Your Minnesota Rental Property Is on the Ballot
In case you haven’t heard, there’s an election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
And if you’re a housing provider, finding out where candidates stand on rental property and housing can be frustrating.With the governor’s office and legislative seats on the ballot this year, the winners will shape zoning, rental licensing, tenant protections, and property taxes for the next several years.
The challenge is there’s no single nonpartisan scorecard that ranks candidates on real estate issues. The information is out there, but it’s spread across news coverage, voter guides, and industry endorsements.
Early voting is already open and runs through Monday, November 2. If you missed the October 13 pre-registration deadline, Minnesota still lets you register at your polling place on Election Day.
With some research help from AI, here’s what I’ve been able to compile on where the candidates stand on housing issues.
The Governor’s Race: Klobuchar vs Demuth
Both candidates believe Minnesota needs more housing. They differ in how detailed their plans are so far. The clearest side-by-side comparison came from a KARE 11 forum at the Minnesota State Fair. In summary:
| Issue | Amy Klobuchar (DFL) | Lisa Demuth (Republican) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall approach | Housing is a central campaign issue; goal of 100,000 new homes | Housing is part of a broader affordability agenda |
| Supply and permitting | Streamline regulations and permitting; use new federal housing dollars; support factory-built and modular homes | Says state spending on housing has not produced enough new units; full housing plan not yet released as of early September |
| Zoning reform | Noncommittal on overriding local zoning; supports parts of the Starter Homes Act | Noncommittal on overriding local zoning; supports parts of the Starter Homes Act |
| Renters and residents | Supports renters’ rights and the Manufactured Home Park Residents’ Bill of Rights | Not addressed in coverage |
The Starter Homes Act is the one to watch. It failed in the tied House this spring, and it would have legalized more housing types and limited local control over zoning. Both candidates said any version must fit both the metro and greater Minnesota. In short, that bill’s future affects where duplexes and fourplexes can be built.
Read the full coverage from MPR News and the Minnesota Reformer, and check each campaign’s website for updates since September.
Legislative Races: How to Research Your House and Senate Candidates
The Legislature writes the laws that most affect landlords, from the Starter Homes Act to rental licensing and eviction rules. These four tools cover nearly every race.
| Tool | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BallotReady | Your personalized ballot plus each candidate’s stated priorities, often including housing | Seeing every race on your ballot in one place |
| Vote411 (League of Women Voters) | Candidate answers to the same questions, side by side | Comparing candidates on equal terms |
| Local media guides, such as KAXE’s 2026 Election Guide | Candidate profiles and responses for contested races | Greater Minnesota districts |
| Minnesota Secretary of State candidate filings | Contact information for every filed candidate | Asking candidates your own questions directly |
One caution: candidate profiles are written by the candidates. They can’t answer questions they weren’t asked, so it may be best to consult all the guides and the candidates’ websites for the most complete answers. Remember, “Affordable housing” can mean new construction incentives to one candidate and rent stabilization to another. Read past the headline to the specific policies.
Industry and Advocacy Endorsements: What They Tell You
Endorsements are not neutral, and that’s exactly why they’re useful. Each group endorses candidates who support its own priorities, so an endorsement tells you where a candidate stands on that group’s agenda.
| Group | Who They Represent | How They Evaluate Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Realtors PAC (MN-RPAC) | Realtors, homeowners, and the real estate industry | A bipartisan PAC supporting candidates who advocate for homeowners and real estate; check its site for 2026 endorsements |
| Housing First Minnesota PAC | Homebuilders and remodelers | Voting records, a candidate questionnaire, interviews with first-time candidates, and support for its policy platform |
| Minnesota Housing Partnership and its Homes for All coalition | Affordable housing and renter advocates | Housing questionnaires sent to candidates of all parties |
For duplex investors, the most useful move is to read these lists side by side. The builders’ and affordable-housing groups often agree on zoning reform and new supply. They tend to split on tenant protections, rent stabilization, and rental regulation. A candidate endorsed by both is likely pro-supply; one endorsed by only one side tells you which way they lean on landlord issues.
The policies decided this fall will shape what you can build, what you can charge, and what it costs to own small multifamily in Minnesota. Spend 30 minutes with these tools before November 3, and vote with your portfolio in mind.