2010 City Charter Amendment Timeframe
There are three available methods to place a City Charter question on the ballot. This timeframe incorporates all three methods:
- Citizen-initiated petition process
- Charter Commission recommendation
- City Council recommendation
2010 Calendar notes *
* On March 3, 2010, the Governor signed into law S.F. 2251, which provides for a 45-day absentee balloting period for both the Primary and the General Election. To accomplish this, approximately 42 different subdivisions of Minnesota election law were necessary. Some of this new law affects Charter question deadlines. Links to state statues are not yet updated. See S.F. 2251 for further information.
In all matters, Minnesota Election Law or Minneapolis Charter is the final authority, not this calendar. Information is subject to change based on actions of the Minnesota Legislature, current rulemaking and the Minneapolis City Council. The Minnesota Legislature convenes on February 4, and must adjourn on or before May 17.
Meeting Schedule
These regularly scheduled meeting dates do not preclude the Charter Commission, the City Council Committee of the Whole/IGR or City Council from scheduling special meetings.
Calendar for a proposed City Charter question on the 2010 General Election Ballot
May 2, 2010
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Earliest date to submit a petition to place a City Charter question on the November General Election ballot
M.S.410.10 Subd.1 – within six months of submission
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June 2 and July 7, 2010
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Regularly scheduled Charter Commission meetings to recommend Charter changes for referral to the City Council Committee of the Whole/IGR
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July 1 and July 22, 2010
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Regularly scheduled City Council Committee of the Whole/IGR meetings to approve ballot language before statutory deadline to propose charter amendments
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July 6, 2010 *
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State law prohibits any City Charter question from being submitted for the November General Election ballot after this date M.S. 410.10 Subd. 1 - within 17 weeks of the General Election*
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August 6, 2010
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Regularly scheduled City Council meeting to approve ballot language before statutory deadline to propose charter amendments
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August 20, 2010 *
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Last day to submit ballot language to County Auditor
M.S.205.16 Subd. 4 – 74 days prior to the General Election*
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November 2, 2010
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General Election
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Requirement for number of signatures on a Citizen Petition M.S.410.12 Subd.1
State Law requires signatures from at least 5 percent of total votes cast at the previous State General Election. At the last State General Election held November 4, 2008, the number of Minneapolis residents who voted was 208,973. Signatures of at least 10,449 registered Minneapolis voters is required to submit a citizen petition.
Verification for a Citizen Petition can take up to 25 days
M.S.410.12 Subd.3
- The Minneapolis Elections and Voter Registration Office has ten (10) days to verify initial submission of signatures.
- Petitioners have ten (10) more days to obtain additional signatures if needed.
- The Minneapolis Elections and Voter Registration Office has five (5) additional days to verify additional signatures.
If a Charter Amendment petition is submitted before May 2, 2010, a Special Election would be required.
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