24 October 2024
There are less than 3 weeks until Election Day! Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin are three of the seven states in the nation to watch for flips of legislative control. But there are important issues and candidates on the ballot in all the states in our region. Find out what you need to know in your state, below!
Minnesota:
Federal
Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) is the Vice-Presidential nominee, appearing on the ballot with current Vice President and presidential candidate, Kamala Harris.
The U.S. Senate in Minnesota race pits incumbent U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) against GOP challenger Royce White, a former professional basketball player. Klobuchar should win comfortably and has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 2007.
There are some U.S. House of Representatives races that are attracting national attention in Minnesota, most notably the state’s Second Congressional District where U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) faces off against Joe Teirab, a Marine and former federal prosecutor.
The Third Congressional District seat is now open after Rep. Dean Phillips announced he would not seek re-election to the House following his failed presidential bid. State Senator Kelly Morrison (D-MN) is the heavy favorite to win the seat. She is running against GOP candidate Tad Jude, a former judge.
State
All 134 Minnesota House seats are on the ballot this fall, with the results set to determine whether the Democrats maintain a hold on the chamber or lose the majority to the GOP. Republicans can flip control of the chamber by flipping 4 seats. Both parties have their focus centered on a slim list of competitive districts. Here are a few of them:
House District 3B — Democrats are hoping to win back a legislative seat for a swath of towns that hug the Duluth metro and run far into St. Louis County. Republican Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar flipped the seat in 2022 to GOP by just 33 votes. In 2024, Zeleznikar is trying to fend off a challenge from Democrat Mark Munger, a former judge.
House District 41A — Democrats are hoping to pick up a seat in the district that encompasses eastern suburbs Lake Elmo, Afton, Lakeland, Grant and part of Cottage Grove, among others. Republican Rep. Mark Wiens is stepping down after a single term. Republican Wayne Johnson and Democrat Lucia Wroblewski are vying for the seat.
House District 41B —The other half of the Senate district is held by Republicans for now, but the incumbent is not running again. The contest is between Republican Tom Dippel and Democrat Jen Fox. The district includes parts of Hastings and Cottage Grove, as well as Nihinger and Denmark Townships.
House District 7B — Three-term Democratic Rep. Dave Lislegard is stepping down from his seat, setting up a contest in the Iron Range district between Democrat Lorrie Janatopoulos and Republican Cal Warwas. Republicans see the seat as a pickup opportunity because the other half of the Senate district is represented by Republican Rep. Spencer Igo and GOP Sen. Robert Farnsworth, who prevailed in a 2022 race. More than $69,000 in independent expenditure funds have flowed into the contest so far. It’s one of the few seats in the state that a Democrat won despite Republicans faring better in statewide and federal races.
House District 26A — Both parties are vying for the Winona area seat previously held by longtime Democratic Rep. Gene Pelowski, who wasn’t shy about breaking with his party over the years on social issues. Pelowski is retiring after this year, creating a closely watched open-seat race. Democrat Sarah Kruger faces Republican Aaron Repinski in the contest. Republican Sen. Jeremy Miller holds the District 26 seat in the Senate and Rep. Greg Davids, also a Republican, represents District 26B.
For the Minnesota Senate, there will also be a special election held for a Lake Minnetonka-area seat being vacated by Morrison (see above) due to her run for Congress. Former State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart will be attempting a political comeback this fall as she was paired with Morrison during 2022 redistricting. She faces Kathleen Fowke, who ran against Morrison in 2022.
If they maintain control of the Morrison seat, Democrats will retain control of the Minnesota Senate 34-33. If Fowke wins, Republicans would flip control of the chamber.
To see all MN races click here
Does Minnesota offer early voting?
You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
In Minnesota, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Minnesota's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You do not need to show ID to vote in Minnesota if your voter registration is current and active.
Wisconsin:
State
The Wisconsin Assembly is perhaps the most interesting legislative chamber in this election. Republicans have controlled the legislature in Wisconsin since 2010 and currently hold a 64-35 seat majority in the Assembly. But Lawmakers adopted a new map earlier this year, which should give Democrats a shot at significantly diminishing the GOP’s majorities in the chamber if not flipping control entirely. Only half of the Senate seats are up for election this year.
Federal
Wisconsin is considered a battleground state in the presidential race, attracting significant attention from both the Trump and Harris campaigns. Trump won the state in 2016, but Biden carried it in 2020. Recent polling shows that this state will be close, so make sure you plan to vote.
Another marquee race this cycle is the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and entrepreneur Eric Hovde. Republicans are eyeing this seat as the aim to flip control of the U.S. Senate to their control. Polling also shows this race is narrowing and could be close.
Of the eight congressional races on the ballot across the state, only western Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District, which includes Eau Claire, La Crosse, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids and Prairie du Chien is expected to be competitive as Democrats look to flip control of the House.
Incumbent, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), is racing off against Democrat, Rebecca Cooke. Republicans only picked up this seat in 2022 after it was held by former Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) for several years.
Wisconsin has a Constitutional Amendment initiative on the ballot. Here’s the question:
Eligibility to vote. Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide or local referendum?
Currently, this section of the state constitution says “every” U.S. citizen may vote. The proposed amendment would change the language to “only” U.S. citizens.
It’s already true that only citizens may vote in Wisconsin. But the Republicans authors of the proposal say this change is necessary as a preventative measure, because some states have allowed non-U.S. citizens to vote in local elections. Opponents of the proposed constitutional amendment say that it stigmatizes immigrants and noncitizens, and feeds into misinformation around election security.
Voting yes means you support adding an amendment to Wisconsin’s constitution that says only U.S. citizens who are 18+ years old can vote.
Voting no means you oppose such an amendment.
If the amendment is approved, it's unclear how it would be enforced. The amendment does not say how the legal requirements for voting would change, if at all.
When can I vote early?
In Wisconsin, dates and times vary by where you live. Find when to vote.
Where can I vote early?
Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day.
Check Wisconsin's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show a photo ID to vote in Wisconsin.
North Dakota:
Federal
Donald Trump is expected to win the state and there are no U.S. Senate contests this year.
However, incumbent Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL) is running for Governor, and Julie Fedorchak (R), a member of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, is running against Trygve Hammer, a Democrat for the seat. Fedorchak is expected to win.
Key Ballot Measures in North Dakota
IM 4 would prohibit the state and local governments from levying the property tax, requiring the state to replace the local revenue. (The state has not planned for this and would likely have to increase another tax to come up with this money).
Does North Dakota offer in-person voting?
When can I vote in person before Election Day?
Where can I vote in person before Election Day?
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show ID to vote in North Dakota. Your identification must include your name, current residential street address, and date of birth.
Acceptable forms include:
Members of the North Central Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (NCHPBA) and its regional Affiliates are the leading companies that produce, sell, or service appliances and accessories in the hearth and barbecue industries in North America. Join today to take advantage of all the benefits your company will receive.
JOIN NOW
Servicing North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan.
Copyright © 2024. North Central Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association | All rights reserved.