Stevens County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
19 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 16 Stevens County races, led by the Stevens County Commissioner District 1 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Bob Kopitzke
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Bob Kopitzke Nonpartisan Incumbent
Bob Kopitzke has extensive construction experience, including owning and operating his own concrete construction business, per Stevens County's website. He has served as the county's District 1 Commissioner since 2013. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Bob Kopitzke is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Commissioner District 1, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Jeanne Ennen
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeanne Ennen Nonpartisan Incumbent
Jeanne Ennen is the Stevens County Commissioner for District 2, serving since 2011, per Stevens County government pages. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeanne Ennen is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Patricia Lesmeister Nelson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Patricia Lesmeister Nelson Nonpartisan
Patricia Lesmeister Nelson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Commissioner 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 Patricia Lesmeister Nelson.
Patricia Lesmeister Nelson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAuditor/TreasurerNonpartisan race · Stephanie Buss
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Stephanie Buss Nonpartisan Incumbent
Stephanie Buss appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Auditor/Treasurer, 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 Stephanie Buss.
Stephanie Buss is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageRecorderNonpartisan race · Nichole Olson Mahoney
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Nichole Olson Mahoney Nonpartisan
Nichole Olson Mahoney appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Recorder, 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 Nichole Olson Mahoney.
Nichole Olson Mahoney is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Recorder, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Jason Dingman · Andrew Messner
Jason Dingman and Andrew Messner are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Sheriff.
Jason Dingman Nonpartisan Incumbent
Jason Dingman is the incumbent Stevens County Sheriff, in office since 2012 after joining the Sheriff's Office in 1991, per the county's staff directory. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Andrew Messner Nonpartisan
Andrew Messner appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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 Andrew Messner.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Joseph P. Glasrud
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Joseph P. Glasrud Nonpartisan
Joseph P. Glasrud appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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 Joseph P. Glasrud.
Joseph P. Glasrud is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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 2Nonpartisan race · Greg Fynboh
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Greg Fynboh Nonpartisan Incumbent
Greg Fynboh serves as the District 2 supervisor and board Secretary for the Stevens County Soil and Water Conservation District, per the district's website, and represents the district on the Bois de Sioux Watershed District. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Greg Fynboh is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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 · Debbie Anderson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Debbie Anderson Nonpartisan
Debbie Anderson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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 Debbie Anderson.
Debbie Anderson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Stevens 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.
Find your districts by addressMinnesota 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 pageMinnesota 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 pageBallot questions
3 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Stevens County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Township Question 1: Appointment of Town Clerk and Town TreasurerMoore Township · Would let the town board appoint the clerk and treasurer instead of voters electing them.
Would let the town board appoint the clerk and treasurer instead of voters electing them.
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: Changing Authorized Use of Bond ProceedsIndependent School District No. 264 (Herman-Norcross) · Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to the stated amount for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the completion of various deferred maintenance projects at school sites and facilities.
Would authorize the school board to issue general obligation school building bonds of up to the stated amount for betterment of school sites and facilities, including the completion of various deferred maintenance projects at school sites and facilities.
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 Stevens County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Stevens County sample ballot 2026: who is running for county sheriff, commissioner and county auditor/treasurer, 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 Stevens County ballot?
3 ballot questions: Appointment of Town Clerk and Town Treasurer; Approval of School District Bond Issue; Changing Authorized Use of Bond Proceeds. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Stevens 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