Bill > SF2549

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow counties, municipalities, and school districts in Minnesota to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections, while maintaining the existing state and federal voting age of 18. If approved by voters in the 2026 general election, political subdivisions would have the option to permit 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections, but these younger voters would be restricted from voting in state or federal elections. The bill includes several technical amendments to existing election laws to accommodate this change, such as modifying voter registration forms, absentee ballot certificates, and polling place rosters to reflect the potential new voting age. The proposed amendment specifies that while local jurisdictions can lower the voting age, they cannot alter other voter eligibility requirements, such as citizenship and residency rules. If passed, the changes would become effective January 1, 2027, and would apply to local elections held on or after that date. The constitutional amendment would be submitted to voters with the specific ballot question: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to allow political subdivisions to lower the voting age to 16 years of age for local elections?"

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2549&ssn=0&y=2025