Finally went to view the ballot. So much confusion

[question everything]

Last edited Mon Oct 7, 2024, 06:53 PM - Edit history (1)

For example, there are three candidates for Plymouth Council at Large, but I have no idea how many I am supposed to select. I know that are two, but I don't think that both offices are on the ballot

There is the Constitutional Amendment about water quality of lakes and stream and conserve wildlife but I have read some opinions opposing it. Will have to look for them.

And.. the judges.

Supreme Court: Hudson or Emery

Associate Justice 6: Procaccini or Hanson

Court of Appeals 12: Woolsey or Bratvold

I suppose I should read their bios



OK, on edit. Clearly there should be only one elected as At Large.

I think that the Amendment to continue using lottery money to preserve the environment is important. The ones against it on NextDoor are the ones who want to limit government.

[lamp_shade]

1. If all else fails, find your County Democratic org website for advice.

[Ocelot II]

2. Hudson and Procaccini are Walz appointments; stick with them.

Their opponents have no notable qualifications. Bratvold is a Dayton appointment, later re-elected. There is very little info online about Woolsey, which doesn't bode well. His ex-wife got an order for protection against him in 2014. https://naomikritzer.com/tag/jonathan-r-woolsey/ Stick with Bratvold.

[MN2theMax]

3. Go to the MN Secretary of State web site

You can view the ballot, and if there is info or a website about the candidate, their name will be a hyperlink that you can click on.

For the judges, it appeared to me that the women were the better choices. For the choice of Procaccini vs Hanson. Procaccini seems the better choice. Hanson’s web page brags about his NRA membership.

Good luck figuring things out. The city council options in my district have little info available. As I driver around I note yard signs for local candidates, and if they are next to a Trump sign, I know that’s not the candidate to choose.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Due diligence

Don't give away your vote. Do the research. Local Democratic committee people might have an opinion, newsletter or email, brochures.

[FakeNoose]

5. If you have LWV organization in your area

It used to be called "League of Women Voters" but now they go by LWV...

They probably have a website that gives pointers on the different candidates and issues on the ballots. If that doesn't pan out, try the Democratic Party (DFL) for your state or county.

[dflprincess]

6. The Strib has an article on the contested races for judges

Supposedly, it's dropped the firewall for election information

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-judge-elections-what-you-need-to-know-about-candidates-running-in-state-court-races/601157896

[RTT]

7. Hint: Read the Bio's of The Judges

I had a similar experience, but did my research.

I'm glad I did, because one candidate, Stephen Emery appears to have been elected 11/8/2022, but 2 weeks later abruptly resigned. He has also run for US Senate against Amy Klobuchar. Emery is also known to waffle widely on his campaign platform, according to undisputed public record. So, I would think a Justice of the MN Supreme Court would need to be a little more stable. Obviously, Justice Hudson is.

https://www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-news/2022/11/newly-elected-ymc-attorney-resigns-election-opponent-sworn-in-as-replacement/

So. . . I would suggest on the 2024 ballot to take a few min. to research. MN probably doesn't want a MN SC Judge to be unstable.