Polls in Minnesota, including here in Wright County, open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 as citizen here will cast ballots in one of the largest mid-term elections the area has seen in a decade.
With city council, school board and mayoral races dotting the ballot from here to Hanover, Otsego to Monticello, local residents have a lot to decide when they step into their polling locations.
Also on the ballot is each and every Minnesota state office, many of them featuring new candidates, while some familiar faces will look to hold on to seats like State Auditor and Governor.
Meanwhile, newcomers will step to the front in regional races, such as House District 30B and U.S. Sixth Congressional District.
Here’s a look at all the races profiled, to date, on North Wright County Today:
Johnson Challenging Dayton in Race for Minnesota Governor
Wright County Sheriff Race Comes Down to Braun, Hagerty
Four, Including Three Incumbents, Battle for Open Seats on STMA School Board
Large Field Takes Aim at Two Seats on St. Michael City Council
Newcomer Pederson Challenges Zachman for St. Michael Mayor
Brad Cedegren, Incumbent Jillian Hendrickson on Ballot for Albertville Mayor
Rob Olson Hopes to Retain Seat, While Walter Hudson Wages Write-In Campaign in Albertville
Eric Lucero Faces Second Test against Sharon Shimek in Race for House 30B
School Districts Have Millions on the Line in Elk River, Buffalo
WHERE TO VOTE
If you’re not sure where to vote, here’s a brief list:
• St. Michael residents on the east side vote at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East. Those in the original St. Michael Precinct will now vote at St. Michael-Albertville High School.
• All Albertville voters will cast ballots at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West. This is a switch from past general elections, which have been at city hall. The change was made in advance of the primary last August, so if you voted there a couple of months ago, head back.
• Otsego Voters are split into two, despite three precincts. Voters in Precincts 1A head to the Otsego Prairie Center, near Prairie Park. All others head to Otsego Elementary.
• All voters in Hanover precincts head to Hanover City Hall, including those in Hennepin County.
For complete poll location information, check out the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website and check the “Pollfinder” tab, which can be found here.
SAMPLE BALLOTS
With all of the local, state and even national races on this year’s ballot, it might be a bit confusing. Voters in some school districts are facing bond levies, as well as board elections, while others aren’t. And some precincts don’t have state races that are being contested, such as House District 30A over in Monticello.
If you want to check out a sample ballot before heading to the polls, all you need is your street address. Just enter it here on the Minnesota Secretary of State website, under the “My Ballot” tab, and you’ll get all the information, including PDFs that can be downloaded. Don’t worry, the PDFs say “SAMPLE BALLOT” right on them, so you can’t bring them to the polls.