Jackson County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
21 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 16 Jackson County races, led by the Jackson County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Jay Moore · Don Wachal
Jay Moore and Don Wachal are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Commissioner District 2.
Jay Moore Nonpartisan
Jay Moore appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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 Jay Moore.
Don Wachal Nonpartisan
Don Wachal appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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 Don Wachal.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Roger D. Pohlman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Roger D. Pohlman Nonpartisan
- Addressing high-voltage transmission line discussions affecting the county
- Watershed management
- Housing availability
Per the campaign site.
About Roger D. Pohlman
Roger Pohlman is a retired law enforcement officer who spent 16 years with the Grand Forks Police Department before serving as police chief in Red Wing and Lakefield, per his campaign site. A 21-year U.S. military veteran of Desert Storm and Iraq, he holds degrees in criminal justice, human resources administration and business administration, per his campaign site. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Roger D. Pohlman is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Phil Nasby
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Phil Nasby Nonpartisan Incumbent
Phil Nasby appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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 Phil Nasby.
Phil Nasby is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Mike DeJong · Adam Koch
Mike DeJong and Adam Koch are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Sheriff.
Mike DeJong Nonpartisan
- Wants to work with local schools to keep children safe and address rural concerns like farm theft and response times
- Emphasizes open, clear communication with the public, staff, and local government
- Committed to efficient staffing and budgeting so tax dollars enhance community safety
Per the campaign site.
About Mike DeJong
Mike DeJong is a Jackson County sheriff's deputy who began his law enforcement career in 2004 as a Nobles County correctional officer and has served as a Jackson County deputy for the past decade, per The Globe of Worthington. He also serves with the Jackson Fire Department and announced his candidacy after Sheriff Shawn Haken said he would retire.
Adam Koch Nonpartisan
- Leading with responsibility to deputies, their families, and county residents
- Continuing to build relationships with local, state and federal agencies
Per the campaign site.
About Adam Koch
Adam Koch is an Investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, where he has worked since 2014. He graduated from Alexandria Technical College's law enforcement program in 2004 and previously worked in Lakefield and Mountain Lake, Minnesota, and for the Rapid City, South Dakota Police Department, per his campaign site.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Kristi L. Meyeraan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kristi L. Meyeraan Nonpartisan
Kristi L. Meyeraan appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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 Kristi L. Meyeraan.
Kristi L. Meyeraan is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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 2Nonpartisan race · Dan Riley
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dan Riley Nonpartisan Incumbent
Dan Riley serves as vice chair on the Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing Area 2, per the county's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Dan Riley is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Soil and Water Supervisor District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 4Nonpartisan race · Paul E. Nelson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul E. Nelson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Paul E. Nelson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Paul E. Nelson.
Paul E. Nelson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Jackson 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.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota 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 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 pageBallot questions
One local ballot question from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Jackson 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. 2895 (Jackson County Central) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $460 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,460 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $460 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,460 per pupil for ten years.
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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 Jackson County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Jackson County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on housing, the budget and agriculture. 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 Jackson County ballot?
1 ballot question: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Jackson 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