Pennington County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
25 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 20 Pennington County races, led by the Pennington County Commissioner District 3 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · Joshua Iverson · Neil Peterson
Joshua Iverson and Neil Peterson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Commissioner District 3.
Joshua Iverson Nonpartisan
Joshua Iverson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington 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 Joshua Iverson.
Neil Peterson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Neil Peterson is a current member of the Pennington County Board, elected board vice-chairman for 2026, per official county board minutes. He is seeking reelection to District 3 against challenger Joshua Iverson, per the Thief River Falls Times. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Roy Sourdif
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Roy Sourdif Nonpartisan Incumbent
Roy Sourdif is the Pennington County Commissioner for District 4, serving since 2023 and filing for reelection in 2026, per Pennington County board records; he served as the board's 2025 chairman. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Roy Sourdif is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Seth Vettleson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Seth Vettleson Nonpartisan
Seth Vettleson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington 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 Seth Vettleson.
Seth Vettleson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Nathan Haase
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nathan Haase Nonpartisan Incumbent
Nathan Haase appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington 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 Nathan Haase.
Nathan Haase is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageJudge, 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.
Full race pageDistricts and boards
Soil and Water Supervisor District 2Nonpartisan race · Ricky A Peterson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ricky A Peterson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Ricky A Peterson serves on the Pennington County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Ricky A Peterson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington 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 · Kaleb Torgerson · Kevin F. Wilde
Kaleb Torgerson and Kevin F. Wilde are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3.
Kaleb Torgerson Nonpartisan
Kaleb Torgerson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Kaleb Torgerson.
Kevin F. Wilde Nonpartisan Incumbent
Kevin Wilde serves on the Pennington County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District 3, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pennington County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
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 1Mark Johnson (R) · Bjorn Solberg (D)
Mark Johnson Republican Incumbent
- Supports reducing regulatory hurdles for small businesses
- Supports policies to attract and retain workers and families in Northwestern Minnesota
Per the campaign site.
About Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson is a partner in Johnson Concrete Construction, a third-generation family business in East Grand Forks, and in a small law firm, per his campaign site. Johnson earned a degree in Finance and Economics from Bethel University and a J.D. from the University of North Dakota, per his campaign site. Johnson is a candidate for Minnesota Senate District 1, per his campaign site.
Bjorn Solberg Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Support family farms and rural economic development
- Expand affordable childcare for families and small businesses
- Protect funding for rural hospitals, emergency services and schools
Per the campaign site.
About Bjorn Solberg
Bjorn Solberg is an entrepreneur in agricultural marketing who acquired Hugh's Gardens LLC, an organic agriculture business that works with family farms, per the campaign site. He holds a degree in Secondary Education for Social Studies from Concordia College and has worked as a substitute teacher and basketball coach, per the campaign site. He has held leadership roles with the Halstad Business League and the Clay County Farmers Union and received the 2023 Great Plains Food Bank Hunger Relief Champion award, per the campaign site.
Mark Johnson (Republican), Bjorn Solberg (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 1; Mark Johnson 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 1AJohn Burkel (R) · Leanna Sandahl (D)
John Burkel Republican Incumbent
- Reducing regulatory burden on farmers
- Fighting waste, fraud, and mismanagement of public funds
- Supporting parental involvement and local control in education
Per the campaign site.
About John Burkel
Burkel is a fourth-generation turkey farmer in Badger, Minnesota, who spent 20 years on the board of Northern Pride, Inc., a grower-owned turkey processing cooperative, serving as chairman from 2016 to 2020, per the campaign site. He also served on the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association board and the National Turkey Federation's executive committee, per the campaign site.
Leanna Sandahl Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Leanna Sandahl is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 1A on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table. Received the Education Minnesota endorsement as a candidate for House District 1A, which covers Kittson, Marshall, Pennington and Roseau counties, per Education Minnesota. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
John Burkel (Republican), Leanna Sandahl (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 1A; John Burkel 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 pageSee your full ballot
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Who is on the ballot in Pennington County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Pennington County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, soil and water supervisor and county sheriff candidates stand on jobs and schools. 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 →
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Minnesota statewide racesEvery Minnesota race on this county's ballot.All Minnesota ballot measures1 statewide ballot measure