The Ballot Brief
Polk County

Polk County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Preview your Polk County, Minnesota sample ballot for 2026: browse tracked local races, then enter your ZIP code to confirm which districts and offices appear on your exact ballot.

These race previews show candidates we’re tracking now. A ZIP code shows your statewide and congressional races; a street address adds county and city contests.

Local Snapshot

Election DayNov. 3, 2026
StateMinnesota
Races Listed1
Profiles3

Races We’re Tracking

Local races are address-specific. This guide previews tracked contests, while the lookup tool narrows the list to a voter’s exact address. Tap any name to see the race, full candidate profiles, and everything else on your exact ballot.

Polk County Commissioner District 2

County

The only Polk County contest to reach Aug. 11, covering Climax and Nielsville, after Commissioner Warren Strandell decided not to seek reelection. OPEN SEAT: the sitting commissioner is not among the filers, per KAXE and KROX.

  • Douglas James Cariveau
    Business management and marketing graduate who owned construction and promotion companies for about 30 years and has served on youth and church boards, per KAXE. He told KAXE he wants to maintain a balanced budget while providing adequate service.
    Priorities: Law enforcement resources to protect citizens, per KAXE · Well maintained roads and transportation infrastructure, per KAXE · Senior care, per KAXE
  • Curtis Knutson
    All that could be confirmed here is the certified filing for Polk County Commissioner District 2 as reported by KROX and KAXE. He did not respond to KAXE's outreach and no occupation detail was verifiable within this review.
  • Leonard Vonasek
    Retired from a construction and concrete business with more than 30 years of township zoning experience and military service from 1971 to 1977, per KAXE. He argues there for more state funding flowing to Polk County.
    Priorities: Fair taxation, per KAXE · Roads, highways and bridges, per KAXE · Water management, per KAXE
Minnesota Hub

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 Voting Resources

Registration, deadlines, and official election links for voters.
Note: Use address lookup for your exact ballot; local pages preview tracked races.Profiles: Hand-verified profiles are added race by race; always confirm with the official election office linked above.