Politics & Government
Northfield Voter's Guide: What to Know for Election Day
Here's a cheat sheet so you know when you can vote, where you can vote and who's asking for your vote.
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.
Find out what's happening in Northfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Voting is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6.Â
Because of redistricting this year, some voters have shifted precincts, wards and polling locations.Â
Find out what's happening in Northfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- 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.
Follow Northfield Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter
The Candidates, Issues and Sources
Key: * indicates incumbent |Â N/LWV means Northfield.org and League of Women Voters |Â KYMN means KYMN Radio |Â NN means Northfield News |Â 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 VideoÂ
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*Â |Â Patch Q&AÂ |Â Patch Video InterviewÂ
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
Minnesota Supreme Court
Chief Justice—Supreme Court
Associate Justice—Supreme Court 4
- David R. Stras*
- Tim Tingelstad
U.S. House—Second Congressional District
- John Kline*Â (Republican)
- Mike Obermueller (Democrat)
U.S. Senate
- Amy Klobuchar*Â (Democrat)
- Kurt Bills (Republican)
- Stephen Williams (Independence)
- Tim Davis (Grassroots Party)
- Michael Cavlan (Minnesota Open Progressives)
Presidential Race
- Barack Obama*Â (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?Â
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:Â Minnesota for Marriage
- See what opponents say:Â Minnesota United for All Families
- See Northfield Patch coverage
Voter Identification Amendment
A yes or no question:Â 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:Â Protect My Vote
- See what opponents say:Â 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.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.