Polls are open, which means your chance to shape the midterms is now

From the governor and every single seat in Minnesota’s House and Senate, to Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and two state Supreme Court seats, there is a lot at stake in the midterm elections on Nov. 3. But, according to Nathan Janicek, with Hennepin County Voter Engagement, you can’t put the cart before the horse.

“We like to say it’s the playoffs before the championship game,” Janicek said while referring to Minnesota’s primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

“These are the elections where voters get to choose each party's nominee for the general election,” Janicek added. “It’s a chance for voters to shape their party’s direction.”

If you decide to vote in the upcoming primary, Janicek said beware: the ballot is different from a general election. “This is where we see the most ballot errors. So, we’re making sure people read the instructions.”

The front of the primary ballot will list candidates across multiple parties, but you can only vote for candidates within one political party. That’s in contrast to the back of the ballot, which includes nonpartisan races or candidates without party labels, and the top vote-getters advance.

Before heading to the polls, Janicek recommends voters look at a sample ballot, while also checking their registration and polling place at mnvotes.gov.

New this year is an opportunity for kids ages 8-18 in Hennepin County to showcase their artistic talent while also showing appreciation for those working at the polls. Hennepin County is calling it the Election Judge Button Design Contest. “We really just wanted to find a way to get youth involved in civic engagement,” Janicek added.

Children ages 8 to 18 who live in or attend school in Hennepin County can submit election-related button designs that will be worn by more than 6,000 election judges on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026. “We want kids to be as creative as possible,” Janicek added.

Entries must be submitted by Sept. 7, either online or by email. Then, the public will vote on the top 10 designs chosen by a judging panel between Sept. 14 and Oct. 5. “After Oct. 5, the winner will be chosen, and buttons will be created.”

Button entries can be hand-drawn or digitally drawn and must be delivered electronically in PDF, JPEG, or PNG form to https://hennepinco.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rXXY2zEUZBkiWO or emailed to: electionbuttons@hennepin.us.