Under Minnesota law, the Hennepin County Board must establish a ballot board by ordinance or resolution. The Hennepin County Absentee Ballot Board is authorized to process and count all absentee ballots issued by Hennepin County. In 2014, the Board passed a resolution establishing the absentee ballot board. Since that time, statutory amendments and a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling (Minnesota Voters Alliance v. County of Ramsey, No. A20-1294, A20-1295, A20-1296 (Minn. Mar. 16, 2022)) have further clarified the roles of election judges and deputy county auditors, each of whom may serve as absentee ballot board members.

This action will re-authorize the Hennepin County Absentee Ballot Board and maintain the requirement that the absentee ballot board’s practices comply with current Minnesota law. This resolution also authorizes the Hennepin County Auditor or an elections staff person designated by the County Auditor to appoint election judges and deputy county auditors to the absentee ballot board, consistent with Minnesota law. Pursuant to this authorization, the County Auditor will also follow the legal requirements related to the training and duties of absentee ballot board members.

This request aligns with Hennepin County disparity reduction efforts by ensuring the integrity of elections in our county, allowing residents the ability to continue to confidently participate in our democracy, hold elected officials accountable, and have a voice in important issues affecting themselves and their communities. Elections and voting directly impact all disparity domains.