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Tuesday is Election Day across Minnesota. While there aren’t any statewide elections or decisions to be made, there are 

over 50 regularly scheduled local elections

To help you make an informed decision, here are a few sources and tools you can use to decide how you’ll be casting your ballot this year.

First off, you’ll need to know if there’s even anything to vote on where you live. The Secretary of State Office’s website is a good place to start. Search your address using 

 to find the candidates and questions you’ll encounter at your polling place. 

A big caveat here: Sample ballots aren’t available for all local elections, so if you search your address and nothing comes up, it’s a good idea to double check with your 

. You should also be able to find more information on where and how to vote 

You can also use the Secretary of State’s website to find 

a full list of candidates who filed across the state

a spreadsheet of ballot questions submitted to the office

 — but again, this list may not be exhaustive.

Not registered to vote? No problem. Minnesota has same day registration so you can take care of that right at your polling place. 

Where to learn more about candidates and issues from trusted sources  

As you seek out more information online or encounter campaign material in your everyday life, here are a few things to watch for.

First, identify the source of what you’re reading. Asking these questions can help: Was it written by a reporter, and if so, do you recognize the publication they work for? Does the newsroom have an ethics policy on their website? Do their articles cite and link off to the sources of important information? Are multiple viewpoints included in the article? 

Here’s a helpful guide with more tips for vetting a news source.

You may also encounter web posts or printed material directly from a candidate or supporter of a candidate or ballot measure. The information they share isn’t necessarily incorrect and can be useful for learning about different viewpoints, just keep in mind there are likely dissenting views and opponents that are also worth researching. 

You should also use some of the same strategies for 

 when looking at campaign material. Does the candidate or group provide a way to contact them for more information? If they receive outside funding, is it clear where the support is coming from? 

For more strategies on evaluating election information, check out our initiative dedicated to fighting misinformation during the 2020 election, “

Sara Porter

Author

There are more than 50 elections and dozens of special elections taking place across Minnesota Tuesday. Many of these local races are challenging to find information on. Here’s a round-up of coverage from around the state.

Election 2021: Where to find information on who and what's on your ballot

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