How to File for Office in 2010 *

* The Military and Overseas Empowerment Act requires Minnesota to move our Primary to August or earlier to provide for a 45-day absentee balloting period.  Moving the Primary to an earlier date also changes the dates of Candidate Filing.


Minneapolis School Board
Special School District No. 1

The Minneapolis Board of Education is a policy-making body responsible for selecting the superintendent and overseeing the district's budget, curriculum, personnel and facilities. The State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Legislature grant the school board authority to carry out these duties. For further information, see www.mpls.k12.mn.us.

On the Ballot in 2010

How the Primary for School Board Works

If more than two candidates file for a position, the candidates for that position will be on the Primary ballot. If two or less candidates file for a position, the candidates go directly to the General Election ballot.

Eligibility to Hold Office – Article VII, Section 6 of the Minnesota Constitution

  • Eligible voter
  • Twenty-one (21) years of age
  • Resided in the district thirty days previous to the General election
  • School Board Director candidates are ineligible if a registered sex offender - M.S. 205A.06 subd. 1b

Filing process & Filing Fee
All candidates must file an affidavit of candidacy and pay a filing fee, or submit a petition in lieu of the filing fee. The filing fee is $20.00.

When to file for office
Tuesday, May 18 – Tuesday, June 1
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Candidates may withdraw no later than 5 p.m. Thursday June 3, 2010 *. Candidates absent during the filing period may arrange to file prior to departure.

Where to file for office

Minneapolis Elections Office
Minneapolis City Hall
350 5th Street South
Room 1B – Ground Floor
Minneapolis MN 55415
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Campaign registration & reporting: Candidates must submit regular fundraising and expenditure reports to the Hennepin County Campaign Finance Office. Candidates who raise or spend funds over $100 must register their campaign committees within 14 days of exceeding the $100 limit. For information call 612-596-7152 or visit the website www.hennepin.us/electionscf.

Statement of Economic Interest: Candidates for Minneapolis School Board must file a personal financial disclosure with the Minneapolis Elections Office within 14 calendar days of filing their candidacy and at regular intervals after that. Candidates will receive Statement of Economic Interest forms and a submittal schedule when they file for office.

Background on Board membership

Board Membership through 2010

Through 2010, there are seven members on the Minneapolis School Board. All members were elected at-large. Terms are staggered, with 3 or 4 members being elected every other year.

Board Membership beginning 2011

In 2008, voters passed a plan to implement school districts within Minneapolis in addition to at-large positions. Implementation of this plan begins with the 2010 election. The exact ballot language is reprinted below for reference.

2008 Ballot Question

Establishment of Election Districts for Special School District No. 1

Shall the Board of Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis Public Schools consist of six members elected by district and three members elected at-large for a total of nine members? Board of education members elected on or prior to November 4, 2008 shall complete their terms. The six districts shall be of equal population and shall initially coincide with the six park board districts for the Minneapolis Park Board. Three districts shall be given even numbers and three districts shall be given odd numbers.

Transition. Beginning with the 2010 general election, three members representing districts with odd numbers and two at-large members shall be elected for a total of eight members. In the 2012 general election, three members representing districts with even numbers and one at-large member shall be elected for a total of nine members.

2010 - Candidate Filing Information for other offices

Candidates for other offices should seek further information from the office where they file for office on campaign registration and personal financial statements.

If the office or the district is wholly contained within Hennepin County, candidates file at:
Hennepin County Elections
Hennepin County Government Center
300 6th Street South - Room A-600, Minneapolis
Phone: 612-348-5151
www.hennepin.us

If the office is statewide or the district is located within two or more counties, candidates file at:
Minnesota Secretary of State's Office
State Office Building - Room 180
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (formerly Constitution Avenue), St. Paul
Phone: 651-215-1440
www.sos.state.mn.us