Minnesota is a purple state, with a swath of red in rural areas and blue hotspots throughout, besides the major Democratic area of the Twin Cities metro. With a divided state and so many partisan issues candidates are running on this year, like gun control, immigration policies, preventing fraud, and more, it’s important to know what’s on your ballot.
In this year’s midterms, Minnesota voters will be considering local races like who should lead their school boards and municipalities, statewide races for positions like governor, attorney general, and the state legislature, and federal races for the US House and Senate. Keep reading to learn what races and issues will be on your ballot in Minnesota in 2026.
For a breakdown of the key races in Minnesota’s midterms, click here.
What races are on the ballot?
For congressional positions, Minnesotans will vote in one new US senator and will also be voting on eight seats in the House of Representatives. Senator Tina Smith (D) is retiring after eight years in office, and the state’s eight House members must be reelected every two years. In order of their district, these include Brad Finstad (R), Angie Craig (D), Kelly Morrison (D), Betty McCollum (D), Ilhan Omar (D), Tom Emmer (R), Michelle Fischbach (R), and Pete Stauber (R). Each of these races are highly contested, as work gets done both stateside and in Washington DC.
The position of governor is also up for grabs as Governor Tim Walz (D) is retiring after two terms, which means Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan’s (D) time in office is almost complete as well. You can read more about the race’s candidates here, as more than a dozen candidates are currently jockeying for the role.
Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) is running again for reelection, with only lawyer Ron Schultz (R) running against him.
Secretary of State Steve Simon (D) is competing with two other candidates for his position, Republicans Tad Jude and Wendy Phillips.
Auditor Julie Blaha (D) has not filed to be a candidate for her role, but there are plenty of other candidates who want the position. Democratic candidates include Zack Filipovich, Adam Jennings, Ben Schierer and Rep. Dan Wolgamott. There’s a lone Forward Independent Party candidate, Jay Reeves. And the Republican options include perennial governor candidate Scott Jensen, Nate George, and Rep. Elliot Engen.
All positions are up for reelection in the Minnesota House and Senate. Minnesota has 134 state representatives, and 67 state senators. Currently, there is an even split of 67 Democrats and 67 Republicans in the House, and in the Senate there are 34 Democrats and 33 Republicans. All of these races will matter, as the House split caused problems with passing bills this year, and Senate Democrats only have a one-vote majority.
All judges in the state must be nonpartisan. Three seats on the Minnesota Supreme Court are available as judges Paul Thissen, Theodora Gaitas, and Sarah E. Hennesy all have expiring terms. In the state’s appellate courts,five judges’terms are expiring: Elizabeth Bentley (D1), Rachel Bond (D7), Jeanne Cochran (D13), Kevin Ross (D15), and JaPaul Harris (D18).
Positions for school boards and municipal governments will all be on the ballot this midterm as well. You can find your local election overview here.
What issues are on the ballot?
So far, Minnesota only has one statewide ballot measure certified for the 2026 midterms. The Minnesota Alter Management and Investment Policies for Permanent School Fund Amendment was approved during the state legislative session by the House and Senate. It proposes changing administrative policies on how the state’s permanent school fund (PSF) is invested in and distributed, allowing public school districts to have more of the PSF each year.
How can I find my local races?
It can be tricky remembering what races you need to pay attention to and vote in, but we’ve got you covered.
To find out your districts for US House, MN House and Senate, school, county, and more races, enter your address into Vote411’s Personalized Ballot voters’ guide. If you know your county and you’re more of a visual person, check out the Secretary of State’s maps and information for congressional districts, Minnesota House and Senate districts, and more polling place details for a specific address can be found here. If you want to learn how to register and vote in the primary elections, check out our voting guide.
