Election 2024

Election 2024: DFL holds Minnesota Senate; House control uncertain

People listen to Lt. Gov. Flanagan
Trisha Cook (center) makes heart hands at Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan during the DFL election watch party at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Sophia Marschall | MPR News

Get the latest updates on the 2024 election.

Here’s what we know about some of the key races in Minnesota as of 3 a.m. Wednesday:

  • The Minnesota Senate will stay in DFL control next year, but there was no definitive word on which party will hold the House majority.

  • Voters were poised to continue using lottery money to fund natural resources projects.


2:05 a.m. Wednesday: GOP says it won a Minnesota House majority; DFL says too close to call

With results still not tabulated in key districts, it’s still not yet clear which party will control the Minnesota House.

House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth said early Wednesday that the GOP had flipped enough seats in Tuesday’s election for Republicans to hold a majority.

Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, though, said it was still too soon to say whether the DFL had retained control of the body.

— MPR News staff

1:18 a.m. Wednesday: Minnesota House race could be headed for recount

A state House district in St. Cloud known for close finishes could be headed for a recount. In District 14B, DFL Rep. Dan Wolgamott appears to have won his fourth term, edging Republican challenger Sue Ek by 28 votes. There were 56 write-in votes.

In the neighboring District 14A, incumbent Bernie Perryman, R-St. Augusta, appeared to be holding off a challenge by DFLer Abdi Daisane.

— Kirsti Marohn

12:44 a.m. Wednesday: Voters poised to OK more lottery money for natural resources

Minnesota voters appear likely to renew a constitutional amendment that dedicates revenue from the state’s lottery toward protecting the environment and natural resources. With nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting, the amendment had 77 percent support.

The amendment was first approved in 1988, and extended 10 years later. Since 1991, more than $1 billion in lottery proceeds have been funneled into more than 1,700 projects around the state.

If it’s approved, the amendment will increase the amount of money that can be spent from the fund each year by an additional 1.5 percent. The extra revenue will fund a new community grant program designed for underserved communities and organizations.

— Kirsti Marohn

People watch election results
Stephanie Bajoreck, right, and Fiona McClear, left, watch the presidential election vote count on the big screen as election night winds down at Big Wood Brewery, Vandais Heights on Tuesday.
Courtesy of Matt Sullivan

12:29 a.m. Wednesday: Why are some results taking so long?

If it feels like it’s taking way longer than you expected to get some Minnesota election results, you’re probably right. Here’s what might be happening.

Secretary of State Steve Simon said earlier on MPR News that delays had to do with the change in law that allowed absentee ballots to come in later than midday. He said some counties were holding their results back until they had full or nearly full tallies.

— MPR News staff

11:34 p.m.: St. Cloud picks new mayor, council members

St. Cloud voters elected Jake Anderson as the city’s new mayor. Anderson defeated fellow St. Cloud City Council member Mike Conway. He will replace longtime Mayor Dave Kleis, who chose not to seek election after 19 years in office.

Anderson is an IT manager for Stearns County. His campaign focused on returning a sense of pride to St. Cloud, revitalizing the city’s downtown and adding more housing.

Voters also elected three new city council members: Tami Calhoun, Mark Johnson and Scott Brodeen. Incumbent George Hontos lost his seat, while the two Somali American candidates, Hudda Ibrahim and Omar Abdullahi Podi, came in fifth and sixth, respectively.

— Kirsti Marohn

11:25 p.m.: DFL loses closely watched Minnesota House race

At least one DFLer lost their seat Tuesday night as the party tries to maintain control of the Minnesota House, where the party held a 70-64 House majority at the end of last session

DFL Rep. Jeff Brand lost his bid for reelection in a closely watched race in southwestern Minnesota. Brand lost to Republican Erica Schwartz in a district known for flipping between the parties in recent years.

In the 2022 election, Brand won the seat by just 411 votes — one of the slimmest margins among all state House races.

The District 18A race was one of the key contests DFLers and Republicans have been tracking to see if the DFL would keep its slim edge in the House as it tries to maintain control of both house of the Legislature and the governor's office.

Jeff Brand speaks at the DFL Election Night watch
State House candidate for District 18A, Jeff Brand, speaks at the DFL election night watch party at The Venue in Mankato on Tuesday.
Jackson Forderer for MPR News

In District 54A, Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, appeared to lose his reelection bid to Republican Aaron Paul after the website of the Minnesota Secretary of State office showed all precincts counted. Later in the evening, however, the posted numbers for the race, which had showed Paul winning, had been pulled down.

On Facebook, the city of Shakopee said there were still absentee ballots to be counted and a final tabulation wouldn’t be available until later.

DFLers have run Minnesota the past two years with control of both houses of the Legislature and the governor’s office. They did keep the Senate on Tuesday with a win in a key district. They’ll hold onto the governor’s office regardless of whether current Gov. Tim Walz becomes vice president.

— MPR News staff

11:19 p.m.: No surprises in Minnesota U.S. House, Senate races

All of Minnesota’s incumbent lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate won their reelections bids Tuesday night, and a DFLer won as expected in the only open seat.

DFL winners included Reps. Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig, as well as Kelly Morrison, a state senator who won the seat being vacated by Rep. Dean Phillips. (AP called the Minnesota 4th District race for Rep. Betty McCollum around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday). Republican winners included Reps. Pete Stauber, Michelle Fischbach, Tom Emmer and Brad Finstad.

A woman stands at a podium
Rep. Ilhan Omar is greeted with cheers as she takes the stage after securing her seat in the U.S. House’s 5th District at the Minnesota DFL election results watch party in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar also easily won her bid for reelection, defeating Republican challenger Royce White.

With the wins Tuesday night, Minnesota’s eight-member House delegation is now majority female for the first time.

10:45 p.m.: Flanagan buoys DFLers as results pour in

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan rallied voters at a DFL election watch party in St. Paul as they waited for results.

“There is so much more to come tonight, and this week, we will make history in this country because we put in the work, we made the calls, we knocked the doors and we voted,” she said. “We voted to reject a future with fewer rights and an unstable economy that focuses on division instead of unity.”

A woman speaks at a podium
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaks during the Minnesota DFL election results watch party in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

”Flanagan’s speech came as the race narrowed between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, and few results were available for Minnesota races. Since Gov. Tim Walz was put on the national ticket, Flanagan has served as his local surrogate while campaigning around the country for the Harris-Walz campaign.

— Catharine Richert

10:32 p.m.: Win holds MN Senate for DFL

The Minnesota Senate will stay in DFL control next year.

Minnesota Senate District 45 — the only state Senate seat up for grabs this year — opened after former state Sen. Kelly Morrison stepped down this spring to run for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District seat. Her departure left the state Senate split 33-33. 

Fomer DFL state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart faced Republican Kathleen Fowke in the Twin Cities west metro district.

Johnson Stewart won 52 percent of the vote.

A woman speaks at a podium
Newly-elected third district Rep. Kelly Morrison delivers remarks during her victory speech at the Minnesota DFL election results watch party in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

10:14 p.m.: AP calls 7th District race for Fischbach

Rep. Michelle Fischbach has won reelection to Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District, beating DFL opponent AJ Peters, according to the Associated Press.

Fischbach, a former state senator and lieutenant governor, was expected to win the conservative district, which runs along Minnesota’s western border.

Fischbach told supporters she's optimistic Republicans will win the presidency and both branches of Congress.

"I believe we are going to keep the majority," she said. "I think to be a tight majority, but we are going to have all three by the end of this night."

— MPR News staff

9:59 p.m.: Frey coy on plans to run again for Minneapolis mayor

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declined to definitely confirm that he's running for another term at a DFL watch party Tuesday night in St. Paul.

"We are intending and planning to do so, but I'm not making any formal announcements tonight," he said.

Frey said he wanted the focus of the night to be the Harris-Walz campaign. He said he has not been approached by either the vice president or governor about a potential role in their administration if they win.

— Dana Ferguson

A man smirks
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks with reporters at the Minnesota DFL election results watch party in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

9:18 p.m.: Minnesota GOP chair sees path to winning back House

GOP Party Chair David Hann said he’s feeling confident his party will take control of the Minnesota House. Republicans are closely watching eight to 10 races that could help them win, he told MPR News.

“The feel for this election is so different than it was two or four years ago,” Hann said. “There's a lot of frustration among the electorate.” Hann said Republicans have seen polling in recent weeks that shows independent voters breaking for Republican candidates.

“I think there's just this concern that Democrats have just gone too far, become too partisan, focused on issues that are not resonating with the majority, and they want to see a more balanced government,” he said.

Democrats have held control of the Minnesota House and Senate as well as the governorship since 2022. During that time, the so-called "trifecta" has ushered in a slate of progressive priorities. The House stood at 70-64 for the DFL at the end of last session

— Catharine Richert

A person shows her jewelry and clutch
Wendi Russo shows her jewelry and clutch during a Minnesota GOP watch party at the Mall of America Radisson Blu on Tuesday.
Nicole Neri for MPR News

9:13 p.m.: Pollsters watch, wait to see how well they tracked Minnesota

Democrats and Republicans aren't the only ones nervous about the election outcomes. Pollsters are too. Although political polls are best thought of as a snapshot of voter sentiment at a given moment in time, they are inevitably compared to election outcomes.

The 17 polls that we have tracked here in Minnesota since President Biden withdrew from the race in late July have consistently shown Harris in the lead. Averaging the polls together shows a 6 percentage-point advantage for the Harris campaign in Minnesota, with an average of 49 percent of voters supporting the Democratic ticket and 43 percent supporting the Republican ticket.

In 12 public polls conducted to date on the state's U.S. Senate race incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar leads Republican Challenger Royce White by an average of 10.8 percentage points — much narrower than her 24 percentage point victory in 2018.

We'll soon see how these polling results compare to what some call "the only poll that matters,” the results of votes by actual voters.

— Craig Helmstetter

2024 General Election
A person casts their vote at Ella Baker School on Election Day in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Tim Evans for MPR News

9 p.m.: Klobuchar expects tight presidential race across the country

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is cautioning voters to be calm as they wait for results in the national races. "We know it's going to be tight all over the country," she told NPR.

Klobuchar noted that in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, election rules prevent the counting of early ballots before Election Day, so it will take a while to learn the final results.

Klobuchar said she believes two issues are especially resonating with women voters: reproductive rights and Trump's behavior on the campaign trail. "His vulgar language, his attacks on people and the divisiveness is also bringing women to the polls," she said.

— Kirsti Marohn

Amy Klobuchar celebrates her reelection during the DFL election watch party
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar celebrates her reelection during the DFL election watch party at the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel in St. Paul on Tuesday.
Sophia Marschall | MPR News

8 p.m.: Minnesota polls close, counting begins

Minnesota’s polls closed at 8 p.m. but voters still in line can get their vote counted. Officials say more than 1 million people voted early in the state.

Among the key state races to watch: Minnesota Senate District 45 in the Twin Cities west metro area. It’s a special election that will decide whether Democrats can maintain control of their DFL trifecta for another two years. 

The seat — the only state Senate seat up for grabs this year — opened after former state Sen. Kelly Morrison stepped down this spring to run for Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District seat. Her departure left the state Senate split 33-33. 

Fomer DFL state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart is facing Republican Kathleen Fowke.

All 134 Minnesota House districts are up in this election cycle, but the major parties have their focus centered on a slim list of competitive districts. The House was 70-64 for the DFL at the end of last session, though a few seats came open.

Keep tabs on all state races at MPR News.

— MPR News staff

7:25 p.m.: Minnesota voting mostly smooth, secretary of state says

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said voting across the state today has been mostly smooth sailing. Less than an hour before voting ends, Simon told MPR News he hasn't heard of any big issues at polling stations. Election officials across the state reported that voter turnout was high, he added.

— Kirsti Marohn

6:35 p.m.: Halfway house residents wrongly told they can’t vote

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Corrections is reminding transitional housing providers that people with a felony record are allowed to vote unless they are in prison or jail.

The department issued the guidance after 35-year-old Calvin Boswell told MPR News that his supervisor at the Minneapolis work release program, Life Rebuilders, told a group of about 20 residents Monday that they wouldn’t be allowed to vote.

Boswell has been in a work release program since he was released from prison in March and had planned to vote on Election Day.

Corrections Department spokesperson Shannon Loehrke said the staff member at Life Rebuilders “provided incorrect information which we have corrected.” She added that they reminded providers on Tuesday afternoon “that work releasees who would like to vote should be allowed to.”

— Nicole Ki

4:35 p.m.: In Fergus Falls, voters consider issues from the local to the presidency

FERGUS FALLS — In west-central Minnesota Fergus Falls voters are deciding how to fill the open mayor’s seat. Current mayor, Ben Schierer is running for the Otter Tail County board. Half of the city council is also up for re-election.

At the polls in the city, 48-year-old Angela Fiedler said she had a hard time deciding what mayoral candidate to choose.

“I think Ben has been great as a mayor, and I do support his jump onto the commissioning bench. So I am rooting for him, actually, and hope that his next chapter is just as good as he’s put forth in the mayoral,” she said.

Another hot issue on the Fergus Falls ballot is a two-part school bond referendum. In one question voters are being asked whether to approve an almost $49 million bond levy to build a new building to house grades 3-5. A second questions asks voters to approve a $910,000 bond levy to build soccer and baseball fields at the school.

Proponents point to the age of the existing buildings which date back to when Franklin Roosevelt was president. However opponents worry about adding to an existing tax burden.

The current presidential race was also on voter minds. At one of the city’s four polling sites, 77 year-old Gail Bryan said as a Kamala Harris supporter, she is shocked Donald Trump is on the ballot for President after his criminal convictions.

“I think it’s terrible, after all the things he’s done. And I think it’s really terrible what he said about Liz Cheney last week, saying something like ‘what would it be like if there was guns pointed at her?’ And he’s going to be running for president, that’s a very horrible thing for somebody that wants to be the president to say.”

During the 2020 election a majority of voters in the area went for Trump.

— Mathew Holding Eagle III

2:30 p.m.: West St. Paul church reports steady stream of voters

WEST ST. PAUL — At St. Joseph Catholic Church in West St. Paul, a steady stream of voters arrived to cast ballots on Tuesday afternoon, avoiding puddles on the way in.

Every voting booth was full at times — but with extra tables on hand, there was no waiting. The only obvious issue was the toll the day’s rain had taken on paper signs posted to direct voters which door to use. More than 850 voters had cast ballots by 2 p.m.

The precinct is one of the northernmost in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District, with a competitive race between incumbent Democrat Angie Craig and Republican challenger Joe Teirab.

Andrew Krueger

2:20 p.m.: Election officials report smooth sailing at the polls, except for some minor hiccups

SCOTT COUNTY — About 60 percent of registered voters in Scott County have already turned out to vote.

It’s been a busy day in Scott County and officials say things are going well at the polls. But there have been some instances of campaigning in the polling place, which is a violation of Minnesota state election law.

Julie Hanson, deputy recorder of Scott County says people who wear campaign materials seem more reluctant to remove them this year compared to other election years.

“We’ve seen a little bit of that today through the absentee process as well as that has been reported to us by our head judges out at the polling locations.”

Witnesses to this type of activity are encouraged to speak with an on-site election judge.

— Erica Zurek

Secretary of State Steve Simon reported around midday that a few voting machines overheated, but polling places had been able to resolve individual issues, troubleshoot and rely on back up systems to continue counting votes smoothly.  

“Overall, I have to say, things are looking really good. People are saying regardless of the weather, regardless of how soggy it may be, people are turning out in very large numbers,” Simon said. “In terms of other issues, they're small, sometimes technical, but almost immediately resolved in the polling places, minimal drama, and so far so good.”

Simon said he had been able to reach 20 of Minnesota’s 87 counties by noon, and all reported that the voting process was going well. 

— Elizabeth Shockman

1:30 p.m.: Northeast Minnesota voters turn out to polls

CARLTON COUNTY — Just south of Cloquet in Thomson Township, 70-year-old Laura Vekich voted for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the presidential race. Vekich described herself as a strong supporter of abortion rights.

"It should be a woman's choice," she said. "I don't think anybody has the right to tell you what you can do with your body. Everybody's got their own values and ethics and stuff like that. And you're the one in the long run that's gonna have to live with the decision you make."

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Preston Fuller voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump. Fuller said the economy is a big concern for him.

"I remember gas prices were down and just everything was more affordable," he said "And now everything's just been, it's been going up crazy because of Bidenomics or whatever you like to call it. I feel like, it's hard for a lot of people right now." 

Fuller said he did not vote in the last presidential election, but he would like to get the economy back to the way it was in 2016

— Dan Kraker

1:15 p.m.: Voters make choices in 2nd District congressional race

BURNSVILLE — Three-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Angie Craig is facing a tough challenge from former federal prosecutor and Republican nominee Joe Teirab. The 2nd Congressional District includes much of the southern Twin Cities metro area, but also stretches deep into rural south-central Minnesota. 

Hundreds of people like Julie Carstens, 50, gathered Tuesday morning at the Dakota County Library in Burnsville to cast their ballots.

Carstens is a nurse and describes herself as “very conservative” and voted for Teirab. She said she feels it's important to vote according to her values.

"If you're going to have an opinion, then you need to go out and vote and have your voice be heard,” said Carstens. “You can't just talk about it at the dinner table or out at wherever you're at or in your workplace, but actually bring your faith to where you're at."

Dinora Moruri, 32 says she’s voting for Craig because she’s concerned about the presence of racism and hatred in the country. 

She also says she is concerned about reproductive rights for women. 

“I'm a woman. I am a doula,” said Moruri. “So my job is to protect women and children and so that's why I'm out here.”

Moruri, who came to America from Honduras 30 years ago, added that she’s nervous about the outcome of the presidential election. 

“No matter who you are and who you vote for, just think really hard about it, and don't just think of yourself,” she said.

— Sarah Thamer

1 p.m.: Can I vote in person if I had an absentee ballot?

MPR News’ Voter Help Desk has received a number of questions about absentee voting and same day voting. Here's what our team has tracked down:

Can I vote in person if I didn't get my mail-in ballot in on time?

Can I drop my mail-in ballot off at my polling place?

If you voted early by mail, you can verify the status of your ballot with the secretary of state’s absentee ballot tracker.

Because today is Election Day, and mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day, dropping your ballot in the mail today means your ballot won't make it on time.

You can return your ballot in person no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent your ballot.

You cannot drop your ballot off at your polling place.

If you have received an absentee ballot but are unsure if it will arrive at your election office in time to be counted, or if you have changed your mind, you can still cast a ballot in person by voting in your polling place — as long as your absentee ballot hasn’t been counted by your election officials. After voting in person, the unique ballot ID number on your original absentee ballot will be invalidated.

Find more questions answered on our Voting FAQ write-up

— Matt Mikus

11:30 a.m.: Voters show up for Harris in Minneapolis’ Phillips neighborhood

MINNEAPOLIS — Thomas Henry and Doug Knutson, neighbors who have voted together in the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis for nearly 25 years, cast their ballots for Harris.

Henry said he voted because the country needs a change. His top issues are abortion, the economy and climate change. “I want to turn the page on Trump. He’s very divisive.”

“Put the woman in charge,” Knutson said. “I think we have a great future for us by electing a president that’s a woman this time. It’s very historic.”

Queen Jacobs also voted in the Phillips neighborhood and supported Harris. “Madam President Harris is what we’re hoping for. We’re just crossing our fingers and our toes,” she said.

2024 General Election
Voters cast their ballots on Election Day at the Sabathani Community Center polling location in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Tim Evans for MPR News

Jacobs said she is focused on family rights and education. “I felt like this is a really important election for, I guess, us,” Jacobs said. “I’m a single mom of three… I just want to make sure that my voice is heard and hopefully it’ll make somewhat of a difference.”

She also said she hopes everyone who can vote gets out to the polls. “If you’ve never voted before, it’s an easy process. It doesn’t take much of your time,” Jacobs said. “It feels like a tedious task, and nobody really likes to go outside when it's raining and it's cold and it's wet, but we did it. And yeah, I think it's worth it. I feel like a lot of people feel their voice doesn't matter, but it does… I think it's worth it. And I think this election is worth the vote, and I think this election was worth my time.”

— Estelle Timar-Wilcox

10:30 a.m.: Early voting numbers

ST. PAUL — Tuesday morning, the Minnesota Sectary of State’s Office reported 1,420,287 voters have requested mail-in or absentee ballots and that 1,271,636 have been returned and accepted. Of the state’s 3,685,666 registered voters, that means 39 percent requested mail-in or absentee ballots, including the 35 percent whose votes have already been accepted.

As a proportion of votes cast in Minnesota for top-of-ticket races for Governor and President absentee and mail-in ballots accounted for:

  • In 2022: 27 percent of the 2.5 million votes

  • In 2020 (during COVID-19): 58 percent of the 3.3 million votes

  • In 2018: 25 percent of the 2.6 million votes

— Craig Helmstetter

8 a.m.: Voters head to the polls in Minneapolis, northwest Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — In Minneapolis’ Seward neighborhood, Samantha Solberg cast her vote in the first hour that polls were open. “So much was motivating me to get out today, but particularly making sure that our democracy stays a democracy.”

Reproductive rights, housing and “making sure everyone in the state, in the country is fed,” were issues that were top of mind for Solberg. She said she voted for Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.

Polls open across Minnesota. Two MPR News reporters check on local polling places

“It’s the second time I’ve got to mark down a woman for president. I’m really hoping this time it works,” Solberg said. “I’m really nervous about the state of our country after this election — no matter who wins — based on the things that happened in 2020. I’m kind of holding my breath.”

When asked how she’ll be watching the results roll in, Solberg said she was going to take a break from politics. “I’m actually not going to be watching. I’m choosing to watch cheesy rom coms instead.”

2024 General Election
Voters wait in line on Election Day at the First Universalist Church polling location in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
Tim Evans for MPR News

Zachary Cohen, also in Seward, said he was supporting Harris for president.

“I really think we can’t have another four years of Donald Trump,” he said. “He’s never been supportive of the underdog — people who are working class. He’s never had that record. It’s just incredible to me that he appeals to anyone who isn’t in his elitist class.”

He said some of his top issues are women’s rights and funding for the arts.

“There was so much brutality and bullying during Trump’s campaign and I really hope that we will all treat each other better if Kamala wins,” Cohen said. “I really think she will be like a beacon of kindness and compassion.”

— Estelle Timar-Wilcox

Voters wait in line
Voters wait in line and cast ballots at the Cullen Hockey Center on Tuesday, in Moorhead.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News

MOORHEAD — At the Cullen Hockey Center, 36-year-old Justin Weber was at his polling place as it opened. He said his top issues this election are immigration reform, the economy and health care. “Women’s health care, in particular, and a woman’s right to choose and decide what happens to their body,” he said.

Weber said he’s casting his vote for Harris in the presidential election. ”Overall, I’m voting for democracy to continue, for people to have a voice,” he said. “I'm glad to be able to vote, and I hope others do, too.”

Alantis DeOliveira, a 45-year-voter in Moorhead, said his key issues are the border, the economy and getting things back in order. ”Gas prices have been really high. Groceries, of course, have been really high, too,” he said. “I’ve found myself living paycheck to paycheck each month.”

DeOliveira said he is casting his vote for former President Donald Trump. “The crime issues and the homelessness on the streets, just safety concerns all around America in general,” he said. “Our military, police departments getting funding again and being supported by our government.”

Voters wait in line
Voters wait in line and cast ballots at the Cullen Hockey Center on Tuesday, in Moorhead.
Dan Gunderson | MPR News

Also in Moorhead, 83-year-old Joyce Sonnenberg said she is casting her ballot for Trump because her top issue is abortion. “I’m pro-life,” she said. “That would be No. 1. I think the Republican party has caved on their pro-life stance, but it’s still the better of the two choices, I think.”

Kristi Ostlund, 38, said global policy and the economy are her top issues. She declined to say who she voted for, but said: “I want somebody who can effectively work with other world powers, somebody who can kind of calm down the situations happening.”

Jacob Anderson, 41, said he is voting for integrity and bipartisanship this year, and that he is supporting democrats on the ticket. “I’m ready for everybody to stop fighting; I think we need to work together. I wish our legislators would legislate with each other, treat each other like colleagues. I think that would help the rest of us start treating each other like neighbors.”

— Dan Gunderson

4 a.m.: What’s at stake on Election Day 2024

Minnesota voters are picking their preferred candidates for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state House. Voters will decide which party will control both chambers of the state Legislature. All state House seats are on the ballot this year, and a special state Senate election will determine which party breaks the 33-33 tie in that chamber.

A statewide constitutional amendment is also on all Minnesotans’ ballots. Voters are being asked to renew a measure that allocates 40 percent of the state’s lottery revenues into a trust fund aimed at protecting the state’s environment and natural resources for another 25 years.

County, municipal and school board races are taking place in many communities across the state. And although they generated less attention, races for three state Supreme Court seats, positions on the Court of Appeals and many local judgeships are also on the ballot. Use MPR News’ Build Your Ballot tool to learn which races are on your ballot about the candidates vying for your vote.

While Minnesota’s governor seat is not on the ballot until the 2026 election, the state could see a change in its top leader if Gov. Tim Walz is elected vice president alongside Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

If that happens, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan would serve the remainder of Walz’s term — which runs into January 2027 — and she would become the state’s first woman to hold the top spot and the first Native American woman to serve as governor in the country.

Under the line of succession, the Minnesota Senate president would move up into the lieutenant governor role. Currently, that’s four-term DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis. The DFL could also opt to elect a new president if Champion decided he didn’t want the lieutenant governor’s post.

But, depending on the outcome of the special state Senate race in District 45, Minnesota Senate Republicans could put one of their own in the role or choose a Democrat from a swing seat. Much of it would depend on the timing of the Walz resignation.

— Anna Haecherl

4 a.m.: Voting resources

Not sure if you are registered to vote? Check your voter registration status by filling out the secretary of state’s voter registration form online.

You can register to vote on Election Day at your polling place.

  • Find your polling place by entering your zip code or county, and then your city and address.

  • Bring along proof of residence to confirm your registration. A valid Minnesota driver’s license or ID, or a photo ID and a document confirming your current address (like a utility bill or rental lease).

  • Have a registered voter from your precinct go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address.

  • College students can register with a photo ID and a student housing list.

  • View the entire list of proof of residence documents allowed by the Minnesota Secretary of State.

  • If you do not have a permanent address and live outside, in a shelter or are staying at a friend’s house, you can still register and vote. Learn more on the Secretary of State website.

Wondering who is on your ballot? Use MPR News’ Build Your Ballot tool to learn about the candidates vying for your vote.

If you voted early by mail, you can verify the status of your ballot with the secretary of state’s absentee ballot tracker.

If returning you ballot by mail, it must be received by Election Day or it will not be counted. You can return your ballot in person no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent your ballot. You cannot drop your ballot off at your polling place.

If you have received an absentee ballot but are unsure if it will arrive at your election office in time to be counted, or if you have changed your mind, you can still cast a ballot in person by voting in your polling place — as long as your absentee ballot hasn’t been counted by your election officials. After voting in person, the unique ballot ID number on your original absentee ballot will be invalidated.

Find more information on voting and answers to frequently asked voting questions in our guide to voting in Minnesota.

— Anna Haecherl

4 a.m.: More than 1.1 million Minnesotans voted early

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office reported more than 1,170,000 voters already cast their ballots as of Monday. That’s double the number of early votes in the 2016 presidential election.

Secretary of State Steve Simon said a few factors have contributed to the early voting spike.

“People have acquired a taste for it, who maybe did it during the pandemic. That’s my guess. And just the word has gotten out more among people that this is even a thing, this is something that they can do and that they’re eligible to do,” simon said.

It also means that more than a quarter of Minnesotans that are eligible to vote had already done so as of Monday.

Hennepin County election officials said on Monday they had received more than 300,000 absentee ballots so far. That’s the second-most ever, only behind the 2020 election.

Ginny Gelms, director of Hennepin County elections, said it was “a little bit too early to tell” if that turnout indicated higher turnout overall for the election, or just a shift to voting absentee.

— Ellie Roth and Estelle Timar-Wilcox