There are ten candidates trying to replace St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, who is not seeking re-election since he's running for governor next year. This is the first year of ranked choice voting in St. Paul. If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote on Election Night, St. Paul will wait until Thursday to start tabulating result.

ST. PAUL RESULTS PROCESS: Election results will be reported on the Ramsey County Elections website as the vote totals are reported from each precinct on Election Night. This process will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. and will continue until results from all precincts have been reported. The results for mayor will include votes cast for all six choices.

The results from mail, in-person absentee and early voting will be added to the vote totals as these results are compiled on Election Night. This process will likely take place at approximately 9 p.m.

The first choice results for mayor will also be reported on the Secretary of State’s website at http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us.

Saint Paul public schools and suburban city and school district offices and questions from Ramsey County will also be reported on the Secretary of State’s website as the results from each precinct are reported. This process should begin at approximately 8:30 p.m.

People without online access can call 651-266-2171 from 8 p.m. until the conclusion of results reporting.


WHAT IS RANKED CHOICE VOTING? Minneapolis and St. Paul elections use ranked choice voting for elections. With ranked choice voting, voters can choose to rank candidates for all offices on the ballot. In Minneapolis, voters can rank up to three candidates. In St. Paul, they can rank up to six.

In ranked choice voting, you select their first choice for each race. You then have the option to rank second and third choices in each office. The second choice would only be counted if your first choice did not receive enough votes to continue on to the next round of counting.

Ranking a second or third choice candidate does not hurt your first choice candidate. You are not required to rank more than one candidate and you can rank as many or as few candidates as you please.

To win a ranked-choice election, a candidate must earn more than 50 percent of the vote.