Pope County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
22 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 18 Pope County races, led by the Pope County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Paul Gremmels
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul Gremmels Nonpartisan Incumbent
Paul Gremmels is a Pope County Commissioner, per Pope County's government website. He has served on the Health and Human Services Committee of the Association of Minnesota Counties. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Paul Gremmels is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Larry Lindor
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Larry Lindor Nonpartisan Incumbent
Larry Lindor is the Pope County Commissioner for District 4 and was elected president of the Association of Minnesota Counties for 2026, per Pope County's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Larry Lindor is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Paul Wildman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Paul Wildman Nonpartisan Incumbent
Paul Wildman was elected Pope County's District 5 Commissioner in 2022 and was chosen board Vice-Chair for 2025, per the Pope County Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Paul Wildman is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAuditor/TreasurerNonpartisan race · Stephanie Rust
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephanie Rust Nonpartisan
Stephanie Rust serves as Pope County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Pope County Tribune's coverage of county board meetings. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Stephanie Rust is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageRecorderNonpartisan race · Sarah Green
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Sarah Green Nonpartisan Incumbent
Sarah Green is the Pope County Recorder, per the county's government website. She was named to the 2025 Minnesota Association of County Officers Honor Roll for leadership helping counties implement new judicial security requirements for real property records. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Sarah Green is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Nathan Brecht
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nathan Brecht Nonpartisan Incumbent
Nathan Brecht was appointed Pope County Sheriff effective April 1, 2025 after serving as Chief Deputy Sheriff, per Pope County's website, and is serving the remainder of the term through 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Nathan Brecht is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Neil Nelson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Neil Nelson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Neil Nelson serves as Pope County Attorney, a part-time elected position, and focuses his private legal practice on farm and business succession planning, estate and tax planning, and real estate, per the Pope County Tribune. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Neil Nelson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Stephanie L. Beckman
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephanie L. Beckman Nonpartisan
Stephanie L. Beckman is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Meeker County District Court December 12, 2012, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Meeker County Attorney, 2006-2012, and served as Eighth Judicial District Chief Judge, 2021-2026, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephanie L. Beckman 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 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine 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 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Melissa Listug
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Melissa Listug Nonpartisan
Melissa Listug is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Pope County District Court Nov. 7, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Littler Mendelson, P.C. and at Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Melissa Listug 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 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine 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 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 7Nonpartisan race · Laurence J. Stratton
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Laurence J. Stratton Nonpartisan
Laurence J. Stratton is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed Assistant Chief Judge of the Renville County District Court Jan. 28, 2019, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant Renville County attorney and associate attorney at Muske, Muske & Suhrhoff, Ltd., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Laurence J. Stratton 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 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine 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 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 10Nonpartisan race · Benjamin Charles Pieh
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Benjamin Charles Pieh Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Benjamin Pieh was appointed to the Eighth Judicial District bench by Governor Tim Walz on November 19, 2024, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School and previously worked as an assistant public defender in the Eighth Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Benjamin Charles Pieh 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 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine 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 8th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Allison T. Whalen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Allison T. Whalen Nonpartisan
Allison T. Whalen is a judge of the Minnesota 8th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Swift County District Court February 26, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim Stevens County Attorney and an assistant Stevens and Swift County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Allison T. Whalen 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 8th Judicial District covers Big Stone, Chippewa, Grant, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine 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 1Nonpartisan race · Earl Hauge · Keith Nygaard
Earl Hauge and Keith Nygaard are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1.
Earl Hauge Nonpartisan
Earl Hauge appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Earl Hauge.
Keith Nygaard Nonpartisan Incumbent
Keith Nygaard is President of the Pope County Soil and Water Conservation District board, representing District 1, per the district's website. He was recognized as a 2025 Outstanding Administrator. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 3Nonpartisan race · Gregg Weller
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Gregg Weller Nonpartisan
Gregg Weller appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope 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 Gregg Weller.
Gregg Weller is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 4Nonpartisan race · Randy Mitteness
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Randy Mitteness Nonpartisan Incumbent
Randy Mitteness serves as the Public Relations officer and District 4 supervisor for the Pope County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Randy Mitteness is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Pope County Soil and Water Supervisor District 4, 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.
Pope County is split across 2 Minnesota House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota House: 2 districtsDistricts 12A, 12B
Minnesota House District 12APaul H. Anderson (R) · Talitha Anderson (D)
Paul H. Anderson Republican Incumbent
Paul H. Anderson, a farmer with a Bachelor of Arts in physical education and education from the University of Minnesota, Morris, is the Republican candidate for Minnesota House District 12A, per the Minnesota House of Representatives's official member directory (house.mn.gov). Anderson, first elected in 2008, is the sitting member for the district and co-chairs the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Talitha Anderson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Talitha Anderson of Morris is the DFL candidate for Minnesota House District 12A, per the West Central Tribune. No occupation, campaign website or additional attributed biographical detail was found for her as of this research pass. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Paul H. Anderson (Republican), Talitha Anderson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 12A; Paul H. Anderson 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 12BMary Franson (R) · Michael Gardner (D)
Mary Franson Republican Incumbent
- Supports strengthening the economy and job growth, including for family farmers
- Supports Second Amendment rights
- Supports parental rights and family-centered policies
Per the campaign site.
About Mary Franson
Mary Franson was a licensed childcare provider and small business owner before her legislative service, per campaign site. Mary Franson holds a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth and was first elected to the legislature in 2010, per campaign site.
Michael Gardner Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Calls for government services and technology to work better for constituents
- Emphasizes that the seat belongs to the district's residents rather than special interests
Per the campaign site.
About Michael Gardner
Michael Gardner is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for Minnesota House District 12B on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's certified candidate table.
Mary Franson (Republican), Michael Gardner (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 12B; Mary Franson 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 Senate District 12Kari Dorry (D) · Torrey Westrom (R)
Kari Dorry Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Supports strong public schools
- Wants to keep rural living affordable
Per the Alexandria Echo Press.
About Kari Dorry
Kari Dorry is a special education teacher and union organizer, per her campaign site. Dorry describes herself as a community advocate focused on supporting families, schools and communities, per her campaign site. Dorry is running for Minnesota Senate District 12, per her campaign site.
Torrey Westrom Republican Incumbent
Torrey Westrom was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1996, served there for 16 years, then moved to the Senate in 2012, according to his official Senate biography. He is now serving his fourth Senate term representing District 12 and is ranking minority member of Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Kari Dorry (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Torrey Westrom (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 12; Torrey Westrom 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 pageBallot questions
4 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Pope County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
City Question 1: Transition to Plan A Statutory CityCity of Lowry · Would transition City of Lowry to a Plan A statutory city form of government.
Would transition City of Lowry to a Plan A statutory city form of government.
School District Question 1: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 206 (Alexandria) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $595 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $2,225 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $595 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $2,225 per pupil for ten years.
School District Question 1: Approval of School District Bond IssueIndependent School District No. 2342 (West Central Area Schools) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $33,805,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of an elementary school addition; renovations and upgrades to science rooms and career and….
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to $33,805,000 for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of an elementary school addition; renovations and upgrades to science rooms and career and….
School District Question 1: Renewal of Expiring Capital Project Levy To Fund TechnologyIndependent School District No. 743 (Sauk Centre Public Schools) · Would let the school board renew capital project levy authorization of 2.281% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
Would let the school board renew capital project levy authorization of 2.281% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
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 Pope County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Pope County sample ballot 2026: who is running for soil and water supervisor and commissioner, with bios, priorities and campaign sites. 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 Pope County ballot?
4 ballot questions: Transition to Plan A Statutory City; Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization; Approval of School District Bond Issue; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Pope 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