The 2021 Elections Will Be Important For Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The 2020 elections are over, and the congressional midterms aren't for another two years. But officials will soon gear up for the elections that will be held in Minneapolis next year.

In 2020 — on top of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — the death of George Floyd sparked massive protests, civil unrest, and a renewed movement among activists and local lawmakers to "dismantle" or "defund" the Minneapolis Police Department. Police conduct and public safety in general will no doubt be among the major issues discussed during the local 2021 elections, when Mayor Jacob Frey and the entire Minneapolis City Council will be up for reelection.

Residents may use the election as a way to penalize — or reward — the incumbents who oversaw a tumultuous and politically-charged 2020 in the city.

Push to "dismantle" the police

Following Floyd's death — and despite opposition from Mayor Jacob Frey — council members unanimously passed a charter amendment in June that would remove and replace the police force with something different.

That amendment was stalled, however, by the Minneapolis Charter Commission. In August, the commission — which acts as a sort of constitutional convention — moved to take 90 more days to review the charter amendment, meaning it could not be on the November ballot as many activists had hoped.

Civil unrest

As mayor, Frey will face questions over how he handled the violent protests that damaged or completely leveled hundreds of buildings throughout the city, including the Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct building.

At the direction of Frey, Minneapolis police abandoned the building on the night of May 28 as protests surrounded it, starting fires and vandalizing the precinct. Frey was criticized for that decision, and the amount of time it took him to call on the governor and Minnesota National Guard for help.

Response to rising crime

On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 in favor of contracting the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department and Metro Transit authorities to assist the Minneapolis Police Department in city law enforcement.

The agreement will cost the city just under $500,000. The measure seeks to reverse the effects of Minneapolis officers retiring or going on leave as the city faces a spike in violent crime.

Here are the Minnesota election dates for 2021:

• March 9: Township elections
• August 10: Primary Election Day
• Nov. 2: General Election Day