1980 Minnesota Senate election

The 1980 Minnesota Senate election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 1980, to elect members to the Senate of the 72nd Minnesota Legislature. A primary election was held on September 9, 1980.

Minnesota Senate election, 1980

November 4, 1980 (1980-11-04)
All 67 seats in the Minnesota Senate 34 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Nick Coleman Bob Ashbach Party Democratic (DFL) Ind.-Republican Leader since 1970 1975 Leader's seat 65th–Saint Paul (retired) 48th–Saint Paul Last election 49 seats 18 seats Seats before 45 22 Seats won 45 22 Seat change Popular vote 1,024,624 823,711
Majority Leader before election Nick Coleman Democratic (DFL) Elected Majority Leader Roger Moe Democratic (DFL)

The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) won a majority of seats, remaining the majority party, followed by the Independent-Republicans of Minnesota. The new Legislature convened on January 6, 1981.

Results

Summary of the November 4, 1980 Minnesota Senate election results

Party		Candidates	Votes	Seats
				No.	∆No.	%
	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party	67	1,024,624	45		67.16
	Independent-Republicans of Minnesota	60	823,711	22		32.84
	Independent	2	8,876	0		0.00
Total				67	±0	100.00
Turnout (out of 2,882,406 eligible voters)		2,079,411	72.14%		0.87 pp
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

See also

• Minnesota House of Representatives election, 1980
• Minnesota gubernatorial election, 1978