Steele County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
23 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 17 Steele County races, led by the Steele County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Justin Ohnstad · Gary Spatenka
Justin Ohnstad and Gary Spatenka are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Commissioner District 1.
Justin Ohnstad Nonpartisan
- Leadership that starts with listening to community concerns
- Balancing long-term planning with day-to-day needs of residents
- Accessible, practical leadership grounded in everyday realities
About Justin Ohnstad
Justin Ohnstad is a lifelong Owatonna native and licensed realtor with nearly two decades in real estate, running for Steele County Commissioner District 1, per his own column in the Owatonna People's Press. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Gary Spatenka Nonpartisan
Gary Spatenka appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Commissioner 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 Gary Spatenka.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · John Glynn
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
John Glynn Nonpartisan Incumbent
John Glynn appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele 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 John Glynn.
John Glynn is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Lon Thiele
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Lon Thiele Nonpartisan Incumbent
Lon Thiele has served as Steele County Sheriff since 2010 and is seeking a fifth term in 2026, per the Owatonna People's Press. In 2026 he was sworn in as president of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, per Radio Mankato. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Lon Thiele is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Robert Jarrett
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert Jarrett Nonpartisan Incumbent
Robert Jarrett was appointed Steele County Attorney in June 2024 after previously serving as an assistant county attorney and later as the Rochester Police Department's professional standards manager and department attorney, per the Steele County Times and KIMT. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Robert Jarrett is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Jacob C. Allen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jacob C. Allen Nonpartisan
Jacob C. Allen is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court by Governor Mark Dayton on Aug. 31, 2018, and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously managing attorney of the Third District Public Defender's Office and a partner at O'Brien & Wolf L.L.P., per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jacob C. Allen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 6Nonpartisan race · Karen R. Duncan
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Karen R. Duncan Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Karen R. Duncan was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 1, 2013, and was elected in 2014 and 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. She earned her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously served as chief public defender for the Third Judicial District. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Karen R. Duncan 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 7Nonpartisan race · Dwight Luhmann
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Dwight Luhmann Nonpartisan
Dwight Luhmann is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Winona County District Court on July 15, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a solo practitioner and city attorney for Preston, 2007-2024, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Dwight Luhmann 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 15Nonpartisan race · Erin Lindhart Felten
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Erin Lindhart Felten Nonpartisan
Erin Lindhart Felten is a judge of the Minnesota 3rd Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Olmsted County District Court on Aug. 6, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously a referee for the Third Judicial District in Olmsted County and an attorney at Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey LLP, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Erin Lindhart Felten 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 17Nonpartisan race · Christopher A Neisen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Christopher A Neisen Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Christopher A Neisen was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on June 29, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and previously was managing partner at Wornson, Goggins, Neisen, Morris & Brever, P.C. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Christopher A Neisen 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 3rd Judicial District Court, Seat 22Nonpartisan race · Jeffrey M Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey M Johnson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Judge Jeffrey M Johnson was appointed to the Third Judicial District bench by Governor Mark Dayton on March 23, 2018, and was elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. He earned his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and previously served as Third Judicial District Chief Public Defender. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Jeffrey 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 3rd Judicial District covers Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona 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 · Mark Ihlenfeld
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mark Ihlenfeld Nonpartisan
Mark Ihlenfeld appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele 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 Mark Ihlenfeld.
Mark Ihlenfeld is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Soil and Water Supervisor District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSoil and Water Supervisor District 3Nonpartisan race · Mark D. Ditlevson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Mark D. Ditlevson Nonpartisan
Mark D. Ditlevson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele 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 Mark D. Ditlevson.
Mark D. Ditlevson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Steele County Soil and Water Supervisor District 3, 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.
Steele County is split across 5 Minnesota Senate and House districts.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota Senate: 2 districtsDistricts 19, 23
Minnesota Senate District 19Sam Powell (D) · John R. Jasinski (R)
Sam Powell Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Healthcare access
- Support for victims of domestic and sexual violence
- Education
Per the campaign site.
About Sam Powell
Powell worked as a pastor before moving from California to Faribault, Minnesota in 2023, per the campaign site. He now works in Human Resources at Walmart as a People Lead, after earlier roles in food service management and at Hy-Vee, per the campaign site.
John R. Jasinski Republican Incumbent
- Protect constitutional liberties
- Support job growth and economic competitiveness for Minnesota
- Improve roads and bridges in Greater Minnesota
Per the campaign site.
About John R. Jasinski
Jasinski served four years in the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist and air intercept controller, completing two tours in the Persian Gulf, per the campaign site. He later earned a business finance degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato and built a real estate career in Faribault, per the campaign site. He served on the Faribault City Council and as mayor before his election to the Minnesota Senate in 2016, per the campaign site.
Sam Powell (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), John R. Jasinski (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 19; John R. Jasinski 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 Senate District 23Angie Hanson (D) · Gene Dornink (R)
Angie Hanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Give rural Minnesota a strong voice in the legislature
- Address economic hardship in rural communities
Per the campaign site.
About Angie Hanson
Angie Hanson is a special education teacher and union president who serves on the Albert Lea school board, per the campaign site. She is the local organizing chair for Save Our Hospital, formed after her community lost hospital services, and serves on Albert Lea's Human Rights Commission, per the campaign site.
Gene Dornink Republican Incumbent
Gene Dornink was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2020 and re-elected in 2022, and is serving his second term representing District 23, according to his official Senate biography. He serves as ranking minority member of the Labor Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Angie Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Gene Dornink (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 23; Gene Dornink 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: 3 districtsDistricts 19B, 23A, 23B
Minnesota House District 19BZack Meyman (D) · Thomas J. Sexton (R)
Zack Meyman Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Wants to protect health care and education funding
- Supports protecting Minnesota's woodlands and waterways
- Wants to help rural families and farmers facing tariffs and rising costs
Per the campaign site.
About Zack Meyman
Meyman is a lifelong Waseca resident who spent 23 years at the Itron plant in Waseca, rising from an entry-level assembly job to production supervisor while earning a technology degree from South Central College, per the campaign site. When Itron moved the plant out of state at the end of 2024, he took a new supervisor position in Owatonna, per the campaign site.
Thomas J. Sexton Republican Incumbent
Thomas Sexton is a Waseca resident and the sitting Republican representative for Minnesota House District 19B, according to KTTC. He held his 2026 campaign kickoff event in Waseca, per the Waseca County Pioneer. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Zack Meyman (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Thomas J. Sexton (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 19B; Thomas J. Sexton 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 23ANick Ronnenberg (R) · Joe Staloch (D)
Nick Ronnenberg Republican
- Reducing government waste and increasing budget oversight
- Supporting police and first responders
- Opposing regulations that burden rural farmers
Per the campaign site.
About Nick Ronnenberg
Ronnenberg is an Army veteran with more than 20 years of active-duty and Reserve service, including overseas deployments, and has worked in banking, corrections, and county government, per the campaign site. He lives in Albert Lea, per the campaign site.
Joe Staloch Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Joe Staloch was raised on a family farm in southern Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Winona State University while working in the service industry managing a professional kitchen, per his campaign site. He is active in the interfaith group ISAIAH and is running for Minnesota House District 23A, per the campaign site.
Nick Ronnenberg (Republican), Joe Staloch (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 23A. Not on the November ballot: Peggy Bennett, 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 District 23BPatricia Mueller (R) · Christoph Dundas (D)
Patricia Mueller Republican Incumbent
- Limiting government regulation of business, healthcare and education decisions
- Protecting individual rights and local authority
Per the campaign site.
About Patricia Mueller
Mueller graduated from Winona State University with a degree in English education in 2003 and later earned a master's in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in education leadership from Minnesota State University Moorhead, per the campaign site. She has worked as an educator for 18 years in the Twin Cities, Blooming Prairie, Indianapolis, Austin and China, and now lives in Austin, Minnesota, per the campaign site.
Christoph Dundas Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Address the rising cost of food, rent, health care and housing
- Increase the availability of affordable rental housing
- Support adequate funding for Greater Minnesota schools
Per the campaign site.
About Christoph Dundas
Christoph Dundas is a career educator who grew up in Wells, Minnesota, per the campaign site. He earned the 2025 Austin Teacher of the Year award and was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, per the campaign site.
Patricia Mueller (Republican), Christoph Dundas (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 23B; Patricia Mueller 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
One local ballot question from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Steele County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
City Question 1: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIESCity of Owatonna · Authorizes City of Owatonna to issue general obligation bonds of up to $65,000,000 for the purpose described in the ballot question.
Authorizes City of Owatonna to issue general obligation bonds of up to $65,000,000 for the purpose described in the ballot question.
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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 Steele County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Steele County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county sheriff and county attorney candidates stand on schools, health care and jobs. 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 Steele County ballot?
1 ballot question: ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Steele 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