Wear Your ‘I Voted’ Badge with Pride
We’re in the home stretch of the 2026 election season. You have a matter of weeks to figure out how you’re going to vote on November 3. You know your vote counts and you want to make it the most impactful vote you can. We’re here to help you in that worthy endeavor, fellow citizen. While it’s up to you to inform yourself so you’re voting for the leadership and government you want for yourself, your family, and your community, we’re offering a goody bag of advice, sources, and information to give you a solid start.
Start by finding out who your candidates are on your sample ballot on the MN Secretary of State’s website. Then ask yourself some questions as you research. What are the most important issues to you? Do candidates talk about money in a way that speaks to you? Are you comfortable with both their stated and performed values? Do they have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience? Are they consistent across interviews? What do people whose opinions you respect say about them?
Be smart about your research and sources.
Source. Is it an official or a reputable news source? Be cautious with social media (check the original source!), memes, and information from unfamiliar websites.
Bias. Does the source present a balanced perspective or push a particular agenda?
Cross-reference. Verify claims by checking multiple sources.
Red Flags. Are there repeated ethics violations? Vague or shifting positions? Lack of public engagement? Does the money make sense?
Endorsements. Who’s endorsing/supporting the candidate and why?
Funding. Who donates to the campaign? Individuals? Lobbyists? PACs?
Some trustworthy resources for researching candidates’ positions and funding sources.
Vote 411 is a one-stop-shop for elections including candidate questionnaires and forums as well information on sources of campaign funds for US Senate and House races. You can also compare candidates side-by-side and learn more about the ballot question. Vote411.org
Ballotpedia and VoteSmart are good sources for information about candidates and ballot measures. https://ballotpedia.org and https://www.votesmart.org/
League of Women Voters Minneapolis holds candidate forums. You can submit questions and watch the forums live or recorded. lwvmpls.org.
Local news sources – TV, newspapers, radio, and online - cover debates, policy proposals, and candidate interviews.
The Minnesota Campaign Finance and Disclosure Board provides public disclosure on funding of state campaigns, including donors who give more than $200 and Political Action Funds. https://cfb.mn.gov/
The Federal Election Commission provides financial disclosure for monies raised in federal elections. fec.gov/data
Researching incumbents reveals their history in debates and voting. (See websites in the list of offices below.)
Candidate websites will tell you what they have to say about themselves. Pay attention to what they prioritize and what they leave out.
It’s also important to know about the offices and responsibilities the candidates are running for. Here are the positions a Minneapolis resident will see on their ballot for the general election on Nov 3, 2026, with links to more information. There’s also a ballot measure having to do with school funding.
Federal Offices
U.S. SENATOR
Writes and votes on legislation to establish or change federal laws, in conjunction with the House of Representatives. Advises and consents on treaties, confirms certain federal appointments, and conducts impeachment proceedings of high federal officials.
Term: Six years
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE (District 5 – entire city of Minneapolis)
Writes and votes on legislation to establish or change federal laws, in conjunction with the Senate. All bills to raise taxes and to set the federal budget originate in the House. Also have exclusive right to impeach federal officials.
Term: Two years
State Offices
MINNESOTA GOVERNOR & LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
The governor heads up the state government and leads the executive branch. Administers laws and affairs of the state, appoints heads of departments and agencies; proposes state budgets and signs (approves) or vetoes (rejects) legislation. Appoints judges to fill vacancies and issues pardons and reprieves; can restore rights to felons.
The lieutenant governor assumes the governor’s responsibilities in the governor’s absence or if there is a vacancy. Also performs projects and other duties assigned by the governor.
Term: Four years
MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE
Oversees statewide elections and operates the statewide voter registration system. Reviews and approves the filings for all businesses and organizations operating in the state. Processes notary public applications, preserves documents filed with the state, and administers the Safe at Home program.
Term: Four years
MINNESOTA STATE AUDITOR
Acts as a financial watchdog for taxpayers, focusing primarily on conducting financial audits, investigating the misuse of public funds, overseeing state and local government compliance, and reviewing documents, data, reports, and complaints reported to the Office.
Term: Four years
MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL
Serves as the state’s Chief Legal Officer. Provides legal services to state government; represents the state in court cases; enforces laws concerning charitable organizations, consumer protection, and antitrust; protects public rights.
Term: Four Years
MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR (Seats 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
Enacts and revises state laws and adopts a state budget, in conjunction with the state House of Representatives. May impeach or remove members of the executive and judicial branches from office. Certain appointments by the governor are subject to the Senate’s advice and consent.
Term: Four years
MINNESOTA STATE REPRESENTATIVE (Districts 59A, 59B, 60A, 60B, 61A, 61B, 62A, 62B, 63A and 63B)
Enacts and revises state laws and adopts a state budget, in conjunction with the state House of Representatives. May impeach or remove members of the executive and judicial branches from office.
Term: Two years
County Offices
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER (Districts 2, 3, 4)
https://www.hennepincounty.gov/government/leadership/board-of-commissioners
Key policymakers who ensure that citizen concerns are met, federal and state requirements are fulfilled, and county operations run smoothly. Oversee the county's administration, set the budget, and participate in long-range planning.
Term: Four years
HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF
Keeps the peace and enforces laws, providing emergency and non-emergency law enforcement. Manages the county jail, provides security to the district court.
Term: Four years
HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY
Provides legal services to the county, prosecutes felony crimes and all cases involving juvenile offenders, and aids and gives support to victims and witnesses. Also concerns itself with vulnerable adults and child support.
Term: Four years
School Board
MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL BOARD (Districts 1, 3, 5, and two at-large positions)
https://www.mpschools.org/about-mps/school-board
Oversees the school district's budget, curriculum, personnel, facilities, and the Superintendent, including hiring and firing them. Set levies to fund the district and create school policies.
Term: Four years
Judicial Offices
THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE (Seats 1, 4)
https://mncourts.gov/supremecourt
Make final decisions on matters of state law that are binding on state and US federal courts. Generally used for hearing appeals of legal issues and does not hold trials.
THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE (Seats 1, 7, 13, 15, 18)
https://mncourts.gov/courtofappeals
Oversee appeals and provide a prompt and deliberate review of all final decisions of the trial courts, state agencies, and local governments.
MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT, JUDGE (4th district, (Hennepin County), Seats 1, 5, 14, 16, 19, 20, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 35, 42, 43, 47, 54, 56, 57, 61, 63)
https://mncourts.gov/find-courts/district-courts
Trial court responsible for hearing criminal, public policy, civil, probate, and traffic cases.
Ballot Measure
Minnesota Alter Management and Investment Policies for Permanent School Fund Amendment (2026)
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?”
Terms: Constitutional amendments require a majority of "yes" votes from all cast ballots in order to pass. Leaving the section blank counts as a "no" vote.
Final Comments
So there you go, fellow citizen. We hope this information on researching what’s on your ballot helps you in your journey towards voting the good vote and creating the best government you can. If you find value here, pass this along to the other voters in your life so they too can wear their ‘I Voted’ badge with pride.