Judge Again Strikes Down Minneapolis Police Ballot Question

MINNEAPOLIS — For the second time this month, a Hennepin County judge struck down a Nov. 2 ballot proposal related to the existence of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Both proposals were written and passed by the Minneapolis City Council.

"The Court finds that the New Ballot Question does not ensure that voters are able to understand the essential purpose of the proposed amendment," Judge Jamie Anderson ruled Tuesday.

"It is unreasonable and misleading. Therefore the Current Ballot Language is erroneous."

Judge Anderson granted an injunction against the ballot measure.

Here's how the ballot proposal was written:

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?

Yes

No

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."

Here is how the previous version of the ballot proposal — which was struck down Sept. 7 because it was too vague — was written:

Department of Public Safety

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to strike and replace the Police Department with a Department of Public Safety which could include licensed peace officers (police officers), if necessary, with administrative authority to be consistent with other city departments to fulfill its responsibilities for public safety?

The movement to dismantle the department gained steam following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. However, the push hit several roadblocks in 2020.