St. Paul Votes to Change Election Years

St. Paul voters have approved a measure to move city elections, including mayoral and city council races, to coincide with presidential election years, starting in 2028. Approximately 61% of voters supported this change, which aims to boost voter turnout for local elections, historically held in odd-numbered years. However, opponents, including Mayor Melvin Carter, express concerns that local issues may be overshadowed by national races, complicating campaign efforts. In a separate ballot measure, voters rejected a proposal to increase property taxes to fund child care subsidies for families, with nearly 60% voting against it. The mayoral race in 2025 will be the last odd-year election, with the winning candidate serving a three-year term, while current city council members will now serve five-year terms. The implications of merging ranked-choice voting with presidential ballots remain uncertain as the city navigates this new electoral landscape.