Martin County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
27 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Martin County races, led by the Martin County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Jaime Bleess · Danny Geronsin
Jaime Bleess and Danny Geronsin are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Commissioner District 2.
Jaime Bleess Nonpartisan Incumbent
The incumbent Martin County Commissioner for District 2 and vice-chairman of the county board, who filed to retain his seat in the 2026 election, per the Fairmont Sentinel and Martin County's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Danny Geronsin Nonpartisan
Danny Geronsin appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin 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 Danny Geronsin.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Richard Allan Koons · Julie Laue
Richard Allan Koons and Julie Laue are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Commissioner District 4.
Richard Allan Koons Nonpartisan Incumbent
Richard Koons is chairman of the Martin County Board, representing District 4, per the Fairmont Sentinel. He is seeking reelection in 2026 against challenger Julie Laue. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Julie Laue Nonpartisan
Julie Laue filed to run for Martin County Commissioner District 4 against incumbent Richard Koons, per the Fairmont Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageRecorderNonpartisan race · Michelle Duncan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Michelle Duncan Nonpartisan
Michelle Duncan is the current Martin County Recorder and filed in May 2026 to retain her seat, per the Fairmont Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Michelle Duncan is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Matt Owens
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Matt Owens Nonpartisan
Matt Owens appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin 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 Matt Owens.
Matt Owens is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Taylor McGowan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Taylor McGowan Nonpartisan Incumbent
Taylor McGowan is the incumbent Martin County Attorney, holding a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Columbia Law School, per county and professional records. She filed for reelection in May 2026, per the Fairmont Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Taylor McGowan is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSurveyorNonpartisan race · Ben Madsen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ben Madsen Nonpartisan
Ben Madsen appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Surveyor, 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 Ben Madsen.
Ben Madsen is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Surveyor, 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 · Chantill A. Kahler Royer
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chantill A. Kahler Royer Nonpartisan Incumbent
Chantill A. Kahler Royer, listed as Chantill Kahler Royer, serves as chair on the Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing Nomination District Two, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Chantill A. Kahler Royer is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin 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 · Nolan Kittleson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nolan Kittleson Nonpartisan
Nolan Kittleson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin 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 Nolan Kittleson.
Nolan Kittleson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 5Nonpartisan race · Tyler Ask
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Tyler Ask Nonpartisan Incumbent
Tyler Ask serves as Vice Chair and District 5 supervisor for the Martin County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Tyler Ask is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Martin County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, 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.
Martin County is split across 4 Minnesota Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 21, 22
Minnesota 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 Senate District 22Jeremy Munson (R) · Marisa Ulmen (D)
Jeremy Munson Republican
- Authored legislation applying free-market approaches to lowering health care and pharmaceutical costs
- Focuses on reducing taxes, energy costs and business regulation
- Focuses on government accountability over state fraud
Per the campaign site.
About Jeremy Munson
Jeremy Munson holds a business degree from the University of Minnesota and previously served five years in the Minnesota House (2017-2022), per campaign site. Jeremy Munson and his wife have operated real estate and specialty crop farming businesses, per campaign site.
Marisa Ulmen Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Supports family farmers through fair competition and access to markets
- Supports fully funding public education and expanding childcare access
- Supports health care access for seniors and workers
Per the campaign site.
About Marisa Ulmen
Marisa Ulmen is a fifth-generation farmer from Madelia, Minnesota, who raises row crops, alfalfa and livestock with her husband, per her campaign site. She works in accounting after closing the family's animal feed business in late 2024, per the campaign site.
Jeremy Munson (Republican), Marisa Ulmen (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 22. Not on the November ballot: Rich Draheim, 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: 2 districtsDistricts 21B, 22A
Minnesota 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 pageMinnesota House District 22ASonja L. Denn (D) · Bjorn Olson (R)
Sonja L. Denn Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Supports revitalizing small towns through economic development
- Supports agriculture and farmers in the district
- Opposes rising property taxes
Per the campaign site.
About Sonja L. Denn
Sonja L. Denn was raised in Lake Crystal and returned to school as a teen mother to earn her diploma, later graduating college while raising four children, per her campaign site. She has worked with migrant Head Start programs, transitional housing services, and as a career counselor with the National Guard, per the campaign site.
Bjorn Olson Republican Incumbent
- Describes himself as pro-life and pro-family
- Supports Second Amendment gun rights
- Supports parental input in education and promotes agriculture interests at the Capitol
Per the campaign site.
About Bjorn Olson
Bjorn Olson represents District 22A in the Minnesota House of Representatives, having been first elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022, per his campaign site. Olson is a Major in the United States Army Reserve and previously taught middle school history at Blue Earth Area Schools for 8 years, per his campaign site. Olson also independently farms 200 acres in the area, per his campaign site.
Sonja L. Denn (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Bjorn Olson (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 22A; Bjorn Olson 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
4 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Martin County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
City Question 1: Proposed Charter Amendment Deeming City Council Ineligible for Charter CommissionCity of Fairmont · Proposed Charter Amendment Deeming City Council Ineligible for Charter Commission
Proposed Charter Amendment Deeming City Council Ineligible for Charter Commission
City Question 2: Proposed Charter Amendment Adding Charter Commission Application ProcessCity of Fairmont · Proposed Charter Amendment Adding Charter Commission Application Process
Proposed Charter Amendment Adding Charter Commission Application Process
City Question 3: Proposed Charter Amendment Requiring Council Approval of Utility Commission PurchasesCity of Fairmont · Proposed Charter Amendment Requiring Council Approval of Utility Commission Purchases
Proposed Charter Amendment Requiring Council Approval of Utility Commission Purchases
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.
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 Martin County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Martin County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county recorder and county sheriff candidates stand on agriculture, jobs and the budget. 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 Martin County ballot?
4 ballot questions: Proposed Charter Amendment Deeming City Council Ineligible for Charter Commission; Proposed Charter Amendment Adding Charter Commission Application Process; Proposed Charter Amendment Requiring Council Approval of Utility Commission Purchases; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Martin 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 →