Minnesota City Asks Supreme Court to Allow Paper Voter Rosters in 2026
Oak Grove petitioned Minnesota Supreme Court to use paper voter rosters for 2026 elections.
Why it matters: This case impacts in-house legal teams advising municipalities and election officials on compliance with Minnesota voting laws. The ruling will clarify which government level controls voter roster format, influencing election administration risks and legal accountability.
- Oak Grove filed a petition on August 15, 2026, seeking to revert from electronic to paper voter rosters for the 2026 midterms.
- The city cites Minnesota Statute § 204C.09 as allowing local discretion on voter roster format.
- State and county officials argue that only counties control roster use, opposing Oak Grove’s position.
- The Minnesota Supreme Court held oral arguments on September 8, 2026, in a case addressing local versus state election control.
- Concerns include potential voter delays and disenfranchisement if paper rosters replace electronic ones.
The City of Oak Grove, Minnesota, petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court requesting permission to revert from electronic poll books to paper voter rosters for the November 2026 midterm elections. Oak Grove has used electronic systems since 2018 in coordination with Anoka County across four polling sites.
Oak Grove’s legal argument is based on Minnesota Statute § 204C.09, which the city interprets as granting local jurisdictions authority to choose their voter roster format. However, state and county officials maintain that roster policies fall exclusively within county election departments' powers, reflecting a centralized election management approach.
On September 8, 2026, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments. Justices questioned the impact on voter processing times and the risk of disenfranchisement posed by reverting to paper. One justice noted the American Bar Association’s guidance emphasizing efficient voter participation as a pillar of democratic legitimacy.
Doug Seaton, President of the Upper Midwest Law Center, advocates for municipal autonomy, stating, “We don’t think that bureaucrats should be in a position, even elected secretaries of state, to say we want to do it some other way if the law says they have to allow this decision to be made by the city.”
This dispute raises critical questions for legal compliance and election operations, pitting local control against state standardization. The court’s decision will clarify election law application regarding roster formats at the municipal level and potentially influence future electoral policy across Minnesota.
By the numbers:
- August 15, 2026 — Date Oak Grove filed its petition
- September 8, 2026 — Minnesota Supreme Court oral arguments held
- 2018 — Year Oak Grove began using electronic voter rosters
Yes, but: While Oak Grove claims statutory authority for local roster choice, state and county officials argue election uniformity and voter accessibility require county-level control. The outcome will test the balance between municipal discretion and election-wide consistency.
What's next: The Minnesota Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling by early 2027, which will determine voter roster policies for the statewide 2026 midterm elections and beyond.