Linwood Township (3rd Municipality) Passes Resolution for Municipal Autonomy Regarding Electronic Poll Pads

On July 14, 2026, the Linwood Township Board adopted Resolution 2026-07, formally asserting the township’s municipal autonomy to decide whether to use electronic roster systems (poll pads/epollbooks). The resolution supports the City of Oak Grove’s pending petition to the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking clarification that local governments—not the county or Secretary of State—have the authority to discontinue electronic rosters and return to paper poll books. Linwood Township expressed clear dissatisfaction with the Secretary of State’s and Anoka County’s interpretation of state law, which claims municipalities have no local autonomy and must continue using electronic rosters if the county designates them. The board views this stance as an attempt to strip local control from townships and cities.

ANOKA COUNTY