Election 2019
Stories, resources and results
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It's Election Day 2019! Across Minnesota, voters are deciding on municipal elections, school referendums and more. On this blog we'll be sharing coverage from MPR News and trusted sources around the state throughout Election Day and the days after as results start pouring in.Do you know what's on your local ballot? Here's how to find out.Not sure where to vote? Find your polling place here.Not sure how to vote? Here's a helpful video with everything you need to know.Have a different election question? Let us know here!Already cast your vote? Share your story with us by tagging @mprnews on Instagram or Twitter, or tell us via this submission form.Check back here after the polls close! We'll have the preliminary vote counts from across the state as they start rolling in at 8 p.m.
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The St. Paul trash collection debate
This issue is expected to drive St. Paul voters to the polls in big numbers. If you live in St. Paul and need to catch up on the issue. Here are a few articles to catch you up on the latest.
St. Paul garbage vote: Debate centers on how to get a better contract
Residents who battled the city council for a vote, and those who advocate to keep the new system all said there’s room for improvement in the contract St. Paul has with its current trash haulers. They disagreed on how to get a better deal.
What happens if voters toss out St. Paul's trash ordinance?
The capital city’s yearslong battle over garbage collection has spilled out recently into public view. Here’s a look at what’s happening and how voters might end the trash talk on Nov. 5.
MN Supreme Court: St. Paul still owes trash haulers no matter Nov. 5 vote
St. Paul still has a binding contract with city trash haulers even if voters reject the system, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. A “no” vote may shift some $27 million in garbage bills onto property taxes. -
What is a school referendum?
Have a school referendum on your ballot, but not quite sure what that means? Check out this segment in which an education reporter explained what bond and operations referendums are for — and what the big ones across the state add up to this year.
What’s on your ballot? Getting ready to vote next Tuesday
Election day is coming up fast. From city council and school board races to school referendums and the debate over trash collection in St. Paul it should be an interesting Nov. 5. -
Moorhead High senior helps fellow students navigate voter registration ahead of major bond issue vote | INFORUM
Amelia Bjorklund, a senior at Moorhead High School, spent a good share of her lunch period Tuesday, Oct. 29, behind a table in the high school commons encouraging fellow students to register to vote. -
What Moorhead school district voters need to know about $110 million bond vote set for Nov. 5 | INFORUM
Residents in the Moorhead school district will head to the polls on Nov. 5 to vote on a $110 million bond that, if approved, would pay for a new high school and renovation of the former Sam's Club building into a career academy. -
How does ranked-choice voting work?
St. Louis Park will be implementing ranked-choice voting this election — making it the third Minnesota city to do so, behind Minneapolis and St. Paul. So if you live in any of those cities, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with that process. -
The $180.9 million questions
Rochester schools are running out of room. School officials are asking voters to say “yes” to a two-question bond referendum that would raise property taxes about $50 per year. -
'No' voters creating Zumbrota, Mazeppa divide in school district
Opponents of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa bond referendum have one thing in common: They'd like to see the district move toward Zumbrota, leaving Mazeppa behind. -
Early voting continues to increase in popularity in Minnesota
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says the concept of “Election Day” has been redefined in recent years. Thanks to an increase in options for early voting, he says, Election Day “isn’t the day we vote — it's the last day that we vote." -
Five southern Minnesota school districts seeking voter-approved referendums | The Globe
Reported shortfalls in state funding have several area districts requesting financial help from its residents on Nov. 5. -
City council hears second round of budget requests | The Globe
WORTHINGTON — As city staff members work to finalize the 2020 tax levy, the Worthington City Council heard from department heads Tuesday afternoon about projected needs in the coming year. -
Candidate guides
The Pioneer Press has put together information about the mayor, city council and school board elections from across the state. Check them out for a closer look at the candidates in your area. https://www.twincities.com/author/pioneer-press-elections-team/ -
St. Paul council races overflow with candidates. Some say that's a good thing
The St. Paul City Council is up for reelection in November, and 28 names are on the ranked-choice ballot. -
Duluth mayoral candidates spar at forum | Duluth News Tribune
Larson, Nolle clash over business environment, street repair funds -
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St. Louis Park mayoral, council candidates discuss diversity, taxes, light rail and their priorities
Candidates for St. Louis Park mayor and city council positions discussed their views on diversity, light rail, taxes and other issues during a wide-ranging League of Women Voters forum Oct. -
What you need to know about the Sartell, Sauk Rapids school district referendums | St. Cloud Times
Early voting started Sept. 20, ends Nov. 4. Sartell seeks $17 million for operations; Sauk Rapids seeks $37 million for new school -
Here’s where all 28 candidates for St. Paul City Council stand on the trash referendum | Pioneer Press
St. Paul voters have just a handful of days to make up their minds about a ballot question on city trash collection. On Tuesday, voters will decide if St. Paul sticks with Ordinance 18-39. -
Six east-metro school districts are asking voters for new funding. Here are details. | Pioneer Press
Tax requests from schools have gotten strong support from voters in the past few election cycles. Local leaders are hopeful that backing will continue. -
Election Day 2019: Everything you need to know to vote
From finding what’s on the ballot to making sure you’re registered to vote, here’s what you need to know ahead of Election Day 2019.
Know someone who primarily reads in a different language? We also have these guides in Somali, Hmong and Spanish! Share them with your friends and family. -
Referendum on operating levy is Tuesday | Echo Press
Voting time is here for Alexandria Public Schools. The school district is proposing a 10-year, voter-approved operating levy with a phased-in approach where the amount taxpayers would pay would increase incrementally over the first three years. -
New tax credit for ag land might help rural schools increase funding
Schools in rural districts have struggled to pass property tax increases to pay for new schools at least in part because farmers have often opposed big property tax increases on farm land. A new tax credit will significantly reduce the share farmers pay, and rural schools hope the change will make it easier to replace aging buildings. -
Paying for school is on the ballot this year across Minnesota
Minnesota is holding an off-year election on Tuesday, and there’s a lot at stake for its public schools. Here’s what you need to know about what’s on the ballot in Minnesota when it comes to paying for schools. -
Referendum spurs canvassing efforts | The Globe
A grassroots coalition hit the streets of Worthington Saturday advocating in favor of the upcoming referendum; efforts drew the attention of four members of the Minnesota House of Representatives. -
Your #ElectionDay story
What issue or race spurred you on to vote in this year's local elections? -
For St. Paul, 10 reasons to vote Yes — and 10 to vote No on trash | Pioneer Press
Voters throughout St. Paul will vote today for or against a key city ordinance underpinning organized residential trash collection. -
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Turnout 'steady' for today's vote on Moorhead council, school bond | INFORUM
Voter turnout here started out strong Tuesday morning, Oct. 5, and held steady throughout the morning hours as voters went to the polls to decide a $110 million school bond question and to fill two seats on the Moorhead City Council. -
Voting day: Polls are open for C-I referendum | Brainerd Dispatch
Voters will decide a $29.56 million referendum, which requested funds to update facilities at both Crosby-Ironton High School and Cuyuna Range Elementary School. -
Voting open for Crookston School District referendum, operating levy and new board member through 8 p.m. Tuesday | Crookston Times
Crookston School District residents are encouraged to vote Tuesday, November 5 through 8 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on a new operating levy. -
Here's a refresher on the Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice referendums Tuesday | St. Cloud Times
Find your polling place, learn when polls open and close, and read the ballot questions before you vote on school district levy requests Tuesday. -
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Special election is today for Winona School Board seat | Winona Daily News
A special election is being held today in District 4 for the Winona Area Public Schools school board. -
Voters report via Facebook
"I took advantage of early voting. No wait and very easy." — Andrew Ainsley
"I voted at precinct 14 when the polls opened. Probably 15 people in line." — Jim Carlen"I voted when the polls opened in St. Paul. Voter #5 in my precinct. No lines, fewer than 10 voters when I was there." — Karin Groening"We voted by mail a couple weeks ago. No wait, no lines! I highly recommend it." — Bob Guenter"Yup, did it after work at 3:40 ... no lines." — Susanah Brodin -
Minnesota voters share what brought them out to the polls
"We need change in St. Paul. With the candidates that are running, it was important to see who is focused on crime, and their stance trash issue." — David Schulte Jr."I did vote this year, haven't missed an election since I turned 18. I live in St. Paul, and I was motivated this year to vote yes in support of our "trash" question." — Rhea Thompson
"I voted because I always vote. Civic duty isn't a matter of how "big" or "small" an election seems. Also, my best friend and I ALWAYS vote together as we have the same polling place, and the tradition keeps me going." — Lauren Dwyer"I voted to have a voice in our local school board election yesterday. More than ever I believe that political power and influence begins at the local level, and that teaching our kids to be critical thinkers and engaged citizens is critical to our country’s future." — Lucinda Winter"I had several reminders from friends and Facebook, which helped, and I still almost forgot!
The STILL shocking election of Trump means we all have to do more and to stand up for what we believe in or we won't be heard. Freedom and human rights aren't a given. We have to speak up and fight for them." — Sandra Sleezer"I vote in every election! Even though Minnesota does have the highest voter's turn out, only about 10 percent of voters in my ward vote in local elections! The only thing that has kept me going these past three years is local elections, caucuses and conventions. I have learned so much and have a much stronger bond with my city. shootings and all. We can do better!" — Melissa"I am a voter. I keep an Ellen Goodman column in my office that I clipped well over 20 years ago. It lists her Top Ten Reasons to Vote. Here's the last: 'Without blushing, I vote because it's what small-d democracy is about. Because there are places where people fight for generations and stand for hours to cast a ballot knowing what we ought to remember: that it makes a difference. Not always a big difference. Not always an immediate difference. But a difference.' So, I do what may be the easiest task asked of me as a citizen of the USA. I vote." — Jen Mohlenhoff
"I was so happy to see my young neighbor Ximena Q. serving as an Election Judge when I walked into the Jimmy Lee Rec Center to have my voice counted ... hopefully a sign of great engagement from this incoming generation in the election process!" — Adam Suomala
"We had only school board elections. Not only are quality schools important for people with children, quality schools contribute to the standard of living for everyone in the community. Besides, I’ll be 69 in a couple of weeks, I’ve never missed an election, and I was going to vote in this one even though I was just discharged from the hospital (pneumonia) the afternoon of Election Day. (I like the excitement of voting on the day itself, so I don’t usually vote early.) I made my husband take me to the polling place before we even went home because I was afraid I wouldn’t feel up to going out again once I got home. I voted, happily, and I was especially gratified to learn that voting in my district was unusually high for a school board election."— Joyce Denn
"I think city council and school board elections are just as important as presidential elections! I love St. Paul and want the very best for my community. I was so happy to see and support so many women of color on the ballot this year." — Katy Cummins-Bakko
"We were voting for our school. I have a young daughter who I want to go to a great school." — Emily Wold-Boll
"I try to vote every election." — Tiffini Flynn Forslund
"I voted because it is important to have your voice be heard in every election. Especially the local ones. They effect me the most. Our city council had a candidate that was a veteran and a transgender man. I was very excited to see that he ran even though he did not win." — Jarred"This was my first time voting in Minnesota as I had moved here from another state last year. I have extensive election experience as a candidate, poll watcher, voter and sometime election lawyer so I was interested in how the election would go here. I voted early and found out that the 'early voting' is really an 'absentee' vote rather than true early voting. It also took some time for the election clerk to look up my name and I had to fill out an 'absentee ' ballot. It was also somewhat difficult to find the 'early voting' locations online as well as to locate a sample ballot for my precinct. In the future there should be true 'early voting' procedures for all elections. On another note, this off year election should be eliminated in favor of having school and municipal elections at the same time as other offices. Turnout for off year voting is always very low which can skew the results from what you would have in a higher turnout election. My home state eliminated the Fall off year elections and turnout improved significantly." — Michael
