The council discussed new legal mandates requiring increased staffing during the absentee voting period, which now extends to 18 days before an election, including weekends and extended hours. This adjustment, among other changes, will incur additional costs, estimated at $61,700 if the absentee balloting location at City Hall is removed. The city is considering whether to continue offering these services locally or to transfer responsibilities to Rice County, which currently reimburses Northfield $20,000 for its absentee voting site. The council is also pondering the possibility of negotiating for increased reimbursement from the county to offset the growing financial burden.

Temporary voting locations at postsecondary institutions with significant student housing were also a topic of interest. The council noted the success of a pilot voting location at Carleton College in 2024 and discussed the future potential for similar arrangements. This initiative could improve accessibility for student voters, although it would require additional funding.

Training requirements for election judges were another focal point. Rice County mandates extensive in-person training for election judges, which has been cited as a potential barrier to recruiting volunteers. The council is considering requesting that Rice County schedule training sessions in Northfield to alleviate travel burdens and reduce associated costs. Comparatively, Dakota County offers more flexible online training options, which some Northfield judges have utilized.

The council explored the idea of minimizing election day staffing needs due to the high percentage of early voters—over 40% in the 2024 general election.