Minnesota sets record with over 2.8 million voters
Secretary of State Steve Simon reports that 64% of eligible Minnesotans cast ballots in the 2026 midterms.
By Amit Chukwu ·
More than 2.8 million people voted in Minnesota's 2026 midterm election, setting a new record for the state. According to unofficial numbers from the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon, this figure represents over 64 percent of all eligible voters in the state.
Preliminary estimates from the University of Florida’s Election Lab suggest Minnesota will post the highest voter turnout rate in the nation. These projections differ slightly from the state's current unofficial figures, which are still being updated as ballots are counted.
Election results show Democrats winning control of the state Legislature and every statewide office. Nationwide, Democrats have also secured control of both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.
Republican analyst Preya Samsundar attributed the high participation in the Twin Cities to the federal government's immigration surge last winter. She described the enforcement as having an "excess aggressiveness" that influenced voter behavior.
Samsundar noted that Republicans have worked for 10 to 15 years to build coalitions with Black, Hispanic, Asian, and young voters. She stated that consistent gains with these groups since 2016 were wiped away during the recent election. She linked this reversal directly to the recent immigration enforcement actions.
The high turnout marks a distinct shift in the state's voting patterns compared to previous midterms. The final certified numbers are pending as the Secretary of State's office completes its review of the unofficial data.
