MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Oak Grove May Use Paper Voter Rosters in November Election

OAK GROVE, MN (September 15, 2026). The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that Oak Grove may use paper voter rosters instead of electronic poll books during the November 3 general election, resolving a dispute over whether cities or county and state election officials control that decision.

The ruling directly affects the Anoka County city’s election plans and could influence how other Minnesota municipalities interpret their authority to select voter-registration systems.

Oak Grove officials wanted to return to paper rosters after using electronic systems at polling places. State and county election officials maintained that local cities could not independently make that choice for elections involving federal, state and county offices.

The city, represented by the Upper Midwest Law Center, argued that Minnesota law gives municipalities responsibility for administering polling places within their boundaries, including the authority to choose between authorized paper and electronic rosters.

The Supreme Court sided with Oak Grove.

Paper rosters are printed lists of registered voters assigned to each precinct. Election judges use the lists to verify voters and record that ballots have been issued.

Electronic poll books perform similar functions through computers or tablets. They can search voter records, update participation information and help election judges process voters whose registration requires additional review.

Electronic systems can make voter check-in faster and allow information to be shared across connected locations. They also require equipment, software, training, electricity and security procedures.

Paper systems do not depend on electronic devices or network access, but election workers must manually locate names and record voter activity. Updating and reconciling paper records may also require additional work after polls close.

The court’s ruling does not require Minnesota cities to use paper rosters. It allows Oak Grove to make that choice and establishes that municipal authority is not automatically displaced by a county or state preference for electronic poll books.

The decision arrives shortly before early voting begins for the November election, leaving election administrators limited time to finalize equipment, print materials, train workers and explain procedures to voters.

Oak Grove must still follow all other state and federal election requirements. Voters must be properly registered, identification and eligibility rules remain unchanged, and completed rosters must be secured and reconciled.

The case did not determine that paper rosters are inherently safer or more accurate than electronic systems. It addressed which level of government holds the authority to choose an approved method.

Supporters of paper rosters argue that physical lists provide a transparent record and reduce dependence on technology. Supporters of electronic poll books point to efficiency, faster searches and their ability to assist voters who appear at the wrong precinct or need registration information reviewed.

Those competing policy arguments may now move to other city councils as local officials consider whether to follow Oak Grove’s example.

The Secretary of State and county election administrators will also need to determine whether additional guidance is necessary to ensure consistent procedures across municipalities using different roster systems.

For Oak Grove voters, the practical difference will appear at the check-in table. Election judges will locate voters on printed precinct lists rather than checking them in through electronic devices.

The November election will provide the first test of how the city manages that return to paper rosters under the Supreme Court’s ruling.

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