RESOURCES
An election ballot contains a lot of content for voters: partisan races for candidates for US President, US Senate, US Congress, State Senate, State House of Representatives, Governor, Attorney General; and nonpartisan races such as County Commissioner; Mayor; City Council; School Board; County Commissioner; Township Supervisor, Clerk, Treasurer; and Judges.
It can be overwhelming to think about voting on these races. Your vote is valuable, and you want to make it count. Races like US President, US Senate, US House of Representatives, and Governor get a lot of press. But those “down ballot” races are equally important. When you elect people in those races, you will be electing people who could have day-to-day impact on your life on a local level.
You may also see a “ballot initiative” — a measure to approve a referendum or constitutional amendment - that you must vote FOR or AGAINST. In some cases, leaving it unchecked is an automatic “no” vote.
So how do navigate what’s on your ballot? Of course, you can “Google” it. But your decisions should come from reliable information. Here you will find some tools that can help you feel confident in your choices.
CANDIDATE FORUMS
Candidate Forums are a great way to see candidates “in action.” The League of Women Voters has hosted candidate forums for many years, using time honored protocols to ensure that forums are fair and impartial and conducted by carefully trained Forum Team members. Find out more about our forum guidelines HERE.
Listed below are the four local races the League covered as well as other races hosted by Greater Mankato Growth, a Mankato business organization with interest in “Initiating action for economic growth beneficial to our members and congruent with our regional desire and culture.”
League of Women Voters - St. Peter Area Candidate Forums
MN House District 18A and 18B: September 10, 2024
18A - Jeff Brand and Erica Schwartz; 18B Luke Frederick and Dar Vosburg
MN House District 22A and 22B: September 17, 2024
22A: Bjorn Olson and Marisa Ullmen; 22B Terry Stier and Sara Nett-Torgrimson
ISD77 Mankato School Board: September 26, 2024
Tim Flynn, Tracy Frederick Corcoran, Elizabeth Hanke, Joel Hollerich, Christopher G. Kind, Liz Ratcliff, Erin Roberts
North Mankato Mayor and City Council: September 24, 2024
Mayor: Scott Carlson; City Council: Bridget Quinton, Billy Steiner, Matthew Warnke, James Whitlock
Greater Mankato Growth Candidate Forums:
City of Mankato Council Candidate Forum
Thursday, September 26, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Intergovernmental Center, Mankato Room
Moderators: Andy Wilke (GMG) & Steve Jameson (The Free Press)
Follow this link to view the recording.
Blue Earth County Commission Candidate Forum
Wednesday, October 2, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Intergovernmental Center, Mankato Room
Moderators: Andy Wilke (GMG) & Jake Palmer (KTOE/Radio Mankato)
Follow this link to view the recording.
Minnesota Congressional District 1 Candidate Forum
Tuesday, October 15, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
South Central College, Conference Center
Moderators: Andy Wilke (GMG) & Maddie Paul (KEYC News Now)
Presented by South Central College.
Follow this link to view the recording.
JUDGES
Judicial Candidates in Minnesota
What to know before you head to the polls!
The League of Women Voters Minnesota does not invite judicial candidates to participate in the Vote411 Voter’s Guide due to the number of candidates across the state and associated administrative costs.
This combined with the fact that most judicial candidates want to keep a low profile make this a practical decision. Information about judicial candidates is harder to find than it is for candidates of other offices.
However, there are a few things voters can do to learn more about candidates and make their voices heard. Find out more HERE.
INTERVIEWS AND DATABASES
Interviews and Databases are two other resources for consideration. Minnesota Public Radio has done interviews with candidates and compiled the information in an easy to use format. Databases are online resources that require candidates to submit their information online. Each candidate is asked the same questions. Then it is easy to see the candidate responses side by side for comparison. Please note that some candidates have not responded, for whatever reason, but their contact information can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. So send them your questions! All of these are linked below. Also linked below, you will find local newspaper articles covering area candidates.
Office of the Secretary of State:
You will find all races and candidates for the State of Minnesota available on this website:
Minnesota Public Radio Election Guide
League of Women Voters VOTE411
VOTE411 is the League candidate database. A feature worth looking at is the description of the role of each office. So what exactly does a county commissioner do? Find out here! VOTE411