Swift County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
18 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 13 Swift County races, led by the Swift County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Troy Kennedy · Edward Pederson
Troy Kennedy and Edward Pederson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 2.
Troy Kennedy Nonpartisan
Troy Kennedy appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift 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 Troy Kennedy.
Edward Pederson Nonpartisan
Edward Pederson is the current Swift County Commissioner for District 2, per the county's official website, and is seeking reelection in 2026. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Larry Mahoney · Tom Walsh
Larry Mahoney and Tom Walsh are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 4.
Larry Mahoney Nonpartisan
Larry Mahoney appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 4, 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 Larry Mahoney.
Tom Walsh Nonpartisan
Tom Walsh appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 4, 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 Tom Walsh.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Mike Hoffman · John Reigstad
Mike Hoffman and John Reigstad are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Sheriff.
Mike Hoffman Nonpartisan
Mike Hoffman is the current Chief Deputy of the Swift County Sheriff's Office and has been serving as Acting Sheriff since Sheriff John Holtz retired in June 2026, per the Swift County Sheriff's Office. Hoffman filed to run for the four-year sheriff's job, per the Swift County Monitor. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
John Reigstad Nonpartisan
John Reigstad is a former Swift County Sheriff's Deputy who currently works as a Stevens County deputy while living in Swift County, per the Swift County Monitor. He filed to run for the four-year Swift County sheriff's job, per the Swift County Monitor. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
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 · Sheri Gades
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Sheri Gades Nonpartisan Incumbent
Sheri Gades serves as treasurer on the Swift County Soil and Water Conservation District board representing District II, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Sheri Gades is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift 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 · Alan Golden
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Alan Golden Nonpartisan Incumbent
Alan Golden serves as vice chairman and District III supervisor of the Swift Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Alan Golden is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift 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 · Rick Gronseth
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Rick Gronseth Nonpartisan Incumbent
Rick Gronseth serves as the Public Relations officer and District IV supervisor for the Swift County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Rick Gronseth is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Swift 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.
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
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Swift County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Township Question 1: Sunday Liquor SalesKerkhoven Township · Would allow licensed establishments in Kerkhoven Township to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
Would allow licensed establishments in Kerkhoven Township to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays.
School District Question 1: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 777 (Benson Public Schools) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $710.70 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,410.70 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $710.70 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $1,410.70 per pupil for ten years.
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Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Who is on the ballot in Swift County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Swift County sample ballot 2026: who is running for commissioner, county sheriff and soil and water supervisor, 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 Swift County ballot?
2 ballot questions: Sunday Liquor Sales; Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorization; Approving New Authorization. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Swift 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