Minneapolis Ballot Questions For 2020: What To Know

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Voters in Minneapolis will be asked two ballot questions this election season in addition to the candidate races for local, state, and federal offices. Both ballot referendums ask voters for permission to amend the city' charter, otherwise known as the constitution for the city of Minneapolis.

The first ballot question will ask the following:

CITY QUESTION 1 (Minneapolis)

Redistricting of Wards and Park Districts

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to allow ward and park district boundaries to be reestablished in a year ending in 1 and to allow the use of those new boundaries for elections in that same year; to allow ward and park district boundaries to be modified after the legislature has been redistricted to establish City precinct boundaries; to provide that an election for a Council Member office required by Minnesota law in a year ending in 2 or 3 after a redistricting shall be for a single 2-year term; and to clarify that a regular election means a regular general election?

Every ten years, when the U.S Census is held, the state and city redraw political districts based on changing populations and demographics. In Minnesota, they must be redrawn when the year ends in "1."

Voters are being asked to alter the election cycle so that it aligns with a Minnesota law, which requires that local elections be held in years ended in "2" or "3."

The second ballot question asks the following:

CITY QUESTION 2 (Minneapolis)

Special Municipal Elections

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended to comply with Minnesota election law related to uniform dates for special municipal elections and to provide that a special election be held on a legal election day under Minnesota law that is more than 90 days from a vacancy in the office of Mayor or Council Member?

For question two, voters are being asked to alter's the city's special elections law to align with state election law.

No police reform or defunding measures on the ballot in Minneapolis

In early August, the Minneapolis Charter Commission voted to stall a charter amendment that would dismantle and replace the city's police force. By a vote of 10-5, the group moved to take 90 more days to review it, meaning it won't be on the November ballot as many activists had hoped.

Minneapolis Council President Lisa Bender criticized the Charter Commission's vote immediately after it took place.

The charter amendment was unanimously passed by the City Council back in June. If the Charter Commission had approved the measure Wednesday, the City Council could have placed it on this November's ballot, giving residents the choice to approve or reject it.

Instead, the City Council and voters will have to wait at least another year before the amendment can appear on ballots.

2020 General Election: What's On My Ballot In Minneapolis