The Minnesota Supreme Court recently ruled that the City of Oak Grove has the authority to use paper voter rosters in the upcoming 2026 state general election. This decision affects how elections will be conducted in Oak Grove, a city located in Anoka County. The ruling clarifies the power dynamics between city and county election officials regarding the use of electronic versus paper voting rosters.
The dispute arose when the City of Oak Grove filed a petition against Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and other Anoka County election officials. The city sought to determine whether it could revert to using paper rosters instead of the electronic rosters that had been in use since 2018. The court's decision is significant as it impacts local governance and election administration in Minnesota.
Background
The City of Oak Grove, a statutory city in Anoka County, had entered into a contract with the county in 2018 to use an electronic voter roster system. This system was intended to streamline the voting process at precincts within the city. However, in September 2024, the City Council passed a resolution to terminate its agreement with Anoka County and expressed its intention to return to using paper voting rosters.
Despite the city's resolution, Anoka County officials maintained that electronic rosters would continue to be used for the 2024 general election. In response, the City of Oak Grove enacted another resolution in February 2025, directing staff to negotiate with county officials to discontinue the use of electronic rosters. The city formally notified the Secretary of State in April 2026 that it intended to use paper rosters for all upcoming elections.
The Ruling
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in favor of the City of Oak Grove, stating that under Minnesota Statutes section 201.225, the city has the authority to decide whether to use paper or electronic voter rosters at its precincts. The court stated, "The City of Oak Grove has the authority to determine whether paper or electronic voter rosters are used at precincts within the City of Oak Grove’s boundaries, and that the City of Oak Grove has chosen to use paper voter rosters at precincts within its boundaries for the 2026 general election." This ruling effectively grants the city control over its election processes.
The court found that the statute governing electronic rosters does not limit a municipality's authority to choose the type of roster used, even during elections that include state and federal offices. The court emphasized that the plain language of the law supports the city's position, stating that the legislature did not impose restrictions on municipalities that it did for school districts.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for local election administration in Minnesota. It reinforces the authority of cities like Oak Grove to dictate their own voting processes, particularly regarding the use of paper versus electronic rosters. The decision may encourage other municipalities to assert their rights in similar disputes with county election officials.
Furthermore, this ruling could set a precedent for future cases involving local governance and election laws. By clarifying the roles of city and county officials, the court has provided a clearer framework for how elections will be conducted in Minnesota, especially during concurrent elections.
What's Next
Following this ruling, the City of Oak Grove will proceed with its plans to use paper voter rosters in the November 2026 general election. Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether this decision could be appealed or if there are related cases pending.
