Charter Question Timeframe
Information is subject to change based on actions of the Minnesota Legislature, current rulemaking and the Minneapolis City Council. In all matters, Minnesota Election Law or Minneapolis Charter is the final authority, not this calendar.
2013 Charter Question 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 to the City Council
- City Council recommendation
Meeting Schedule
These regularly scheduled meeting dates do not preclude the Charter Commission, the City Council Committee of the Whole/Intergovernmental Relations or the City Council from scheduling special meetings.
Calendar for a proposed City Charter question on the 2013 General Election Ballot Earliest date to submit a petition to place a City Charter question on the November General Election ballot June 5, 2013 Last regularly scheduled Charter Commission meeting for the Charter Commission to recommend Charter changes for referral to the City Council Committee of the Whole/ Intergovernmental Relations July 9, 2013 State law prohibits any City Charter question from being submitted for the November General Election ballot after this date August 7, 2013 Last regularly scheduled Charter Commission meeting for referral of a successful Charter Petition (originally submitted by July 10) to the City Council Committee of the Whole/ Intergovernmental Relations August 15, 2013 Last regularly scheduled City Council Committee of the Whole/Intergovernmental Relations meetings to approve ballot language before statutory deadline to propose charter amendments August 16, 2013 Last regularly scheduled City Council meeting to approve ballot language before statutory deadline to propose charter amendments. If under Council Rule 4, the Council approves a motion finding that the regular timeline is inadequate, the Council can hear the item at that Council meeting. August 23, 2013 Last day for municipal clerk to provide ballot language to county auditor November 5, 2013 General Election
M.S.410.10 Subd.1
M.S. 410.12 Subd. 1
M.S.205.16 Subd. 4
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 6, 2012, the number of Minneapolis residents who voted was 215,804. Signatures of at least 10,791 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 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 Office has five (5) additional days to verify additional signatures.
Any citizen or group of citizens may prepare an amendment, in proper legal form, to circulate for registered voters’ signatures. Note: Citizens should seek legal guidance to ensure their efforts are in compliance with the law.
Last updated Feb. 6, 2013