Minneapolis voters approve ‘strong mayor,’ rent control; St. Paul voters pass rent ordinance

Voters in Minneapolis narrowly approved two of the three ballot questions they faced on Tuesday.

Question No. 1, which would shift the city’s government to a "strong mayor" structure instead of its current setup, passed 52.41% to 47.59%.

It will give the mayor administrative authority over all departments, like St. Paul’s government structure. Currently, the mayor only has that authority over the police department, and the other departments must report to 14 bosses — the City Council and the mayor.

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Question No. 2, which would’ve replaced the Minneapolis Police Department with a Department of Public Safety, failed 43.83% to 56.17%.

Question No. 3 authorized the Minneapolis City Council to regulate rents on private residential properties. That measure passed, 53.21% to 46.79%.

The council will now be able to either enact a rent control ordinance by itself or refer it back to voters for approval at a future election.

In St. Paul, the ballot question asking voters to directly approve an ordinance to limit rent increases to 3% per year also passed. With all precincts reporting, the "yes" votes led 53% to 47%.