The Ballot Brief
Lyon County, Minnesota

Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Stephen J. Ferrazzano II. Candidate information follows official Lyon County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

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.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Minnesota › Lyon County › Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11

Stephen J. Ferrazzano II

Nonpartisan

Biography

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.

Next on your ballotJudge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 12

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Stephen J. Ferrazzano II. Candidate information follows official Lyon County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 11 election in Minnesota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Lyon County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Lyon County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Lyon County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Lyon County ballot

15 tracked races in Lyon County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 13Judge, Minnesota 5th Judicial District Court, Seat 15Lyon County Commissioner District 1See all 15 Lyon County races
Candidate profiles
Stephen J. Ferrazzano II, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office