Minnesota Mayoral Election Turnout Alignment

 

 

The purpose of this bill is to require each city in Minnesota to hold its mayoral elections in the same year as the

United States presidential election, ensuring higher voter participation, a more engaged electorate, and consistent

election timing statewide.

 

Voter turnout is significantly higher in presidential election years compared to odd-year election years. Nationally,

turnout in presidential cycles often reaches 60–66%, while odd-year municipal elections can drop to 15–30%, depending on

the city. When mayoral elections are moved to presidential years, participation increases sharply. For example, in St.

Paul, Minnesota, voters in 2024 approved a change to shift their municipal elections to even-numbered years, including

aligning mayoral elections with the presidential election.

Supporters and city data highlighted that turnout in St. Paul mayoral elections typically hovered around 30–40%, while

presidential turnout in the city regularly exceeded 70%—meaning tens of thousands more residents vote during

presidential cycles. With such a large gap, aligning elections ensures that the mayor is chosen by a much broader and

more representative portion of the community. If only a small number of people vote, the mayor may end up reflecting the

preferences of a limited group instead of the city as a whole.

 

 

Mayoral Election - The election in which a city’s mayor is selected.

Presidential Election Year - Any year in which the U.S. Presidential Election occurs (e.g., 2028, 2032).

Transition Term - A one-time adjusted term length used to shift cities from their current election schedule to the new

one.

Electorate - all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.

Municipal elections - Elections held by a city, town, or municipality to choose local government officials or decide

local issues.

 

 

It requires funding for voting booths since the participation is gonna go up. The funding could come from the Federal

Government (HAVA Grants)

Minnesota receives federal money through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). It’s also where the presidential election

funding comes from.

 

 

First Offense:

The city receives a written notice explaining the violation and required corrections.

Second Offense:

The city must submit a Compliance Plan within 60 days or face state oversight.

Third Offense:

The Secretary of State moves the next mayoral election to the presidential ballot, and the city council must hold a

public hearing.

 

 

Beginning January 1, 2028, all Minnesota cities must schedule their mayoral elections to take place on the same day as

the U.S. Presidential Election.

No city may hold a regularly scheduled mayoral election in an odd-numbered year after 2027.