Lake County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
19 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 15 Lake County races, led by the Lake County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Colby Abazs · Joe Baltich
Colby Abazs and Joe Baltich are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner District 1.
Colby Abazs Nonpartisan
Colby Abazs appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner 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 Colby Abazs.
Joe Baltich Nonpartisan Incumbent
Joe Baltich is the incumbent Lake County Commissioner for District 1, first elected in a 2023 special election, per the county's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Richard "Rick" Hogenson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Richard "Rick" Hogenson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Richard "Rick" Hogenson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner 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 Richard "Rick" Hogenson.
Richard "Rick" Hogenson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Jeremy Michael Hurd
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeremy Michael Hurd Nonpartisan Incumbent
Jeremy Michael Hurd appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake 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 Jeremy Michael Hurd.
Jeremy Michael Hurd is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Tim Luoma
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Tim Luoma Nonpartisan
Tim Luoma appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake 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 Tim Luoma.
Tim Luoma is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Lara R.M. Nygaard
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Lara R.M. Nygaard Nonpartisan Incumbent
Lara R.M. Nygaard appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake 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 Lara R.M. Nygaard.
Lara R.M. Nygaard is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 1Nonpartisan race · Rachel C. Sullivan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rachel C. Sullivan Nonpartisan
Rachel C. Sullivan is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District July 27, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Prebich & Sullivan, P.C. and a law clerk to the Minnesota Court of Appeals; became Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District effective July 1, 2026, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rachel C. Sullivan 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Robert C. Friday
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert C. Friday Nonpartisan
Robert C. Friday is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed March 9, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously director of advocacy for Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert C. Friday 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Jessica J. Fralich
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jessica J. Fralich Nonpartisan
Jessica J. Fralich is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Nov. 4, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Duluth city attorney, a Sixth Judicial District referee and an assistant St. Louis County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jessica J. Fralich 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Steven Bradley Hanke
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Steven Bradley Hanke Nonpartisan
Steven Bradley Hanke is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Lake County District Court December 4, 2023, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim and deputy city attorney for the City of Duluth, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Steven Bradley Hanke 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 14Nonpartisan race · Rebekka Lynn Stumme
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme Nonpartisan
Rebekka Lynn Stumme is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Carlton County District Court May 31, 2019, by Governor Tim Walz and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant St. Louis County attorney and assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 · Doug S. Lande
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Doug S. Lande Nonpartisan Incumbent
Doug S. Lande appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Doug S. Lande.
Doug S. Lande is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake 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 3Nonpartisan race · Beth Hippert
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Beth Hippert Nonpartisan Incumbent
Beth Hippert is the District 3 Supervisor and Chair of the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per Lake County government pages. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Beth Hippert is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake 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.
Lake County is split across 2 Minnesota House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 3A, 3B
Minnesota House District 3ARoger J. Skraba (R) · Aaron Kania (D)
Roger J. Skraba Republican Incumbent
Roger Skraba is a business owner who represents District 3A in the Minnesota House. He holds a B.A. in construction management from North Dakota State University, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives. First elected in 2022, he is now in his second term and co-chairs Legacy Finance as vice chair, also serving on Transportation Finance and Policy, Capital Investment, and Housing Finance and Policy.
Aaron Kania Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support responsible use of the region's forests and natural resources
- Keep tax revenue in the region and fully fund schools
- Support rural health care and hold down prescription drug prices
Per the campaign site.
About Aaron Kania
Aaron Kania has worked as a law enforcement officer and a wildland firefighter and currently works in forest and wilderness management in the Northland, per the campaign site. He comes from a union family, per the campaign site.
Roger J. Skraba (Republican), Aaron Kania (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 3A; Roger J. Skraba 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 House District 3BNatalie Zeleznikar (R) · Aaron Schweiger (D)
Natalie Zeleznikar Republican Incumbent
- Reducing taxes and growing businesses
- Expanding family child care providers
- Maintaining roads and bridges
Per the campaign site.
About Natalie Zeleznikar
Natalie Zeleznikar is an entrepreneur who represents District 3B in the Minnesota House. She holds a B.S. in health care administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives. First elected in 2022, she is now in her second term, serves as Assistant Republican Leader, and sits on Children and Families Finance and Policy, Health Finance and Policy, Rules and Legislative Administration, and Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
Aaron Schweiger Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Aaron Schweiger is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 3B, per MinnPost. He is a real estate developer from Hermantown; the district spans Two Harbors, Hermantown, Proctor and rural areas north of Duluth.
Natalie Zeleznikar (Republican), Aaron Schweiger (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 3B; Natalie Zeleznikar 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 3Grant Hauschild (D) · Andrea Zupancich (R)
Grant Hauschild Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent
- Expand affordability for families through tax relief and free school meals
- Support mining, forestry and tourism industries through permitting reform
- Hold insurance and drug companies accountable for rising health care costs
Per the campaign site.
About Grant Hauschild
Grant Hauschild is the sitting state senator for District 3 whose earlier career included rural economic development work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and service as a labor policy aide to U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, per the campaign site. He also served as a local city councilor before his election to the Senate and co-chairs the bipartisan Civility Caucus in the Minnesota Senate, per the campaign site.
Andrea Zupancich Republican
Andrea Zupancich is the Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 3, per KAXE. She has served as Mayor of Babbitt for nine years and previously on the Babbitt City Council, and has served as a commissioner on the St. Louis County Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission. She owns z'Up North Realty.
Grant Hauschild (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Andrea Zupancich (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 3; Grant Hauschild 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 pageSee 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 Lake County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Lake County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on schools, taxes 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 →
How do I see my exact Lake 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