Minneapolis voters re-elected Jacob Frey as mayor, in a tight race that took two rounds of tabulation to determine a winner. 

The race came down to Frey and challenger Kate Knuth, who followed Frey by 15,000 votes once the second and third choice votes were calculated. 

This is the first city election after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. After the murder of George Floyd and following protests, public safety and policing were top priorities for many candidates and voters. 

Frey won over 42% of the first choice votes, but he needed over 50% to be elected mayor, so the second and third choice votes were tabulated to determine the total. Frey received 11% of the second choice votes, which was just enough to reach the total votes needed to be elected mayor. 

Nezhad trailed behind Frey with about 21% first choice votes, and Kate Knuth received about 18%. Knuth received the most second-choice votes of any candidate. 

Frey was first elected as the Minneapolis mayor in 2017, after serving as the Ward three Council member. 

Frey has said that he plans to build more affordable housing and strengthen police-community relationships as mayor. He has faced backlash from citizens about his plans to hire more police officers instead of cutting funds from the force. 

Since January, Frey raised nearly triple the funds of any of his challengers at $676,271. Candidate A.J. Awed raised about $260,000 with Sheila Nezhad close behind. 

After the polls closed Tuesday, several of the candidates celebrated with parties into the night. 

About 11% of registered Minneapolis voters chose to vote early this year, breaking the municipal election record for most early votes. 

Lydia Morrell and Emalyn Muzzy contributed to this report.

Over 55% of Minneapolis voters decided against the public safety measure that would have shifted funds away from the Minneapolis Police Department.

Citizens voted to establish the Minneapolis mayor as the chief executive of city departments, and they also passed the rent control measure that allows the City Council to impose a rent cap. The passage of question one creates changes to the structure of the city government, while question three creates the possibility for changes to rent control at a later date.

The Minneapolis Police Department will not be replaced with a Department of Public Safety. The mayor will continue to have complete control over MPD’s employees and rules. The City Council can still create public safety measures, but they are still required to provide funds for a police department that is at least 1.7 employees per 1,000 residents. 

Since city question one passed, the mayor will now be the chief executive of the city, meaning that the mayor will have more power and the Minneapolis City Council’s role will shift to that of a legislative body. The mayor will have more authority over city departments, except for the clerk’s and treasurer’s offices. Just over 52% of voters approved the question. 

The Minneapolis City Council is now able to create rent stabilization ordinances through the City Council. The Council is able to cap how much landlords can raise yearly rent and impose other rent control measures. Over 53% of voters approved the amendment. 

Emalyn Muzzy and Lydia Morrell contributed to this report.

Voters headed out to polling booths Tuesday morning to cast their ballots for the Minneapolis mayoral and municipal elections. 

Enthusiastic canvassers turned out at 8 a.m. with campaign signs and hot tea at the Brian Coyle Center in Cedar-Riverside, while voters in Ward two at Grace University Lutheran Church turned out at a much slower rate. 

More than 28,800 people voted early, which is a record in any Minneapolis municipal election. Nearly 4,000 of those voters came from Ward three, which includes Marcy-Holmes and Dinkytown. 

Northrop Auditorium

Students crowded around Northrop Auditorium on Tuesday at midday to vote for the Minneapolis mayoral election and Ward two city council position. 

University student Siri Vorvick, 20, said she voted for Robin Wonsley Worlobah for Ward two and A.J. Awed for mayor as he is a local voice from nearby Cedar-Riverside. 

“Voting was so important in the national elections, but I think that local elections also carry a lot of weight, especially as it’s more applicable to my life,” Vorvick said. 

Student Jason Wessel said he voted “no, yes, yes” for the three city questions, referring to a short slogan that several activism groups and mayoral candidates use to refer to rejecting the mayor as chief executive and passing the public safety amendment and rent control ordinance. 

“I don’t really see the point in consolidating power, it seems like the opposite of what I would like to do,” Wessel said.

Brian Coyle Center 

Campaign supporters waved signs and gathered by the Brian Coyle Center as voters appeared to cast their ballots on the chilly Tuesday morning. One supporter passed out hot tea to keep people warm as they waited outside with their signs. 

Mohamed Mohamed decorated his car in “Vote A.J. Awed” signs and said he planned on canvassing until 8 p.m. when the polls close. 

“He understands the problem of Minneapolis and also what’s going on in our community, especially the young people,” Mohamed said. 

Law student Fionna Ek said she voted “no, yes, yes” on the city questions, meaning that she supported shifting funds away from the Minneapolis Police Department and enacting a rent control ordinance. Ek said she voted for Sheila Nezhad and was hoping for “more equitable policies for homeless encampments and getting people connected to stable housing.” 

Supporters for both Ward six candidates, Jamal Osman and Abdirizak Bihi, showed up in the early morning to wave signs and vote. 

Hawa Hashi took off work on Tuesday to support Bihi’s bid for the Ward six position.

“I’m volunteering to support Abdirizak Bihi for the safety of the community, for the safety of African Americans,” Hashi said. “I think he will be a good leader.”

Grace University Lutheran Church 

College students and other voters trickled into the church building Tuesday morning to vote for the mayor and the Ward two City Council member. 

University of Minnesota student Mairin Torgerson said she was excited because this was her first time voting, and she planned to vote for Ward two candidate Robin Wonsley Worlobah. 

“She [supports] a lot of good things that I like about rent control, because living here is really expensive.” Torgerson said. “As a college student, it’s definitely pretty important to me that I can afford to live here.”

For University student Shehrose Charania, it was her first time casting a ballot in Minnesota. She said she voted for Sheila Nezhad for Minneapolis mayor because her values aligned with Nezhad’s campaign and she wanted to see a woman of color in a leadership position. 

“I identify as a woman of color so voting for another one was easy for me,” Charania said. 

This is a live story and will be updated throughout the day.

Ellie Roth, Karisa Erickson and Hanna Van Den Einde contributed to this report.

From outside the Hennepin County Government Center to George Floyd Square at 38th and Chicago, the crowds of people cheered after the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin was announced: Guilty, on all three counts.

George Floyd’s girlfriend, Courtney Ross, addressed the crowd gathered near the Hennepin County Government Center. 

“God is good. He proved that today,” Ross said. “Minneapolis needed it. I can’t thank you enough. Floyd can’t thank you enough. His spirit is here.” 

Nearby cars honked in support of the guilty verdicts. “The people united will never be defeated,” chanted the crowd outside of the government building. 

From when the announcement was made. Wow pic.twitter.com/Q2zgfdf09y

— JD Duggan (@JDugganMN) April 20, 2021

Twenty-five-year-old Adonis Rodriguez said there was a lot of energy around the Hennepin County Government Center following the verdict. 

“I really enjoy the fact that we’re all coming together,” Rodriguez said. “It shows that there is equality, there’s a chance for change. There’s a chance that we can all make history together.” 

Justin Ellis, who grew up in South Minneapolis, is working on a book about George Floyd and the injustices that Black families face. The guilty verdict was a release, Ellis said.

“It felt like catharsis or something, you know. I started crying, I feel like everybody started crying and hugging and chanting. It was amazing,” Ellis said.

Debora Desouza, a 13-year-old who attends Robbinsdale Middle School said that although she felt happy when the verdict was released, the results will not bring back George Floyd. 

“This is just the beginning, there’s still more to come,” Desouza said. “It’s just nice to see everybody coming together and getting the justice that we deserve.” 

At George Floyd Square, a sense of happy disbelief filled the gathering of around 400 people.

“It’s justice, it’s Black joy. I wasn’t hopeful last week and I have no hope in the system. But today we’re a step closer, and prayers work,” said Sarah Washington, who lives around the corner from George Floyd Square.

Before the verdict was announced, she said “I was nervous, but now I can go celebrate. But is it really over?” 

While she felt relieved about the guilty verdicts, Washington had other victims of police brutality on her mind. She said that other police who have killed Black people in high-profile incidents, like Philando Castile and Breonna Taylor, have not been convicted of murder. 

Kim Potter, who killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center last week, is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter. 

“Rest in peace Daunte Wright, we still got to get the [other officers],” Washington said.

Some family members of Naajikhan Powell, a man who apparently died by suicide at the Hennepin County jail in September, were at George Floyd Square. Powell’s mother filed a lawsuit against the county and Hennepin Healthcare, stating that they ignored signs of his mental illness and that the jail failed to properly put him under suicide watch.

“It’s crazy to think he’s not here. He should be here and could be here,” said Aleauh Daggs, Powell’s cousin. 

Daggs, and her mother and Powell’s aunt Amber Daggs, are not convinced that Powell died by suicide. And to them, Chauvin’s guilty verdict does not mean the end to the fight against police brutality and other injustices. 

“Feels like a sense of relief, because there’s justice being made. But at the same time, it doesn’t feel like you can trust the justice system. Because I feel like we just got lucky by a few jurors. There was nothing that was actually changed today,” Aleauh Daggs said.

Amber said that when she watched the video of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, it seemed like murdering Floyd was something Chauvin was trained to do. 

“Where do you go when you need help? When you know that [the police are] gonna kill you?” Amber Daggs said.

Third-year University of Minnesota student Sami Maldonado and friends initially came to the square for the vigil of Daunte Wright. After the verdict was announced, it was important for them to “be with community” rather than staying in their apartment, where it was not likely they would get any schoolwork done anyways, Maldonado said.

“I feel like the Derek Chauvin trial has impacted everyone of every walk of life, of every background in Minneapolis,” Maldonado said. “And it’s historic, and it’s important to be here and show up for the community.”

At approximately 5:45 p.m., hundreds outside of the Government Center began to march down the streets of downtown.

One last video before my phone dies. This is history. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/xtsGjIdEBo

— Samantha Hendrickson (@samanthajhendr) April 20, 2021

Throughout the evening, while Twin Cities’ residents celebrated or reflected, state and local officials hosted press conferences or release statements.  

University President Joan Gabel released a statement via email regarding the verdict. 

“We hope that the jury’s verdict represents a measure of accountability and comfort for George Floyd’s family, his loved ones and the communities that have been impacted by his tragic death — and perhaps a welcome departure from instances where there has been no accountability at all,” read the email. 

The University announced it will move to reduced operations starting at 5 p.m.

At a press conference in the lobby of the Hennepin County Government Center following the reading of the verdicts, lawyers for the state’s prosecution, including Keith Ellison and Mike Freeman, addressed reporters. 

Ellison urged the public to respond and celebrate peacefully. He also listed the names of other victims of police violence and said he hoped the verdict could serve “as an inflection point” to bring about greater police accountability. 

“I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice,” Ellison said. 

At a joint press conference with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Gov. Tim Walz applauded the jurors, witnesses and prosecutors and also emphasized the need for systemic change to prevent further police murders.

“[The verdict is] an important step toward justice in Minnesota, but we know our work just begins. This is the floor, not the ceiling of where we need to get to,” he said. “It’s long past time the Senate moves forward and passes police reform to hold officers accountable for misconduct, increase transparency in policing practices, and improve police conduct and training, including banning chokeholds. This is the urgent task before us — not for tomorrow, not us for next year, but for now.”

At a separate press conference in Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey said that while Minneapolis has been characterized as “on edge,” he saw it more as a precipice or an opportunity for change. 

“What will make our community strong and what will ultimately inform our ability to honor Goerge Floyd’s life in both word and deed will be our collective willingness to have that active participation in shaping our future,” Frey said. 

Samantha Hendrickson, Lydia Morrell, J.D. Duggan, Samantha Woodward, Emalyn Muzzy, Megan Palmer, Niamh Coomey, Hana Ikramuddin, Dylan Miettinen and Tiffany Bui contributed to this report. 

After nearly four weeks of testimony, a jury has found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.

The jury, which consisted of five men and seven women, deliberated for nearly 10 hours before reaching their verdict.

The convictions could carry a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison, but that number is subject to change. Judge Peter Cahill will be able to add time for aggravating factors, after the prosecution and defense submit written and oral arguments to him about how long they think Chauvin’s sentence should be. The maximum sentence is 40 years.

According to Cahill, sentencing will be announced eight weeks from now.

By finding him guilty of second-degree murder, the jury decided that Chauvin committed a felony by assaulting Floyd and contributed substantially to his death. Because Chauvin does not have a criminal record, the average sentence for second-degree murder is 150 months — about 12 and a half years. The maximum sentence is 40 years if Cahill granted an upwards departure.

By finding Chauvin guilty of third-degree murder, the jury determined that Chauvin acted with a “depraved mind,” meaning he acted with reckless disregard for Floyd’s life. This charge doesn’t indicate intent or that Chauvin committed assault against Floyd.

Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor was convicted of third-degree murder in 2019 and was sentenced to over 12 years for the offense. His case is up for appeal in June, which means Chauvin could appeal and have his ruling overturned, depending on the outcome of the Noor trial.

Second-degree manslaughter means that Chauvin was found guilty of having taken a conscious risk with Floyd’s life that resulted in his death. The sentence can be as high as 10 years in prison.

The trials for former Minneapolis police officers Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao are scheduled for Aug. 23. They are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death.

This is a breaking news report. More information will be added as it becomes available.

Samantha Hendrickson, Lydia Morrell, J.D. Duggan, Samantha Woodward, Dylan Miettinen and Tiffany Bui contributed to this report. 

Country music blared through the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington as the GOP’s Election Day party took on a very different tenor than the DFL’s more subdued approach.

With handshakes and beers abounding, the GOP was more lax about COVID-19 precautions than the DFL, which mostly allowed media and politicians into its gathering at the Intercontinental Hotel in St. Paul. At the DFL party, most attendees wore masks throughout the event except for speeches, and guests’ temperatures were taken before entering. GOP attendees greeted each other with handshakes; some did not wear a mask throughout the duration of the event, and some took it off during conversations.

The DFL announced multiple winners throughout the event, including U.S. representatives Ilhan Omar and Dean Phillips, state Sen. Kari Diedzic and state Rep. Mohamud Noor.

Ryan Winkler, majority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, said in a speech that the DFL is united in “taking on Minnesota’s deep racial divides,” emphasizing police reform and accountability, closing educational opportunity gaps and improving healthcare accessibility.

“We are united to do the work of the people. And we are united, because we see each other,” Winkler said.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other DFL lawmakers emphasized high voter turnout throughout the event.

“There were a lot of people trying to make it hard for us to vote over in the Republican Party,” Klobuchar said at the event. “We know that we had more than 1.7 million votes that were cast before Election Day.”

Republicans from around the state showed up in Bloomington to show their support for GOP candidates. Stefanie Moradiellos, a resident of St. Paul’s Como neighborhood embraced the GOP election party as an opportunity to connect with likeminded people.

“[I’m excited about] meeting other people that feel the same and stop feeling like we have to hide, like I have to in my neighborhood,” Moradiellos said.

GOP candidates emphasized that Twin Cities area voters are ready for a change in leadership after the difficulties of COVID-19 and the movement to defund the police.

“They’re ready for fresh voices around the country,” said Diane Napper, GOP candidate for state Senate District 63, which covers multiple south Minneapolis neighborhoods and a portion of Richfield.

Jason Lewis, a contender for Smith’s seat in the U.S. Senate, said he thought his campaign resonated with voters in Greater Minnesota who have not had their voices heard. Lewis said voters are disillusioned by the radical positions of the Democratic Party, and he thought these voters would provide an edge over opponent Tina Smith.

Lewis added that he believes his support for opening up the state has helped mobilize the youth vote in his favor.

“We feel as though we’ve resonated on making sure young people aren’t perpetually locked down and socially isolated,” Lewis said.

Lewis chose not to wear a mask at the event, despite mask requirements at the hotel venue.

“If people are worried, they should wear a mask, if people are concerned, or have underlying conditions or [are] elderly, they should stay home,” Lewis said. “But you can’t tell a free people in a free country ‘Hey, you can’t go here, you can’t go there, you can’t go to school, you can’t open your business and what to wear.’”

After midnight, the Associated Press announced that Smith won the race for the U.S. Senate seat.

Meanwhile, many speakers at the DFL election party didn’t hold back on critiquing the Republican party’s response to COVID-19 across the state and the nation.

“If we actually approached this with a scientific lens and a grown-up ethic, then we would be dramatically further along in terms of reopening our economy than we are,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in an interview with the Minnesota Daily.

Results are still pouring in, as officials continue counting record-number absentee votes in Minnesota. Some results won’t be official until days after Nov. 3. While DFL speakers urged patience, the GOP was much more insistent on knowing ballot counts on election night.

GOP officials announced District 3 Congressional candidate Kendall Qualls’ loss at the event. Qualls was in good spirits as he accepted the loss, telling the cheering crowd, “don’t give up and fight until the end.”

While the parties continued past 8 p.m., polling sites around the University went dark. Van Cleve Park in Southeast Como had few voters casting ballots in the last half hour. Weisman Art Museum saw a steady stream throughout the day, according to an election judge, but was mostly quiet as the polls closed.

Nyakueth Biel, a University senior, was the last person to hit the polls at Weisman. She showed up to vote blue, because “every vote matters.”

Evan Berg, Samantha Hendrickson, Hana Ikramuddin, Lydia Morrell and Ava Thompson contributed to this report.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, has won her bid for reelection by a landslide.

With 96% of precincts reporting, Omar defeated Republican challenger Lacy Johnson with 64.8% of the votes, according to the Associated Press.

Following a hotly debated primary, Omar easily won in a district that has voted blue since 1963. Her clash with Democratic primary opponent Antone Melton-Meaux raised issues about both candidates’ campaign finance irregularities.

“Tonight’s results are an affirmation of our people-centered agenda,” said Omar in her victory speech to the DFL. “The people who are telling you that we are somehow radical for wanting to feed our children, house our families, and make sure we have a livable planet are not the ones who are putting America first.”

Omar arrived on the University of Minnesota campus Tuesday alongside Sen. Tina Smith to encourage voter turnout among young people. Before she was elected to the U.S. House, Omar represented District 60B, which encompasses the University of Minnesota area.

“Students have made us proud of the turnout of young people, their enthusiasm, their energy, their activism is really shaping our country, and I am just incredibly honored to know them to – to organize with them,” said Omar.

In her first term as a lawmaker on the national stage, Omar has voiced support for policies including Medicare for All and canceling student debt.

“Now, is our chance to ensure that people are not economically being exploited with poverty wages by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour,” said Omar in her speech. “Now is our chance to guarantee paid sick and safe time for working class people across this country.”

Omar also discussed the record high voter turnout in Minnesota’s fifth district, and stated that along with the DFL, her campaign has made over 1.4 million outreach attempts.

J.D. Duggan and Hana Ikramuddin contributed to this report.

Before the sun had fully risen, voters lined up at polling centers in neighborhoods around the University of Minnesota to cast their ballots for the presidential election.

Voting this year has proven to look like no other, as many people opted to mail in their ballot to avoid gathering in person during the pandemic. Still, centers in Marcy-Holmes and Cedar-Riverside saw a steady trickle of early morning voting.

Brian Coyle Center

Adam Hajimumin, 36, was one of the first people in line at the Brian Coyle Center. Though he didn’t doubt the security of mailing in his ballot, coming to the center was more about convenience.

“I know what’s at stake today, that’s why I’m here,” Hajimumin said. For the father of three children, the pandemic loomed large in his mind.

“I want a real plan for this to be stopped. I want our small business[es] to come back, to be reopened, our country too, but in a safe way,” he said. Hajimumin said he has been looking for work, and previously picked up driving for Uber.

Zak Hassan, 39, came early to vote because he thought there would be long lines. His main concern was the pandemic’s impact on the economy, and he planned to vote for former vice president Joe Biden.

“He can get control of the virus, unlike Trump people. They just give up, saying ‘we can’t control this thing,’” Hassan said.

While voters moved in and out of the community center, Mike Christenson spotted two people without masks and walked over to give them a pair. For multiple elections, Christenson said he has showed up as a poll watcher to make sure people “feel supported and safe.”

“We’re bringing masks, water, snacks if they need it. I’m always here at Cedar-Riverside,” Christenson, who works at the neighborhood’s opportunity center.

Concerns about potential voter intimidation have shadowed Minnesota’s presidential election, after President Donald Trump and other groups encouraged citizens to watch their local polls for election fraud.

In response to the heightened tensions, three volunteers with the Nonviolent Peaceforce were at the polling center to keep watch for voter intimidation and to help with de-escalation should conflict arise.

The St. Paul-based, nonpartisan organization usually works in conflict zones outside the U.S., but has been increasing de-escalation training since the police killing of George Floyd, said Claire Guinta, the external relations manager. Guinta said the organization has 250 volunteers in bright orange vests out at the polls today.

“The goal is there is no violence, so we want to have a boring day,” Gunta said.

A private security worker stood at the entrance of the Brian Coyle Center, but declined to comment except to say they were hired by the state for security, and that their company usually works at Vikings football games.

The U.S. The Department of Justice announced earlier this week that federal officials would be sent to monitor for election law violations in Minneapolis, the Star Tribune reported.

Marcy Open Elementary School

The elementary school saw about 30 people waiting in line during the morning. Fourth-year University student, Elizabeth Schmitgen, was among them.

Schmitgen, 21, said she’s “not interested” in another Trump presidency. As an aspiring clinical child psychologist, Schmitgen wanted to see universal preschool, as well as social welfare and healthcare reform.

As for why she decided to vote in person: “I’m not looking for any excuses for why my vote could not count.” Schmitgen was concerned that if Biden wins, some Republicans would argue that mailed-in votes are illegitimate.

Joseph Miller, 31, a bank worker, cited similar worries when he showed up to vote. As a Biden voter, Miller was concerned that since more Trump voters were likely to show up on Election Day, the president would try to announce his win based on in-person voting alone.

“If we don’t elect Joe Biden today, that’s like bringing us more steps toward authoritarianism than we currently have been in the past,” Miller said.

While Miller called Trump “pretty awful by politician standards,” Biden, in contrast, is a candidate that fits the typical liberal mold.

“He’s like a generic candidate, he’s not really breaking any barriers in terms of policy, but that’s fine,” he said.

Joan Eldeard, 46, said she’s personally felt the impact of COVID-19 closures. As a person with autism, she regularly attended a day program that has been closed during the pandemic and may not reopen. “That’s basically my offline community – just gone,” she said.

To Eldeard, these consequences of the pandemic were preventable, had the Trump administration been prepared.

“Every 100 years there’s some kind of major pandemic, so it’s not like nobody knew this was going to happen,” Eldeard said.

The University-area has historically been a Democratic stronghold. In the state Democratic primary election, voters at the Marcy Open School and Brian Coyle Center polls overwhelmingly voted for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders while Biden won the state. Since the senator dropped out of the presidential race, students have begrudgingly expressed they would turn to Biden instead, or even seek alternatives in third-party candidates.

Lydia Morrell and Katelyn Vue contributed to this report.