11/4/2024 -- 2024 Election Preview

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Election 2024

Here Is What You Need To Know Before Election Day 🗳

📢 FYI: You can still vote early today from 7am - 5pm.

✔ How To Vote:

❯ Where: Find your polling place here

❯ When: Polls are open from 7am - 8pm

❯ Same Day Registration: If you have not registered to vote, you must bring one proof of residence document.

On The Ballot

❯ Example Ballot: come prepared to the polls by viewing an example ballot of what you’ll see when you vote.

❯ Voter Guide: Both MPR and Star Tribune have comprehensive voter guides that give information on all candidates that will be on the ballot.

❯ Results: Stay up-to-date on the election results as they come in.

Election 2024

Key Races We’re Keeping Our Eyes On 👀

❯ Presidential: Harris and Walz have a 4.7 average point lead over Trump and Vance in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota hasn’t awarded its electoral college votes to a Republican since Nixon in 1972. If Harris wins, Tim Walz would be the third Minnesotan to become Vice President.

❯ MN House: Control of the Minnesota House is on the line in this election, with only about a dozen competitive races—primarily in the Twin Cities metro—likely to decide whether Democrats maintain full control or Republicans flip the chamber by winning four seats. Fundraising was at an all-time high this cycle with the DFL House campaign raising $9.2 million compared to the House GOP's $2.7 million.

❯ 2nd District (Southern Suburbs): Incumbent Angie Craig (D) is in a competitive race against her GOP challneger Joe Teirab. Craig led Teirab by 8 points in an October KSTP poll. 

❯ 3rd District (West Suburbs): Democrat Kelly Morrison and Republican Tad Jude are facing off for the seat formerly held by Dean Phillips who announced last year he would not be running again.

❯ Senate: Amy Klobuchar is expected to win against Republican challenger Royce White. In a recent poll, Klobuchar led White by 12 points.

❯ Other races: Both Democrats, Betty McCollum (4th district) and Ilhan Omar (5th district), are expected to win and maintain their seats in the US congress.

Election 2024

Key Issues On The Ballot This Election Cycle ✅

Statewide Ballot Question

Statewide Amendment: Voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to allocate state lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, supporting conservation projects like water quality, wildlife habitat, air quality, and parks.

Local Ballot Questions

St. Paul

 ❯ Early Learning Levy: Proposal to authorize a property tax levy for early learning subsidies for low-income families.

 ❯ Election Year Change: Proposal to align mayoral and city council elections with presidential election years.

Anoka

 ❯ Waste Collection System: Proposal to implement a city-managed system for residential solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection.

Bloomington

 ❯ Ranked-Choice Voting Repeal: Proposal to eliminate ranked-choice voting for local elections.

Richfield

 ❯ Sales Tax for Community Investments: Proposal to implement a sales tax to fund a new community center, Veterans Park improvements, and a new Wood Lake Nature Center building.

Election 2024 — Education

School Board Races Heat Up, Get More Political, Heading Into Election Week

The Summary: In the lead-up to the election, Minnesota school board races are increasingly contentious, with candidates receiving endorsements from politically affiliated organizations.

Controversial Endorsements: The Minnesota Parents Alliance (MPA), a conservative group associated with the "parents' rights" movement, has endorsed dozens of school board candidates across the state for the upcoming 2024 elections. However, some candidates have pushed back against these endorsements, stating that they did not seek or want MPA's support.

Other Groups Involved in School Board Races:. The School Board Integrity Project was launched last year in response to groups like MPA and offers candidates an opt-in pledge without requiring endorsements. Teachers' unions and various educational organizations continue to declare their support for candidates aligned with their missions. The involvement of outside groups has led to increased spending and participation in school board races.

Key Districts to Watch in 2024 Elections:

1. Prior Lake-Savage: 6 candidates for 3 seats, divided between union and MPA endorsements

2. Lakeville: 9 candidates for 3 seats, $20,000+ in campaign spending

3. Osseo: 6 candidates for 3 seats, site of recent policy clashes

4. Minneapolis: Facing budget crisis, asking voters to approve $20 million tech levy

Minneapolis School Board Race Highlights: The Minneapolis school board race will likely see at least two new members join its ranks due to current incumbents stepping down. Key issues facing the district include school closures and consolidations, enrollment issues, and a looming budget crisis.

Learn more by reading the Minneapolis School Board voter guide.

What Else We’re Reading…

New Cannabis Regulations Passed For Minneapolis

Minneapolis has established new regulations for cannabis businesses, allowing dispensaries to be located any distance from each other but enforcing a 300-foot buffer from schools, similar to liquor store regulations. Additional provisions include zoning allowances for cannabis retailers in most commercial areas and production zoning for cultivation, with the city expected to introduce further guidelines before the broader state rollout in summer 2025.

Read the full article on Kare11

GAME — Mini Crossword

Minnesota has the 18th most electoral college votes. Think you know the right number? Solve the entire crossword puzzle here.

Sports

Clean Sweep In Round One of MLS Playoffs For Minnesota United ⚽

The Summary: Minnesota United defeated Real Salt Lake in a close MLS playoff series, advancing to the conference semifinals after winning both games in penalty shootouts. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair led the way, saving key penalty shots and securing a 3-1 shootout victory in game 2 at Allianz Field.

Key Moments and Players: In the second game, midfielder Joseph Rosales scored his first goal of the season in the 53rd minute, giving the Loons an early lead. Real Salt Lake responded with a late goal from Emeka Eneli, forcing a penalty shootout, where St. Clair's heroics clinched the win for Minnesota.

Up Next: Minnesota United now heads to the conference semifinals and are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on the weekend of Nov. 23.

“Let’s go all the way.” - Dayne St. Clair, Loons Goalkeeper

Other Sports

🏀 The Minnesota Timberwolves travelled to San Antonio for the 2nd game of a back-to-back and ended up losing 113-103. They are now 3-3 on the season.

🏈 The Minnesota Vikings bounced back from two straight losses to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 21-13.

🏈 The Minnesota Gophers won a thriller against the #24 ranked Illinois Illini by a score of 25-17. This is their fourth win in a row.

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ Multiple people injured in Dinkytown shooting on Friday. No arrests have been made (KSTP)

❯ Minneapolis Park board may close 5 ice rinks due to climate change and inflation (Bring Me The News)

❯ 11 members of the Minneapolis street gang the Lows have been charged with racketeering (WCCO)

❯ 30% of registered voters have cast early ballots in Minneapolis (KSTP)

❯ Minneapolis will pay a man who witnessed George Floyd’s murder $30,000 (MPR)

The Final Word: Wednesday Newsletter Incoming 📩

With the election happening on Tuesday, I will be sending out a special edition newsletter on Wednesday morning recapping everything that went down the night before.

-Patrick