Ballot measures in St. Paul, Bloomington would change when and how residents vote in city elections

ST. PAUL, Minn. — St. Paul and Bloomington questions before voters this fall that would change when and how residents vote in their respective local elections.

In the capital city, voters will be asked to amend the city charter to switch the municipal races to the same year as presidential elections. Right now, the city council and mayoral races are staggered for every other odd-numbered year.

If approved, the change would phase in by 2028. Current council members elected last November will serve a five-year term instead of four, and there would be one more odd-year election for mayor in 2025 for three years before 2028, when voters would weigh in on both the future of the city council and the mayor.

Peter Butler, who helped gather 6,500 resident signatures to get the question on the ballot, said the goal is to boost turnout. Presidential elections historically drive higher turnout.


https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/ballot-measures-st-paul-bloomington-elections/