Know Your Ballot: Where Do You Start?

Your ballot is more than a list of names.

It's a list of decisions.

Before you start researching candidates, one of the easiest things you can do is find out what will actually be on your ballot.

Start With What's On Your Ballot
If you're a Minnesota voter, the Minnesota Secretary of State provides an official What's On My Ballot? resource.

Minnesota Secretary of State — What's On My Ballot?

The resource includes access to sample ballots, candidate filings, and ballot-question information. The Secretary of State explains that sample ballots show the candidates and ballot questions you'll be voting on and are generally posted about 45 days before an election.

The state's 2026 general-election information currently lists federal and statewide offices including U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor and Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General, State Senator, State Representative, and judicial seats. Depending on where you live, your ballot may also include county, city, school board, township, or local ballot questions.

Once You Know What's On Your Ballot
Start asking questions.

What does each office do?
Understanding the responsibilities of an office can help you understand what decisions the people elected to it can actually make.

Who is running?
Look for reliable information about the candidates.

Start with their official campaign websites and publicly available platforms or policy statements.

What issues matter to me?
Think about the issues and values that matter to you.

Then consider how those issues relate to the responsibilities of the offices you're voting for.

Where can I find reliable information?
Government websites, election officials, legislation, ballot language, candidate materials, and other primary sources can be useful starting points.

Be cautious about treating a social media post, headline, or campaign advertisement as the complete story.

You Don't Have to Figure Everything Out at Once​
Voter education doesn't have to happen all at once.

Start with one thing: Know what's on your ballot.

Then learn what those offices do.

Then research the candidates and issues.

Then make your own decision.

Your vote is yours. Make it an informed one.