The 2026 Minnesota Elections Resource Guide

The 2026 Minnesota Elections Resource Guide

Why it Matters

2026 is a big election year in Minnesota. Every seat for U.S. House is up for election, as is one U.S. Senate seat. The Minnesota governor is also up for election, as is every member of the Minnesota Legislature—both in the House and Senate. Faithful citizens must form their conscience with the right principles of Catholic social teaching to participate rightly in the public arena. But they also must inform themselves about the issues and where the candidates stand. Voting is only one part of faithful citizenship, but an important one as we continually work to transform our state.

The Timeline

• Early voting for the August Primary: JUNE 26-AUGUST 10
• AUGUST 11: Primary Elections
• SEPTEMBER 18: Vote by mail or in person through November 3.
• OCTOBER 13: Register to vote by this date. If you do not register by this date, the state of Minnesota also has same day in-person voting.
• NOVEMBER 3: General Election Day 2026. Municipal elections may be on your ballot.

Practical Resources for Voting

📋Registering

• Check to see if you are already registered to vote
• Register to vote here
• Same-day voter registration at your polling location

📍Location and Sample Ballot

• Minnesota Secretary Of State - What's On My Ballot?
• View your sample ballot and who the candidates are

🗳️Other

• Letter to Employers about Right to Vote
  

Questions to Ask Candidates

View printable and high-quality PDF version.

Guided by Human Dignity: Voting with a Catholic Conscience

The Catholic bishops of Minnesota encourage all Catholics to participate in the election process, guided by prayer, with a focus on human dignity. Recognizing that every person is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore has inherent dignity, the bishops emphasize that many issues debated by elected officials significantly impact this principle. On April 2, 2024, the Church released a Declaration on Human Dignity, titled Dignitatis Infinita. This document provides insights into how contemporary issues such as abortion, war, poverty, assisted suicide, and gender relate to human dignity.

The Minnesota Catholic Conference urges Catholics to utilize this declaration alongside the USCCB's Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship to educate themselves and guide their voting decisions for local, state, and federal offices. While no candidate may fully align with all Catholic values, we are called to participate actively in shaping our communities through thoughtful and prayerful civic engagement.

• On Human Dignity: Minnesota Catholic Conference's Summary of the Declaration of Dignitas Infinita
• Sobre La Dignidad Humana (Spanish Version)       

Be A Minnesota Catholic

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics

Pope Francis calls for “a better kind of politics” in response to the polarization and division within our Church and nation. Inspired by the example of the Good Samaritan, we are encouraged to see ourselves as one family, seeking the common good. The Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics initiative invites Catholics to take a pledge to seek the truth, build bridges, and find solutions together. Join us today in loving God by encountering every neighbor as a sister or brother. Take the pledge at www.usccb.org/civilizeit.

Parish Guidelines for Political Activity

As Catholics, we must never be afraid of bringing our faith into the public square. However, because the Church is not a political entity, we must make sure that our individual advocacy efforts are kept distinct from the Church’s teaching voice. Our guidelines for parish and church organization political activity, clearly lay out which activities are prohibited and which are permissible.

Download Resource: 

• Political Activity Guidelines for Parish and Church Organizations

• election 2026