The House Elections and Government Operations Committee voted to refer House File 66 to the General Register after testimony from election stakeholders and committee discussion.

Chair Quam introduced House File 66, which would set a minimum filing period for candidates who seek to run in special elections. "My intent with this bill is to ensure that there's a minimum amount of time allowed for filing so we give the public an opportunity to think it through and decide whether they wish to run," Chair Quam said.

Testimony from Chip Tangen, vice chair and political director of the Libertarian Party of Minnesota, described practical difficulties faced by minor-party and independent candidates when governors issue writs that allow only a single day or two for filing. Tangen said special-election writs in 2024 ranged from one- to seven-day filing periods and recounted that collecting the required 500 signatures in a single day is often infeasible, especially in rural districts.

Representative Freiberg moved and Representative Lee offered the A2 amendment during committee consideration; the amendment would have removed a provision changing the period between a writ and a special election but retained the longer filing window. Chair Quam said he is open to continuing discussions over in-session timing and legal considerations but asked that the bill move forward to the education policy committee for fuller review of impacts on local jurisdictions and charter cities.

The committee ultimately renewed the motion and referred House File 66 to the General Register. Committee members signaled further discussion would occur in subsequent committees about balancing voter turnout, candidate filing time and the time a district is represented during session.

Representative Lee and others raised follow-up questions about how the bill would affect cities with ranked-choice voting and charter provisions, which nonpartisan staff said would require county-auditor agreements or other local-state coordination.

The bill will next be scheduled for floor action from the General Register or for additional committee work as members seek clarifying language on timing and implementation.