MN House’s polls state fair attendees

Questioning constituents on guns, surveillance and fraud

MINNESOTA – A summer staple for Minnesotans, the 2026 Minnesota State fair concluded on Labor Day with nearly 2 million people attended over the 12 days of action. 

During the fair, the Minnesota House of Representatives polled attendees on 12 relevant issues regarding Minnesotans, with 9,605 people participating in the poll. 

On the topic of gun control, 75.2% of attendees believed semi-automatic military-style assault rifles should be prohibited. Another 20.5% of voters disagreed and 4.3% were undecided. The poll was taken roughly one year after the 2025 Annunciation Catholic School shooting left two children dead and 21 other people injured. A package proposed by the House DFL to prevent gun violence was a disputed topic left unresolved after the final week of session back in May. 

Other issues received more mixed responses.  

On surveillance, 47.8% of voters believed red light cameras should be banned, while 38.9% disagreed and 13.2% were undecided. Red light cameras are used to enforce speeding and other traffic violations. 

Surveillance has been a heavy topic of discussion in Minnesota. 

Another question had 59.4% of responders voting that government agencies should be prohibited from obtaining and utilizing facial recognition technology. Another 25.2% believed that agencies should be allowed the right to use facial recognition, with 15.5% undecided.

With elections around the corner, attendees were asked whether voters should be required to show photo ID in order to vote. A little over a third of those polled believed that photo ID should be required, while 56.9% disagreed. 5.9% were undecided. 

Two other topics that left Minnesota the talk of national news were also polled. 

On the topic of fraud, four-fifths of voters believed state employees who intentionally allowed fraud to occur should be terminated and banned from employment for five years. Only 6.9% disagreed, with 15.3% undecided.

The question comes from House Republicans "Fraud Isn't Free Act" that aims to respond to fraud in Minnesota. Back in July, investigations into childcare and medicaid service fraud resulted in $200 million of federal Medicaid funds being withheld from Minnesota.

Covering the topic of immigration in Minnesota, voters were asked whether the state appropriate $100 million for small town business owners whose businesses experienced substantial financial losses during Operation Metro Surge. Of those polled, 64.3% voted yes, with 22.7% disagreeing and another 13% undecided. 

Questions regarding term limits, health plans, school funding, taxes on tips, and more were also asked. 

Full results of the poll are below. 

1. Should Minnesota's governors and lieutenant governors be limited to serving two, four-year terms in their lifetime? Yes 69.4% (6,566) No 18.4% (1,743) Undecided/No Opinion 12.2% (1,154) 

2. Should the state appropriate $100 million for a small-business relief fund for Minnesota business owners who experienced significant financial losses during Operation Metro Surge? Yes 64.3% (6,055) No 22.7% (2,136) Undecided/No Opinion 13% (1,226) 

3. Should a state employee whose intentional actions allowed fraud to occur in a state program be terminated and banned from state employment for five years? Yes 80.4% (7,540) No 6.9% (650) Undecided/No Opinion 12.7% (1,193) 

4. Should health plans be required to cover infertility treatment and standard fertility preservation services? Yes 64.8% (6,111) No 19.9% (1,875) Undecided/No Opinion 15.3% (1,438) 

5. To receive a ballot, should voters be required to show a photo ID at the poll? Yes 37.1% (3,499) No 56.9% (5,374) Undecided/No Opinion 5.9% (563) 

6. Should the possession of semiautomatic military-style assault weapons be prohibited except for peace officers, servicemembers, and other government officers authorized to possess a weapon while acting within the scope of their duties? Yes 75.2% (7,083) No 20.5% (1,929) Undecided/No Opinion 4.3% (407) 

7. Red light cameras are used for enforcement of speeding violations and traffic-control signal violations. Should they be banned in Minnesota? Yes 47.8% (4,480) No 38.9% (3,649) Undecided/No Opinion 13.2% (1,241) 

8. [This question will be on the November 2026 ballot.] "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?" Yes 77.7% (7,305) No 11.7% (1,102) Undecided/No Opinion 10.5% (986) 

9. Should driverless vehicles be regulated in Minnesota, including requirements for vehicle operations and insurance? Yes 92.1% (8,697) No 4% (380) Undecided/No Opinion 3.8% (363) 

10. Should iron ore be designated as the state mineral? Yes 42.5% (3,993) No 13.4% (1,263) Undecided/No Opinion 44.1% (4,150) 

11. Should tips and overtime pay be exempt from state income tax? Yes 52.1% (4,896) No 37.2% (3,498) Undecided/No Opinion 10.7% (1,004) 

12. Should government entities be prohibited from acquiring and using facial recognition technology? Yes 59.4% (5,599) No 25.2% (2,374) Undecided/No Opinion 15.5% (1,458)