Election Education 2021

Charter Amendment Community Forum

Saturday October 16th, 10-11:30 AM (Plus outdoor tabling by organizations after the forum!)

Mayflower Church, 106 E Diamond Lake Road

Want to better understand the arguments on both sides of each amendment? Read our single page handout here!

On November 2nd, Minneapolis votes on three charter amendments that will determine the future of public safety, rent control, and the structure of our local government. Learn about all 3 City Charter Amendments from groups advocating on each side of each amendment at a public forum occurring on Saturday October 16th from 10am-11:30am at Mayflower Church (106 E Diamond Lake Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55419) or streaming live.

Register to attend in-person or to get the livestream link. PLEASE NOTE: to attend the event you must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination status!

Questions about the amendments? You can also submit questions at the link above through October 4th! Or you can join the organizations outside after the forum at a Meet & Greet (weather permitting).

If attending in person, masks are required and vaccination strongly recommended for those eligible. We will be limiting capacity to maintain safe distancing. If COVID19 conditions do not allow for a safe event, we will remove the in person audience and only offer virtual viewing.

At this public forum, the Charter Education Team, a partnership of Southwest Minneapolis Neighborhood Organizations, is hosting six speaker advocates in favor of and opposed to each charter amendment. Each will give a short speech, will make their case, and will help you decide which way to vote. The speakers include:

JaNae Bates from Yes 4 Minneapolis (Stance: For Department of Public Safety), a coalition of residents, neighbors, businesses, organizations, faith communities, and families across the city who are seeking to create a safe Minneapolis and to change the Minneapolis charter to create a Department of Public Safety.
Sondra Samuels with MPLS Together (Stance: Against Department of Public Safety),Â a nonpartisan alliance of Minneapolis residents, organizations, and businesses concerned that the city’s current path to change is reckless and divisive. Only when we see and hear each other as neighbors will we find common ground, and Minneapolis can become a place where all may prosper.
Walter Rockenstein from Charter for Change (Stance: For Change in Government Structure), an organization of Minneapolis residents, organizations and businesses, affiliated with Minneapolis Together who are advocating for a change in Minneapolis government structure as to make it more efficient and equitable.
David Fey from ISAIAH/Faith in Minnesota (Stance: Against Change in Government Structure), a faith-based coalition of communities who are fighting for racial and economic justice in Minnesota.
Qannani Omar from Minneapolis United for Rent Control (MURC) (Stance: For Rent Stabilization Policies), an organization that is advocating for a strong rent control policy, free from corporate loopholes, covering all renters, and tying rent increases to the cost of living.
Cecil Smith from Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MHA) (Stance: Against Rent Stabilization Policies), a coalition of the state’s largest apartment management companies, developers, common interest communities, and providers of related products and services (managers of properties) who are supporting the multi-housing industry.

Come Prepared!

Learn more about the proposed amendments and how they will alter the Charter, if passed here, in a presentation by Minneapolis City Clerk Casey Carl at the September KFNA Board meeting. You can also view the slide deck of the presentation with Casey’s notes on it here: 2021 Ballot Questions Presentation_Kingfield.

For more information on the finalized ballot language, visit https://vote.minneapolismn.gov/voters/ballot/