This is the sixth article in the League of Women Voters Minneapolis 2025 Democracy Series
So… it’s the day after election day November 4. You voted in the Minneapolis municipal election and a new slate of candidates has been elected that will determine the direction of the City for the next four years. Now what?
If you’ve ever wondered how to stay involved between elections, you’re not alone. The good news? There are simple, impactful ways to keep showing up for your community and make sure your voice continues to be heard. The officials we elect make decisions that shape nearly every part of our daily lives: how safe our streets feel, how tax dollars are spent, and what programs are available in our neighborhoods.
In Minneapolis, staying involved is easier than you might think. The City’s website (minneapolismn.gov) and Park and Recreation Board’s website (minneapolisparks.org) offers up-to-date information on upcoming meetings, decisions, and how to contact local representatives. Whether it’s through emails, public comment, or showing up to meetings, your continued participation helps ensure that the issues you care about stay on the table. Once you know more about what’s going on behind the scenes, you may even want to run for office!
The Mayor: Setting the vision
The mayor is Minneapolis’s chief executive, overseeing city departments and proposing the annual budget. In recent years, the mayor’s role has become even more influential under the City’s executive mayor–legislative council system. Learn more about how the mayor governs and what powers the office holds in our previous article, From Potholes to Public Safety (lwvmpls.org/from-potholes-to-public-safety-how-city-government-shapes-your-life/).
Get involved:
If you want to stay abreast of what is happening in the mayor’s office, you can sign up for the mayor’s newsletter, attend public briefings, or share your input through the mayor’s contact page minneapolismn.gov/government/mayor/.
City Council: Your neighborhood’s voice
With 13 council members representing different wards, the city council shapes policies and finalizes the City budget. They vote on everything from housing to public safety to bike lanes. They provide constituent services for their wards.
Get involved:
There are many ways to stay informed and to share your concerns with your city council representative. You can look up your council member at minneapolismn.gov/government/city-council/. From your representative’s web page, you will be able to sign up for their newsletter. You also can attend public meetings, and reach out to your neighborhood organizations with your concerns or policy ideas. Council members pay attention to residents who show up and speak up—especially consistently.
Park and Recreation Board: More than green space
The Park Board manages green spaces and runs youth, adult, and senior programs across the city. From ceramics and soccer to walking clubs and pickleball, the MPRB offers something for everyone.
Get involved:
There are ways to be involved with the Park and Recreation board. Consider attending public meetings, comment on new initiatives, attend board meetings, and look for volunteer opportunities at minneapolisparks.org.
Board of Estimate and Taxation: Your tax dollars at work
The BET sets the maximum property tax levy for the City, determining how much funding is available for public services, including the parks. It may not get much attention, but its decisions impact your household—and your community.
You can become more informed on what this board does by visiting the BET website at: minneapolismn.gov/government/boards-and-commissions/bet/ to look at the meeting calendar, review past meeting notes, and find out how to participate in future meetings. Watch out for public hearings during budget season and make your voice heard about how tax money should be used.
Show up in the ways you can
You don’t need to be an expert or activist to stay involved. Try these low-barrier ways to participate:
- Pick one agency that aligns with your interests (parks, housing, taxes) and sign up for its newsletter.
- Attend public meetings—in person or online—to learn what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Reach out to your representatives with questions or concerns. Even short emails or voice messages can make a difference.
- Join or form an advocacy group to build collective pressure and stay informed.
- Hold leaders accountable to campaign promises and policy decisions, whether you voted for them or not.
As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!
Be informed: Evaluating reliable information
As you’re becoming more engaged, it’s crucial to make sure the sources you rely on are trustworthy. Before acting on or sharing political information, check:
- Credibility: Is this from an official government website or reputable news outlet?
- Bias: Is the coverage balanced, or clearly favoring one viewpoint?
- Cross-checking: Can you verify this information with more than one trusted source?
Being engaged also means being discerning. The more informed you are, the more effective your voice will be.
Final thoughts
Democracy isn’t just something we participate in every few years—it’s something we build every day. Showing up matters. Speaking up matters. Your voice matters.
Between elections, your engagement is an important way to help shape the direction of our city for years to come.
This is the sixth and final article in League of Women Voters 2025 Democracy Series. All articles can be found at lwvmpls.org/democracy-series/. Previous articles are as follows:
- Yes there is an election in November, 2025!
- From Potholes to Public Safety: How City Government Shapes Your Life
- Behind the Decisions: What the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Board of Estimate and Taxation Do for Minneapolis
- Youth Voting – Shaping the Future Starts with Your Vote
- Understanding Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV): Beyond One Choice