Walz's local popularity, progressive stances, and his record of addressing state-level issues were expected to positively influence voter turnout in Minnesota, and potentially secure the state for the Democratic ticket.

Republican nominee Donald Trump was able to flip four counties that Joe Biden had won four years prior: Carlton, Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Winona.

The following presidential candidates received ballot access in Minnesota:[9] Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump Aggregate polls Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump vs. Cornel West vs. Jill Stein vs. Chase Oliver Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump vs. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vs. Cornel West vs. Jill Stein vs. Chase Oliver

However, presidential elections in Minnesota have consistently been competitive in the 21st century, with no Democrat carrying the state by double digits with the exception of Midwesterner Barack Obama, who did so by 10.2 percentage points in 2008.

Minnesota was considered to be a Democratic-leaning state in this election; in the weeks leading up to Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential campaign, polls indicated a somewhat tight race in the state, but when Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, Minnesota polls shifted somewhat more in the Democrats' favor.