Bill > SF1563

This bill modifies Minnesota election law to establish new procedures for filling legislative vacancies under specific circumstances. The bill allows for the second-place candidate in a previous general election to be automatically seated in a legislative office if the original winner is found to be ineligible or disqualified due to certain misconduct, such as violating campaign finance laws or being ineligible to hold office. If a successful election contest reveals candidate misconduct, the chief clerk of the house of representatives or secretary of the senate must notify the secretary of state about the vacancy. Unless an election contest is filed within two business days, the secretary of state will issue a certificate of election to the second-place candidate. The bill expands the list of reasons an office can become vacant, including ineligibility to hold office and significant violations of campaign finance regulations. Notably, this process bypasses standard special election procedures outlined in Chapter 204D, except in cases where no second-place candidate exists from the most recent general election. The changes aim to provide a more streamlined method for quickly filling legislative seats when the original winner is disqualified.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1563&ssn=0&y=2025