Counting Ballots and Setting the Stage for the 2027 Legislative Biennium
Election Day is just around the corner, bringing voters to the polls to decide whether the DFL and Republican parties will maintain their 67-seat split or if one side will capture a clear majority for the 2027-2028 legislative biennium. Once the ballots are cast and the initial counts roll in, a flurry of administrative moving pieces immediately begins behind the scenes in St. Paul. House Public Information Services outlined what comes next as the incoming majority party—or both caucuses—gets the House in order before lawmakers officially convene on Jan. 12, 2027.
Secretary of State Updates Unofficial Results Before Certification
After the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, the Office of the Secretary of State will begin updating results directly on the Secretary of State election results page. Voters tracking close races should note that these figures remain strictly unofficial until they are formally certified by the State Canvassing Board at a meeting scheduled for Nov. 19. Any potential recount details can be reviewed through the state’s recount information portal.
For direct inquiries, the Secretary of State’s Election Center is available at 651-215-1440 or 877-600-8683, while Senate Information can be reached at 651-296-0504 or 888-234-1112.
Member Guides and Contact Logistics for Incoming Lawmakers
For citizens wanting to know who won specific House and Senate districts all in one place, nonpartisan House Public Information Services staff aim to have the Member Guide 2027-28 and a member-elect roster published on the House website by the end of the day Wednesday, Nov. 4. This printable directory will update continuously as new information arrives heading into the legislative session.
Reaching a newly elected representative involves a few interim logistical steps. While phone numbers stay tied to specific districts, members-elect serve alongside current officeholders until January. Until they take the oath of office, callers reaching out to incoming members will be directed through their respective party caucuses:
- DFL Caucus Phone: 651-297-9001 (Fifth Floor, Centennial Office Building)
- Republican Caucus Phone: 651-297-9010 (Second Floor, Centennial Office Building)
Physical mail for members-elect should be addressed to their respective caucus floor at the Centennial Office Building, located at 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155. Protocols and timelines for activating official email accounts remain undetermined.
Leadership Elections and Committee Rollouts
If traditional timelines hold, both political caucuses will name their 2027-2028 leadership teams on the Thursday or Friday immediately following the election. Deciding committee structures, chairs, and individual member assignments falls entirely to the incoming majority caucus.
While a rigid schedule does not yet exist, historical precedent suggests committee structures and chairs are typically announced in mid- to late-November, with individual committee assignments finalized by mid-December. House Public Information Services will post these updates on the House website as they become publicly available.
Directories and the Road to the May Adjournment
Constituents looking for the comprehensive Members Directory—widely recognized as the Green Book—can expect copies to be ready for distribution in the middle of February. State offices do not maintain a reservation list for the books. Meanwhile, the Official Directory of the Minnesota Legislature, known as the Red Book, is slated for publication in late 2027 or early 2028.
Once lawmakers take their oaths and dive into policy debates, the clock immediately starts ticking toward a constitutionally mandated finish line. Legislators must complete all of their official work for the 2027 session by May 17.
