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Minnesota Supreme Court Elections 2026

Minnesota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 6-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. 2 seats are on the November 3 ballot.

Rules as of October 15, 2026 · candidates as of October 15, 2026 · source Ballotpedia

Are judges elected in Minnesota?

Highest court
Minnesota Supreme Court — 7 justices
How chosen
Nonpartisan election
Voters
Voters elect justices
Term
6 years
To serve again
Run for re-election
2026 ballot
2 seats on November 3 — 2 unopposed

How Minnesota chooses its judges

Minnesota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 6-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats.

  • Seats: 7 justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
  • Term: 6 years.
  • To serve again: Run for re-election.
  • Age rule: Must retire at 70.
  • Other courts: All courts use nonpartisan elections.

Compare every state on the judicial selection table.

Minnesota Supreme Court elections in 2026

2 seats are up in 2026 (nonpartisan election).

Seat 1

Unopposed
  • Sarah E. HennesyIncumbent

Seat 4

Unopposed
  • Paul ThissenIncumbent

A third seat, Justice Theodora Gaïtas’s, was expected on the ballot. She was named chief justice instead, and her replacement, Reynaldo Aligada, will stand for election after a year on the court.

Candidates as of October 15, 2026 from Ballotpedia. Results for November races are added once certified. Party labels are not shown because they do not appear on the ballot.

How to research judges on your Minnesota ballot

  • Your sample ballot: Minnesota’s official election site shows every judicial race on your ballot, including local courts.
  • Deadlines and voting options: How to vote in Minnesota — registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.
  • Candidate details: Ballotpedia tracks each candidate’s background, endorsements and spending; local news and the state bar often publish candidate surveys.

Judicial ethics rules bar candidates from promising how they will rule, so a judge’s record and experience usually say more than campaign ads. This site does not endorse or rate candidates.

Federal judges in Minnesota

Federal judges are never on a ballot: the President nominates them and the U.S. Senate confirms them for life. Minnesota’s two senators vote on every nominee and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.

Minnesota’s senators: Tina Smith (Democratic) and Amy Klobuchar (Democratic).

Confirmed by recorded vote in 2026

No federal judge for a court in Minnesota has been confirmed by roll-call vote in 2026.

District judges for courts in Minnesota and circuit judges from the state. Judges confirmed by voice vote leave no roll call; the Senate’s list of confirmed nominations has them. Roll calls from the snapshot refreshed Oct 1, 2026.

Open federal judgeships

  • District of Minnesota: seat of Patrick J. Schiltz (senior, Jul 1, 2026) — no nominee yet.

Source: uscourts.gov current judicial vacancies. Every vacancy nationwide is on the judicial elections hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are judges elected in Minnesota?

Minnesota Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections to 6-year terms — no party labels on the ballot — and must run again to keep their seats. All courts use nonpartisan elections.

How long is a term on the Minnesota Supreme Court?

6 years. At the end of a term, they must run again to keep their seats. Must retire at 70.

Who is running for the Minnesota Supreme Court in 2026?

2 seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Seat 1: Sarah E. Hennesy, incumbent. Seat 4: Paul Thissen, incumbent.

How do I research judges on my Minnesota ballot?

Your sample ballot from https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/register-to-vote/ lists every judicial race, including local courts. Ballotpedia, local news and the state bar cover candidates' experience and endorsements.

Who appoints federal judges in Minnesota?

The President nominates and the U.S. Senate confirms them; they serve for life. Minnesota's senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, vote on every nomination and are traditionally consulted on district court nominees from the state.

Related

Judicial Elections in Every State

How all 50 states choose judges, every 2026 supreme court race, and federal confirmations.

How to Vote in Minnesota

Registration, early voting, mail ballots and poll hours.

Minnesota Senators & Representatives

Your delegation in Congress and when each term ends.

What Can Congress Do?

Can Congress declare war, override a veto, impeach a cabinet member, remove a senator, overrule the Supreme Court, or invoke the 25th Amendment? Question by question, with live vote math.