MPR News helps Minnesotans navigate election season

Aug 10, 2026

The 2026 election season is underway, and MPR News is helping Minnesotans prepare to cast their ballots with a suite of voter resources offering information on federal, state and local races.

Helping voters navigate a complex election landscape

Each election cycle brings an overwhelming amount of political messages and campaign advertising, making it increasingly difficult for voters to find reliable, nonpartisan information— especially for local contests that receive little to no media coverage.

Down-ballot races at the town, city and county level often have a more direct impact on citizens' daily lives, yet voters struggle to find even basic information about candidates. To fill this gap, MPR News developed Build Your Ballot. With this resource, users can enter their address to receive a sample ballot and information on the candidates seeking their vote.

The reporting behind Build Your Ballot

Build Your Ballot is the result of the news team's months-long research process, spanning approximately 1,400 races and 2,000 candidates across the state. A significant portion of the work involves verification, which includes cross-referencing information with Secretary of State records and contacting counties, school districts and other local jurisdictions.

Journalists also directly contact candidates to ask questions about who they are, why they are running, and what they hope to accomplish. Should candidates choose not to respond, journalists conduct further research using verified public statements and records. "Most people don't have the time to conduct this level of research," said Anika Besst, digital producer at MPR News. "Our job is to provide a resource that makes voter information easily accessible for all."

Voters can also find how-to-guides, ongoing election coverage, and FAQs that are updated regularly as the primary and general elections progress. The news team encourages readers to submit any additional questions or suggestions using the audience question form.

"This work is central to how we serve both our members and the broader public," said Michael Olson, deputy managing editor at MPR News. "We want to give people a reliable, practical starting point to begin their research."

Learn more

Explore MPR News' election hub and build your ballot before Minnesota's primary election on Aug. 11. Additional translations are available in Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.