2027 PERA Board of Trustees Election
Overview
Every four years, PERA members vote to elect five members to the Board of Trustees, as required under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 353.03.
Three board seats are designated for active members of the PERA General Employees Retirement Plan and represent all PERA members . One seat is designated for an active member of the PERA Police and Fire Plan. The fifth seat is designated for a former PERA member who is receiving a retirement annuity or disability benefit.
The next PERA Board of Trustees election process will begin in Fall 2026.
PERA has partnered with YesElections to securely manage the 2027 election. If PERA has your current email address, you will receive election updates and voting instructions by email beginning in mid-December 2026.
Board Positions Open for Election
Five Trustee positions will be elected in 2027:
- Three active employees representing the General, Coordinated, Correctional Plans
- One active member of the Police & Fire Plan
- One former PERA member currently receiving a retirement or disability benefit
All Trustee positions are elected at large by eligible voters, including retirees, benefit recipients, and active members of PERA's Coordinated, Correctional, and Police and Fire Plans.
Important Dates
October 1-7, 2026: Candidates may submit their nomination forms and petitions.
October 15, 2026: Last day for candidates to withdraw their name.
December 14, 2026: Voting Materials Mailed and Online Voting Site Opens
Late December 2026 to January 10, 2027: Ballots Begin Arriving by Mail
January 31, 2027: Voting Deadline
Mail ballots must be postmarked by January 31.
Online voting closes at 11:59 p.m.
February 18, 2027: The PERA Board certifies the official election results.
To be eligible for a trustee position, you must be a member of the PERA General Plan, Police & Fire Plan, or Correctional Plan. A member is someone who:
- Is actively employed and currently contributing to a PERA plan,
For the Police & Fire representative seat:
- Candidates must be actively employed and contributing to the PERA Police & Fire Plan.
For the retiree/disability representative seat:
Candidates must have:
- Met the definition of a "public employee" under Minnesota Statutes, section 353.01, subdivisions 2 and 2a, for at least five years before ending PERA membership; and
- Be currently receiving either a retirement benefit or a disability benefit.
To have your name placed on the ballot, you must:
- File your nomination during the official filing period: October 1-7, 2026
- Submit a biographical application and questionnaire
- Submit a petition containing 25 valid signatures from eligible PERA members or benefit recipients, as required by law
Candidate Biography
Your biography will be included in the official election publication distributed to voters. If you choose not to submit a biography, "No biography submitted" will appear next to your name in the publication.
Candidate Petition
Candidates may begin collecting petition signatures before the filing period opens; however, applications and petition signatures may not be submitted until the filing period opens on October 1.
There are two ways to submit your application.
Paper Forms
Download and fill out the Biographical Application and Petition Form.
- Obtain signatures from 25 or more eligible PERA members or benefit recipients.
- Submit your application during the filing period (October 1-7, 2026). You can drop them off in our office, or email them to Gladys.Rodriguez@mnpera.org
Digital Nomination
- Email Gladys.Rodriguez@mnpera.org, or call PERA at 651-201-2691 to let us know you're interested in running.
- PERA will confirm your eligibility. YesElections will email you instructions to get started.
- Complete your online biography, then share your link with supporters to collect electronic signatures.
- Your Biosketch and Petition Form will be automatically submitted by YesElections during the filing period, October 1-7, 2026.
Candidates submitting paper forms must submit Biographical Sketch and Petition Form by the following deadlines:
- Electronic submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. on October 7, 2026, and emailed to Gladys Rodriguez at Gladys.Rodriguez@mnpera.org.
- In-person submissions must be received by 4:30 p.m. on October 7, 2026, at:
Attn: Gladys Rodriguez
Public Employees Retirement Association
60 Empire Drive, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55103
Candidates who wish to withdraw their nomination must notify PERA by October 15.
Voting
Eligible voters will begin receiving voting materials in late December 2026, early January 2027.
You may vote:
By Mail
- Mail your completed ballot.
- Must be postmarked January 31, 2027.
Online
- Vote securely using the online election system.
- Online voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2027.
Election results will be announced on the PERA website following the election certification at the regular Board meeting in February 18, 2027.
Learn More
Visit the Board of Trustees page to learn about:
- Trustee responsibilities
- Current Board members
- Board meetings
- Election information
Questions?
We're here to help. Contact Gladys Rodriguez, Board Election Coordinator
651-201-2691