Vote Tuesday in primary elections

Primary day is Tuesday, September 9. The primary election narrows the field of candidates to one from each party (in party-designated races) or two for each open seat, in non-party-designated races. Each voter may vote on all of the non-party-designated races and in the party primary for candidates of one party only. For example, if a voter chooses to vote in the Independence Party Senate primary, that voter may not cross over to vote in the Democratic Congressional primary. (In the November general election, voters can choose candidates from any party on the ballot)

Races on the ballot include the Minneapolis school board, Senate and Congressional districts, and judges for the Supreme Court and district courts. Here’s how to find information on candidates for each office:

Minneapolis voters will choose six out of nine candidates for school board to run in the November general election. In November, three of the six remaining candidates will win seats on the school board. The Daily Planet has information from each school board candidate, and coverage of the school board forum from The Bridge.

In the Minnesota Senate race, the DFL, Independence and Republican parties all have primary contests. Many Congressional district races also show primary challengers to the party-endorsed candidates. Remember: you must choose just ONE party and vote ONLY for that party’s candidates in the primary election on September 9. In November, you can vote for candidates from any party. The League of Women Voters also offers candidate information on the Senate candidates.

Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea faces three challengers. Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson faces two challengers. Minnesota Lawyer has done an excellent job of compiling biographical and campaign information on each judge and each candidate. In addition, the Star Tribune has written about one of the races at Star Tribune: Justice draws an unusual field at the last minute

Judicial candidates for district court seats are running in both Hennepin and Ramsey counties. These judges hear cases at the trial court level. Once again, Minnesota Lawyer offers biographical and campaign information on each judge and each candidate. The League of Women Voters also has candidate information on the judicial candidates.

Don’t know where to vote? Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Web page for an easy-to-use voting place locator.