Bill > HF2003

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment and related statutory changes to allow political subdivisions (counties, municipalities, and school districts) to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, the amendment would enable local jurisdictions to voluntarily adopt a lower voting age for their specific local elections, while maintaining the standard 18-year-old voting age for state and federal elections. The bill includes several technical amendments to existing election laws to accommodate 16-year-old voters, such as modifying voter registration forms, absentee ballot certificates, and polling place rosters to include language about local election voting. Importantly, 16-year-old voters would only be permitted to vote in elections for the specific jurisdiction that has adopted the lower voting age, and they would be restricted from voting in state or federal elections. The proposed constitutional amendment and conforming changes would become effective January 1, 2027, if approved by voters, giving local jurisdictions the option to expand voting rights to younger residents in local elections while preserving existing voter eligibility requirements for state and federal contests.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF2003&ssn=0&y=2025