Minneapolis City Government
Our city government operates under a Mayor-council system. The Minneapolis City Council is the primary legislative body with 13 members, each representing a different ward in the city. Whereas the Mayor acts as a spokesperson for the entire city — roughly 430,00 people, each member of the Council represents roughly 34,000 residents.
The City council holds significant power over local legislation, budget decisions, and oversight of city departments. Individual Council Members are also responsible for constituent services: keeping them informed of city issues, responding to questions and complaints, and helping constituents navigate city and other government agencies.
The Mayor operates alongside the city council. The mayor's role was previously considered relatively weak compared to other U.S. cities, but following a charter amendment in 2021, the mayor gained more power and the council was reduced to purely legislative duties. The mayor also appoints heads of various city departments.
The city administration includes several independent boards responsible for parks, taxation, and public housing. These boards have the authority to levy taxes and fees within their respective areas, subject to limitations set by the Board of Estimate and Taxation.
Learn more about the roles of the Mayor and City Council.
Since the ward you reside in may have changed due to redistricting, find your ward by entering your address on the City of Minneapolis website.
The Northeast ward includes Waite Park and Columbia Park to the north, down to Como on the south end.
Current Council Member: Elliott Payne
First elected in November 2021, Payne defeated incumbent Kevin Reich and three other contestants. He won re-election in 2023 and currently serves as Council President.
Minneapolis’ second ward includes SE Como, Cooper, Prospect Park, Seward, West Bank/Cedar-Riverside, Longfellow, and University District.
Current Council Member: Robin Wonsley
First elected in November 2021, Wonsley defeated incumbent Cam Gordon and four other contestants. Wonsley assumed office in January 2022. She won re-election in 2023.
The downtown and Northeast ward includes Marcy-Holmes, Nicollet Island, and St. Anthony.
Current Council Member: Michael Rainville
First elected in November 2021, Rainville defeated incumbent Steve Fletcher and two other contestants. Rainville won re-election in 2023, defeating one challenger.
The North Minneapolis ward includes Jordan, Victory, and the Camden and Humboldt Industrial Areas.
Current Council Member: Latrisha Vetaw
First elected in November 2021, Vetaw defeated incumbent Phillippe Cunningham and one other contestant. Vetaw won with twice as many votes as her nearest competitor. She won re-election in 2023, defeating three challengers.
The north-central ward includes Harrison, Near North, Hawthorne, and the North Loop.
Current Council Member: Jeremiah Ellison
Ellison was first elected in November 2017. He faced six challengers in his 2021 re-election bid. Ellison won re-election in 2023.
The sixth ward of Minneapolis includes the neighborhoods of Cedar Riverside, Elliot Park, Philips West, Seward, Stevens Square, Loring Heights, and Ventura Village.
Current Council Member: Jamal Osman
In August 2020, Osman won the special election to fill the Ward 6 seat after the Council Member elected in 2017 resigned to take another position. Osman won re-election in 2023.
Minneapolis’ 7th Ward includes Bryn-Mawr, Cedar-Isles-Dean, Downtown West, East Isles, Elliot Park, Kenwood, Loring Park, Lowry Hill, and Stevens Square-Loring Heights comprise the seventh ward.
Current Council Member: Katie Cashman
First elected in 2023, Cashman defeated one challenger to replace Lisa Goodman, who retired after 25 years of service.
The south-central ward of Minneapolis includes Kingfield, Lyndale, Northrop, and Regina.
Current Council Member: Andrea Jenkins
Jenkins was first elected in November 2017. She faced one challenger in her 2021 re-election bid, which she won with 79.6% of first choice votes. Her colleagues then elected her as Council President. Jenkins narrowly won re-election in 2023.
Neighborhoods included in the ninth ward are: Corcoran, East Phillips, Longfellow, Midtown Phillips, and Powderhorn Park.
Current Council Member: Jason Chavez
Chavez was first elected in November 2021, when he and seven other candidates competed to fill the seat vacated by Alondra Cano, who had retired. He won re-election in 2023.
The tenth ward includes East Bde Maka Ska, East Harriet, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown, and Whittier.
Current Council Member: Aisha Chughtai
Chughtai was first elected in November 2021 and won re-election in 2023. She currently serves as Council Vice President.
Minneapolis’ 11th ward, located in the southernmost part of Minneapolis, is made up of Diamond Lake, Hale, Keewaydin, Page, Northrop, Tangletown, Wenonah, and Windom neighborhoods.
Current Council Member: Emily Koski
First elected in November 2021, Koski assumed office in January 2022 and won re-election in 2023.
Ward 12 is located in southeastern Minneapolis and includes Ericsson, Hiawatha, Howe, Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park, and Standish neighborhoods.
Current Council Member: Aurin Chowdhry
Chowdhury was newly elected in 2023, replacing Andrew Johnson. She won re-electoion in 2023, defeating two challengers.
Ward 13 is located in the southwest corner of Minneapolis, including Armatage, East Harriet, Fulton, Kenny, Linden Hills, Lynnhurst and West Maka Ska.
Current Council Member: Linea Palmisano
First elected in November 2013, Palmisano was re-elected three times, most recently in 2023.