The analysis of Tuesday’s election results up and down the ballot will continue for years. Here are some takeaways from Minnesota, which voted for Democrat Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz:
Strong voter turnout
The Secretary of State’s Office estimates 76% of eligible Minnesota voters cast ballots this year. Secretary of State Steve Simon said Monday that he hoped Minnesota was on track to once again lead the nation in voter turnout, after Maine took that honor in 2022.
Early indications are that Minnesota is competing for the honor with Wisconsin and Colorado this year.
More than 1.2 million Minnesotans cast their ballots before Election Day, nearly double the previous record for a nonpandemic election set in 2016. Four years ago with the pandemic raging, 1.9 million people voted early that year. In that presidential election, 3.2 million Minnesotans voted, a turnout of just under 80%.
Over the previous 12 presidential elections, Minnesota has ranked No. 1 in voter turnout nine times and second three times, losing to Maine on each occasion, according to a report from the New Hampshire secretary of state.
Congressional incumbents won big
All seven Minnesota incumbents in the U.S. House easily won re-election.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar had the widest margin of victory, not surprising given that she represents the deep blue Minneapolis-centered Fifth Congressional District. She defeated GOP challenger Dalia Al-Aqidi with 74% of the vote.
The closest contest was in the competitive Second Congressional District between Rep. Angie Craig and GOP challenger Joe Teirab. The two had a 13% gap with 55% for Craig and 42% for Teirab.