MINNEAPOLIS — The ballots are in, the confetti has settled, and the “Minneapolis mayor election result” is officially in progress.
Mayor Jacob Frey woke up Wednesday as the first-round leader, claiming 41.7% of initial votes in a 15-candidate field. But in Minneapolis, first place is just the opening act. Thanks to ranked-choice voting (RCV), the city now begins a multi-day process to count second and third choices — a system that has turned close races into slow-burn dramas since 2009.
With 147,702 ballots cast and 100% of precincts reported, here’s how the top four shook out:
First-Choice Breakdown(Minneapolis mayor election result)
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Frey | 61,340 | 41.7% |
| Omar Fateh | 46,510 | 31.6% |
| DeWayne Davis | 20,383 | 13.9% |
| Jazz Hampton | 15,305 | 10.4% |
| Others (11) | 3,517 | 2.4% |
Total first-choice votes: 147,055 Winning threshold: ~73,852 (50% + 1)
The RCV Countdown Begins
Election workers at the Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services office started the tabulation at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Here’s how it works:
- Eliminate the candidate with the fewest votes (likely Troy A. Peterson, with just 52).
- Redistribute those voters’ #2 choices to active candidates.
- Repeat until one candidate hits 50% + 1.
The city will release new totals after each round, starting today at noon. Expect 3–6 rounds over the next 48–72 hours.
Two Visions, One City
Jacob Frey, 43, ran as the “keep it moving” candidate. His pitch: steady leadership through crisis.
- Crime down 22% since 2021 peak
- 1,800 new housing units opened
- Police now require de-escalation training on every shift
He swept southwest lakes neighborhoods and downtown condos, winning Ward 13 with 58%.
Omar Fateh, 42, ran as the “time for bold change” candidate. A former refugee and state senator, he tapped into frustration over housing costs and public safety.
- Rent caps at 3% annual increase
- $18M for community violence prevention
- Tax vacant downtown offices to fund free youth programs
Fateh dominated North Minneapolis and Cedar-Riverside, taking Ward 6 with 51%.
The Progressive Backup Plan
Candidates Davis and Hampton — both polling in double digits — told supporters to rank Fateh second. If two-thirds of their 35,000+ voters complied, Fateh could pick up 23,000+ votes in later rounds.
“Your first choice is your heart. Your second choice is your strategy.” — DeWayne Davis, election night rally
Citywide Snapshot
- Turnout: 52.8% — highest for a mayoral race since 2013
- Early voting: 38% of ballots (up from 29% in 2021)
- Undervotes: 647 (voters who ranked no one #1)
Other Results from Tuesday
| Race / Measure | Outcome |
|---|---|
| City Council | 9 incumbents reelected |
| Ward 5 (North) | New progressive wins |
| Ward 10 (Uptown) | Frey ally holds seat |
| $50M Parks & Trails Bond | ✅ PASSED 62–38% |
| 0.5% Transit Sales Tax | ❌ FAILED 48–52% |
On the Ground
At 8:30 a.m., a small crowd gathered outside the elections office on 4th Street. Frey volunteers handed out coffee. Fateh supporters held signs reading “Count Every Rank.”
“I ranked Frey #1, but I’m nervous. My #2 was Hampton. Hope it doesn’t come to that.” — Lisa K., 36, Linden Hills
“RCV means my vote for Davis still matters. That’s power.” — Tyrone W., 29, Near North
What to Watch Today
- Noon: First elimination round released
- 3:00 p.m.: Likely Round 3 (smaller candidates gone)
- Thursday: Top 3 or 4 candidates remain
- Friday: Expected final result
Live tracker: minneapolisvotes.org/live
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about one seat. It’s a test of whether Minneapolis wants evolution (Frey) or revolution (Fateh) five years after George Floyd’s murder reshaped the city.
Frey starts with a 14,830-vote edge. But in RCV, leads can vanish — or grow — with every redistributed ballot.
As one election worker said while loading ballot carts:
“We don’t pick the winner. The voters do — one rank at a time.”
Stay with North Star Dispatch for real-time RCV updates, candidate reactions, and neighborhood breakdowns as the Minneapolis mayor election result unfolds.https://www.mprnews.org/
The count is on. The city is watching.https://theinfohatch.com/moving-helena-forward-haley-mcknight-campaign/
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