Rent Control Is On The Minneapolis Ballot: What You Should Know

MINNEAPOLIS — This fall, Minneapolis voters will decide if they want to authorize the city to regulate rents on private residential property in Minneapolis, otherwise known as "rent control."

If voters give the thumbs up at the ballot box, the city council will have the power to pass a rent control ordinance at some time in the future.

Any potential rent control policy that the council creates, however, will again have to be approved by residents in a future election cycle.

Rent control is banned under Minnesota state law unless voters specifically authorize it in a general election. As a result, there will be no possibility for rent control policy in Minneapolis unless a majority of residents vote "Yes" to the following question this fall:

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.

The question will be on all ballots in the Nov. 2 election Minneapolis election.

Rent control isn't the only question on the ballot this fall. Minneapolis voters will also decide the future of the city's police department.

Also read:

• POLL: More MPLS Residents Will Vote 'Yes' On Police Amendment
• Early Voting In Minneapolis: What To Know For Election Day 2021