Minnesota voters have decided on 218 ballot measures since statehood
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Minnesota ballot measures dating back to 1857, the year Minnesota voters ratified the state constitution and the year before Minnesota was admitted to the union. Between 1857 and 2025, Minnesota voters decided on 218 ballot measures. Of those, 123 were approved, and 95 were defeated.
The Minnesota State Legislature has placed 217 legislatively referred constitutional amendments on the state ballot. The remaining measure, to ratify the state constitution in 1857, was referred to the ballot by the Minnesota constitutional convention.
The inventory of Minnesota statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.
Explore the topics below for detailed information:
This section provides a table to search Minnesota historical ballot measures by decade and keyword.
This section summarizes notable topics voters have decided on.
This section highlights measures with the closest and widest margins, as well as the breakdown by topic, decade, and type.
This section describes the process of placing a statewide measure on the ballot.
Historic Ballot Measure Lookup Tool
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Extend the dedication of lottery-derived revenue to Environment and Natural Resources Fund for 25 years | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Create an independent board that sets the pay of legislators | Approved |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Define marriage as between one man and one woman | Defeated |
| 2012 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require voters to present a valid photo ID when voting in person | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Enact an increase of three-eighths of one percent in the sales and use tax in order to provide revenue to protect the natural resources of the state and to preserve Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage | Approved |
| 2006 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Dedicate 63.75% of the revenue from taxes imposed by the state on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle for transportation purposes, such as highways and public transit assistance | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Extend the use of proceeds from the state lottery for the environmental trust fund through the year 2025 | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Abolish the office of state treasurer; repeal the powers, responsibilities, and duties of the state treasurer; and requiring a study of the issue of transferring those powers, responsibilities, and duties | Approved |
| 1998 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and take game | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide for a recall process for elected officials | Approved |
| 1996 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize a bonus in compensation for Persian Gulf War veterans | Approved |
| 1994 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize off-track wagering on horse racing in a manner prescribed by the state legislature | Defeated |
| 1990 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Dedicate 40% of the state lottery proceeds to the environment and natural resources fund until the year 2001 | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish the Minnesota Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund for environmental, natural resources and wildlife purposes | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Permit the state legislature to authorize the creation of a state lottery | Approved |
| 1988 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the use of juries of fewer than 12 members in civil and non-felony cases | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the exchange of state-owned lands for other lands owned by state or local governments | Approved |
| 1984 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove restrictions on the investment of the permanent school fund and to allow the limits on the investment of the fund and the apportionment of the returns on the investment to school districts to be set by law | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the creation of a court of appeals | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove restrictions on the interest rate for and the amount of trunk highway bonds | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Permit the state legislature to authorize on-track pari-mutuel betting on horse racing | Approved |
| 1982 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Provide state bonding authority for the improvement and rehabilitation of railroad facilities | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require campaign spending limits for executive and legislative offices and public disclosure of campaign spending for all state candidates | Approved |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove restrictions on the interest rate for and the amount of highway bonds | Defeated |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Require state senate approval for notaries public | Defeated |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Establish a bipartisan reapportionment commission | Defeated |
| 1980 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Establish the initiative and referendum process in the state | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Permit proceeds from increases in motor fuel taxes to be placed in the general fund and remove restrictions on interest rate for and amount of highway bonds | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Revise and amend the state constitution to improve its clarity and remove obsolete and inconsequential provisions | Approved |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Lower the vote requirement for constitutional amendments to be 55% of voters voting on the issue or a majority of those voting in the election | Defeated |
| 1974 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the state legislature to establish the rate and method of taxing railroads | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Alter the manner of determining the length of legislative sessions, permitting variations in the times for meetings of the legislature | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Reorganize the state judicial system, provide for appointment of clerks of district court, and authorize discipline and removal of judges | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Provide for the joint election of the governor and lieutenant governor, and remove the lieutenant governor as the presiding officer of the senate | Approved |
| 1972 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Levy taxes for the purpose of providing bonuses to veterans of the Vietnam War | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Reduce voting age requirement from 21 to 19 years and provide an age requirement of 21 years to hold public office | Approved |
| 1970 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the legislature to define or limit categories of tax-exempt property | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the state legislature to present bills to the governor within three days after the legislature adjourns, and allow the governor 14 days to sign or veto such bills | Approved |
| 1968 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow legislators to assume another elective or appointive office upon resignation from the legislature | Approved |
| 1966 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow legislators to seek election to other offices and to provide resignation procedures for them | Defeated |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Prevent the amendment or repeal of taconite tax policies for 25 years, and authorize the legislature to impose limitations for up to 25 years on the taxation of copper and nickel mining | Approved |
| 1964 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove obsolete language from the state constitution related to the apportionment and compensation of members of the legislature; the requirement of a state census; the appointment of a state librarian; the election of members of the U.S. Senate; and women's suffrage | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Consolidate the swamp land fund and the permanent school fund, and establish distribution requirements and investment restrictions | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the state to contract long- and short-term debts for public improvements upon approval of 3/5 of both houses of the state legislature | Approved |
| 1962 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Loosen the restrictions on the length of legislative sessions by increasing the number of days in the session from 90 to 120 | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Extend the legislative session by 30 days; restrict the time during which bills can be introduced; and set qualifications for legislators running for other elective offices | Defeated |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow an extra legislative session for reapportionment if reapportionment is not completed during the regular session | Defeated |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for the succession procedures to the office of governor | Approved |
| 1960 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow the state legislature to prescribe, by law, the place where a person who has moved from a precinct within 30 days preceding an election may vote, and eliminate obsolete provisions related to the voting rights of Native Americans | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to revise and consolidate provisions relating to local government, home rule and special laws | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provide for four-year terms for state constitutional officers to take effect for terms, beginning in 1963 | Approved |
| 1958 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Permit members of the legislature to hold certain elective and nonelective state offices, such as notary public and postmaster | Defeated |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to reorganize the power and structure of the judiciary | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the consolidation of present trunk highway articles and sections; increase state aid and supervision of public highways; permit tax of motor vehicles and fuel; and apportion funds for highway purposes to state and local highways | Approved |
| 1956 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the state legislature to divert 50% of the occupation mining tax proceeds earmarked for education from permanent trust funds to current educational needs | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require a 60% popular vote before a new state constitution could be ratified, and allow members of the legislature to serve in a constitutional convention | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Permit gubernatorial appointments in cases of vacancies in certain offices to run until the end of term, or January 1, whichever is sooner, in order to eliminate the need for elections to short terms | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Permit the state legislature to extend probate jurisdiction by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote | Approved |
| 1954 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the legislature to limit the liability of stockholders of state banks | Approved |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require a board of commissioners to approve loans or investment of bonds to municipalities from the permanent school, permanent university, and swamp land funds | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require a 60% popular majority vote to ratify a new state constitution | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Clarify that only citizens of the United States and those who had been residents of their district for 30 days were eligible to vote | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the state legislature to extend probate jurisdiction by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote | Defeated |
| 1952 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Provide for a 65-10-25 percent apportionment of an excise tax on motor vehicles to the Trunk Highway Fund, municipalities and counties, respectively | Defeated |
| 1950 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize forestry management funds by diverting 25% of proceeds from the public land trust fund | Defeated |
| 1950 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize a diversion of 1% of the proceeds of the occupation mining tax to the veterans' compensation fund | Approved |
| 1950 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize a 50-44-6 percent apportionment of the excise tax on petroleum products to the Trunk Highway Fund, Road and Bridge Fund and to cities with populations of 100,000 or more for their road and street needs, respectively | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide for a 50-50 apportionment of an excise tax on petroleum products between the Trunk Highway Fund and the Bridge Fund | Defeated |
| 1948 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the submission of two or more amendments without requiring voters to vote for or against each separately | Defeated |
| 1948 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the state legislature to call a constitutional convention with a two-thirds majority, without submitting the question to the voters | Defeated |
| 1948 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the state to pay an adjusted compensation to veterans serving in the armed forces from 1940 to 1946 and levy taxes to acquire those funds | Approved |
| 1944 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Permit the state to construct and maintain air navigation facilities, levy an excise tax on fuel for aircrafts, and levy taxes for aircrafts | Approved |
| 1942 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Reduce the rate of interest that the state's permanent trust funds may be loaned to, or invested in the bonds of any county or municipality in the state from 3% per year to 2% per year, and reduce the minimum term for such loans and investments from five years to one year | Approved |
| 1942 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require publication of amendments to home rule charters once each week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the municipality where the amendment is proposed | Approved |
| 1940 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require publication of amendments to home rule charters once each week for four successive weeks in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the city or village where the amendment is proposed | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to exchange state public land for federal land, with approval from a committee consisting of the governor, attorney general, and state auditor | Approved |
| 1938 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Change requirements for publication of proposed amendments to city and village charters | Defeated |
| 1936 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state legislature to exchange state public lands, including those held in trust for any purpose, for federal lands | Defeated |
| 1936 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Exempt personal property from state taxes | Defeated |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Define "academies, colleges, universities and seminaries of learning" to mean, for tax purposes, property actually used in instruction and housing of students | Defeated |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the state legislature to add new routes to the trunk highway system | Defeated |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for the taxation of lands acquired through the rural credit system | Defeated |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Exempt all household goods and farm machinery and equipment from taxation | Approved |
| 1934 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for the exchange state public lands for federal lands | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the taxation of the income of railroad companies, and make the taxation of national banking associations conform to federal law | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for the taxation of motor vehicles of companies paying taxes under the gross earnings taxation system | Approved |
| 1932 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the state legislature to exchange state public lands for federal lands | Defeated |
| 1932 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the state legislature to provide for the taxation of lands acquired through the rural credit system | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Provide two elective associate supreme court justices to replace the appointed court commissioners | Approved |
| 1930 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the state legislature to exchange state public lands for federal lands | Defeated |
| 1930 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the legislature to limit the liability of stockholders in corporations | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1928 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allocate two-thirds of the revenue generated by the motor fuel tax in the trunk highway fund and one-third of the revenue in the bridge fund | Approved |
| 1928 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the legislature to limit the liability of stockholders in corporations | Defeated |
| 1926 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Fix the number of justices on the state supreme court to one chief justice and six associate justices | Defeated |
| 1926 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the enactment of laws promoting forestation and reforestation of public and private lands | Approved |
| 1926 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the legislature to limit the liability of stockholders in corporations | Defeated |
| 1924 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Place revenue generated by excise taxes on motor fuels in the trunk highway fund | Approved |
| 1924 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Changed the requirements for publication of proposed amendments to city and village charters | Defeated |
| 1924 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Establish state-owned and operated public terminal grain elevators, and provide for the acquisition of sites and facilities for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the grain elevators | Defeated |
| 1924 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the enactment of laws promoting forestation and reforestation of public and private lands, including irrepealable provisions for a forest land tax and a yield tax on timber products | Defeated |
| 1924 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize state expenditures to prevent forest fires, including compulsory taxation, clearing and improvement of public and private wild lands | Approved |
| 1922 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish a state rural credit system to aid agricultural development | Approved |
| 1922 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Place an occupational and severance tax on the mining of iron and other ores and apportioning the revenue to different funds | Approved |
| 1920 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish a state trunk highway system to be constructed, improved and maintained by the state | Approved |
| 1920 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Extend the terms of probate judges to four years | Approved |
| 1920 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize a gradual income tax and establish property tax exemptions for certain agricultural products and communities | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit the sale, manufacture, transportation and possession of alcohol, except for sacramental, medicinal, mechanical or scientific purposes | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Create a state fund to clear and improve unsold school and swamp lands | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow money in the permanent school and university fund to be invested in first mortgage loans on improved and cultivated state farm lands | Approved |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the state legislature to pass laws that regulate mining under public waters | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Increase the number of associate justices on the state supreme court from four to six | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow the governor to veto portions of appropriation bills | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the state to take private property, with just compensation, to establish public drainage systems | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Establishes the initiative and referendum process in the state | Defeated |
| 1916 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Increase the term length of probate judges to four years | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 10 | Allow the legislature to pay an annual $2.50 per acre to people who use their land to cultivate and protect useful trees | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 11 | Allow the state legislature to set apart certain public lands as state forests | Approved |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establishes the initiative and referendum process in the state | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Increase the number of associate judges on the supreme court from four to six | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Create a state fund for the construction of roads, fire breaks, and ditches in unsold school and swamp lands | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Repeal the requirement that the state treasurer publish an annual report in a St. Paul newspaper | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow money in the permanent school and university fund to be invested in first mortgage loans on improved and cultivated state farm lands | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Extend the terms of probate judges to four years | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Make a number of changes to the state's legislative structure | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 8 | Create a recall process for all public officers in the state | Defeated |
| 1914 | LRCA | Amendment 9 | Allow the state legislature to tax dogs based on factors other than their monetary value | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Issue a new property tax totaling no more than $100 per $100,000 in assessed property to fund the construction and repair of roads and bridges | Approved |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the state auditor to create an insurance fund for hail damage to crops, and to issue an optional acreage tax on lands to be insured against hail and wind damage | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow money in the permanent school and university fund to be invested in first mortgage loans | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow municipalities to create their own city charters | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Authorize the legislature to establish educational requirements for county superintendents of schools | Defeated |
| 1912 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Make changes to the state's legislative structure and require the state senate be comprised of 63 members | Defeated |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require that money accrued from investments in the internal improvement land fund be placed in a state road and bridge fund to fund the construction and improvement of public highways and bridges | Approved |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Repeal the requirement that the state treasurer publish an annual report in a St. Paul newspaper and the requirement that the biennial session laws be published | Defeated |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the state auditor to create an insurance fund for hail damage to crops, and to issue an optional tax on lands to be insured against hail and wind damage | Defeated |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Require a state census in 1915 and every 10 years after that, and allow the state legislature to redraw the congressional and state legislative districts in the legislative session following a state or federal census | Defeated |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow the state legislature to create a property tax to fund the purchase of lands for forestry | Defeated |
| 1910 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the state legislature to create a property tax exemption to would encourage the planting and protection of useful trees | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Create a property tax exemption for church property used for religious purposes | Defeated |
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require that money accrued from investments in the internal improvement land fund be placed in a state road and bridge fund to fund the construction and improvement of public highways and bridges | Defeated |
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow the state auditor to create an insurance fund for hail damage to crops, and to issue an optional tax on lands to be insured against hail and wind damage | Defeated |
| 1908 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Allow the state legislature to mandate educational and professional requirements for county superintendents | Defeated |
| 1906 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Consolidate, and thus simplify, portions of the state constitution that govern taxation | Approved |
| 1906 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require that money accrued from investments in the internal improvement land fund be placed in a state road and bridge fund to fund the construction and improvement of public highways and bridges | Approved |
| 1906 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Creates a state constitutional right to sell produce from one’s garden or farm without a license | Approved |
| 1904 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the debt limit of municipalities borrowing school and university funds to up to 15% of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, city or school district | Approved |
| 1904 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Abolish the requirement for a grand jury in criminal prosecutions | Approved |
| 1902 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Amend the state constitution relating to taxation, including permitting the taxation of income and explicitly protecting the right of the legislature to issue taxes in the state | Defeated |
| 1902 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Increase the limit on the state road and bridge tax from 1/20 of one mill to 1/10 of one mill on all taxable property | Defeated |
| 1902 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Increase the debt limit of municipalities borrowing school and university funds | Defeated |
| 1900 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the debt limit of municipalities borrowing school and university funds to up to 15% of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, city, or school district | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1898 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allows women to vote for and serve on school and library boards | Approved |
| 1898 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require constitutional amendments to be approved by a simple majority of all votes cast at the election | Approved |
| 1898 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Make a number of changes to how cities and villages can institute home rule | Approved |
| 1898 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Create a state road and bridge fund, allow the legislature to create a state highway commission, and permit the legislature to levy a property tax to fund the construction and improvement of roads | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Transfer the pardoning power from the governor to a board of pardons comprising of the governor, the attorney general, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove the ability to vote for noncitizens who had declared intent to become citizens and change residency requirements | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Add a section to the state constitution that would allow cities and villages to frame their own charters | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Require that any individual whose private property is taken or damaged for public use be justly compensated | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Allow the investment of the state school and university fund into the purchase of local government bonds | Approved |
| 1896 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Allow the state legislature to levy a property tax on a number of corporations that do business in the state | Approved |
| 1894 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow the state legislature to levy a tax, up to 5%, on inheritances, legacies, and gifts | Approved |
| 1892 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Prohibit the state legislature from enacting a special law when a general law would apply, and allow the legislature to repeal an existing law but not expand or amend one | Approved |
| 1892 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow the state legislature to levy a property tax on a number of corporations that do business in the state | Defeated |
| 1890 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow for a verdict in a civil trial if five out of six jurors agree in less than six hours of deliberation | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1888 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Declare that monopolizing markets for food products in the state, or interfering with or restricting those markets, constitutes a criminal conspiracy | Approved |
| 1888 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Allow property to be liable to seizure or sale for the repayment of debts if that debt was incurred for the construction or improvement of that same property | Approved |
| 1888 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Extend the maximum length of regular legislative sessions from 60 days to 90 days, and prohibit new bills from being introduced within the last 20 days of a session | Approved |
| 1886 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Allow money in the state school fund to be used as loans for counties and school districts, with a 5% interest rate | Approved |
| 1883 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Increase the term of the state auditor from three years to four years | Approved |
| 1883 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Require that the official year for the state would begin on the first Monday in January and mandate that even-numbered biennial elections begin in 1884 | Approved |
| 1883 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Set the term length of Supreme Court justices to four years instead of three | Approved |
| 1883 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Set the term of Supreme Court justices at six years instead of seven | Approved |
| 1883 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Set the term length of district judges to six years instead of seven | Approved |
| 1881 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize a levy on all lands fronting any water main or water pipe by the linear foot | Approved |
| 1881 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Remove time limitations on legislative session length | Defeated |
| 1881 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Limit compensation for legislators to $5 per day, not to exceed $450 for each regular session, or not to exceed $200 for each special session | Defeated |
| 1881 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Prohibit special legislation on a variety of specific subjects such as altering highways, changing county seats or incorporating any town or village | Approved |
| 1881 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Permit the sale of swamp lands and for the appropriation of proceeds from said sale | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Restrict the issuance of county, town and municipal bonds to aid railroads to 5% or less of the value of taxable property within the county, town or municipal area. | Approved |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish biennial legislative sessions and also limited session length to sixty days | Approved |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Extend terms of office for representatives to two years and senators to four years | Approved |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Establish a state canvassing board comprised of two district and Supreme Court judges to report elections returns of congressional candidates to the secretary of state | Approved |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Provides for women's suffrage in local option elections | Defeated |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 5 | Establish single liability for stockholders of all corporations except for banks | Defeated |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 6 | Authorize the sale of internal improvement lands to pay railroad bonds with the proceeds | Defeated |
| 1877 | LRCA | Amendment 7 | Prohibit state school funds from being used to support sectarian schools | Approved |
| 1876 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the governor to veto items of appropriation bills, while still approving the rest of the bill | Approved |
| 1876 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Establish single liability for stockholders in all corporations except banks | Defeated |
| 1876 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Allow district judges to sit on the supreme court bench and assume all powers of the position when a supreme court judge is disqualified | Approved |
| 1875 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish judicial districts within the state and at least one judge in each district | Approved |
| 1875 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Provides for women's suffrage in matters relating to school affairs | Approved |
| 1875 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the legislature to enact laws for the safe investment of the school funds | Approved |
| 1875 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Establish single liability for stockholders of ordinary business corporations | Defeated |
| 1873 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Established biennial sessions and legislative session length | Defeated |
| 1873 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Extend the terms of representatives to two years and terms of senators to four years | Defeated |
| 1873 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Establish a state canvassing board consisting of judges from the Supreme Court and district court to report Congressional election returns to the secretary of state | Defeated |
| 1873 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the legislature to pass laws for the safekeeping, transfer and disbursement of state and school funds | Approved |
| 1872 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize state loans for constructing an asylum facility for the insane, deaf, dumb and blind, as well as a state prison | Approved |
| 1872 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Exempt stockholders in manufacturing or mechanical businesses from double liability | Approved |
| 1872 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Restrict the issuance of county, town, and municipal bonds to aid railroads | Approved |
| 1872 | LRCA | Amendment 4 | Authorize the sale of internal improvement lands as well as for the proceeds from the sale to be invested in state or federal bonds | Approved |
| 1871 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Require any changes to railroad gross earnings tax laws to be submitted to the public for popular approval | Approved |
| 1871 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize state loans for constructing an asylum facility for the insane, deaf, dumb and blind, as well as a state prison | Defeated |
| 1870 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Exempt railroad stockholders from double liability | Defeated |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1869 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Abolish the county of Manomin | Approved |
| 1869 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize municipal corporations to levy assessments for local improvements upon property | Approved |
| 1868 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establishe voter eligibility criteria, granting eligibility to all males over the age of 21 who were born in the United States, foreign persons who declare their intentions to become citizens, persons of mixed white and Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization, and persons of Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization and have passed an examination that pronounced them capable of voting | Approved |
| 1868 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | To protect persons from double jeopardy as well as from being compelled to be a witness against himself. The measure also set forth guidelines for bail and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. | Defeated |
| 1868 | LRCA | Amendment 3 | Authorize the sale of 500,000 acres of internal improvement lands and the investment of proceeds from the sale in state or national securities | Defeated |
| 1867 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish voter eligibility criteria, granting eligibility to all males over the age of 21 who were born in the United States, foreign persons who declare their intentions to become citizens, persons of mixed white and Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization, and persons of Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization and have passed an examination that pronounced them capable of voting | Defeated |
| 1867 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Authorize the state legislature to impose taxes on shares of banking institutions | Defeated |
| 1865 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Establish voter eligibility criteria, granting eligibility to all males over the age of 21 who were born in the United States, foreign persons who declare their intentions to become citizens, persons of mixed white and Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization, and persons of Indian blood who have adopted the customs of civilization and have passed an examination that pronounced them capable of voting | Defeated |
| 1860 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Repeal 1858 amendment authorizing the issuance of bonds for railroads and authorize the state legislature to tax | Approved |
| 1860 | LRCA | Limit Legislative Sessions to Sixty Days Amendment | Limit annual legislative sessions to 60 days | Approved |
| Year | Type | Title | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1858 | LRCA | Amendment 1 | Authorize the state to issue bonds for railroad construction with an aggregate limit of $5 million in bonds | Approved |
| 1858 | LRCA | Amendment 2 | Establish the state government by authorizing the election of state executive officers | Approved |
| 1857 | CCRCA | State Constitution Ratification Measure | Approve the proposed state constitution | Approved |
Analysis
Ballotpedia completed an inventory of Minnesota ballot measures from 1857 to 2025. Minnesota voters have decided on 218 ballot measures. Two hundred and seventeen (217) were legislatively referred constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by the Minnesota State Legislature. The remaining measure was a constitution ratification measure referred to the ballot by the state constitutional convention. In total, 123 measures were approved (56.4%), and 95 were defeated (43.6%).
The inventory of Minnesota statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life.
Notable topics
Notable topics appearing on the Minnesota ballot include women's suffrage, same-sex marriage, the initiative and referendum process, redistricting, prohibition of alcohol, and supermajority requirements for ballot measures, among others:
- Minnesota voters have decided on three constitutional amendments to grant women suffrage in select state and local elections:
- In 1875, voters approved an amendment allowing women to vote in matters relating to school affairs and allowing women to hold offices pertaining solely to school management.
- In 1877, voters defeated an amendment which would have allowed women to vote in local option elections.
- In 1898, voters approved an amendment allowing women to vote for and serve on school and library boards.
- In 1888, voters approved a constitutional amendment declaring that monopolizing markets for food products in the state, or interfering with or restricting those markets, constitutes a criminal conspiracy subject to penalties established by the legislature.
- In 1896, voters approved a measure to add a section to the state constitution that allowed cities and villages to frame their own home rule charters.
- In 1896, voters approved a constitutional amendment that removed the ability to vote for noncitizens who had declared intent to become citizens and resided in the United States for at least one year.
- In 1898, voters approved Amendment 2, which changed the vote requirement for amending the state constitution. Beginning in 1900, ratifying an amendment required a 'Yes' vote from a simple majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election, rather than a simple majority of those voting on the question. In 1974, the state legislature placed a measure on the ballot to lower the vote requirement to 55% of voters voting on the issue or a majority of those voting in the election. The amendment was defeated; while 57.4% of those voting on the measure voted yes on the amendment, only 49.3% of those voting in the election voted yes.
- The Minnesota state legislature has placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would establish an initiative and referendum process in the state three times (1914, 1916, and 1980). All three amendments gathered more yes votes than no votes, but none of them gathered approval from the majority of all individuals voting in the election. As such, none of the amendments were ratified, and Minnesota remains one of 24 states without an initiative and referendum process.
- Two ballot measures to allow for the recall of public officers have been on the ballot in Minnesota. Amendment 8, in 1914, would have allowed for the recall of any public official, elected or appointed. The measure was defeated. Amendment 1, in 1996, allowed for the recall of only specific elected public officials. The measure was approved.
- In 1918, voters defeated a constitutional amendment that would have prohibited the sale, manufacture, transportation, and possession of alcohol, except for sacramental, medicinal, mechanical, or scientific purposes.
- Voters defeated Amendment 2 in 1948; the measure would have permitted the state legislature to, under certain circumstances, bypass the state's separate vote requirement when amending the state constitution.
- In 1974, the state legislature placed a measure on the ballot that would lower the vote requirement for constitutional amendments to be 55% of voters voting on the issue or a majority of those voting in the election. The amendment was defeated. While 57.4% of those voting on the measure voted yes on the amendment, only 49.3% of those voting in the election voted yes.
- In 1980, Minnesota voters rejected Amendment 4, which would have created a bipartisan commission with the authority to redraw legislative and congressional districts. The commission would have been bipartisan in that its members would have been appointed by members of the state legislature from different political parties.
- Voters approved an amendment in 1998 to provide for a state constitutional right to hunt, fish, and take game. Minnesota became the second state in the country to implement a constitutional right to hunt and fish by ballot measure.
- In 2012, Minnesota voters decided on Amendment 1, a measure that would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman. Voters defeated the amendment, with 51.9% voting no.
Statistics
Closest and widest margins
Of the 218 ballot measures, three were decided by less than a percentage point of the vote. The top five closest measures are below:
| Closest vote margins for Minnesota statewide ballot measures, 1857-2025 | |||||||
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The following five measures had the widest vote margins by percentage:
| Widest vote margins for Minnesota statewide ballot measures, 1857-2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure | Year | Yes votes | No votes | Vote margin | Outcome | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
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Minnesota ballot measure topics
Minnesota ballot measures have addressed 88 unique topics with some addressing multiple topics in one measure. The top 10 most common topics addressed are:
- State legislative authority (20 measures)
- Public education funding (18 measures)
- Highways and bridges (18 measures)
- Property taxes (18 measures)
- State legislative processes and sessions (13 measures)
- Business regulations (13 measures)
- Higher education funding (12 measures)
- Public land policy (12 measures)
- Public economic investment policy (11 measures)
- State judiciary structure (10 measures)
By the decade
The average number of ballot measures per decade was 12, with an average approval rate of 65.5%.
- The 1910s had the most ballot measures, with 32 in total.
- The 1910s also had the lowest approval rate at 15.6%. Voters approved five ballot measures and defeated 27 (84.4%).
- The 1850s, 2000s, and 2020s had the highest approval rates, at 100%.
By type
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Minnesota
The state constitution allows for two different types of ballot measures in Minnesota: legislatively referred constitutional amendments and constitutional convention questions. However, only legislatively referred constitutional amendments have been on the ballot between 1858 and 2025.
Additionally, Minnesota voters decided a ballot measure in 1857 to ratify the state constitution. This is referred to as a constitutional ratification measure.
Effects of Amendment 2 (1898)
Before 1898, constitutional amendments in Minnesota needed only simple majority approval from voters in order to pass. In 1898, voters approved Amendment 2, which changed the requirement for amending the state constitution. Beginning in 1900, ratifying an amendment required a 'Yes' vote from a simple majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election, rather than a simple majority of those voting on the question.
The chart below shows the percentage of amendments approved by voters before and after the supermajority requirement was instituted in 1898.
Background
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Minnesota, citizens do not have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, veto referendums, or state statutes.
The Minnesota state legislature has placed a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would establish an initiative and referendum process in the state three times (1914, 1916, and 1980). All three amendments gathered more yes votes than no votes, but none of them gathered approval from the majority of all individuals voting in the election. As such, none of the amendments were ratified, and Minnesota remains one of 24 states without an initiative and referendum process.
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Minnesota State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 68 votes in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 34 votes in the Minnesota State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Ratifying an amendment requires a 'Yes' vote from a simple majority of all voters casting a ballot in the election, rather than a simple majority of those voting on the question.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: State constitutional conventions
According to Section 3 of Article IX of the Minnesota Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber during one legislative session is required to send a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote by the electorate is required to call the convention. Any proposed amendments approved by the convention require a 60% vote of the electorate to be ratified.
