Lake of the Woods County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota

24 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Lake of the Woods County races, led by the Lake Of The Woods County Commissioner District 1 contest.

20 races on the November ballot · 24 candidates
Enter your ZIP code at theballotbrief.com to see your exact 2026 ballot.

County offices

Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Dennis Pletcher

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Dennis Pletcher Nonpartisan

Dennis Pletcher appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods 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 Dennis Pletcher.

Dennis Pletcher is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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Commissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Joseph Grund

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Joseph Grund Nonpartisan

Joseph Grund, known as Joe, serves as the District 3 County Commissioner in Lake of the Woods County, per the county's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Joseph Grund is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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RecorderNonpartisan race · Susan J. Ney

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Susan J. Ney Nonpartisan Incumbent

Susan J. Ney appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Recorder, 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 Susan J. Ney.

Susan J. Ney is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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SheriffNonpartisan race · Gary Fish

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Gary Fish Nonpartisan

Gary Fish appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods 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 Gary Fish.

Gary Fish is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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Judges

Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 1Nonpartisan race · Matti Adam

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Matti Adam Nonpartisan

Matti Adam is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Beltrami County District Court on May 8, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Itasca County Attorney and assistant Itasca County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Matti Adam 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Henry C. Ambelang · Matthew R. Mallie

Henry C. Ambelang Nonpartisan

Henry C. Ambelang works as a public defender in Minnesota's 9th Judicial District and is running for judge in one of the few contested judicial races in the state this year, per KAXE. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Matthew R. Mallie Nonpartisan Incumbent

Judge Matthew R. Mallie was appointed to the Ninth Judicial District bench by Governor Tim Walz on July 12, 2019, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from Mitchell Hamline College of Law and previously worked as a solo practitioner and as a city prosecutor for multiple cities in Crow Wing County.

Henry C. Ambelang and Matthew R. Mallie are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for this seat. Minnesota's 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Charles D. Halverson

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Charles D. Halverson Nonpartisan

Charles D. Halverson is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Crow Wing County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on December 24, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously ran the Halverson Law Office and served as an assistant and managing attorney for the Ninth Judicial District Public Defender's Office, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Charles D. Halverson 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 5Nonpartisan race · Kimberly Wimmer

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Kimberly Wimmer Nonpartisan

Kimberly Wimmer is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Itasca County District Court by Governor Tim Walz on January 21, 2025, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously executive vice president and general counsel of TruStar Federal Credit Union, 2015-2025, and a solo practitioner, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Kimberly Wimmer 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 12Nonpartisan race · Sarah L. McBroom

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Sarah L. McBroom Nonpartisan

Sarah L. McBroom is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Itasca County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Nov. 16, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a staff attorney with Legal Aid Service of Northeast Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Sarah L. McBroom 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 13Nonpartisan race · Daniel M. Hawley

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Daniel M. Hawley Nonpartisan

Daniel M. Hawley is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Aitkin County District Court August 1, 2025, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a partner at Gammello-Pearson PLLC and a defense attorney for the Crow Wing County DWI Court, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Daniel M. Hawley 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 14Nonpartisan race · Kathryn A. Lorsbach

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Kathryn A. Lorsbach Nonpartisan

Kathryn A. Lorsbach is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Hubbard County District Court January 10, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Clearwater County Attorney and an assistant public defender for the Ninth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Kathryn A. Lorsbach 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Tamara L. Yon

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Tamara L. Yon Nonpartisan

Tamara L. Yon is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Pennington County District Court by Governor Tim Pawlenty on April 7, 2006, and elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Johannson, Rust, Yon, Stock and Rasmussen and served as Ninth District Chief Judge, 2019-2023, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Tamara L. Yon 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 19Nonpartisan race · Jana Austad

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Jana Austad Nonpartisan

Jana Austad has served as a District Court Judge in Minnesota's 9th Judicial District for seven years, per her campaign website. She was raised in Bemidji and has spent her legal career in northern Minnesota, per the same source.

Jana Austad 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 20Nonpartisan race · Michael Patrick Grover

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Michael Patrick Grover Nonpartisan

Michael Patrick Grover is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Roseau County District Court September 16, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Roseau County attorney, 2007-2025, and an associate attorney at Anderson Law Offices, P.A., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Michael Patrick Grover 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 21Nonpartisan race · Patricia A. Aanes

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Patricia A. Aanes Nonpartisan Incumbent

Judge Patricia A. Aanes was appointed to the Ninth Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on February 8, 2019, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and previously practiced law in Brainerd, including as a partner at Erickson & Aanes Law Offices. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Patricia A. Aanes 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Judge, Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court, Seat 22Nonpartisan race · Seamus P. Duffy

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Seamus P. Duffy Nonpartisan

Seamus P. Duffy is a judge of the Minnesota 9th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Mahnomen County District Court May 31, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Pennington County Attorney, 2018-2024, and an assistant public defender, 2007-2018, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Seamus P. Duffy 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 9th Judicial District covers Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau 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.

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Districts and boards

Soil and Water Supervisor District 3Nonpartisan race · John Sopkowiak

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

John Sopkowiak Nonpartisan Incumbent

John Sopkowiak serves on the Lake Of The Woods County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

John Sopkowiak is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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Soil and Water Supervisor District 4Nonpartisan race · Roger Krause

Unopposed: still on your ballot.

Roger Krause Nonpartisan Incumbent

Roger Krause serves on the Lake of the Woods 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.

Roger Krause is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lake Of The Woods County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).

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By address

These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.

Find your districts by address
Minnesota Senate District 2Dan R. Rogers (D) · Steve Green (R) · Calvin Larson Jr (UNI)

Dan R. Rogers Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Make childcare accessible and affordable
  • Support the viability of family farms
  • Invest in renewable energy and protect wild spaces including the Boundary Waters

Per the campaign site.

About Dan R. Rogers

Rogers is a science teacher, third-generation farmer and logger from Hubbard County, per the campaign site.

Steve Green Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Supports stronger oversight and independent audits to stop fraud in public programs
  • Supports lowering taxes on working families, farmers and small businesses
  • Supports permitting reforms for Greater Minnesota and reliable, affordable energy

Per the campaign site.

About Steve Green
Steve Green

Steve Green has represented Minnesota Senate District 2 since 2022 and previously served ten years in the Minnesota House representing District 2B, per his campaign site. Green ran Lakeland Greenhouse, his family's business, from 1981 to 2004 and has since worked in construction and carpentry, per his campaign site. Green was born and raised on a farm in Fosston, Minnesota, per his campaign site.

Calvin Larson Jr UNI

Calvin Larson Jr is the UNI candidate for Minnesota Senate District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Dan R. Rogers (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Steve Green (Republican), Calvin Larson Jr (UNI) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 2; Steve Green 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.

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Minnesota House District 2AReed J. Olson (D) · Bidal Duran Jr (R)

Reed J. Olson Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Top priorities
  • Build more housing in rural Minnesota
  • Support tribal sovereignty
  • Expand rural access to quality childcare

Per the campaign site.

About Reed J. Olson

Olson is a small business owner, director of two emergency homeless shelters in Bemidji, and a two-term Beltrami County Commissioner, per the campaign site.

Bidal Duran Jr Republican Incumbent

Bidal Duran Jr

Bidal Duran works in law enforcement and holds a master's degree in criminal justice from Concordia University in St. Paul, according to his official House biography. He serves as Assistant Republican Leader in the Minnesota House and represents District 2A, which includes portions of Beltrami and Clearwater counties and all of Lake of the Woods County. His only campaign web presence found was a Facebook page, which is not linked here. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Reed J. Olson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Bidal Duran Jr (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 2A; Bidal Duran Jr 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.

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
How to vote in Lake of the Woods County

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.

Lake of the Woods County 2026 election questions

Who is on the ballot in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?

Lake of the Woods County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county recorder and county sheriff candidates stand on housing 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 →

How do I see my exact Lake of the Woods 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 →

Sample ballot by ZIP code in Lake of the Woods County4 ZIP codes
Minnesota statewide racesEvery Minnesota race on this county's ballot.All Minnesota ballot measures1 statewide ballot measure