Big Stone County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
16 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 13 Big Stone County races, led by the Big Stone County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Chad Zimmel
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chad Zimmel Nonpartisan Incumbent
Chad Zimmel serves as the 1st District Commissioner for Big Stone County, per the county's official 2026 financial statement. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Chad Zimmel is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Wade Athey
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Wade Athey Nonpartisan
Wade Athey appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for Wade Athey.
Wade Athey is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Jeff Klages
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeff Klages Nonpartisan Incumbent
Jeff Klages is the District 5 Commissioner for Big Stone County, based in Ortonville, per Big Stone County government pages. He was elected Vice Chairman of the county board in 2021. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeff Klages is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Mark Brown
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mark Brown Nonpartisan Incumbent
Mark Brown serves as Big Stone County Sheriff, based in Ortonville, per county records. No campaign site or press interview with him was found for the 2026 race. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Mark Brown is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Rebecca Trapp
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rebecca Trapp Nonpartisan Incumbent
Rebecca Trapp serves as Big Stone County Attorney, per the county's official 2026 financial statement, and is based in the Ortonville area. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Rebecca Trapp is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Stephanie L. Beckman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephanie L. Beckman Nonpartisan
Stephanie L. Beckman is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Meeker County District Court December 12, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Meeker County Attorney, 2006-2012, and served as Eighth Judicial District Chief Judge, 2021-2026, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephanie L. Beckman is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Melissa Listug
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Melissa Listug Nonpartisan
Melissa Listug is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Pope County District Court Nov. 7, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Littler Mendelson, P.C. and at Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Melissa Listug is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 7Nonpartisan race · Laurence J. Stratton
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Laurence J. Stratton Nonpartisan
Laurence J. Stratton is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Renville County District Court Jan. 28, 2019, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Renville County attorney and associate attorney at Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff, Ltd., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Laurence J. Stratton is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 10Nonpartisan race · Benjamin Charles Pieh
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Benjamin Charles Pieh Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Benjamin Pieh was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District bench by Governor Tim Walz on November 19, 2024, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School and previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Eighth Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Benjamin Charles Pieh is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Full race pageJudge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Allison T. Whalen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Allison T. Whalen Nonpartisan
Allison T. Whalen is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Swift County District Court February 26, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim Stevens County Attorney and an assistant Stevens and Swift County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Allison T. Whalen is the only name on the ballot for this seat; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected, so the race is on the November 3, 2026 ballot but is not contested. Minnesota's 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine counties; judges are elected at large across the whole district, so every voter there, not just voters in one county, votes on this seat. Minnesota judicial elections are nonpartisan and decided by plurality, with no runoff. Listed from the Secretary of State's certified general-election candidate table.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Supervisor District 5Nonpartisan race · Lon Moen · David Alan Webster
Lon Moen and David Alan Webster are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5.
Lon Moen Nonpartisan Incumbent
Lon Moen serves on the Big Stone County Soil and Water Conservation District board as Area 5 supervisor and Treasurer, per the district's website, a role he has held since 1999. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
David Alan Webster Nonpartisan
David Alan Webster appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate filing is the only verifiable source for David Alan Webster.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Big Stone County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota Senate District 12Kari Dorry (D) · Torrey Westrom (R)
Kari Dorry Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Supports strong public schools
- Wants to keep rural living affordable
Per the Alexandria Echo Press.
About Kari Dorry
Kari Dorry is a special education teacher and union organizer, per her campaign site. Dorry describes herself as a community advocate focused on supporting families, schools and communities, per her campaign site. Dorry is running for Minnesota Senate District 12, per her campaign site.
Torrey Westrom Republican Incumbent
Torrey Westrom was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1996, served there for 16 years, then moved to the Senate in 2012, according to his official Senate biography. He is now serving his fourth Senate term representing District 12 and is ranking minority member of Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Kari Dorry (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Torrey Westrom (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 12; Torrey Westrom is the sitting member, per the Minnesota Senate's official member directory (senate.mn). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageMinnesota House District 12APaul H. Anderson (R) · Talitha Anderson (D)
Paul H. Anderson Republican Incumbent
Paul H. Anderson, a farmer with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and education from the University of Minnesota, Morris, is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 12A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Anderson, first elected in 2008, is the sitting member for the district and co-chairs the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Talitha Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Talitha Anderson of Morris is the DFL candidate for Minnesota House District 12A, per the West Central Tribune. No occupation, campaign website or additional attributed biographical detail was found for her as of this research pass. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Paul H. Anderson (Republican), Talitha Anderson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 12A; Paul H. Anderson is the sitting member, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 11, 2026 primary (where contested) or qualified directly for the general ballot. The field is the Secretary of State's certified candidate table; Minnesota prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageBallot questions
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Big Stone County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
School District Question 1: REVOKING EXISTING REFERENDUM REVENUE AUTHORIZATION; APPROVING NEW AUTHORIZATIONIndependent School District No. 2903 (Ortonville Public Schools) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of its existing per-pupil amount and replace it with a new authorization of $1,050 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of its existing per-pupil amount and replace it with a new authorization of $1,050 per pupil for ten years.
School District Question 2: APPROVAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL PROJECT LEVY AND BOND ISSUEIndependent School District No. 2903 (Ortonville Public Schools) · Would authorize the school board to issue up to $2,520,000 in school building bonds and adopt a capital project levy of 1.380% of net tax capacity to fund school facility and capital projects described in the ballot question.
Would authorize the school board to issue up to $2,520,000 in school building bonds and adopt a capital project levy of 1.380% of net tax capacity to fund school facility and capital projects described in the ballot question.
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Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Big Stone County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Big Stone County sample ballot 2026: who is running for soil and water supervisor, commissioner and county sheriff, with bios, priorities and campaign sites. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Minnesota?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are listed on the Minnesota election hub. Minnesota election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Big Stone County ballot?
2 ballot questions: REVOKING EXISTING REFERENDUM REVENUE AUTHORIZATION; APPROVING NEW AUTHORIZATION; APPROVAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL PROJECT LEVY AND BOND ISSUE. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Big Stone County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Minnesota statewide racesEvery Minnesota race on this county's ballot.All Minnesota ballot measures1 statewide ballot measure