Minnesota’s local elections are Tuesday, November 4th - make a plan to vote today!
By Sunniva Berg, MPHA Intern for Health Equity and Policy & Advocacy Committees
Did you know that local elections are decided by much smaller margins than state and federal elections? Your vote matters!
Join Sunniva Berg, MPHA intern and other MPHA members for a virtual coffee chat to discuss the connections between voting and health, and what local elections you are paying attention to. Register for the event on October 3, 2025 here!
Importance of Voting to Health
Local elections affect many aspects of your everyday life, including but not limited to public health, housing and zoning decisions, sanitation and water quality, public transit, libraries, and school curriculum and funding.
The American Public Health Association believes that “removing barriers to voting and working to ensure inclusive voting systems are essential to advance health equity and improve health and well-being for all”. Additionally, in 2022, the American Medical Association released a statement (Support for Safe and Equitable Access to Voting H-440.805) that “acknowledges voting is a social determinant of health and significantly contributes to the analyses of other social determinants of health as a key metric”. The Institute for Responsive Government’s report on the Health and Democracy Index further analyzes the links between higher rates of voting and healthier communities. MPHA has recognized the importance of voter registration and participation for years; including with our member approved resolution on Voter Registration and Participation.
Voter Turnout
In 2024, Minnesota was the state with highest voter turnout at 75.9% (behind Washington, DC at 79.5%). However, local elections on non presidential and congressional election years have significantly lower turnout and sometimes end in ties! In 2023 (the last off year), registered voter turnout was 31% in the City of Minneapolis, and a little over half of registered voters in Duluth turned out for their competitive mayoral race and city council races in 2023.
In 2020, some of the top reasons that registered voters didn't vote were, “Did not like candidates or campaign issues” (17.6%), “Too busy, conflicting schedule” (13.1%), “Illness or disability” (13%). Voters with disability reported barriers to voting at a higher rate than those without a disability –20% to 6%.
Furthermore, a recent study led by Dr. Ross Arena published in Public Health in Practice found that there’s an association that “suggests poor health may be a powerful contributor to lower participation in the voting process”. Their findings indicate that “both health status and measures of social vulnerability may be important drivers of voter turnout”.
It is important to acknowledge the ways voting may be inaccessible to people, including the physical accessibility of polling places, language barriers, housing instability, and voter ID rules. Voting can be difficult if someone has an inability to register or does not know how to register to vote. Voting itself can also be difficult and confusing, be it the language on a ballot or navigating the voting location. In Minnesota, we are fortunate to not require an ID if your registration is current and active. Here and below are resources for checking your voter registration and for a guide for encouraging your friends and family to vote in November elections.
Why vote in local elections?
Voting in local elections is especially important this year. Federal funding cuts will likely significantly affect state and local jurisdictions budgets. Having a strong stance for public health at the local level could mitigate harms that can result from these budget cuts. It is important that we elect leaders who will prioritize public health and understand the ways that school, city, and county policies affect constituents' health. Local elections can include, mayor, city council, township, school board, judicial, parks and recreation board, sheriff and more.
Researching and following local elections can be challenging. General definitions of elected local officials' roles and functions can be found here. The city council and mayor often influence public health, including its budget, priorities and departments within the city. You can use the resources linked below to research candidates and the most pressing issues in your city or county. News organizations like the Minnesota Star Tribune, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Sahan Journal, and the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, along with local news stations and newspapers throughout the state, may post articles discussing candidates’ positions on issues in the coming month and may be a good place to start your research.
Races to Watch in your Community
MPHA encourages you to vote, but to first research candidates' perspectives on public health policies before voting. Below and in the “voting resources” section are some additional resources to assist you!
Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State provides information on the next election, if one is scheduled, polling place location, list of candidates and questions on your ballot.
The League of Women Voters Minnesota offers nonpartisan resources on candidates by your location. Recordings of local candidate forums and future dates are also available along with information on how to research candidates.
MPHA has included a list of topics and questions that can help guide you . These are questions you could ask if you attend a candidate forum in your community, and may help guide your research of candidates and their policies. This guide has been adapted from MN SOPHE’s 2022 guide for candidates.
MPHA encourages you to vote, but to first research candidates' perspectives on public health policies before voting. See the resources below!
Voting resources
Important Dates
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September 19, 2025 - Early voting begins. Details on how to vote here.
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Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 11:59 p.m - Online registration deadline
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Tuesday, Oct. 14., 2025 5 p.m. - Register by mail deadline
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Tuesday, Nov. 4., 2025 - In-person registration deadline. You can register at your polling place with an ID too.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2025 - Voting Day! Polls open 7 am to 8 pm.
If you are interested in diving deeper into our non-partisian work of the interconnectedness between democracy & health, please email Merry admin@mpha.net to be connected to MPHA's MN Health and Democracy Partners workgroup.