Traverse County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
20 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 15 Traverse County races, led by the Traverse County Commissioner District 2 contest.
County offices
Commissioner District 2Nonpartisan race · Kayla Schmidt · Jacob Vold
Kayla Schmidt and Jacob Vold are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Commissioner District 2.
Kayla Schmidt Nonpartisan
Kayla Schmidt appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Kayla Schmidt.
Jacob Vold Nonpartisan
Jacob Vold appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Jacob Vold.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Commissioner District 2, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 4Nonpartisan race · Jerrel Olson · David Salberg
Jerrel Olson and David Salberg are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Commissioner District 4.
Jerrel Olson Nonpartisan
Jerrel Olson has served as a Traverse County Commissioner, per the county's website; the exact district he is seeking in 2026 could not be independently confirmed beyond the certified filing. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
David Salberg Nonpartisan
David Salberg appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 David Salberg.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Commissioner District 4, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAuditor/TreasurerNonpartisan race · Kit Johnson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Kit Johnson Nonpartisan Incumbent
Kit Johnson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Kit Johnson.
Kit Johnson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Greg Forcier · Andy Miller
Greg Forcier and Andy Miller are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Sheriff.
Greg Forcier Nonpartisan
Greg Forcier appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Greg Forcier.
Andy Miller Nonpartisan
Andy Miller was appointed Chief Deputy of the Traverse County Sheriff's Office in October 2025, per Traverse County Board meeting coverage. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Matthew Franzese
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Matthew Franzese Nonpartisan Incumbent
Matthew Franzese appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Matthew Franzese.
Matthew Franzese is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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
Special Election for Soil and Water Supervisor District 2Nonpartisan race · Joe Murphy
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Joe Murphy Nonpartisan Incumbent
Joe Murphy is a supervisor on the Traverse County Soil and Water Conservation District board, per the district's website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Joe Murphy is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Special Election for 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 · Jeffrey Peterson
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jeffrey Peterson Nonpartisan
Jeffrey Peterson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 Jeffrey Peterson.
Jeffrey Peterson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse 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 5Nonpartisan race · Chester Raguse
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chester Raguse Nonpartisan
Chester Raguse appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Chester Raguse.
Chester Raguse is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Traverse County Soil and Water Supervisor District 5, 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 9Jordan Rasmusson (R) · Krystyne M. Knutson (D)
Jordan Rasmusson Republican Incumbent
- Supports controlling state spending and taxes
- Supports farmers, small business owners and entrepreneurs and school choice
Per the campaign site.
About Jordan Rasmusson
Jordan Rasmusson has served as the State Senator for Minnesota Senate District 9 since being elected in 2022, and previously served in the Minnesota House from 2021 to 2023, per his campaign site. Rasmusson is the sixth generation of his family to live in Otter Tail County and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College, per his campaign site.
Krystyne M. Knutson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Krystyne Knutson owns Soapy Puppy Bed and Biscuit in Fergus Falls, per the Fergus Falls Journal. In 2021 she founded SAGA Youth, a nonprofit aiming to create an inclusive space for LGBTQ community members in Fergus Falls, according to Fergus Now. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jordan Rasmusson (Republican), Krystyne M. Knutson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 9; Jordan Rasmusson 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 9ANicholas Hanson (D) · Jeff Backer (R)
Nicholas Hanson Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Nicholas Hanson signed a pledge supporting congressional term limits as a candidate for Minnesota House District 9A, according to U.S. Term Limits. No occupation, campaign website or additional attributed biographical detail was found for him as of this research pass. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Jeff Backer Republican Incumbent
- Providing law enforcement and first responders with needed equipment and resources
- Reducing unnecessary government spending and lowering taxes
- Returning control over education decisions to local communities and parents
Per the campaign site.
About Jeff Backer
Backer co-founded a small business that now employs about twenty people and previously served as mayor of his city, where he managed city resources and kept taxes low, per the campaign site. He also volunteered as an EMT for more than twenty years with the Browns Valley Ambulance Service and currently serves as a state representative, per the campaign site.
Nicholas Hanson (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Jeff Backer (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 9A; Jeff Backer 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
4 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Traverse County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Township Question 1: Appointment of Township Clerk and TreasurerClifton 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: 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.
School District Question 1: Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorizations; Approving New AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 852 (Campbell-Tintah) · Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,283.17 per pupil and $1,045.89 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $5,229.06 per pupil for ten years.
Would revoke the school district's existing referendum revenue authorization of $1,283.17 per pupil and $1,045.89 per pupil and replace it with a new authorization of $5,229.06 per pupil for ten years.
School District Question 2: Approval of Capital Project Levy AuthorizationIndependent School District No. 852 (Campbell-Tintah) · Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of .78692% of the district's net tax capacity to fund technology, curriculum, transportation and facility maintenance costs.
Would let the school board adopt a new capital project levy authorization of .78692% 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 Traverse County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Traverse County sample ballot 2026: who is running for commissioner, county sheriff 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 Traverse County ballot?
4 ballot questions: Appointment of Township Clerk and Treasurer; Changing Authorized Use of Bond Proceeds; Revoking Existing Referendum Revenue Authorizations; Approving New Authorization; and more. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Traverse 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