2021 Minneapolis Municipal Election Resources
The 2021 Minneapolis Municipal Election is on November 2. Find your polling place here. You can register to vote on Election Day. Learn more about registering to vote here. You can vote early in-person until 5 pm November 1 at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services (980 Hennepin Ave E). Learn more about early voting here.
Whittier Alliance staff are available to help residents understand what's on the ballot and make a voting plan. To request assistance, call our office at (612) 871-7756, email info@whittieralliance.org, or stop by our office at 10 East 25th Street.
Offices on the ballot this year include: Mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate & Taxation, and Park & Recreation Board. Learn more about what's on the ballot here. Minneapolis uses Ranked Choice Voting, where you vote for candidates in order of your preference. This allows you to 'rank' your vote - first choice, second choice, and third choice. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting here.
There will be three questions on the 2021 Minneapolis ballot that propose amendments to the City Charter. Learn more about the proposed City Charter amendments here.
Whittier Alliance staff are available to help residents understand what's on the ballot and make a voting plan. To request assistance, call our office at (612) 871-7756, email info@whittieralliance.org, or stop by our office at 10 East 25th Street.
Offices on the ballot this year include: Mayor, City Council, Board of Estimate & Taxation, and Park & Recreation Board. Learn more about what's on the ballot here. Minneapolis uses Ranked Choice Voting, where you vote for candidates in order of your preference. This allows you to 'rank' your vote - first choice, second choice, and third choice. Learn more about Ranked Choice Voting here.
There will be three questions on the 2021 Minneapolis ballot that propose amendments to the City Charter. Learn more about the proposed City Charter amendments here.
Candidates
See the list of candidates running for office below. Clicking on a candidate's name will take you to their campaign website, if they have one. If a candidate is marked with a *, the link will take you to their page on BallotPedia.
Parks and Recreation Commissioner At Large
Meg Forney Londel French Katherine Kelly Mary McKelvey Tom Olsen Charles Rucker * Alicia D. Smith |
Charter Amendments
There will be three questions on the 2021 Minneapolis ballot that propose amendments to the City Charter. Learn more about the proposed City Charter amendments here.
Amendment 1: Government Structure
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to adopt a change in its form of government to an Executive Mayor-Legislative Council structure to shift certain powers to the Mayor, consolidating administrative authority over all operating departments under the Mayor, and eliminating the Executive Committee?
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to adopt a change in its form of government to an Executive Mayor-Legislative Council structure to shift certain powers to the Mayor, consolidating administrative authority over all operating departments under the Mayor, and eliminating the Executive Committee?
Amendment 2: Public Safety
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to remove the Police Department and replace it with a Department of Public Safety that employs a comprehensive public health approach to the delivery of functions by the Department of Public Safety, with those specific functions to be determined by the Mayor and City Council by ordinance; which will not be subject to exclusive mayoral power over its establishment, maintenance, and command; and which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety, with the general nature of the amendments being briefly indicated in the explanatory note below, which is made a part of this ballot?
Explanatory Note:
This amendment would create a Department of Public Safety combining public safety functions through a comprehensive public health approach to be determined by the Mayor and Council. The department would be led by a Commissioner nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the Council. The Police Department, and its chief, would be removed from the City Charter. The Public Safety Department could include police officers, but the minimum funding requirement would be eliminated.
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to remove the Police Department and replace it with a Department of Public Safety that employs a comprehensive public health approach to the delivery of functions by the Department of Public Safety, with those specific functions to be determined by the Mayor and City Council by ordinance; which will not be subject to exclusive mayoral power over its establishment, maintenance, and command; and which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety, with the general nature of the amendments being briefly indicated in the explanatory note below, which is made a part of this ballot?
Explanatory Note:
This amendment would create a Department of Public Safety combining public safety functions through a comprehensive public health approach to be determined by the Mayor and Council. The department would be led by a Commissioner nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the Council. The Police Department, and its chief, would be removed from the City Charter. The Public Safety Department could include police officers, but the minimum funding requirement would be eliminated.
Amendment 3: Rent Stabilization
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to regulate rents on private residential property in the City of Minneapolis, with the general nature of the amendments being indicated in the explanatory note below, which is made a part of this ballot?
Explanatory Note:
This amendment would:
1. Authorize the City Council to regulate rents on private residential property in the City of Minneapolis by ordinance.
2. Provide that an ordinance regulating rents on private residential property could be enacted in two different and independent ways:
a. The City Council may enact the ordinance.
b. The City Council may refer the ordinance as a ballot question to be decided by the voters for approval at an election. If more than half of the votes cast on the ballot question are in favor of its adoption, the ordinance would take effect 30 days after the election, or at such other time as provided in the ordinance.
Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to authorize the City Council to regulate rents on private residential property in the City of Minneapolis, with the general nature of the amendments being indicated in the explanatory note below, which is made a part of this ballot?
Explanatory Note:
This amendment would:
1. Authorize the City Council to regulate rents on private residential property in the City of Minneapolis by ordinance.
2. Provide that an ordinance regulating rents on private residential property could be enacted in two different and independent ways:
a. The City Council may enact the ordinance.
b. The City Council may refer the ordinance as a ballot question to be decided by the voters for approval at an election. If more than half of the votes cast on the ballot question are in favor of its adoption, the ordinance would take effect 30 days after the election, or at such other time as provided in the ordinance.
Informational resources
Pollen Midwest has created an election guide in partnership with Pillsbury United Communities and Sahan Journal.
MinnPost reporter Solomon Gustavo has published profiles of several of the candidates in the Ward 10 race: Aisha Chughtai, Alicia Gibson, Katie Jones, Chris Parsons, and David Wheeler.
Below are some useful articles that explain the proposed charter amendments in detail.
Amendment 1: Government Structure
What to know about Minneapolis’ government structure ballot measure, aka the ‘strong mayor’ question - Solomon Gustavo, MinnPost
Should the mayor of Minneapolis have more power? Here is everything you need to know about the strong-mayor amendment on the ballot this fall. - Joey Peters, Sahan Journal
Stronger mayor? Reviving the charter wars in Minneapolis - Iric Nathanson, MinnPost
Amendment 2: Public Safety
The Yes 4 Minneapolis charter amendment, explained - Jon Collins, MPR News
Will the Minneapolis Police Department really be ‘dismantled’ in 30 days if the public safety amendment passes? - Solomon Gustavo, MinnPost
Nothing But the Whole Truth about Minneapolis Ballot Question 2 - Nick Harper, Medium
Opinion: The myth of the “14 bosses”: Police ballot initiative would restore balance - Michael Friedman, Minnesota Reformer
Minnesota Poll results: Minneapolis policing and public safety charter amendment - Star Tribune / MPR News / KARE 11 / Frontline
Amendment 3: Rent Stabilization
Minneapolis will vote on rent control this fall. Here’s what to know. - Jon Collins, MPR News
The push for rent control in Minneapolis, explained - Solomon Gustavo, MinnPost
Rent control is on the ballot this fall in Minneapolis and St. Paul. We asked supporters and opponents whether the measures will help produce affordable housing. - Hibah Ansari, Sahan Journal
Candidate Forums
Mayor
Twin Cities PBS hosted a mayoral debate that aired on October 22nd, 2021, featuring candidates AJ Awed, Jacob Frey, Kate Knuth, and Sheila Nezhad. You can view the full episode here or below.
Stevens Square Community Organization, in partnership with Whittier Alliance, Elliot Park, Phillips West and Lowry Hill East neighborhood organizations, presented a mayoral candidate forum on October 4, 2021 at Plymouth Congregational Church with candidates Nate "Honey Badger" Atkins (Libertarian), AJ Awed (DFL), Bob "Again" Carney Jr (R), Clint Conner (DFL), Mark Globus (DFL), Paul Johnson (Humanitarian-Community Party), Kate Knuth (DFL), Sheila Nezhad (DFL), Jerrell Perry (For the People Party) and Mike Winter (Independence Alliance). You can view the video here.
The Make Homes Happen coalition recently presented a series of two mayoral candidate forums with a focus on affordable housing. MHH is a coalition of organizations advocating for affordable housing development, preservation, and the improvement of tenant rights in Minneapolis through education, advocacy, and public policy reform.
The first forum took place on September 29th, 2021 and featured candidates Nate Atkins, AJ Awed, Troy Benjegerdes, Clint Conner, Mark Globus, Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad, and Jerrell Perry. You can view the video here or below.
The second forum took place on September 30th, 2021 and featured candidates Jacob Frey (incumbent), Marcus Harcus, Paul Johnson, and Mike Winter. You can view the video here or below.
On Site Public Media presented a Mayoral Forum on August 22, 2021 at Cedar Field Park with candidates AJ Awed, Mark Globus, Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad, Jerrell Perry, and Mike Winter. You can view the video here or below.
Survivors Lead, Community Justice Action Fund, and March For Our Lives hosted a Mayoral Forum on Public Safety on June 30, 2021 with candidates AJ Awed, Jacob Frey, Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad, and Jerrell Perry. You can view the video here or below.
The Minneapolis DFL hosted a Mayoral Candidate Forum on April 24, 2021 with candidates AJ Awed, Jacob Frey, Kate Knuth, Sheila Nezhad, and Jerrell Perry. You can view the video here.
Council Member Ward 10
Mshale is hosted a Ward 10 Candidate Forum on October 14th, 2021 with candidates Aisha Chughtai, Alicia Gibson, Katie Jones, Ubah Nur, Chris Parsons, and David Wheeler. You can view the video on the Mshale Facebook page.
Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association (LHENA) recently presented a series of two Ward 10 Candidate forums in partnership with the Uptown Association and Lake Street Council.
The first forum took place on September 23rd, 2021 and focused on Small Business Recovery and Infrastructure. You can view the video here or below.
The second forum took place on October 7th, 2021 and focused on Public Safety. You can view the video here or below.
The Make Homes Happen coalition presented a Ward 10 candidate forum with a focus on affordable housing on September 22nd, 2021. MHH is a coalition of organizations advocating for affordable housing development, preservation, and the improvement of tenant rights in Minneapolis through education, advocacy, and public policy reform. You can view the video here or below.
In partnership with Pueblos de Lucha y Esperanza, Whittier Alliance presented a Ward 10 Candidate Forum on May 22nd, 2021. You can view the video here or below.
LHENA hosted a Ward 10 Candidate Forum on February 24, 2021. You can view the video here or below.
The South Uptown Neighborhood Association hosted a Ward 10 Candidate Forum on February 16, 2021. You can view the video here or below.
Charter Amendments
Whittier Alliance invited Council President Lisa Bender to present on the rent stabilization charter amendment at our Housing and Land Use Committee on October 19th, 2021. You can view the video here or below. Minutes from this meeting can be found here.
Whittier Alliance invited Yes 4 Minneapolis to present on the public safety charter amendment at our Community Engagement Committee on October 13th, 2021. You can view the video here or below. Minutes from this meeting can be found here.
Kingfield Neighborhood Association presented a Charter Amendment Community Forum on October 16th, 2021 at Mayflower Church, featuring six speaker advocates in favor of and opposed to each charter amendment. You can view the video here or below.
The Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association hosted a Public Safety Charter Amendment Forum on September 28th, 2021 featuring JaNaé Bates Bates from Yes 4 Minneapolis and Leili Fatehi from All of Mpls. You can view the video here or below. Note: the video recording does not start at the beginning of the forum.
Upcoming Forums
Calvary Church is hosting two in-person forums on the Public Safety charter amendment: one featuring JaNae' Bates of Yes 4 Minneapolis, who will be speaking in favor of the amendment, and another featuring Don and Sondra Samuels, who will be speaking in opposition to the amendment.
Mpls Public Safety: Vote Yes/No Forum with JaNae' Bates (Yes 4 Minneapolis) - Thursday, October 14, 7pm at Calvary Church (2608 Blaisdell Ave S)
Mpls Public Safety: Vote Yes/No Forum with Don and Sondra Samuels - Thursday, October 28, 7pm at Calvary Church (2608 Blaisdell Ave S)
Mpls Public Safety: Vote Yes/No Forum with JaNae' Bates (Yes 4 Minneapolis) - Thursday, October 14, 7pm at Calvary Church (2608 Blaisdell Ave S)
Mpls Public Safety: Vote Yes/No Forum with Don and Sondra Samuels - Thursday, October 28, 7pm at Calvary Church (2608 Blaisdell Ave S)