2026 Constitutional Amendment
In the November 2026 election, there will be a proposed Constitutional amendment to the Permanent School Fund on the ballot in Minnesota.
The proposed constitutional amendment asks voters whether to increase the distribution of the Permanent School Fund to 4.5% of the fund's three-year rolling average market value. Passing this measure would not increase state income taxes or local property taxes.
Current
- 2-2.5% annual distribution
- Interest and dividends only
- Around $68 per-pupil per district distributed in 2025
Proposed
- Estimated 4.5% annual distribution
- Includes full market value of the trust
- Estimated average of $101 per-pupil per district
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?”
Important Note: Leaving the ballot questions blank will be counted as a "No" vote.
10 Quick Facts
- The fund started in 1858 when Minnesota became a state to support public schools.
- Every public school, charter school, and tribal school gets money from it today.
- The fund grew from $675 million in 2010 to over $2.3 billion today, but old rules limit how much can be spent.
- The amendment changes the payout rules to share more money without raising taxes.
- The money will still only go to public education.
- Every school district across the state gets a share.
- Lawmakers from both political parties backed this proposal.
- Because the old rule is in the state constitution, voters must approve the change.
- If you skip this question or leave it blank on your ballot, it counts as a vote against it.
- It helps students today while keeping money safe for future students.
Be a Voter
Register to Vote
Are you registered to vote? In Minnesota, you can register or update your registration when you vote, whether that’s at your polling place on Election Day or at an early voting location.
In the News
- Minnesota school funding amendment explained (Fox 9)
- Minnesota voters to decide on increased school fund spending (InForum)
- Why public schools are struggling financially and what Minnesota voters will decide (MPR)
- Proposed constitutional amendment could give Minnesota public schools more funds without raising taxes (WCCO)
- Proposed increase in public school funding will be on the ballot in November (KSTP)
- If voters approve, Minnesota schools would get more money from a trust fund dating to the state's founding (MinnPost)
- Voters to decide on school budget amendment (Fox 9)
- Will voters agree to tap more money from Minnesota's school trust fund? (MPR)
- Bipartisan bill aims to boost distribution of dollars from state's Permanent School Fund (MN House of Representatives)
- Minnesota voters could boost funding for public schools - without raising taxes (Star Tribune)
- Minnesota voters could send more money to schools from perpetual fund this November (WCCO)
- An upcoming November vote would reportedly increase school funding without raising taxes (KSTP)