Minneapolis Mayoral Election: The Counting Continues

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minneapolis voters showed up to the polls in unexpectedly large numbers Tuesday, leading to long lines and ballot shortages in at least a dozen precincts. Several residents waiting in line at Audubon Park Recreation Center left before casting their votes as the precinct awaited new ballots, which arrived about ten minutes later.

“In 30-plus years, I’ve never run out of ballots before,” Carol Norgaard, the precinct’s head election judge, told the Star Tribune. In past elections, Norgaard has ended up with 200 to 300 unused ballots. The newspaper estimates voter turnout reached nearly 40 percent across the city.

Polls closed at 8 p.m. in Minneapolis. Jacob Frey currently has the lead with nearly 25 percent of first-choice votes. However, because none of the candidates won a majority of votes during the first count, voters' second and third preferences will be counted until one candidate has a majority, MPR reported.

History was made in the Minneapolis City Council race as Andrea Jenkins became the first open African American transgender person elected to public office in the United States.

Learn more about the candidates here: Minneapolis Mayoral Race 2017: Meet The Candidates

Witnessing Election Fraud or Voter Intimidation

Anyone with questions about voter intimidation can call the Department Of Justice Voting Rights Hotline at (800) 253-3931.
Voters can reach the Minnesota Secretary of State office with questions or concerns at the following numbers:

• Twin Cities Metro Area: (651) 215-1440
• Greater MN: 1-877-600-VOTE (8683)

Image: Patch