Minnesota Election Day 2025: What Voters Need To Know Before Heading To The Polls

MINNESOTA — It’s Election Day in Minnesota. Polls across the state open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and will remain open until 8 p.m., giving voters 13 hours to cast their ballots in dozens of local and state contests.

This year’s elections include Minneapolis’s high-profile mayoral race, two special elections for state Senate, and a variety of city and school district elections statewide.

ALSO READ: Several Minneapolis Polling Places Have Moved Ahead Of Tuesday’s Election

Editor’s Note: Patch will provide live election results for the Minneapolis mayoral race and the two Minnesota State Senate contests when polls close.

Minneapolis Mayoral Race

Minneapolis voters will decide whether to give Mayor Jacob Frey a third term or turn to State Sen. Omar Fateh, who is running on a progressive platform focused on housing, labor rights, and police reform.

Frey, first elected in 2017, is emphasizing stable leadership, crime reduction, and affordable housing.

He’s backed by Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and major unions.

Fateh, who represents District 62 in the Minnesota Senate, has support from U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and several progressive groups.

There are more than a dozen other mayoral candidates, including DeWayne Davis, Jazz Hampton, Andrea Revel, and others across multiple parties and independents.

Minneapolis voters will use ranked-choice voting, allowing them to rank up to three candidates for mayor and other city offices.

State Senate Special Elections

Two seats in the Minnesota Senate are being filled in special elections:

• District 29 (Wright, Meeker, and parts of Hennepin counties): Democrat Louis McNutt, a MnDOT heavy equipment mechanic and AFSCME member, faces Republican Michael Holmstrom Jr., a small business owner running on faith, family, and limited government.
• District 47 (Washington and Ramsey counties): Democratic state Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger faces Republican Dwight Dorau to fill the seat vacated by former Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who resigned following a burglary conviction. Democrats currently hold a one-seat majority in the Minnesota Senate, so these races could affect control of the chamber.

Local Elections And Ballot Questions

According to the Secretary of State’s office, 38 city and school district regular elections and 79 special elections are being held across Minnesota.

In Monticello, for example, voters will decide on a school funding measure for local operations (ISD #882).

Voting Rules And Rights

Under Minnesota’s Restore the Vote Act, residents who are no longer incarcerated for a felony conviction have regained their right to vote.

To cast a ballot, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days.

Voters can register online or in person on Election Day with proof of residence.

Minnesotans also have several voting rights to remember:

• You can take time off work to vote without losing pay.
• You have the right to vote if you’re in line by 8 p.m.
• You can register at the polls on Election Day.

Election Security

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office recently launched a “Trusted Elections, Crafted Locally” campaign to help residents understand how elections are secured and administered.

At mnvotes.gov/secure, voters can learn about ballot protection, election equipment testing, and transparency measures to ensure accuracy and trust in the process.

Voters can view sample ballots, check registration status, and find their polling place at mnvotes.gov/pollfinder.