Minnesota and Northfield Primary Election Cheat Sheet

Aug. 14 has been circled on the calendar for some time. Finally, the Primary Election is here.

Northfield Patch has created a cheat sheet so you know when you can vote, where you can vote and who's asking for your vote. On this post you'll find a breakdown of the races with links, when possible, to provide more information about the candidates.

Voting is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

You may only vote for one party and one person in each race. If you vote Republican for the U.S. Senate race, then you must vote Republican for the U.S. Representative District 2 race. If a voter votes for candidates in more than one political party, their ballot will be returned without being counted providing another chance to vote an accepted ballot, according to Rice County Auditor/Treasurer Fran Windschitl.

A Rice County sample ballot is also attached to this post. The ballot includes all the races in the county. The races on the ballot and the races below are not necessarily races for which you will vote. The races you vote on are dependent on where you live.

Because of  this year, some voters have shifted precincts, wards and polling locations. Find out where .

If you're still not able to figure out where you should vote, head to the Secretary of State website polling location page.

Need to read up on the candidates? You can read more at our , in our Election Guide and by clicking on the names below.

 seats in the Primary are At-Large, Second Ward and Mayor. However, Councilor  has dropped out of the mayoral race, leaving Dana Graham and Councilor Rhonda Pownell as the two candidates for that position. Nakasian has asked supporters to not vote for her in the primary.

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Northfield races:

At-Large

Second Ward

Mayoral

• Suzie Nakasian (WITHDRAWN)

Other races on the ballot

One U.S. Senator

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

• Dick Franson
• Amy Klobuchar (Incumbent/endorsed)
• Jack Edward Shepard
• Darryl Stanton

Republican

• Kurt Bills (Endorsed)
• David Carlson
• Bob Carney Jr.

Independence

• Glen R. Anderson Menze
• Stephen Williams

Grassroots

• Tim David

Minnesota Open Progressives

• Michael Cavlan

One U.S. Representative District 2

Republican

• John Kline
• David Gerson

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

• Mike Obermueller (Endorsed)

One State Senator District 20

Republican

• Mike Dudley
• Gene Thomas Kornder

Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Rice County Commissioner District 5

• Edward Guy Bastyr
• Michael Isaacson
• Jeff Docken (Incumbent)
• Richard Cook

Dakota County Commissioner District 1

• Dean Birnstengel
• Brian Jaye Budenski
• Christy Jo Fogarty
• Mark A. Henry
• Mike Slavik

Minnesota Supreme Court

One Chief Justice—Supreme Court

• Jill Clark
• Lorie Skjerven Gildea (Incumbent)
• Dan Griffith

One Associate Justice—Supreme Court 4

• Alan Nelson
•  (Incumbent)

Registering to Vote*

Before you can vote, you must register.  In Minnesota, you may register at least 20 days before Election Day or on Election Day at your polling place. To be eligible to register and vote in Minnesota you must:

• be at least 18-years-old on Election Day 
• be a citizen of the United States
• have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day
• have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed
• not be under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked your voting rights
• not have been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law

Registering on Election Day 

If you are not registered to vote or need to update your registration information, you may do so at your local polling location on Election Day as long as you can provide proof of residence. 

To register at your polling place on Election Day, you must bring one of the following with your current name and address to verify your residence in the precinct :

• A valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these
• A valid student ID card including your photo, if your college has provided a student housing list to election officials
• A Tribal ID card that contains your picture and signature 
• A valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address 
• A notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk
• A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath
• An employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath
• Both 1) a photo ID from the list below, and 2) a current bill from the list below with your current name and address in the precinct

• Minnesota Driver's License
• Minnesota ID Card
• United States Passport
• United States Military ID Card
• Tribal ID Card
• Minnesota University, College, or Technical College ID Card

• Utility bill due within 30 days of election day:
  • Telephone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.) 
  • TV (cable, satellite, etc.)
  • Internet services
  • Electric
  • Gas
  • Solid Waste
  • Sewer Services
  • Water 
• Rent statement dated within 30 days of election day that itemizes utilities
• Current student fee statement

* Information provided by the Minnesota Secretary of State