Minnesota’s midterms have garnered national attention as one of the most closely-watched elections in the nation.
Minneapolis voters have responded by casting early ballots in record amounts. A landmark number of people turned out for early voting at the primary elections, including in student areas.
Although midterms have historically low turnout rates among college students, the Trump administration is motivating young people to stay engaged this time around, said David Schultz, a political science professor at Hamline University.
“[The Obama administration] was safe when it came to a lot of the issues college students care about. Trump’s election, I think, shocked a lot of students,” Schultz said. “There’s a perception that this election matters to them in ways that it might not have mattered to them in other years.”
Schultz said Minnesota’s election will be particularly consequential in deciding which party gains control of the U.S. House of Representatives — four of the 24 congressional swing seats are in Minnesota.
“Minnesota is almost a perfect microcosm of what’s going to happen in the United States,” he said, adding that the competitiveness of races in rural, urban and suburban areas reflect national trends.
Here’s what races and candidates University of Minnesota students will see on their ballots Nov. 6.
Federal races
The candidates running for U.S. Senate are Jim Newberger (R), Amy Klobuchar (DFL), Dennis Schuller (Legal Marijuana Now) and Paula Overby (Minnesota Green Party).
The special election for U.S. Senate was triggered after Al Franken stepped down earlier this year before the end of his term. The candidates running for his seat are Karin Housley (R), Tina Smith (DFL), Sarah Wellington (Legal Marijuana Now) and Jerry Trooien (Unaffiliated).
Candidates for U.S. representative in Congressional District 5 are Jennifer Zielinski (R) and Ilhan Omar (DFL).
State races
Candidates running for governor and lieutenant governor are Jeff Johnson and Donna Bergstrom (R ), Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan (DFL), Chris Wright and Judith Schwartzbacker (Legalize Cannabis) and Josh Welter and Mary O’Connor (Libertarian).
Those running for Minnesota House 60B, which includes Marcy-Holmes, Southeast Como, Prospect Park and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods, are Mohamud Noor (DFL) and Joseph Patiño (R).
Secretary of state candidates are John Howe (R ), Steve Simon (DFL) and William Denney (Independent).
State auditor candidates are Pam Myhra (R), Julie Blaha (DFL), Michael Ford (Legal Marijuana Now) and Chris Dock (Libertarian).
In an election broiled in controversy, the candidates running for attorney general are Doug Wardlow (R), Keith Ellison (DFL) and Noah Johnson (Legalize Cannabis).
Local races
Hennepin County Commissioner for District 4 candidates are Peter McLaughlin and Angela Conley.
Candidates running for County Sheriff are Dave Hutch and Rich Stanek.
County attorney candidates are Mark Haase and Mike Freeman.
