08/21/2026
2026 Election Information: Permanent School Fund Constitutional Amendment
Minnesota voters will see a proposed constitutional amendment related to the Permanent School Fund on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Official Ballot Question:
“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?”
What is the Permanent School Fund?
Minnesota has a permanent school fund dated back to 1858 when the Federal Government granted millions of acres of land to the state for the use of public schools.
Today, Minnesota has approximately 2.5 million acres of school trust land and an additional 1 million acres of severed mineral rights. From the sale of some land, from timber sales, mining, land leases, interest earned, and other revenues, the Permanent School Fund has grown from approximately $675 million in 2010 to approximately $2.3 billion in 2025.
Currently, the Minnesota Constitution generally limits distributions from the fund to net interest and dividends. The proposed amendment would change how distributions are determined. If approved by voters, state law provides for an annual distribution equal to 4.5% of the fund’s average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years, beginning July 1, 2027.
The amendment would also establish constitutional principles for managing the fund as a perpetual financial resource for Minnesota schools while preserving its purchasing power over time.
Important Voting Information
Under Minnesota law, constitutional amendments must receive approval from a majority of all voters participating in the election. Leaving the constitutional amendment question blank has the same effect as voting “No.” Voters may vote “Yes” or “No” on the question.
This post is being shared for informational purposes to help our community understand the question appearing on the 2026 ballot.
For additional information about the Permanent School Fund:
Short Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phL5OtEg5no&t=10s
Website: https://www.mnpsfamendment.org/
Information Sheet: https://bit.ly/3GJqiA1
Secretary of State Office Amendment information: https://bit.ly/4gndnX7
