Purpose

• Proposes a constitutional change to allow certain property owners to vote on local property tax questions (local levies or bond referenda) in the precinct where their property is located.

Who would be eligible to vote (Main Provisions)

• Under current rules, anyone 18+ who is a U.S. citizen and has resided in the precinct for the required time can vote.
• In addition, the bill would let specific property owners vote in local tax questions:
  • Owners of agricultural land real property that is both nonhomesteaded and noncommercial, or
  • Owners of real property that is commercial or industrial on which they conduct a small business (as defined by law).
• These property owners would be allowed to vote in the precinct where the property is located on any question about a local levy or referendum.

What the bill seeks to change (Significant changes to existing law)

• Adds a new category of voters to the Minnesota Constitution’s Article VII Section 1, specifically property owners described above, to vote on local tax questions.
• Creates implementing language in Minnesota Statutes to govern how this voting would work, including registration, voting location, and voting methods.

How voting would work (Implementation details)

• Submission to voters: The amendment would be put to voters at the 2026 general election.
• The exact ballot question would ask whether the Minnesota Constitution should be amended to allow the described property owners to vote on local levy or bond referenda where the property is located.
• Rules and procedures:
  • The Secretary of State would develop procedures to allow these property owners to register to vote in the property’s precinct (for purposes of this section only).
  • Owners could vote by absentee ballot under existing rules or participate in a mail election as provided by law.

Eligibility restrictions and voting conditions

• Requirements to vote in general are still in place (age 18+, U.S. citizen, precinct residency), and the new property-owner voting is in addition to those.
• Limits on eligibility remain for:
  • People who do not meet the above requirements,
  • People convicted of treason or a felony (unless civil rights restored),
  • People under guardianship, or
  • People who are insane or not mentally competent.

Timeline

• If approved, the amendment would be submitted and voted on at the 2026 general election.
• Implementing provisions would be carried out through rules developed by the Secretary of State and by existing chapters on voting (e.g., absentee voting and mail elections).

Practical effect

• This change would connect property ownership to the ability to vote on local tax questions, potentially expanding or adjusting participation in local levy and bond decisions for certain landowners.

Notable definitions and terms linked to the bill

• Local levy or referendum
• Agricultural land real property that is both nonhomesteaded and noncommercial
• Real property that is commercial or industrial on which the owner conducts a small business
• Precinct where the real property is located
• Absentee ballot
• Mail election
• Secretary of State rules
• Minnesota Statutes chapters 204B, 203B

Relevant Terms - local levy - bond referendum - agricultural land real property - nonhomesteaded - noncommercial - commercial or industrial property - small business (as defined by law) - owner - precinct - vote - constitutional amendment - Article VII Section 1 - 2026 general election - Secretary of State - rules - register to vote - absentee ballot - mail election - Chapter 203B - Chapter 204B - 204B.50 - 204B.45