Minnesota Senate Bill SF2275

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/25
• Refer: 3/6/25

Caption

Designation and election provision of presidential electors

Impact

The proposed changes to Minnesota's election laws will revert to a more traditional method of electing presidential electors, which opponents of the National Popular Vote argue provides a clearer connection between local voting preferences and the selection of electors. The bill aims to ensure that the electoral representation aligns more closely with the votes of Minnesota residents rather than the broader national popular vote, which some legislators claim dilutes local voters' power.

Summary

Senate File 2275 aims to reform how presidential electors are designated and elected in Minnesota. Specifically, the bill amends existing statutes to withdraw Minnesota from the National Popular Vote compact, eliminating the current mechanism where the state's electors are pledged to the national popular vote winner. Instead, the bill reinstates a system where presidential electors are nominated by state political parties and elected based on the votes cast in Minnesota's congressional districts and statewide during general elections.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding SF2275. Supporters of the bill believe that withdrawing from the National Popular Vote compact will restore the integrity of state elections and enhance the influence of Minnesota's voters in presidential elections. Conversely, critics argue that the bill undermines the principles of democracy by enabling potentially disproportionate influence from smaller states and weakening collective voting power on a national scale. This debate raises questions about the balance of representation and the efficacy of the electoral process.