Minneapolis Mayoral Candidates Leverage Ranked-Choice Voting Strategy

Minneapolis mayoral candidates are gearing up for the upcoming municipal elections, set to take place in under three weeks. In this election cycle, four of Minnesota’s largest cities—Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, and Bloomington—will employ ranked-choice voting. This voting system has previously led to unexpected outcomes, prompting candidates to strategize around its unique mechanics.

In the 2013 Minneapolis mayoral election, the process required an astonishing 33 rounds of balloting over three days before Betsy Hodges was declared the winner over Mark Andrew. Fast forward to the 2023 City Council race in Ward 8, where Soren Stevenson initially led over incumbent Councilmember Andrea Jenkins. However, neither candidate secured the required 50% of the vote in the first round. As the election proceeded to the second round, Jenkins eventually surpassed that threshold, securing her position on the council.

Professor David Schultz of Hamline University, who is currently writing a book on ranked-choice voting, noted the potential controversy surrounding this system. “Some people would say it’s not fair. But also, some people are going to say that if someone’s going to take office, they should get 50% plus; it should be a majority,” he explained.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Minneapolis mayoral race, candidates Omar Fateh, Rev. DeWayne Davis, and Jazz Hampton are collaborating to enhance their chances of success. They have formed a pact to encourage supporters to cast their second- and third-place votes for one another. Their united front aims to challenge incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, who is seeking reelection.

Ranked-choice voting has also shown to influence voter turnout in previous elections. According to FairVote, an organization that advocates for this voting system, the city of Minnetonka experienced a remarkable 50% increase in voter turnout from 2021 to 2023. This trend reflects a growing recognition of the importance of participation in local elections.

Nationally, ranked-choice voting has been adopted in certain statewide elections in states such as Alaska and Maine. However, efforts to expand this voting method to additional cities in Minnesota faced setbacks, as a proposal to do so failed in the state legislature in 2024.

As Minneapolis prepares for its municipal elections, the strategies employed by candidates and the implications of ranked-choice voting will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the political landscape. With a heightened focus on majority support and collaboration among candidates, the upcoming election promises to be a compelling contest.