Freeborn County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
18 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 15 Freeborn County races, led by the Freeborn County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Dawn Kaasa
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dawn Kaasa Nonpartisan Incumbent
Dawn Kaasa is the incumbent Freeborn County Commissioner for District 2, elected in 2022, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Dawn Kaasa is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Christopher Niles Shoff
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Christopher Niles Shoff Nonpartisan
Christopher Niles Shoff appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Commissioner District 4, 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 Christopher Niles Shoff.
Christopher Niles Shoff is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Ryan Shea
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ryan Shea Nonpartisan
Ryan Shea, who has been with the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office since 2000, became sheriff in 2023 and filed for reelection to a full term in May 2026, per KIMT and KTTC. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Ryan Shea is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · David Walker
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
David Walker Nonpartisan Incumbent
David Walker appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn 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 David Walker.
David Walker is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Jacob C. Allen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jacob C. Allen Nonpartisan
Jacob C. Allen is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Aug. 31, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Third District Public Defender's Office and a partner at O'Brien & Wolf L.L.P., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jacob C. Allen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 6Nonpartisan race · Karen R. Duncan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Karen R. Duncan Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Karen R. Duncan was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 1, 2013, and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously served as chief public defender for the Third Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Karen R. Duncan 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 7Nonpartisan race · Dwight Luhmann
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dwight Luhmann Nonpartisan
Dwight Luhmann is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Winona County District Court on July 15, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a solo practitioner and city attorney for Preston, 2007-2024, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Dwight Luhmann 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Erin Lindhart Felten
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Erin Lindhart Felten Nonpartisan
Erin Lindhart Felten is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court on Aug. 6, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a referee for the Third Judicial District in Olmsted County and an attorney at Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey LLP, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Erin Lindhart Felten 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 17Nonpartisan race · Christopher A Neisen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Christopher A Neisen Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Christopher A Neisen was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on June 29, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously was managing partner at Wornson, Goggins, Neisen, Morris & Brever, P.C. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher A Neisen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 22Nonpartisan race · Jeffrey M Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey M Johnson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Jeffrey M Johnson was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 23, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and previously served as Third Judicial District Chief Public Defender. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Jeffrey 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3Nonpartisan race · Vickie Heers
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Vickie Heers Nonpartisan Incumbent
Vickie Heers appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, 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 Vickie Heers.
Vickie Heers is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 4Nonpartisan race · Curt Helland
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Curt Helland Nonpartisan Incumbent
Curt Helland serves as chairman of the Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District 4, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Curt Helland is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Freeborn County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, 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.
Freeborn County is split across 2 Minnesota House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 23A, 23B
Minnesota House District 23ANick Ronnenberg (R) · Joe Staloch (D)
Nick Ronnenberg Republican
- Reducing government waste and increasing budget oversight
- Supporting police and first responders
- Opposing regulations that burden rural farmers
Per the campaign site.
About Nick Ronnenberg
Ronnenberg is an Army veteran with more than 20 years of active-duty and Reserve service, including overseas deployments, and has worked in banking, corrections, and county government, per the campaign site. He lives in Albert Lea, per the campaign site.
Joe Staloch Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Joe Staloch was raised on a family farm in southern Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Winona State University while working in the service industry managing a professional kitchen, per his campaign site. He is active in the interfaith group ISAIAH and is running for Minnesota House District 23A, per the campaign site.
Nick Ronnenberg (Republican), Joe Staloch (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 23A. Not on the November ballot: Peggy Bennett, 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 23BPatricia Mueller (R) · Christoph Dundas (D)
Patricia Mueller Republican Incumbent
- Limiting government regulation of business, healthcare and education decisions
- Protecting individual rights and local authority
Per the campaign site.
About Patricia Mueller
Mueller graduated from Winona State University with a degree in English education in 2003 and later earned a master's in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in education leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead, per the campaign site. She has worked as an educator for 18 years in the Twin Cities, Blooming Prairie, Indianapolis, Austin and China, and now lives in Austin, Minnesota, per the campaign site.
Christoph Dundas Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Address the rising cost of food, rent, health care and housing
- Increase the availability of affordable rental housing
- Support adequate funding for Greater Minnesota schools
Per the campaign site.
About Christoph Dundas
Christoph Dundas is a career educator who grew up in Wells, Minnesota, per the campaign site. He earned the 2025 Austin Teacher of the Year award and was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, per the campaign site.
Patricia Mueller (Republican), Christoph Dundas (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 23B; Patricia Mueller 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 23Angie Hanson (D) · Gene Dornink (R)
Angie Hanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Give rural Minnesota a strong voice in the legislature
- Address economic hardship in rural communities
Per the campaign site.
About Angie Hanson
Angie Hanson is a special education teacher and union president who serves on the Albert Lea school board, per the campaign site. She is the local organizing chair for Save Our Hospital, formed after her community lost hospital services, and serves on Albert Lea's Human Rights Commission, per the campaign site.
Gene Dornink Republican Incumbent
Gene Dornink was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2020 and re-elected in 2022, and is serving his second term representing District 23, according to his official Senate biography. He serves as ranking minority member of the Labor Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Angie Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Gene Dornink (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 23; Gene Dornink 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 pageBallot questions
5 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Freeborn County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
City Question 1: Sunday Liquor Sales Ballot QuestionCity of Geneva · Would allow licensed establishments in City of Geneva to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
Would allow licensed establishments in City of Geneva to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
City Question 1: Dissolving the City of Twin LakesCity of Twin Lakes · Would dissolve the City of Twin Lakes, ending it as an incorporated municipality.
Would dissolve the City of Twin Lakes, ending it as an incorporated municipality.
School District Question 1: Approval of School Building BondsIndependent School District No. 2134 (United South Central) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $22,895,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, additions and renovations to improve elementary and early childhood learning spaces, instructional support….
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $22,895,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, additions and renovations to improve elementary and early childhood learning spaces, instructional support….
School District Question 1: Approval of School District Bond IssueIndependent School District No. 242 (Alden-Conger Public School) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $1,250,000 for refunding existing district debt.
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $1,250,000 for refunding existing district debt.
School District Question 2: Approval of Capital Project Levy AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 242 (Alden-Conger Public School) · Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of 0.9106% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of 0.9106% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
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 Freeborn County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Freeborn County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on jobs, agriculture and schools. 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 Freeborn County ballot?
5 ballot questions: Sunday Liquor Sales Ballot Question; Dissolving the City of Twin Lakes; Approval of School Building Bonds; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Freeborn 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 →