Cook County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
As of November 4, 2026, local outlets reported winners in 5 of 27 races on this page; Minnesota certifies on November 19. Who is running for County Commissioner, County Auditor/Treasurer and County Sheriff and more, and where they stand on housing, health care and taxes. Minnesota certifies the general election by November 19, 2026; county canvasses are due November 11.
Who won in Cook County? Minnesota answers on November 19.
As of November 4, 2026, local outlets reported winners in 5 of 27 races on this page; Minnesota certifies on November 19. Winners appear here the day the state certifies.
Minnesota election officeNov 3 Votes were cast and countedBy Nov 11 Cook County double-checks its countNov 19 Minnesota makes it officialHow results become official
What local news is reporting
Not official yetUpdated November 4, 2026One line per race on this page, each cited to the outlet that reported it. We do not call races. Official running count: Minnesota election office.
Reports are checked daily until Minnesota certifies on November 19; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.
County offices
Commissioner District 1Nonpartisan race · Matt Kelm · Debra K. White
Matt Kelm and Debra K. White were on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner District 1.
Matt Kelm
Top priorities
From other published sources
- Cost of living and housing affordability, per KAXE
- Economic opportunity, per KAXE
- Healthcare access, per KAXE
About Matt Kelm
In KAXE's questionnaire he centers affordability, naming cost of living and housing first. Economic opportunity and healthcare access follow there. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Debra K. White
Top priorities
From other published sources
- Needs of an aging population, per KAXE
- The affordable housing shortage, per KAXE
- Reducing high property taxes, per KAXE
About Debra K. White
KAXE identifies her as the sitting District 1 commissioner, but incumbency could not be confirmed against an official county roster within this review, so it is recorded as false. She told KAXE her focus is an aging population, the housing shortage and high property taxes. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
August 11 primary result: Debra K. White (53.44 percent) and Matt Kelm (25.51 percent) advanced to the November 3 ballot; Christine Childs (21.05 percent) was eliminated, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's certified results.
Full race pageCommissioner District 3Nonpartisan race · David Mills · Roger Westerlind
David Mills and Roger Westerlind were on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner District 3.
David Mills
David Mills is the Cook County Commissioner for District 3 and serves as Vice-Chair of the county board, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Roger Westerlind
Roger Westerlind appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner 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 Roger Westerlind.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner District 3, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageCommissioner District 5Nonpartisan race · Christopher Homyak
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Christopher Homyak
Christopher Homyak appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner 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 Christopher Homyak.
Christopher Homyak is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Commissioner District 5, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageAuditor/TreasurerNonpartisan race · Braidy Powers
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Braidy Powers
Braidy Powers is the Cook County Auditor-Treasurer, serving as the county's chief financial officer, election supervisor and property tax administrator, per Cook County's government website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Braidy Powers is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Auditor/Treasurer, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageSheriffNonpartisan race · Ty Backlund · Ben Hallberg
Ty Backlund and Ben Hallberg were on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Sheriff.
Ty Backlund
Ty Backlund is a Cook County Sheriff's deputy running for sheriff in 2026 to succeed retiring Sheriff Pat Eliasen, per WTIP. He served in the U.S. Army Civil Affairs in Afghanistan, then worked as a police officer in Mesa, Arizona, and as a Cook County probation officer before joining the Sheriff's Office in 2023. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Ben Hallberg
Top priorities
From the campaign site
- Bringing experienced leadership to community challenges
- Improving coordination across all departments of the sheriff's office
- Maintaining a service-focused approach to community policing
About Ben Hallberg
Ben Hallberg is chief deputy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office and a 23-year resident of Grand Marais, per WTIP. The county board appointed him interim sheriff in March 2026 after Sheriff Pat Eliasen resigned, per WTIP.
2 candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Sheriff, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings.
Full race pageAttorneyNonpartisan race · Jeanne Peterson
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Jeanne Peterson
Jeanne Peterson is the appointed Cook County Attorney, with the office since 2012, handling the county's adult criminal caseload, per the county's government site. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Jeanne Peterson is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Attorney, per the Minnesota Secretary of State's candidate filings (Minnesota prints unopposed county races).
Full race pageJudges
Judge, Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 1Nonpartisan race · Rachel C. Sullivan
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Rachel C. Sullivan
Rachel C. Sullivan is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District July 27, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an attorney at Prebich & Sullivan, P.C. and a law clerk to the Minnesota Court of Appeals; became Chief Judge of the Sixth Judicial District effective July 1, 2026, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rachel C. Sullivan 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 2Nonpartisan race · Robert C. Friday
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Robert C. Friday
Robert C. Friday is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed March 9, 2018, by Governor Mark Dayton and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously director of advocacy for Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Robert C. Friday 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 4Nonpartisan race · Jessica J. Fralich
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Jessica J. Fralich
Jessica J. Fralich is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed Nov. 4, 2024, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously Duluth city attorney, a Sixth Judicial District referee and an assistant St. Louis County attorney, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Jessica J. Fralich 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 11Nonpartisan race · Steven Bradley Hanke
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Steven Bradley Hanke
Steven Bradley Hanke is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Lake County District Court December 4, 2023, by Governor Tim Walz, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously interim and deputy city attorney for the City of Duluth, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Steven Bradley Hanke 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 6th Judicial District Court, Seat 14Nonpartisan race · Rebekka Lynn Stumme
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme
Rebekka Lynn Stumme is a judge of the Minnesota 6th Judicial District Court. Appointed to the Carlton County District Court May 31, 2019, by Governor Tim Walz and elected in 2020, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Previously an assistant St. Louis County attorney and assistant public defender for the Sixth Judicial District, per the Minnesota Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Rebekka Lynn Stumme 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 6th Judicial District covers Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis 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 · Stanley W. Tull
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Stanley W. Tull
Stanley W. Tull appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Stanley W. Tull.
Stanley W. Tull is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook 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 4Nonpartisan race · Gail A. Gieseke
Unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Gail A. Gieseke
Gail A. Gieseke appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook County Soil and Water Supervisor 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 Gail A. Gieseke.
Gail A. Gieseke is the only candidate on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Cook 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 3Grant Hauschild (D) · Andrea Zupancich (R)
Grant Hauschild
Top priorities
From the campaign site
- Expand affordability for families through tax relief and free school meals
- Support mining, forestry and tourism industries through permitting reform
- Hold insurance and drug companies accountable for rising health care costs
About Grant Hauschild
Grant Hauschild is the sitting state senator for District 3 whose earlier career included rural economic development work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and service as a labor policy aide to U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, per the campaign site. He also served as a local city councilor before his election to the Senate and co-chairs the bipartisan Civility Caucus in the Minnesota Senate, per the campaign site.
Andrea Zupancich
Andrea Zupancich is the Republican candidate for Minnesota Senate District 3, per KAXE. She has served as Mayor of Babbitt for nine years and previously on the Babbitt City Council, and has served as a commissioner on the St. Louis County Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission. She owns z'Up North Realty.
Grant Hauschild (Democratic-Farmer-Labor), Andrea Zupancich (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota Senate District 3; Grant Hauschild 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 3ARoger J. Skraba (R) · Aaron Kania (D)
Roger J. Skraba
Roger Skraba is a business owner who represents District 3A in the Minnesota House. He holds a B.A. in construction management from North Dakota State University, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives. First elected in 2022, he is now in his second term and co-chairs Legacy Finance as vice chair, also serving on Transportation Finance and Policy, Capital Investment, and Housing Finance and Policy.
Aaron Kania
Top priorities
From the campaign site
- Support responsible use of the region's forests and natural resources
- Keep tax revenue in the region and fully fund schools
- Support rural health care and hold down prescription drug prices
About Aaron Kania
Aaron Kania has worked as a law enforcement officer and a wildland firefighter and currently works in forest and wilderness management in the Northland, per the campaign site. He comes from a union family, per the campaign site.
Roger J. Skraba (Republican), Aaron Kania (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) are on the November 3 ballot for Minnesota House District 3A; Roger J. Skraba 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 pageVoting 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 was on the ballot in Cook County, Minnesota on November 3, 2026?
Cook County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner and county sheriff candidates stand on housing. Reported results as of Nov 4; certified Nov 19. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When was the 2026 general election in Minnesota?
Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Certified results will appear on this page as Minnesota election offices certify them; voting information for Minnesota is on the Minnesota election hub. Minnesota certifies the general election by November 19, 2026; county canvasses are due November 11. Minnesota election hub →
Who won in Cook County?
As of November 4, 2026, local outlets reported: Peggy Flanagan won U.S. Senate (Pioneer Press, Nov 4); Amy Klobuchar won Governor (Pioneer Press, Nov 4); Keith Ellison won Attorney General (Pioneer Press, Nov 4); Steve Simon won Secretary of State (Pioneer Press, Nov 4); Zack Filipovich won Auditor (MPR News, Nov 3). Results are unofficial until Minnesota certifies them on November 19. We do not call races.
How do I see my exact Cook 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 measureCandidate roster last updated Oct 24, 2026 from official election sources.