Rochester, MN, posted a 68% voter turnout rate in the 2026 midterm election, beating the statewide average of 65.2% and underscoring the community’s commitment to civic responsibility, according to RochesterNow.
During a meeting of the city’s Canvassing Board, the Rochester City Council unanimously certified the election results on Monday. The council confirmed that businessman Joe Powers was elected mayor, while council members Patrick Keane, Normal Wahl and Shaun Palmer secured reelection to their seats.
Before Election Day, 80,733 residents were registered to vote. On Election Day, an additional 3,411 voters registered at the polls, according to the presentation shown to the City Council. A total of 57,217 ballots were cast, producing the nearly 68% participation figure. More than one‑third of Rochester voters chose to vote early or by mail, with the city reporting 22,236 absentee ballots.
Statewide, Minnesota’s voter participation rate of 65.2% placed the state second nationally, just behind Maine’s 65.7% rate, according to data compiled by the University of Florida Election Lab. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office noted that more than 2.8 million Minnesotans voted in the midterms, the highest total for a midterm election since 2018.
Four races in Minnesota, including the contest for the U.S. House seat representing Rochester and southern Minnesota, fell within the margin for a publicly funded recount. DFL challenger Jake Johnson leads incumbent Republican Brad Finstad by 323 votes, and Finstad has indicated he will seek a recount. After the state certification, candidates have 48 hours to request a recount.
The state’s Canvassing Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Nov. 19, to certify the final results of the election. Rochester residents can expect the certified outcomes to be posted shortly after that meeting.
What’s next: The Rochester City Council will continue its regular business, and the state Canvassing Board’s certification on Nov. 19 will finalize the election outcomes. If a recount is pursued in the House race, the process will begin within the statutory 48‑hour window following certification.
Sources: krocnews.com, rochesternow.net
