‘Denny Hanson’s Bill’ Would Allow Refiling Period After a Candidate’s Death

A bill in response to the situation that followed the sudden passing of Rochester City Councilmember Denny Hanson will now be debated on the House floor.
(Published Jan 28, 2013)

Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) presented a bill on Jan. 24 to change statute regarding vacancy in candidacy to the House Elections Committee.

Rochester City Councilmember Denny Hanson passed away suddenly last summer. At the time, he was running for re-election to the City Council and faced one opponent. State statute currently allows a refiling period only in the event that a candidate has withdrawn within a certain time period, not in cases of death. Because of this, Denny Hanson’s family continued the campaign in hopes of re-electing Denny Hanson and then subsequently prompting a special election.

HF 122 would allow another candidate filing period for nonjudicial and nonpartisan office if a candidate’s death occurs more than 84 days before the general election. This change would allow new candidates a five-day filing period and a two-day withdrawal period in order to change the general election ballots.

There was little debate following the presentation of the bill, and it was passed out of committee to the general register. SF 90, the companion bill authored by Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), awaits action by the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

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