VOTE411 Voter Guide

The Minnesota District Court system handles criminal, civil, and family cases in each of Minnesota's 87 counties. These judges hear cases ranging from first-degree murder trials to civil and family conflicts to traffic tickets and citations. Some of the district courts are divided into departments, such as criminal, civil, probate, family, and juvenile departments.Information about judicial candidates is harder to find than it is for candidates of other offices. However, there are a few things voters can do to learn more about candidates and make their voices heard.Do your research. Most judicial candidates want to keep a low profile. Sitting judges’ biographies can be found on the MN Judicial Branch website. To see if a judge has been reprimanded, check MN Board on Judicial Standards.In the rare case that an election is contested, voters can usually find statements from candidates in MN Lawyer or MN Bar Association (available only during elections).Learn more about this process: “Judicial Candidates in Minnesota: What to know before you head to the polls!” (LWVMN)