MN State Fair Poll: Big Majorities Favor Gun Ban At Capitol, Tax Hike For Wealthy, More

ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota House of Representatives’ annual State Fair poll drew nearly 10,000 participants this year, giving a snapshot of where fairgoers stand on a wide range of policy issues.

Conducted by the nonpartisan House Public Information Services Office, the informal and unscientific survey asks questions on topics debated at the Capitol. A record 9,945 people took part in 2025, up from 7,965 last year.

You can find the Minnesota House booth inside the Education Building.

Here are the results for all 12 questions:

Education And Schools

• School start before Labor Day: 39.9 percent said yes, 36.4 percent said no, and 23.7 percent were undecided.
• Hourly school workers and unemployment: 61.2 percent said school employees should be eligible for unemployment benefits in the summer; 29 percent said no.
• Free school meals income cap: 53.9 percent opposed limiting free breakfast and lunch to families earning under $150,000; 42 percent supported a cap.

Public Safety And The Capitol

• Ban guns in the State Capitol: 78.9 percent supported a ban, 17.2 percent opposed it, and 4 percent were undecided.
• Legislators and lobbying: 79.9 percent said lawmakers should be banned from lobbying for two years after leaving office; 9.5 percent opposed.

Taxes And Spending

• Stadium funding: 69.1 percent opposed using state funds for professional sports stadiums or arenas, while 19.2 percent supported the idea.
• Balancing a budget deficit: With the state facing a projected $6 billion deficit in 2028-29, 43.5 percent preferred increasing revenue, 41.1 percent preferred cutting spending, and 15.4 percent were undecided.
• Higher income tax rate for top earners: 67.4 percent supported raising taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans, while 25.3 percent opposed.

Social Policy

• Undocumented immigrants and state programs: 66.1 percent opposed prohibiting access, meaning they favor allowing undocumented immigrants to use state programs; 27.3 percent supported a ban.
• Cannabis businesses: 47.8 percent said cities and counties should be allowed to prohibit cannabis businesses; 41.8 percent said no.

Other Issues

• Party designation on ballots: 70.1 percent said candidates should continue to appear with party affiliation, while 19.7 percent said they should not.
• Free fishing licenses: 70 percent supported free fishing licenses for Minnesotans age 65 and older, with 19.1 percent opposed.

The State Fair poll is not scientific, but officials said it provides lawmakers and the public a sense of what Minnesotans are thinking about hot-button issues as the Legislature looks ahead to 2026.

Check out the results of State Fair polls since 2012.