Minnesota has one of the fullest ballots in the country in 2026, an open U.S. Senate seat, the governorship, all eight U.S. House seats, every seat in both chambers of the legislature, and the full slate of state executive offices, all on November 3, 2026. Here's a nonpartisan guide.
What's on the 2026 ballot in Minnesota?
The U.S. Senate seat is open, with Democratic (DFL) incumbent Tina Smith not seeking reelection, the first open race for this seat in over two decades. The governorship is on the ballot, along with all of Minnesota's U.S. House seats (currently split evenly between the parties), every state legislative seat, and all state executive offices, down to county and municipal races.
What makes Minnesota matter?
Minnesota is a light-blue state that has stayed just out of reach for Republicans at the presidential level while producing genuinely competitive races down the ballot, especially for open seats and in its evenly-split U.S. House delegation. An open Senate seat with no incumbent, plus every legislative seat up at once, means control of multiple institutions is genuinely in play, and turnout across the whole ballot compounds.
Why turnout decides Minnesota
With an open Senate seat, the governorship, and the entire legislature on the ballot, turnout shapes an unusually large number of outcomes at once, and a midterm lowers it. Minnesota consistently posts some of the nation's highest turnout, which raises the stakes of the marginal voter, and its early and mail voting spreads the work across weeks. Down-ballot legislative control can hinge on a handful of districts decided by local mobilization.
Frequently asked questions
What's on the ballot in Minnesota in 2026?
An open U.S. Senate seat (DFL incumbent Tina Smith is not running), the governorship, all eight U.S. House seats, every seat in both legislative chambers, and all state executive offices, plus local races.
Why does Minnesota matter in 2026?
It's a light-blue state with competitive down-ballot races, an open Senate seat, and its entire legislature up at once, so control of multiple institutions is genuinely in play.
Why does turnout matter in Minnesota?
Because an open Senate seat, the governorship, and the whole legislature ride on the same electorate, and a midterm lowers turnout. Legislative control can hinge on a few districts decided by local mobilization.
This reflects the cycle as of the date above. Facts drawn from nonpartisan sources including Ballotpedia. Confirm voting details at Vote.org.
Keep reading: Texting for a state legislative race and the 2026 midterms are a turnout election.