Early vote begins on policing ballot question

Early voting got underway in Minneapolis on Friday morning, a day after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the votes will be counted on a ballot question over whether the city should replace its police department with a new Department of Public Safety.

Supporters of the proposed city charter amendment say it’s the only way to fix an intransigent culture of brutal policing that culminated with the death of George Floyd in police custody. Opponents, including Mayor Jacob Frey, say too many questions about how the new department would work remain unanswered.

Public safety is also expected to figure prominently in the mayor’s race and the 13 City Council races.