ELECTION DATES FOR 2026

August 11, 2026 - State Primary Election

November 3, 2026 - General Election

ELECTION WARD MAP AND POLLING LOCATION FINDER 

Voting Location Information - What You Need to know

The City of West St. Paul has adopted the following precinct map. Your polling location may have changed. Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Pollfinder to find your current voting location.

Polling locations for the 2026 Elections will be as follows:

WARD 1 PRECINCT 1 Thompson County Park, Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane 

WARD 1 PRECINCT 2 Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 Robert Street South

WARD 2 PRECINCT 1 Heritage Middle School, 121 Butler Avenue West

WARD 2 PRECINCT 2 Municipal Center Council Chambers, 1616 Humboldt Avenue

WARD 3 PRECINCT 1 St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1154 Seminole Avenue

WARD 3 PRECINCT 2 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 1575 Charlton Street

Additional Information

Dakota County mails postcards to registered voters annually with your precinct information. 

Visit mnvotes.org for voting and election information. 

City Offices on Ballot

City offices on the November 3, 2026, ballot will include three, 4-year City Council seats and the Mayor. There may be a Primary election for these seats. 

What's on My Ballot?

2026 Sample Ballots 

Ward 1, Precinct 1

Ward 1, Precinct 2

Ward 2, Precinct 1

Ward 2, Precinct 2

Ward 3, Precinct 1

Ward 3, Precinct 2

Visit Minnesota Secretary of State's Elections site for additional information.

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION

Option 1: Valid ID with Current Name and Address. Accepted IDs include: Valid Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card—or a receipt for any of these, U.S. Passport, U.S. Military or Veteran ID, Minnesota high school ID, Tribal ID card with your name, address, photo and signature.

Option 2: Photo ID with old address plus a bill due or dated within 30 days with Current Name and Address (can be shown on electronic device).

Option 3: A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. A registered voter can vouch for up to eight others.

Option 4: College Student ID (if a Student Housing List was provided). College students can use a student photo ID card if their college provided a student housing list to election officials.

Option 5: Valid Registration in the Same Precinct. If you were previously registered in the precinct, but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the elections official your previous name or address — no additional documentation is needed.

Option 6: Notice of Late Registration. If you pre-registered too close to Election Day, you may have received a Notice of Late Registration in the mail. This notice can be used to register.

Option 7: Staff Person of a Residential Facility. If you live in a residential facility, a facility staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your name and address.

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

You are eligible to vote if you meet all three of the following criteria:

• • U.S. Citizen
• • At least 18 years old on election day
• • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days or more

There are special rules for those who received a sentence for a felony, have been declared legally incompetent by a Court and individuals under guardianship. Please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office for more information.

ABSENTEE VOTING

All Minnesota voters are allowed to vote early and do not need a valid reason to vote by Absentee Ballot. For residents of West St. Paul, Absentee Ballots are issued and processed by the Dakota County Elections Offices. Absentee Ballots received at West St. Paul City Hall or other County offices will be couriered to the Administration Service Center in Hastings. 

Absentee Ballots for the 2026 Primary and General Elections will be available 46 days before the election. Anyone wishing to vote by Absentee Ballot must first complete and submit an Absentee Ballot Application. You may choose to vote by mail or vote in person at any Dakota County Elections Office (see locations below). All ballots, whether voted by absentee or at the polling site, remain secured at Dakota County or West St. Paul City Hall for 22 months following each election, after which time they are destroyed.

Download an Absentee Ballot Application here or stop by any Dakota County Elections Office to vote in person.

Administration Service Center
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
651-437-3191

Northern Service Center
1 Mendota Road
West St. Paul, MN 55118
651-554-6600

Western Service Center
14955 Galaxie Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-891-7570

Visit the Dakota County Elections Office for more information and office hours.

Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office for more information on elections and voting, get a copy of your sample ballot, search candidate filings, and more. Or contact the West St. Paul City Clerk at 651-552-4102.

APPLY TO BE A WEST ST. PAUL ELECTION JUDGE FOR THE 2026 ELECTION CYCLE.

To be an election judge you must meet all of the following state and city qualifications:

State-Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age (student trainee judges may be 16-17 years of age).
• Eligible to vote in Minnesota.
• Able to read, write, and speak English.
• You cannot be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time.
• You cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a candidate on the ballot in that precinct.

City of West St. Paul Qualifications

• Communicate clearly with voters.
• Detail-oriented.
• General math skills.
• Comfortable with serving a diverse population.
• Physical stamina.
• Function calmly and professionally in stressful situations.
• Remain impartial in conduct and speech; maintain neutrality and impartiality in the polling place. 
• Work as a team member and in support of the Precinct Head Judge.

Election Judges are an important part of the election process and may serve as: 

Head Judge - in charge of the polling place; opens, closes and assigns duties to other judges.

Greeter Judge - directs traffic flow and maintains order in the polling place. Provides timely information regarding a voter's correct poll location and Election Day registration documents. 

Roster/Registration Judge - signs in voters who registered in advance of Election Day; also registers voters same day. Verifies correct poll location and voter information.

Demonstration Judge - explains to voters how to mark their ballot. who registered in advance of Election Day; also registers voters same day. 

Ballot Judge - provides official ballots to voters; explains spoiled ballot procedure; monitors and maintains supply of official ballots and secrecy covers.

Ballot Counter Judge - oversees the ballot box area; gives out "I Voted" sticker to voters.

Health Care Facility Absentee Ballot Judge - provides voter outreach and administers absentee voting to voters who reside in a health care facility, VA medical center or hospital. 

Absentee Ballot Board Judge - serves on a special board that processes absentee ballots. 

Student Election Judge Trainee - students age 16 and 17 can serve as election judges trainees. To serve, students must be a U.S. Citizen in good academic standing at a Minnesota high school (or home schooled). They must also obtain school and parental permission and serve in the county where they reside or in an adjacent county. Trainees are assigned the same duties as other judges, with the exception of tasks requiring party affiliation. Trainees do not designate party affiliation. Trainees must attend and complete the same training as other judges. 

Party Balance - State law requires that party balance be maintained among judges in the precinct as there are specific tasks in the precinct that require representation from different political parties, i.e. curbside voting, emptying the ballot box, etc. For this reason, you will be required to disclose your party affiliation to the Election Official. This information will only be shared with the head judge in the precinct you will be working in. You do have the option of serving as a non-partisan judge; however, you would be unable to complete some tasks in the precinct.

Complete the application below or contact the West St. Paul City Clerk at 651-552-4102 for more information.

Training and Certification:
You must complete an Election Judge training course before you may serve as an Election Judge. You will attend a class at least two hours in length, either in person or online, and your certification is valid for two years. Renew your certification by repeating the course every two years. The City Clerk/Local Election Official will keep proof of your training on file.

Head Judges and Health Care Facility Judges are required to complete an additional hour of training. Judges assigned to an Absentee Ballot Board must also receive extra training.

Assignment Notices: If you are selected to serve, an assignment notice will be emailed to you before each election.

Election Judges are paid for training and time worked. You can also choose to volunteer. Consider joining the West St. Paul team of Election Judges today!

City Clerk
(651) 552-4102

THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
• Republican Party of Minnesota

MAJOR PARTIES

See Minnesota Statutes 200.2, subd. 7 for a definition of "Major Party." Click on the party name below to open a new tab and be directed to their website.

Democratic Party 

255 E Plato Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55107
Ph: 651-293-1200

Republican Party of Minnesota

7400 Metro Blvd, Ste 424
Edina, MN 55439
Ph: 651-222-0022

MINOR PARTIES

See Minnesota Statutes 200.02 subd. 23 for a definition of "Minor Party." Click on the party name below to open a new tab and be directed to their website.

Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party

Forward Independence

Libertarian Party of Minnesota

Minnesota Legal Marijuana Now! Party

Who represents me?

In 2026, the City of West St. Paul will have four open seats on the ballot; three City Council seats, one for each ward, along with the Mayor's seat. 

RUNNING FOR OFFICE

Candidates for city offices may file from May 19, 2026 until June 2, 2026 at 5 pm.

For a list of candidates running for office in West St. Paul, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should be sure to review the eligibility requirements before filing:

• must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• must have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election
• must be 21 years of age or more upon assuming office 
• must have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election 

FILING PERIOD

The filing period for 2026 will open in May 2026.

CAMPAIGN FILING FORMS AND MATERIALS

Upon filing the affidavit of candidacy, the City Clerk will provide candidates an informational packet to help keep track of important dates, required financial reports and other documents.

Candidates who file for office must comply with the Minnesota Fair Campaign Practices Act and financial reporting requirements.  Visit the Minnesota Secretary of State's website to learn more about these requirements.

The 2026 Minnesota Secretary of State's Office Candidate Packet can be found here. 

CAMPAIGN FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Filing Requirements

State Statutes 211A governs financial reporting duties and responsibilities of the election candidates/committees and the filing officer (city clerk). Each candidate/committee has a duty to acquaint themselves with the required filing periods and submit their reports on the due dates prescribed by the law. To find out about the required reports and filing due dates please refer to the Secretary of State’s website. Please note that each report must start off from the date when the previous report ended, and extend up to 5 days before the due date.

A failure to file a report is a misdemeanor pursuant to Minnesota Statute 211A05, subdivision 1 and creates an obligation on the filing officer to notify the candidate of the failure. If a report is not received within 10 days the filing officer must notify the Office of Administrative Hearings regarding the violation of Chapter 211A provisions.

Forms

• Campaign Financial Report (PDF) - To be used for all types of reporting
• Certification of Filing (PDF) - To be filed by all candidates within 7 days of the general election

Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 211A.02, Subdivision 6, campaign financial reports received by the City of West St. Paul will be available online for four years from the date posted.

2026 Financial Disclosures

2024 Financial Disclosures

2022 Financial Disclosures

2020 Financial Disclosures

Candidate Notices:

Candidate Filing Notice for 2026

Candidate Filing Notice for 2024

County, State and Federal Candidate Filing Notice for 2024

Equipment Notices:

Notice of Public Accuracy Test 2026 State Primary Election

Notice of Public Accuracy Test 2026 State General Election

Location Notices:

Resolution No. 23-073 Designating Polling Places for 2024 Municipal Elections

West St. Paul Precinct Map

Notice of 2026 State Primary Election

Notice of 2026 State General Election

What's on My Ballot?

Sample Ballots 

Ward 1, Precinct 1

Ward 1, Precinct 2

Ward 2, Precinct 1

Ward 2, Precinct 2

Ward 3, Precinct 1

Ward 3, Precinct 2

More information can be found at the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.