Minnesota House Approves Bill to Change Rochester School Board Elections

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a bill that would change the Rochester Public School District's (RPS) election system. 

See Also: Teens Captured After Crashing Stolen Vehicle, Fleeing Deputy Near Rochester 

In March, the RPS Board unanimously approved a resolution to seek legislative approval to do away with the alley system for school district elections. 

Candidates running in elections under the current system are allowed to challenge a single board member. 

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Seeking legislative approval to scrap the alley system is not the only election system change that was sought by the RPS board this year. In February the board voted 6-1 to scrap Primary Elections. 

Read More: Rochester School Board Eliminates Primary Elections 

The bill put before state lawmakers gets rid of the alley system by repealing the 1974 law that put it in place for RPS. The change would be in place for this year’s elections if it becomes law. 

About 95% of Minnesota school districts have candidates campaigning against each other, with the top vote-getters selected to fill the seats up for election. 

Bill to Scrap Alley System for RPS Elections Passes MN House on Bipartisan Vote

Rochester DFL Rep. Tina Liebling originally introduced the legislation. Rochester DFL Reps. Andy Smith and Kim Hicks also signed onto the bill. 

On Tuesday the state House voted 124-9 to pass the bill. “The current system is needlessly confusing for both voters and candidates,” said Rep. Liebling. “When voting is overly complicated, fewer people vote.” 

Companion Bill Awaiting Senate Vote

Rochester DFL Sen. Liz Boldon introduced the companion bill in the Senate. Rochester GOP Sen. Carla Nelson was added as a co-author to the bill. 

The Senate has not yet voted on the legislation.