City of Minneapolis News Update: Aug. 6 Election Day reminders, open boards and commissions positions and more

Aug. 6, 2026

This newsletter provides updates on important news and information from the City of Minneapolis and partners. Find updates at minneapolismn.gov/news.

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Aug. 11 is Election Day

Aug. 11 is Election Day in Minneapolis. While many registered voters in Minneapolis have already cast early ballots, thousands of others will be heading to their polling places to vote.

Voting on Election Day

All polling places are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Aug. 11. Anyone in line to vote by 8 p.m. on Election Day will still have the opportunity to vote.

Check your polling place

If you plan to vote on Election Day, check to see where your polling place is.

Sample ballots available online

State law allows voters to bring materials into the polls to help complete their ballots, and the sample ballot is the single, best tool available for this purpose. By downloading and printing your sample ballot (which is specific to your ward and precinct), you can practice marking your ballot. You can bring your marked-up sample ballot as a reference to the voting booth when completing your official ballot.

Find sample ballots for all Minneapolis precincts on our website.

Time off from work to vote

All voters have a right to take time off work to vote without losing pay, personal leave or vacation time. Any employer found in violation of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor. Find more information on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

If you mailed a ballot

If you completed and mailed back your early ballot, check the online ballot tracking tool in the morning of Aug. 11. If the tracking tool shows that your ballot has not yet been accepted, you should look up your polling place and go vote in person.

Voters can vote in person as long as election officials have not yet received and counted their mail ballots. Elections staff at polling places check to see if they’ve received and counted mail ballots from voters who want to vote in person. Voters are given ballots as long as the City has not received and counted mail ballots from them. Any uncounted mail ballots from people who have voted in person will be cancelled and not counted (even if election officials receive it later).

Mail ballot drop-off ends 5 p.m. Aug. 11

Any Minneapolis voter who has a completed mail ballot but has not mailed it yet should not mail it in at this point. Instead, mail ballots can be dropped off 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Election Day at Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services, 980 E. Hennepin Ave., or at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 Sixth St. S.

Completed mail ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places on Election Day.

For more information about registering and voting in Minneapolis, visit our website.

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We’re ready for Election Day

We plan year-round to have a safe, secure election and Election Day.

Our election judges are trained and prepared to handle emergencies that may arise. If you have a concern, ask an election judge for help.

Voter rights

As a voter, you have rights guaranteed by Minnesota state law, including time off from work to vote. Know your voting rights.

How can community help?

We can all support our community around the election, from sharing accurate information to helping others explore their voting options, to giving a neighbor a ride to their polling place. Find ideas on our website and share them with your neighbors.

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City Council confirms Dr. Reginald Freeman to be next Minneapolis Fire Chief

The Minneapolis City Council voted last week to confirm Mayor Jacob Frey’s nomination of Dr. Reginald Freeman as the 19th Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department, the third African American leader to hold this office. 

Freeman will focus on firefighter wellness, recruitment and retention, and continue the modernization of the department to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. 

Freeman’s extensive leadership experience in fire and rescue services, emergency management and public safety is evidenced by his leadership of major departments in Oakland, Calif., and Hartford, Conn., as well as serving in a variety of executive roles across the United States and internationally. Throughout his career, he has focused on advancing organizational excellence, supporting and developing firefighters, strengthening partnerships with the communities served and ensuring departments are prepared to address emerging public safety challenges. 

Freeman replaces former Chief Bryan Tyner, who retired at the end of 2025 after 30 years of service. Melanie Rucker has served as interim chief since Jan. 1, 2026.   

Freeman will be sworn into office in the coming weeks.

Learn more about Dr. Reginald Freeman and the Minneapolis Fire Department on our website.

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Make a difference: Serve on a board or commission, apply Aug. 1-31

Serving on a City board or commission is your chance to directly shape policies that affect daily life, like local property values, housing, land development, historic districts and landmarks, civil rights, zoning and good financial stewardship. Your voice brings fresh perspective and drives transparency in City decisions. Whether you have experience as an attorney, have worked in the field or have an interest in shaping your community, we encourage you to consider an open position.

Most boards meet monthly, and it’s a great way to gain valuable skills, build relationships with community leaders and grow your understanding of local government.

Right now, Minneapolis is accepting applications for several boards.

Ready to get involved? Explore current openings, and apply Aug. 1-31.

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George Floyd Square construction ahead of schedule

Progress is taking shape at George Floyd Square. Crews have finished several major pieces of work, and Phase I construction is now anticipated to wrap up in October, ahead of schedule.

Completed work includes removing overhead power lines, pavement, old streetcar rails and abandoned gas lines, as well as relocating hydrants. Crews have also completed sewer improvements and begun pouring new sidewalks.

This work is helping bring the future vision of the area to life, including accessible pedestrian ramps, trees and green space, stormwater improvements, traffic-calming features, bikeways, lighting and restored transit service.

Connect with the project team

Community members are invited to stop by our new dedicated space at 3736 Chicago Ave. to ask questions, learn about upcoming work and connect with the project team.

• Tuesdays: 8-10 a.m.
• Thursdays: Noon-2 p.m.

Support local businesses

Restaurants, shops and other local businesses remain an important part of the George Floyd Square community. Access to businesses is being maintained throughout construction, and your continued support makes a difference.

Please plan to visit, shop and support local businesses.

Find out more on our website.

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Save the date: Minneapolis Mile of Music is Aug. 19

Get ready for an afternoon of free live music across Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Mile of Music will bring local artists and performers to more than 25 cafés, restaurants, patios and public spaces on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

From jazz and folk to rock, Latin, pop, soul and hip hop, the event will showcase a wide range of music across three areas of the city: Saint Anthony Main, Nicollet Mall and Eat Street.

Save the date:

Minneapolis Mile of Music
4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19
More than 25 venues
All performances are free

The Minneapolis Mile of Music is part of Minneapolis Forward and is funded through our Small Business Resiliency Fund, which supports efforts to bring people back to local businesses and strengthen Minneapolis' arts, culture and entertainment economy.

A full artist lineup, venue map and event schedule will be available soon. Visit the Facebook event for the latest event details.

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City urges community to stay out of restricted areas

Following a recent incident in which a teenager fell 20 stories from a restricted mill building, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Fire Department are reminding the public to avoid abandoned structures, underground tunnels, sewer systems, caves and all restricted areas in and around Minnehaha Falls.

Urban exploring and trespassing continue to be serious concerns in Minneapolis. These locations often contain significant hazards, including unstable or collapsing floors, broken glass, exposed electrical wiring and dangerous substances. Entering these areas can result in individuals becoming trapped, injured or killed, and further endangers firefighters, police officers and rescue personnel who may be called to respond.

We ask the community to help prevent future tragedies:

• Talk with your children about the dangers of entering abandoned or restricted sites.
• Speak up if a friend or family member is considering exploring a dangerous location.
• Call 911 immediately if you see someone entering a hazardous area or live‑streaming from a restricted space.

Public safety is a shared responsibility. Please help us keep Minneapolis safe by staying out of these areas and encouraging others to do the same.

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Fall City Trees sale: Order now

The Minneapolis City Trees program offers low-cost, $30 trees for residents. Trees offer many benefits, including:

• Lower utility bills
• Shade for your property
• Habitat for wildlife
• Increased property values

Visit the City Trees Sale ordering page to order up to three $30 trees.

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Meet this month’s Food Forward cohort

Homegrown Minneapolis’ Food Forward program helps restaurants reduce wasted food, save money and make a lasting impact. The program is kicking off its August cohort with six local restaurants. Meet the August 2026 Food Forward Cohort:

• La Doña Cervecería
• Animales BBQ
• The Lowbrow
• Black Forest Inn
• Hamburguesas el Gordo

These businesses are partnering with Food Forward coaches over the next six weeks to implement smarter, more efficient kitchen strategies and become leaders in saving food, one plate at a time.

Learn more about the Food Forward program.

Food Forward is currently accepting restaurants for its Fall 2026 cohorts. Fill out an interest form on our website and our coaches will reach out to you.

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact City Communications. 

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850.

Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311. 

minneapolismn.gov