MinnesotaSchool boards would offer vacant seats to next-highest vote getters
Minnesota school boards filling covered vacancies would give the next-highest vote getter from the most recent election the first chance to accept the seat.
What it does
When filling covered school board vacancies, boards would first offer the seat to the next-highest vote getter from the most recent election. They could choose someone else if that person does not accept.
Argument forOffering the seat first to the next-highest vote getter could give voters’ earlier choices more weight when boards fill vacancies.
Argument againstGiving a previous candidate first choice could limit boards’ ability to choose someone whose skills fit the district’s current needs.
More detail
School boards would have to make this first offer before choosing an appointee. This covers board appointments to fill vacancies, except a category referenced in subdivision 4 that is not described here. If that person does not accept, the board could choose someone else. Boards could leave a seat empty when fewer than 90 days remain in the term. Eligible district voters could reject an appointment by filing a petition within 30 days of the board’s appointment decision. Signatures must equal at least five percent of district voter turnout at the most recent state general election. An appointment would take effect 30 days after the board adopts its appointment decision, unless voters file a valid petition rejecting it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Referred to Education PolicyLatest
- May 12Introduction and first readingIntroduced
EducationCivil Rights & Voting