Blue Earth County training outlines new affidavit-of-candidacy rules for clerks

Blue Earth County elections staff led an online training for local clerks explaining recent state-law and form changes that affect how affidavits of candidacy must be completed, verified and transmitted. The session covered the redesigned affidavit forms, new proof-of-residence steps, address-privacy options, timing for late filings, and recordkeeping practices.

The presenter advised clerks to publish notices first and to note that the late-filing period now occurs two weeks earlier. County staff asked clerks to scan and email completed affidavits promptly; “The law says that you have up to 24 hours 1 business day to do that, but we would ask you to do it that same day if at all possible,” the presenter said. Entered affidavits are then uploaded into the state system within one day of county receipt.

The training stressed that the state no longer provides three-part carbonless affidavit forms. Clerks should either use the new PDF form electronically or provide a printed single-sheet version; the presenter showed the orange-topped affidavit clerks will use for city, town and school-district filings. "They're no longer being provided by the state of Minnesota as a 3 part carbonless form," the presenter said, urging clerks to have filers complete the updated version to avoid missing information.

Several form and field changes were highlighted. The candidate-information block determines how a name will appear on the ballot; clerks must verify capitalization, punctuation and spelling. A pronunciation field remains optional — leaving it blank allows the county’s assisted-vote technology to pronounce the name by default — and the affidavit requires a clear statement of the office and seat being sought (seat number, ward or similar identifier). The presenter reminded clerks that local affidavits do not include a party field.

The county outlined new verification steps: clerks are required to view proof of residence when accepting an affidavit and confirm the address on that ID matches the address on the affidavit. The presenter emphasized the clerk’s role is to verify presentation of the ID and matching address, not to adjudicate whether the candidate truly resides at that address in the event of an objection.

On fees and records, the presenter said the filing fee (often $2 for the local offices covered) is nonrefundable and remains revenue for the filing jurisdiction. Clerks were advised to assign filing numbers only after verifying the affidavit and payment because filing numbers must be sequential; county staff will follow up if sequence gaps appear. Clerks should retain the original affidavit, provide copies to candidates as desired, and scan originals to the county for state entry.

The presenter recommended collecting the certification-of-filing form at the time of the affidavit filing (including the checkbox about the $750 campaign-finance threshold) so candidates are prepared for November certification. County and Secretary of State resources were cited as reference materials: “All of our candidate information lives on the elections website for Blue Earth County,” the presenter said, and the Minnesota Secretary of State also posts affidavit templates and eligibility bulletins.

The presenter closed by reiterating timing expectations: clerks must be present at their official office on the last day of filing and on the withdrawal day — typically until 5 p.m. — and should follow local practice for exact coverage. The county will make the webinar materials available for later viewing and asked clerks to use the provided links and certification form if they watch the recording instead of attending live.