Cottonwood County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
23 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 19 Cottonwood County races, led by the Cottonwood County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Larry Anderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Larry Anderson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Larry Anderson is the incumbent Cottonwood County Commissioner for District 1, running unopposed in 2026, per the county's website. He farmed for 20 years and later worked 25 years as Property and Fleet Manager for Habilitative Services, and served as Westbrook Township supervisor for more than 35 years, per the county's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Larry Anderson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Donna L. Gravley
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Donna L. Gravley Nonpartisan
Donna Gravley has served as Cottonwood County's District 3 Commissioner since 2015. She worked 30 years with the Minnesota Department of Transportation before retiring in 2014, per the county's commissioner directory. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Donna L. Gravley is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Tom Appel
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Tom Appel Nonpartisan Incumbent
Tom Appel worked as an agricultural education instructor for 37 years, most recently 35 years at Mountain Lake High School teaching agriculture and science, per Cottonwood County's website. He holds bachelor's degrees in agricultural education from the University of Minnesota and in life science from Minnesota State University, Mankato. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Tom Appel is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAuditor/TreasurerNonpartisan race · Carolyn Rempel
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Carolyn Rempel Nonpartisan
Carolyn Rempel was appointed Cottonwood County Auditor/Treasurer after Donna Torkelson's resignation and filed for the office in 2026, per a county legal notice. She previously served as chief deputy in the office and, before that, worked as a branch office administrator for Edward Jones, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bethel University. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Carolyn Rempel is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageRecorderNonpartisan race · Susan R. Horkey
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Susan R. Horkey Nonpartisan Incumbent
Susan R. Horkey was sworn in as Cottonwood County Recorder on February 28, 2025, appointed to fill the remainder of a term vacated by the previous recorder, per Cottonwood County's government website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Susan R. Horkey is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Jason J. Purrington
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jason J. Purrington Nonpartisan
Jason J. Purrington appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Sheriff, 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 Jason J. Purrington.
Jason J. Purrington is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Nicholas Anderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nicholas Anderson Nonpartisan
Nicholas Anderson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Attorney, 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 Nicholas Anderson.
Nicholas Anderson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Kayla M. Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kayla M. Johnson Nonpartisan
Kayla M. Johnson was appointed to the bench in Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District by Governor Tim Walz in March 2025, per her former law firm's website. She was a founding partner of Smith & Johnson from 2015 to 2025, focusing on real estate law and estate planning, and is a graduate of Hamline University and its law school, per the same source.
Kayla M. Johnson 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 5Nonpartisan race · Christopher Cain · Christina M. Wietzema
Christopher Cain Nonpartisan
Christopher Cain is a candidate for Minnesota Fifth Judicial District Court, Seat 5. He has practiced law for 30 years, serving as an Assistant County Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, Interim City Attorney and defense/family law attorney, per his campaign site. He has also served as an investigator and panel chair with the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board and as an adjunct law instructor, per the same source.
Christina M. Wietzema Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Christina M. Wietzema was appointed to the Fifth Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton in 2012 and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from Hamline University School of Law and previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher Cain and Christina M. Wietzema are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for this seat. Minnesota's 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 8Nonpartisan race · Paul J. Gunderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul J. Gunderson Nonpartisan
Paul J. Gunderson is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Nicollet County District Court March 4, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Brown County attorney and an attorney at Blethen Berens and Berens, Rodenberg & O'Connor, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Paul J. Gunderson 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Stephen J. Ferrazzano II
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II Nonpartisan
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Watonwan County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on January 12, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney with the Office of the State Public Defender, 1998-2018, and former mayor of Tracy, Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 12Nonpartisan race · Patrick Rohland
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patrick Rohland Nonpartisan
Patrick Rohland is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Redwood County District Court Sept. 9, 2013, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Redwood Falls city attorney and an attorney with the Redwood County Attorney's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Patrick Rohland 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 13Nonpartisan race · Troy G. Timmerman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Troy G. Timmerman Nonpartisan
Troy G. Timmerman is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Faribault County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Jan. 18, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Faribault County Attorney and an assistant public defender and managing attorney for the Fifth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Troy G. Timmerman 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Robert Docherty
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert Docherty Nonpartisan
Robert Docherty is a judge of the Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Brown County District Court Aug. 17, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Mankato office of the Fifth Judicial District Public Defender's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert Docherty 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 5th Judicial District covers Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock and Watonwan 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 1Nonpartisan race · David Bucklin
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
David Bucklin Nonpartisan Incumbent
David Bucklin appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1, 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 Bucklin.
David Bucklin is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 3Nonpartisan race · Daryl Tasler
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Daryl Tasler Nonpartisan Incumbent
Daryl Tasler serves on the Cottonwood County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District III, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Daryl Tasler is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cottonwood County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Cottonwood County is split across 2 Minnesota House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 21A, 21B
Minnesota House District 21ALS Rusty Nelson (D) · Krist Wollum (R)
LS Rusty Nelson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Protect rural hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and ambulance services from funding cuts
- Strengthen volunteer fire departments and EMT services
- Support practical solutions for farmers' and ranchers' supply chains
Per the campaign site.
About LS Rusty Nelson
LS "Rusty" Nelson is a teacher and emergency medical technician who has lived in southwest Minnesota for more than 30 years, per the campaign site. He describes his approach as thoughtful leadership grounded in listening and practical problem solving, per the campaign site.
Krist Wollum Republican
- Strengthening oversight of taxpayer funds
- Protecting family farms and rural communities from burdensome regulation
- Improving rural healthcare access and support for veterans
Per the campaign site.
About Krist Wollum
Wollum is a fourth-generation farmer who has operated a grain and cattle farm near Porter, Minnesota, with his nephew since 1992, per the campaign site. He served 20 years as Marble Township supervisor and as president of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association from 2017 to 2018, per the campaign site.
LS Rusty Nelson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Krist Wollum (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 21A. Not on the November ballot: Joe Schomacker, the sitting member per the roster. 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 21BJon Wilson (D) · Marj J Fogelman (R)
Jon Wilson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Focuses on law enforcement support
- Supports rural economic growth and farming interests
- Prioritizes EMT and emergency-services funding
Per the campaign site.
About Jon Wilson
Jon Wilson is a teacher in St. James who previously served two years as Mayor of St. James and five years on the Fairmont School Board, per his campaign site. Wilson describes himself as a Centrist Democrat running for the Minnesota House in District 21B, per his campaign site.
Marj J Fogelman Republican Incumbent
Marj Fogelman is the sitting Republican representative for Minnesota House District 21B, per the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her occupation is listed as business owner; she holds an A.A.S. in accounting from Southwestern Technical College, and was first elected in 2022, per the official member directory.
Jon Wilson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Marj J Fogelman (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 21B; Marj J Fogelman 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 pageMinnesota Senate District 21Chris Knoll (R) · Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (D)
Chris Knoll Republican
Chris Knoll is CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services and a licensed Department of Human Services provider and nursing home administrator, per his campaign site. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University and a master's degree in public administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, per the campaign site. He is running for Minnesota Senate District 21.
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support strong communities and reliable services for southwest Minnesota
- Favor data driven, community led decisions
- Promote transparent and accountable government
Per the campaign site.
About Caitlyn Sanow-Minett
Caitlyn Sanow-Minett is a lifelong southwest Minnesota resident from Tracy who now lives in Lake Benton, per the campaign site. She works as a circulation supervisor at an academic library and is a local union leader, and previously worked in childcare and hospitality while earning a bachelor's degree in English literature from Southwest Minnesota State University, per the campaign site.
Chris Knoll (Republican), Caitlyn Sanow-Minett (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 21. Not on the November ballot: Bill Weber, the sitting member per the roster. 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
4 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Cottonwood County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Township Question 1: APPOINTING TOWN CLERKAmo Township · Would let the town board appoint the clerk instead of voters electing the position.
Would let the town board appoint the clerk instead of voters electing the position.
Township Question 2: APPOINT TOWN TREASURERAmo Township · Would let the town board appoint the treasurer instead of voters electing the position.
Would let the town board appoint the treasurer instead of voters electing the position.
Township Question 1: Dale Township Board requests abandonment of Clerk/Treasurer positionDale Township · Would undo a prior combination of the clerk and treasurer offices, separating them back into two elected positions.
Would undo a prior combination of the clerk and treasurer offices, separating them back into two elected positions.
Township Question 2: APPOINTING TOWN TREASURERStorden Township · Would let the town board appoint the treasurer instead of voters electing the position.
Would let the town board appoint the treasurer instead of voters electing the position.
See your full ballot
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 Cottonwood County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Cottonwood County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner and county auditor/treasurer candidates stand on agriculture, public safety and health care. 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 Cottonwood County ballot?
4 ballot questions: APPOINTING TOWN CLERK; APPOINT TOWN TREASURER; Dale Township Board requests abandonment of Clerk/Treasurer position; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Cottonwood 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