The 1996 Minnesota Senate election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 5, 1996, to elect members to the Senate of the 80th and 81st Minnesota Legislatures. A primary election was held on September 10, 1996. The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) won a majority of seats, remaining the majority party, followed by the Republican Party of Minnesota. The new Legislature convened on January 7, 1997.