Northfield has long been a Democrat leaning city, but Democrats have been gaining more votes each year. So far the only year Democrats have gained more than 8,000 votes in Northfield was 2020. While it is not surprising to say that Northfield is a Democrat leaning city, it has moved to the left by 11 points since 2000.
Methodology:
Each year's data is calculated by the amount of votes for the highest office on the ballot in that election cycle. In Presidential Elections votes for President were used and in Midterm Elections votes for Governor were used. For example, in 2020 the votes for Donald Trump and Joe Biden were used to represent their respective parties. In 2022, the votes for Tim Walz and Scott Jensen were used to represent their respective parties.
Northfield is divided up into 4 different Wards each with 2 precincts. The two precints how to St. Olaf and Carelton College make up 23% of the votes cast in 20222.
Description of Wards & Precincts (Northfield's Ward Map)
Ward 1 - Precinct 1: Most of the precinct is Carleton College, though a part covers the neighborhoods all the way to Woodely St. It cast the 5th most amount of votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 1 - Precinct 2: This includes the neighborhoods of Mayflower Hill, the area around St. Peters Lutheran Church, and the neighborhoods west of Spring Creek Elementary School. It cast the most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 2 - Precinct 1: This includes the area north of the Community Resource Center and around Spring Creek Park. It cast the 3rd most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 2 - Precinct 2: This includes the southernmost parts of Northfield and the Presidential St. Neighborhoods. It cast the 2nd most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 3 - Precinct 1: This includes the area north of St. Olaf Avenue to the border of Rice and Dakota Counties. It cast the 4th most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 3 - Precinct 2: This is the only precinct in Dakota County. It cast the least (8th) amount of votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 4 - Precinct 1: This includes the downtown area and the neighborhoods directly south of downtown. The precinct also includes the area south of St. Olaf Ave. It cast the 6th most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Ward 4 - Precinct 2: This includes the area of St. Olaf College. It cast the 7th most votes of the Northfield precincts in 2022.
Logan Wells is the Election Guide Editor. You can contact him here.
