The Ballot Brief
Todd County, Minnesota

Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Karl L. Schmidt. Candidate information follows official Todd County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Karl L. Schmidt 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 7th Judicial District covers Becker, Benton, Clay, Douglas, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Stearns, Todd and Wadena 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.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

Minnesota › Todd County › Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24

Karl L. Schmidt

Nonpartisan

Biography

Karl L. Schmidt is a judge of the Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Benton County District Court on July 29, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Benton County Attorney and senior assistant Benton County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Next on your ballotJudge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 26

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24 in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Karl L. Schmidt. Candidate information follows official Todd County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 24 election in Minnesota?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Minnesota are on the Minnesota election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Todd County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Todd County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Minnesota election office, or see the full Todd County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Todd County ballot

26 tracked races in Todd County, Minnesota. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 27Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 28Judge, Minnesota 7th Judicial District Court, Seat 30See all 26 Todd County races
Candidate profiles
Karl L. Schmidt, full profileOfficial Minnesota election office