Minneapolis voters turned out in record numbers for Tuesday’s municipal elections, breaking the previous turnout record set during the last mayoral contest in 2021. Unofficial results showed that 147,702 voters, or 55% of registered voters, cast a ballot in this week’s election. This continues the city’s tradition of strong turnout even in years when state or federal races are not on the ballot.
All results are considered unofficial until certified by the Municipal Canvassing Board at a meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10.
**Record-Breaking Turnout**
The previous record for turnout in a Minneapolis municipal election was 54%, set in 2021. Like this year’s election, the 2021 contest featured incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey fending off a challenger from his left flank, while progressive and moderate factions wrestled for control of the City Council.
City officials report that 145,337 voters participated in the 2021 election, while 147,702 residents cast ballots in 2025. This represents an increase of 2,365 voters.
**Ward-Level Turnout Analysis**
MinnPost analyzed mayoral results along with the most recent available data on registered Minneapolis voters at the precinct level to determine each ward’s turnout in this week’s election. The historic turnout in 2025 was driven by increases in all but one of the city’s 13 wards.
Ward 2, home to many University of Minnesota Minneapolis residences, saw a decline of more than three percentage points in 2025 compared to 2021.
Turnout was also boosted by high early-voting participation, marking the second-highest early-voting turnout Minneapolis has seen in municipal elections, according to city officials.
**National Spotlight on Minneapolis Voter Turnout**
A University of California-San Diego study from late 2024 highlighted Minneapolis’ success in getting residents to the polls in off-year elections, which is when municipal elections are commonly held in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other Minnesota cities.
(St. Paul voters approved a measure in 2024 to move municipal elections to presidential years, starting in 2028.)
The researchers noted that among cities holding elections in 2023, only Seattle and Minneapolis saw turnout rates above 50%, despite elections also being held in major cities like Columbus, Philadelphia, Tucson, Charlotte, and Houston.
**A City with a Strong Voting Tradition**
City records show that Minneapolis’ turnout in odd-year municipal elections has been historically strong, especially in years when both the mayor’s office and city council seats were up for grabs.
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**Related:**
Frey secures a third term as Minneapolis mayor, defeating democratic socialist Omar Fateh.
https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2025/11/minneapolis-voters-break-record-for-turnout-in-municipal-election/
