Minneapolis voters came out in record numbers for the 2025 Municipal Election, setting a new turnout record. A staggering 147,702 voters, accounting for 55% of registered voters, cast their ballots, edging past the previous 54% turnout record set in 2021. These results, though currently unofficial, are expected to be certified by the City Council, sitting as the Municipal Canvassing Board, on November 10, according to a news release from the City of Minneapolis.
Dwarfing other large cities' voter participation, Minneapolis continues to demonstrate exceptional civic engagement in "off-cycle" election years. "This year's record-breaking turnout is something our entire City can be proud of," said Katie Smith, Director of Elections & Voter Services, in a statement released by the City of Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis not only managed to nearly greatly outshine voter turnout when compared to cities like Columbus (~38%), Philadelphia (~31%), and Houston (~14%), but also saw its second-highest early voting turnout for a Municipal Election to date.
The high turnout is a positive indicator of active political involvement. According to a recent report from the University of California, San Diego, Minneapolis remains an outlier for voter turnout in such elections, a fact that the city officials are celebrating. The dedication of voters, heightened by the significant efforts of approximately 1,900 election workers, helped to make the Election Day run smoothly. Minneapolis' Elections & Voter Services Division (EVS), which was previously awarded for best practices and innovations by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, is credited for its substantial contributions to this year's electoral process.
As for election results, in races without a clear winner from initial tabulations, the ranked choice results began to be counted on November 5, with a continuation into the following day if necessary. The official results from each race will be publicly available on multiple platforms, including the City's election website and social media, as shared by the City of Minneapolis news release. The EVS, responsible for administering city elections, aims to ensure transparency and prompt reporting of the final outcomes come the upcoming certification meeting.
