Minneapolis voters reject plan to replace police department [View all]

Minneapolis voters on Tuesday soundly rejected a proposal to replace the Minneapolis Police Department, crushing the hopes of supporters that outrage over the killing of George Floyd would translate into one of the nation's most far reaching experiments in transforming public safety.

The final votes came at the end of a contentious election cycle that drew intense scrutiny as people across the country waited to see how far the city would go to reinvent policing, 18 months after Floyd was filmed pleading for breath under an officer's knee. Since then, a city already battered by a global pandemic was the site of the worst urban riots in three decades, a surge in violent crime and a wrenching trial that resulted in murder convictions for the officer who killed Floyd.

In the days leading up to a historic election, voters were blanketed with messages from political committees that had millions to spend as they attempted to sway people to vote for or against a measure seeking to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new agency focused on alternative approaches to responding to crises.

While supporters insisted police would still be part of the department, opponents of the charter change hammered on themes that echoed in voters' reasons for saying no on question 2: Who's going to answer 911 calls? What's the plan for keeping the city safe?

Voters opposed the amendment by a 13% margin, with 97% of precincts reporting. The Associated Press called the race about 9 p.m., an hour after polls closed.

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https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-voters-reject-plan-to-replace-police-department/600112156/