MPR News with Angela Davis

How your vote can influence the power of local government

A row of council members
Minneapolis City Council members listen to a presentation about the results of a survey regarding the proposed future location of the Third Precinct police station at Minneapolis City Hall on July 18.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

Elected officials who sit at the helm of city councils across Minnesota have the power to approve a budget and focus on issues that can better their communities.  

With the 2023 election just around the corner — Tuesday, Nov. 7 — candidates across the state are using their platforms to address everything from public safety to housing.  

And this year’s election could reshape local government in a big way. St. Paul could end up with an all-female city council, for the first time in history. Duluth voters will decide the city’s most contested mayoral election in 15 years and recent redistricting in Minneapolis means all 13 city council seats are up for grabs in this year’s election.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two city government reporters, who cover Minneapolis and St. Paul, about the importance of city council and county commission seats and what’s at stake in this year’s election.

two newspaper reporters and a host
MPR News host Angela Davis (left) talks with Frederick Melo (center) and Dave Orrick (right) in an MPR News studio in the Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul on Thursday.
Matt Alvarez | MPR News

Looking for more information about your local elections? There’s still time to find out which candidates and questions are on your ballot. Enter your address at Minnesota’s ballot finder to see what you’ll be voting on.

Guests:  

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.