St. Paul leaders urge residents to vote ‘yes’ on civil fines ballot question

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - With early voting underway, St. Paul leaders are encouraging residents to vote in favor of a ballot initiative that would allow the city to use civil fines, instead of solely relying on criminal citations, to enforce local ordinances.

City of St. Paul ballot question

Local perspective:

St. Paul leaders and politicians held a press conference Monday morning on the "Vote Yes for a Fairer St. Paul" campaign to highlight the importance of city ballot question No. 1.

The Administrative Citations initiative, if approved, would help grant authority for the city to issue civil fines for violations instead of only relying on criminal citations.

"Unlike many other Minnesota cities, which can use both civil and criminal penalties to enforce ordinances, St. Paul can