Overview

• Question 1 would amend St. Paul’s charter to let the city issue civil fines for ordinance violations rather than rely only on criminal penalties.
• Early voting began Sept. 19, and Mayor Melvin Carter and other local officials on Monday urged residents to vote yes.
• The City Council approved the change 7–0 in late 2024 before a citizen petition put the question on the ballot.
• If voters approve the measure, the council could adopt fines within 90 days and set them ordinance by ordinance.
• An advisory committee is in place to recommend safeguards to prevent disproportionate impacts on low‑income residents and communities of color.