Nicollet County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
20 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 16 Nicollet County races, led by the Nicollet County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Marie Dranttel
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Marie Dranttel Nonpartisan Incumbent
Marie Dranttel is a certified public accountant who has run her own St. Peter practice for about 30 years, per southernminn.com. She has served as Nicollet County's District 1 Commissioner since 2011. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Marie Dranttel is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Jack Kolars
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jack Kolars Nonpartisan Incumbent
Jack Kolars is the District Three Commissioner for Nicollet County, serving since January 1997 and sworn in for his seventh term in January 2023, per Nicollet County government records. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jack Kolars is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Kurt Zins
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kurt Zins Nonpartisan Incumbent
- Transparent, common-sense leadership guided by fiscal and social responsibility
- Making county finances understandable so residents know where their money goes
- Preserving and protecting the character of Nicollet County
Per the campaign site.
About Kurt Zins
Kurt Zins has served as Nicollet County Commissioner for District 5 since January 2023, per the Mankato Free Press. He served 21 years as a Nicollet volunteer firefighter and first responder, served on the Nicollet City Council, and co-owns Zins, Inc., a business serving agricultural and residential customers, per the New Ulm Journal.
Kurt Zins is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Chad Honetschlager · Aaron Petersen
Chad Honetschlager and Aaron Petersen are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Sheriff.
Chad Honetschlager Nonpartisan
- Accountability to the people of Nicollet County
- Building community trust in the sheriff's office
- Direct engagement with residents across the county
Per the campaign site.
About Chad Honetschlager
A Mankato Police Officer serving in public safety since 2005, per his campaign site. He spent more than a decade as a reserve officer with the Nicollet County Sheriff's Office and Mankato Department of Public Safety before becoming a full-time officer in 2017, per KEYC.
Aaron Petersen Nonpartisan
- Maintaining public trust in the sheriff's office
- Continuing community outreach programs and adding a DARE officer
Per the campaign site.
About Aaron Petersen
Aaron Petersen is the Nicollet County Sheriff, appointed by the county board in early 2026 after more than two decades with the department, starting as a dispatcher in 2004 and rising through deputy, Drug Task Force, and chief deputy roles, per the St. Peter Herald. He is running in November 2026 to continue in the office.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Michelle Zehnder Fischer
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Michelle Zehnder Fischer Nonpartisan
- Says community safety is her foremost priority, prosecuting violent crime with a victim-centered approach
- Has expanded legal services for seniors
- Leads Stakeholders for Education Success, a group working to keep students engaged in school through truancy prevention
About Michelle Zehnder Fischer
Michelle Zehnder Fischer has served as Nicollet County Attorney since October 2011, after joining the office in 1995 and becoming chief deputy county attorney in 2007, per KEYC. She is seeking reelection in 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Michelle Zehnder Fischer is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet 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 · Eric Annexstad
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Eric Annexstad Nonpartisan Incumbent
Eric Annexstad serves as secretary of the Nicollet Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Eric Annexstad is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet 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 5Nonpartisan race · Mary Peichel
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mary Peichel Nonpartisan
Mary Peichel appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, 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 Mary Peichel.
Mary Peichel is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Nicollet 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.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota Senate District 18Jackie Henry (R) · Nick Frentz (D)
Jackie Henry Republican
- Affordability and property tax relief
- Rooting out government fraud and waste
- Supporting skilled-trades workforce development alongside agriculture and manufacturing jobs
Per the campaign site.
About Jackie Henry
Jackie Henry is a small-business owner raised on a farm in rural Nicollet County, per her campaign site. She is the endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 18, which covers Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter and surrounding areas in Blue Earth, Nicollet and Le Sueur counties, challenging incumbent DFL Sen. Nick Frentz.
Nick Frentz Democratic-Farmer-Labor Incumbent
- Secured bonding funds for local economic development projects supporting family farms
- Supported funding for a new regional crime lab in Mankato
Per the campaign site.
About Nick Frentz
Frentz is a partner at Maschka Personal Injury Law and previously managed Frentz & Frentz Law Offices for nearly three decades, per the campaign site. He holds a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2016, per the campaign site.
Jackie Henry (Republican), Nick Frentz (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 18; Nick Frentz 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 pageMinnesota House District 18ALeah Hanson (D) · Erica Schwartz (R)
Leah Hanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Focuses on bringing constituent voices to the legislature
- Supports policies aimed at a more just and equitable future
Per the campaign site.
About Leah Hanson
Hanson works as a counselor and social worker, building social service programs and advocating for families facing substance use disorders, homelessness and economic hardship, per the campaign site. She was raised on a hobby farm near Kasota and has lived in North Mankato for 11 years, per the campaign site.
Erica Schwartz Republican Incumbent
- Supports policies that prioritize educational opportunities for children
- Supports easing tax and financial burdens on families
- Supports providing local law enforcement with resources to keep neighborhoods secure
Per the campaign site.
About Erica Schwartz
Erica Schwartz is a resident of Nicollet who works at the Nicollet Mart, her husband's family business, per her campaign site. Schwartz studied Political Science with a History minor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, per her campaign site. Schwartz is running for Minnesota House of Representatives District 18A, per her campaign site.
Leah Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Erica Schwartz (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 18A; Erica Schwartz 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 Nicollet County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Township Question 1: Approval to Combine the Offices of Town Clerk and Town TreasurerBelgrade Township · Would combine the elected offices of town clerk and town treasurer into a single elected clerk-treasurer position.
Would combine the elected offices of town clerk and town treasurer into a single elected clerk-treasurer position.
School District Question 1: Approval of School District Referendum Revenue AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 2310 (Sibley East Public Schools) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of its existing per-pupil amount and replace it with a new authorization of $850 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of its existing per-pupil amount and replace it with a new authorization of $850 per pupil for ten years.
School District Question 1: Approval of Capital Project Levy AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 2365 (Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop) · Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of 1.53% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of 1.53% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
School District Question 2: Approval of School District Bond IssueIndependent School District No. 2365 (Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $3,200,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the demolition of decommissioned school buildings?.
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $3,200,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the demolition of decommissioned school buildings?.
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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 Nicollet County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Nicollet County sample ballot 2026: see where the county sheriff, commissioner and county attorney candidates stand on public safety, the budget and housing. 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 Nicollet County ballot?
4 ballot questions: Approval to Combine the Offices of Town Clerk and Town Treasurer; Approval of School District Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approval of Capital Project Levy Authorization; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Nicollet 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