Ballot Measures

We've compiled some information on some of the initiatives that will be on the ballot in Minneapolis this year. Each contains information on the campaign, the implications voting "yes" or "no," and where to find more information. This list is not exhaustive. For official ballot language as it will appear, go here.

Question 1: Governance Structure & “Strong Mayor”

The government structure or “strong mayor” amendment is a proposed amendment to increase the mayor’s power and limit the City Council’s. This amendment would make the Mayor the City’s chief executive officer and primary administrative authority. The Mayor would direct and supervise all departments, officers, and employees, with oversight or checks by the City Council and its members. The City Council would become the City’s legislative body, with the authority to act as City’s general legislative, policymaking, and oversight body. You can do more research on this ballot initiative by searching "strong government charter amendment" or "strong mayor amendment."

We used this website for the official language: https://lims.minneapolismn.gov/File/CH2021-00012.

These publications have covered the amendment:

• https://www.minnpost.com/metro/2021/04/stronger-mayor-reviving-the-charter-wars-in-minneapolis/

• https://mndaily.com/268421/news/proposed-amendment-could-change-organization-of-minneapolis-government/

Question 2: Department of Public Safety

Yes 4 Minneapolis is a citizen-led ballot initiative to change the City of Minneapolis Charter. The City Charter is a constitution for the City that explains what legal rights and obligations the City and its residents have. Yes 4 Minneapolis aims to eliminate the City Charter requirement that the City employ a certain number of police officers, known as the “mandatory minimum.” The campaign aims to change the City’s approach to public safety, moving away from the Minneapolis Police Department and toward a holistic, public-health informed Department of Public Safety.

You can do more research on this ballot initiative at: https://yes4minneapolis.org.

Voting Yes

…means replacing the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety, which will allow the City and its community members to rethink public safety.

Voting No

…means nothing will change and the City Charter and Minneapolis Police Department will remain as they are.

Question 3: Rent Stabilization Charter Change

Question 3 is a proposed amendment to change the Minneapolis City Charter to grant City Council and the residents of Minneapolis the opportunity to propose rent stabilization policies. The City Charter as it is currently written prevents any measures around rent stabilization from being put on the ballot. Changing the Charter would provide an avenue for the City Council or residents of Minneapolis to organize and put rent stabilization initiatives on the ballot, where all the voters of Minneapolis could provide input. This would pave the way for rent stabilization policies to be on the ballot in Minneapolis as early as 2022.