Politics and Government News

MPR News is your hub for the latest politics and government news coverage. Whether you're looking for the status of a recent Supreme Court ruling, or want updates on Minnesota's newest laws, we have comprehensive state and national news coverage ready for you.

October 31, 2020 1:01 PM

Anxious about the election? Your kids can tell. Here's how to talk about it

If you've been riding an emotional, politics-fueled roller coaster, believe us: Your kids have noticed. Here's a quick primer on how to talk with your kids about this election.

by Anya Kamenetz and Cory Turner

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October 31, 2020 12:09 PM

Minnesota ballot-tracking website restored after going down; database issues slow voting

A website that Minnesotans can use to track their absentee ballots went down for more than an hour Saturday morning, along with other parts of the state’s online voter registration system — causing some longer wait times for early voting on an already-busy day.

by The Associated Press and MPR News Staff

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October 31, 2020 8:41 AM

StoryCorps: A mother and daughter team up as poll workers to make a difference

"I know what's going on in the world right now. I know that tension is high, but think of all of the people like John Lewis and Dr. King getting ready to walk across Edmund Pettus Bridge. If they can do that, I can show up at the polls and work," Cherie DeBrest told StoryCorps.

by Eleanor Vassili

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October 30, 2020 4:59 PM

By the numbers: Minnesota’s early voting surge continues

The continued surge in early voting comes as a court ruling has thrown into question Minnesota’s plan to count mail-in ballots after Election Day — as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. Secretary of State Steve Simon now says voters should bring their ballots to a dropbox or vote in person, rather than gambling that their mailed-in ballot will arrive by Tuesday.

by David H. Montgomery

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October 30, 2020 3:37 PM

How will the election's outcome affect the economy?

MPR News senior economics contributor Chris Farrell joined host Angela Davis to talk about how the outcome of Tuesday’s election could affect the United States’ precarious economy.

by Angela Davis and Katie Moritz

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October 30, 2020 2:55 PM

This year's Minn. school board races are competitive and more racially diverse

The majority of Minnesota school districts are holding board elections in November. And there are large numbers of people running to fill those seats, including record numbers of candidates of color.

by Elizabeth Shockman

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October 30, 2020 11:46 AM

Black and Latino voters flooded with disinformation in election's final days

Hoaxes and misleading posts aimed at depressing turnout have spread on social media. Experts say it outpaces 2016, when Black voters were the top target of Russian-backed disinformation.

by Shannon Bond

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October 30, 2020 11:00 AM

Congressional candidates in Minnesota's 4th District and 5th District

To wrap up the series of debates and interviews with the candidates in Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, MPR News political editor Mike Mulcahy hosts the last edition of “Politics Friday” before the Nov. 3 election.

by Mike Mulcahy

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October 30, 2020 10:25 AM

7th District voters choosing between ag clout and President Trump

Political pundits on the national level say 7th District U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson is facing the toughest election challenge of his 30 years in Congress. His challenger, former state Sen. Michelle Fischbach, is touting her support from President Donald Trump as she tries to defeat Peterson in the increasingly red district.

by Dan Gunderson

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October 30, 2020 7:57 AM

It's too late to mail ballots — but not to vote. Here are your options

“Voters should no longer place their absentee ballots in the mail,” Secretary of State Steve Simon said. “It is too late for you, practically speaking, to get it back. Don’t risk it.”

by Amy Forliti, Associated Press

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