But she and other municipal elections officials are quick to point out that this year’s primary–the first of any national consequence in Minnesota in 25 years–will be different for voters used to party caucuses in the past, including a congested system in 2016 that lead to the the legislature allowing this primary.
“Folks will have to declare a major political party. That part’s different,” said Sorensen. “Typically, voters are used to, in the state primary, a primary ballot where the parties are listed on the one ballot on opposite sides, and this one, you’ll be asked to declare your support for a particular political party in order to recent the correct ballot.”
That has caused some to worry about the data that the legislature has said state political parties can then gather–names and affiliations but not necessarily votes cast–and could affect turnout.
But Sorensen said the larger issue for her and other elections officials is the quick turnaround between last November’s local elections, the February 11 special election for the Anoka County Board of Commissioners District 6 seat, and the presidential primary.
“Typically, we have several months in between election to turn over the equipment, canvas the election, and kind of turn over the election,” she said. “With the (county board) election, we;’ll have an overlap between that absentee period and the absentee period for the presidential (election).”
Absentee balloting for the presidential election opened on Friday, January 17.
In Lino Lakes, the heart of the county district where the seat is up for grabs, there’s also a special election for Mayor Rob Rafferty’s former council seat. That is happening on February 11 also.
“It was initially thought we’d have to go to April 11 (for the city election),” said City Clerk Julie Bartell. “That would have been another whole election, too, to deliver equipment for, to hire judges for, to plan for, an entire expense of that, too. So, it was an important combination we were able to do and I think it’ll be helpful for the voters as well.”
Bartell agreed that this year was unique and had forced her to compress the processes she undertakes to make sure elections in the city go smoothly.
“We actually do spend a good part of the year planning for the August primary and November election in presidential years,” she said, referencing the older system before Minnesota became part of Super Tuesday. “When we have something in the winter like this, it can be a planning challenge.”
