s adoption: Not yet available