Minnesota Secretary of State

St. Paul's legal battle over a "Right to Repair" ballot question will not be resolved until after early voting is already underway. The Minnesota Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments for Oct. 6, 7, or 12, with legal briefs due between Aug. 28 and Sept. 16, while absentee voting starts Sept. 18. Election Day is Nov. 3.

The question, backed by the Safe Homes St. Paul coalition, would let tenants deduct up to $500 or half a month's rent to cover overdue repairs after notifying landlords. The St. Paul City Council voted 5-2 to block the measure from reaching the ballot despite sufficient petition signatures, prompting a lawsuit that Safe Homes St. Paul won in Ramsey County District Court. The city's emergency appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court failed, with justices directing the dispute to normal appellate channels. The Secretary of State's office has already added the question to sample ballots, meaning voters may cast ballots on the issue before the courts settle whether it will ultimately count.