Northfield Voter's Guide: What to Know for Election Day

Nov. 6 has been circled on the calendar for some time. Finally, Election Day is here.

Northfield Patch has created a guide so you know when you can vote, where you can vote and who's asking for your vote. On this post you'll find a breakdown of the races and issues with several links that'll lead you to more information on Patch and other sources. Words that are blue are links that will bring you to more information.

Be sure to keep your browser on Patch on Election Day as we bring you updates throughout the day and share results as they come in.

Voting is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6. 

Because of redistricting this year, some voters have shifted precincts, wards and polling locations. 

• Find out where to vote and what you need to vote.

If you're still not able to figure out where you should vote, head to the Secretary of State website polling location page. If you want to see what your ballot looks like before you vote, head to http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/. The races below are not necessarily races for which you will vote. The races you vote on are dependent on where you live.

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The Candidates, Issues and Sources

Key: * indicates incumbent | N/LWV means Northfield.org and League of Women Voters | KYMN means KYMN Radio | NN means Northfield News | MYC means Mayor's Youth Council

Northfield Mayoral

• Dana Graham | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | KYMN Interview
• Rhonda Pownell | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website

Northfield At-Large

• Betsey Buckheit | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website
• David Ludescher | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog

Northfield Second Ward

• Frank Balster | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Website
• David DeLong | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview

Northfield Third Ward

• Jon Denison | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Website
• Erica Zweifel* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Website

Northfield School Board (vote for four candidates)

• Dan Cupersmith | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | Patch Blog
• Rob Hardy | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | Patch Blog
• Ellen Iverson* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | Website
• Anne Maple* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video | Website
• Noel Stratmoen* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | NN Q&A/Video Interview | MYC Video 

Rice County District 1 (Dundas, Northfield's Ward 4, Precinct 2 and Ward 2, Precinct 1, many townships)

• Kathleen Doran-Norton | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website
• Jake Gillen* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview 

Rice County District 2 (Represents all of Northfield except Ward 4, Precinct 2 and Ward 2, Precinct 1)

• Galen Malecha* | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview
• Jeff Quinnell | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | NN Q&A/Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Website

Minnesota Senate District 20

• Kevin Dahle (Democrat) | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website
• Mike Dudley (Republican) | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website

Minnesota House District 20B

• David Bly (Democrat) | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website
• Brian Wermerskirchen (Republican) | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | KYMN Interview | Patch Blog | Website

Minnesota Senate District 58 (Dakota County precinct of Northfield)

• Andrew Brobston (Democrat) | Patch Q&A | Patch Blog | Website
• Dave Thompson (Republican) | Website

Minnesota House District 58B (Dakota County precinct of Northfield)

• Jim Arlt (Democrat) | Patch Q&A | Patch Video Interview | N/LWV Q&A | Website
• Patrick Garofalo (Republican) | Patch Q&A | Website

Dakota County Commissioner District 1

• Christy Jo Fogarty
• Mike Slavik

Minnesota Supreme Court

Chief Justice—Supreme Court

• Lorie Skjerven Gildea*
• Dan Griffith

Associate Justice—Supreme Court 4

• David R. Stras*
• Tim Tingelstad

U.S. House—Second Congressional District

• John Kline* (Republican)
• Mike Obermueller (Democrat)

U.S. Senate

• Amy Klobuchar* (Democrat)
• Kurt Bills (Republican)
• Stephen Williams (Independence)
• Tim Davis (Grassroots Party)
• Michael Cavlan (Minnesota Open Progressives)

Presidential Race

• Barack Obama* (Democrat)
• Mitt Romney (Republican)
• Gary Johnson (Libertarian)
• James Harris (Socialist Workers Party)
• Virgil Goode (Constitution Party)
• Dean Morstad (Constitutional Government)
• Jill Stein (Green Party)
• Jim Carlson (Grassroots Party)
• Peta Lindsay (Socialism and Liberation)
• Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson (Justice Party)

Constitutional Amendments

Recognition of Marriage Amendment

A yes or no question: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota? 

Marriage between two gay individuals is not currently recognized by Minnesota law. A ballot cast with no vote on this question will count as a "no" vote. This amendment would also invalidate common-law marriages for straight couples.

• See what supporters say: Minnesota for Marriage
• See what opponents say: Minnesota United for All Families
• See Northfield Patch coverage

Voter Identification Amendment

A yes or no question: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013?

• See what supporters say: Protect My Vote
• See what opponents say: Take Action MN

Other Voting-Related Resources

Letters to the editor

Northfield Patch has received several letters to the editor supporting and opposing a host of candidates and election-related topics.

• Letter to the Editor: Support Rob Hardy for School Board
• Letter to the Editor: Support Dan Cupersmith for School Board
• Letter to the Editor: Support Rhonda Pownell for Mayor
• Letter to the Editor: Don't Support Mike Dudley
• Letter to the Editor: Mayoral Candidate Sets Record Straight
• LTE: Former Rice County Commissioners Urge Vote for Malecha
• Letter to the Editor: Vote No on Minnesota Marriage Amendment
• Letter to the Editor: Vote for Kathleen Doran-Norton
• Letter to the Editor: Don't Support Rep. Garofalo
• LTE: Vote No on Amendment 1 to Continue the Conversation Regarding Marriage Equality
• LTE: Senate Candidate Says 'Limited Government' The Right Path

Candidate forums

Below you will find links to forums hosted by The Contented Cow and the League of Women Voters Northfield-Cannon Falls.

• State Candidates Meet at League of Women Voters Forum
• Northfield School Board Candidates Meet at Only Forum

Campaign finance reports

• Campaign Finance Reports for Northfield's Legislative Candidates
• Campaign Finance Reports for Rice County Candidates

Northfield High School Mock Election

• Northfield High School Election Results

Do campaign signs matter?

• The Psychology of the Campaign Sign

Locally Grown Northfield

• Head over to Locally Grown Northfield to check out some ongoing discussion about the races, including comments from a few of the candidates.