MAT Information Library:
Elections
Minnesota Secretary of State Resources
Minnesota Secretary of State Website
Official source for Minnesota election information, voting requirements, election administration, candidate information, election results and resources for local election officials throughout the state.
IRS Election Worker Reporting and Withholding Information
IRS guidance for local governments on election worker compensation, including earnings and W-2 reporting, FICA withholding, Section 218 agreements and other federal tax and reporting requirements.
Minnesota Election Facts
Information from the Minnesota Secretary of State explaining how Minnesota elections work, including a Fact and Fiction section addressing common questions and misinformation and a step-by-step overview of the election process.
Election Administration – Forms & Publications
Election administration forms, publications, manuals and other resources from the Minnesota Secretary of State for local election officials responsible for conducting elections and complying with state election requirements.
Affidavit of Candidacy
Minnesota Secretary of State form used by individuals filing for township elected office. Candidates should complete the form and submit it to the township clerk during the applicable filing period. (Minnesota Secretary of State)
Campaign Financial Report
Minnesota Secretary of State campaign finance reporting form used by candidates to report campaign receipts, expenditures and other required financial information and certify compliance with applicable reporting requirements.
Absentee Ballot Application
Minnesota Secretary of State application for voters requesting an absentee ballot, with the information needed to apply to vote absentee in an upcoming Minnesota election.
MAT Election Documents
EL 1000A — Certificate of Election: November Election
Certificate of Election template for township officials elected at a November election, providing towns with a standardized document for formally certifying an individual’s election to township office. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 1000B — Certificate of Election: March Election
Certificate of Election template for township officials elected at a March election, providing towns with a standardized document for formally certifying an individual’s election to township office. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 1100 — Certificate of Appointment to Fill a Town Supervisor Vacancy
Certificate of Appointment template for documenting the appointment of an individual to fill a vacancy in the office of town supervisor and providing a formal record of the board’s appointment. (1 page) (Revised: September 2025)
EL 1200 — Certificate of Appointment to Fill a Town Clerk or Treasurer Vacancy
Certificate of Appointment template for documenting the appointment of an individual to fill a vacancy in the office of town clerk or treasurer and formally recording the appointment. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 1250 — Certificate of Appointment for Option B Clerk or Treasurer
Certificate of Appointment for towns operating under Option B when appointing a clerk or treasurer, providing a standardized record of the appointment and the individual selected to serve. (Revised: September 2026)
EL 1300 — Certificate of Appointment for Deputy Town Clerk
Certificate of Appointment template for formally documenting the appointment of a deputy town clerk and creating a township record identifying the individual authorized to serve in that role. (1 page) (Revised: October 2024)
EL 1350 — Certificate of Appointment for Deputy Town Treasurer
Certificate of Appointment template for formally documenting the appointment of a deputy town treasurer and creating a township record identifying the individual authorized to serve in that role. (1 page) (Revised: October 2024)
EL 2000 — Oath of Office
Oath of Office template for newly elected or appointed township officers to complete before assuming the duties of office, providing documentation that the required oath has been administered. (2 pages; intended to be printed double-sided) (Reviewed: October 2024)
EL 3000 — Campaign Financial Report and Certification of Filing
Campaign finance reporting and certification template for township candidates, providing a standardized way to report required campaign financial activity and certify that applicable campaign finance filing requirements have been satisfied. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 4000 — Guide to Adopting November Elections
Guide explaining the process for moving a township’s election from March to November, including the procedural steps a town must follow and a sample resolution that can be used by the town board. (4 pages) (Revised: May 2026)
EL 4100 — Guide to Returning to March Elections
Guide explaining the process for returning a township election from November to March, including an overview of the procedural requirements and actions the township must take to make the change. (3 pages) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 4200 — Guide to Adopting Six-Year Supervisor Terms
Guide explaining the process for changing town supervisor terms to six years, including an overview of the steps and requirements a township should follow when considering and implementing the change. (3 pages) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 5000 — Resolution Establishing One Polling Place
Sample resolution for a township establishing one polling place for its elections, providing standardized language the town board can use when formally designating its annual polling location. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 5100 — Resolution Establishing Two Polling Places
Sample resolution for a township establishing separate polling places for township elections and state and federal elections, providing standardized language for formally designating both locations. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 5200 — Resolution Establishing a Polling Place for Mail-Ballot Towns
Sample resolution for designating a polling place in towns that conduct elections by mail ballot, whether the township uses mail balloting for all elections or only for state and federal elections. (2 pages) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 5300 — Resolution Governing Write-In Vote Counting
Sample resolution establishing a township’s policy for recording individual write-in votes based on the total number of write-in votes cast and the number of votes received by candidates for the same office. (1 page) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 7000 — Township Board of Canvass Guide
Guide to the town board’s responsibilities when serving as the Board of Canvass following a township election, including information about the canvassing process, a sample meeting agenda and an Election Summary. (7 pages) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 8000 — Mail Balloting Guide
Guide to mail balloting for Minnesota townships, including an overview of the process and requirements as well as sample resolutions a township can use to adopt or repeal mail balloting. (5 pages) (Revised: May 2025)
EL 8000 Appendix A — Resolution Authorizing Mail Balloting
Sample resolution for a township choosing to authorize mail balloting, providing standardized language that can be used as part of the town board’s formal action. See EL 8000 above.
EL 8000 Appendix B — Resolution Repealing Mail Balloting
Sample resolution for a township choosing to discontinue mail balloting, providing standardized language that can be used as part of the town board’s formal action. See EL 8000 above.
EL 9000 — Resolution Appointing Election Judges
Sample resolution for formally appointing election judges to serve at a township election, providing standardized language for identifying and approving the individuals selected to perform election judge duties. (2 pages) (Revised: May 2025)