It’s down to Election Day
Whether it’s your first time or your 101st time voting, questions can arise, so we’ve compiled a list of answers designed to help Steele County voters.
Who can vote?
In order to be eligible to vote in Minnesota, you must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old on Nov. 8, 2022. In addition, you must have been a resident of the state for at least 20 days and not currently serving a felony sentence – including probation, parole, or supervised release.
Who are the people on my ballot?
That depends on where you live. Each city has its own ballot for city council and school board; all cities and townships in the county will also vote for Steele County Sheriff and Steele County Commissioners, and will choose who will represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
That commissioner race is simple enough: Four seats are open, but all four incumbents are running unopposed.
The ballot for Steele County Sheriff is a repeat of the 2018 race, with Deputy Darrin Helget challenging his boss, Sheriff Lon Thiele.
The only federal race in the county is for Congressional District 1, which represents the lower third of the state. In 2020, voters elected Jim Hagedorn (R-Blue Earth) to the seat; he died of kidney cancer in February.
In a special election in August, Republican Brad Finstad defeated Democrat and former Hormel CEO Jeff Ettinger to fill the remainder of Hagedorn’s term.
The two are facing off again on Tuesday for a complete two-year term; also on the ballot are Brian Abrahamson (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota) and Richard Reisdorf (Legal Marijuana Now Party).
There are also multiple executive offices on every ballot in Minnesota, including for governor and lieutenant governor; attorney general; secretary of state and state auditor.
Breaking it down even further:
Blooming Prairie
Voters have just one contested local race – for school board. The current mayor and two BP City Council incumbents are running unopposed.
The city is in Minnesota Senate District 23. Incumbent Sen. Gene Dornink (R-Brownsdale) is facing a challenge from DFL candidate Brandon Lawhead, of Austin.
Blooming Prairie is the only city and township in Steele County that lies in Legislative District 23B. In that race, voters will decide between incumbent Rep. Patricia Mueller (R-Austin), and former Austin mayor Tom Stiehm, the DFL candidate.
Ellendale
Just like their neighbors to the east, Ellendale residents have one contested local race – also for school board. The city council incumbents, including the mayor, are running unopposed.
And like Blooming Prairie, the city is in Minnesota Senate District 23; Dornink and Lawhead will be on the Ellendale ballot, as well.
The city is part of Legislative District 23A, as are the townships of Aurora, Berlin, Lemond, Somerset and Summit.
Those voters will decide between incumbent Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea) and DFL challenger Mary Hinnenkamp.
Medford
Medford’s residents will see just the opposite in their local races.
Their ballot will feature an uncontested school board race with just the three incumbents, but four new faces are running for city council. Voters will need to choose two from that slate of four.
The city sits in Minnesota Senate District 19, currently represented by Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault). He is facing a challenge from DFLer Kate Falvey, also of Faribault.
Medford is in Legislative District 19B; the voters will choose between incumbent Rep. John Petersburg (R-Waseca) and his DFL challenger, Abdulahi Ali Osman, of Owatonna.
Owatonna
Speaking of Owatonna, it may have arguably the most-watched races in the county.
The school board ballot will have 11 names vying for four open seats, including the four incumbents hoping to retain their roles.
There are also four open spots on the Owatonna City Council. Three of the incumbents face challengers, while incumbent Dave Burbank is running unopposed.
In addition to the cities of Medford and Owatonna, Senate District 19 and Legislative District 19B also contain the townships of Clinton Falls, Deerfield, Havana, Medford, Meriden, and Owatonna.
When do I vote?
Most polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day and close at 8 p.m. If you’re already in line by 8 p.m., you will be allowed to vote.
Early voting began on Sept. 23; the final day to vote early – by either mailing an absentee ballot or voting in person – is Monday. Early voting in person can be done at the Steele County Auditor’s Office, 630 Florence Ave.
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The auditor’s office will also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5.
How do I vote?
First, you must be registered to vote. The deadline to register online has passed, but registration is also available at your polling place on Election Day.
To register Nov. 8, bring in an approved document that proves your current address, or have another person registered to vote in your precinct vouch for you.
Approved IDs include a valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID with current name and address; or a receipt for any of those.
You may also bring an expired photo ID, or valid passport, military ID, Minnesota university or college photo ID; Minnesota high school photo ID AND a document with your current name and address.
Approved documents include:
- A bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, TV, internet, garbage, sewer, electric, gas, water, banking or credit card, rent or mortgage;
- A residential lease or rent agreement valid through Election Day;
- A current student fee statement.
If you’re already registered to vote, you do not need to bring an ID.
Where do I vote?
Residents within the city limits of Blooming Prairie, Ellendale or Medford have one option each.
In Blooming Prairie, that’s at City Council Chambers in City Hall, 138 Hwy. Ave. S.
Ellendale residents will vote at the Ellendale Community Center, found at 507 Second St. SE.
In Medford, voters should head to City Hall, at 408 Second Ave. SE.
If you live in Owatonna or in a Steele County township, see the list of polling places we’ve provided.
Owatonna residents unsure about which ward and precinct they’re in can visit pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us, or call the Steele County Auditor’s Office at 507-444-7400.
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Polling locations for Steele County
CITIES
Blooming Prairie: City Hall, 138 Hwy Ave. S.
Ellendale: Community Center, 507 Second St. S.E.
Medford: City Hall, 408 Second Ave. S.E.
Owatonna:
Ward 1, Precinct 1: Trinity Lutheran Church, 609 Lincoln Ave.
Ward 1, Precinct 2: Associated Church, 800 Havana Road
Ward 2, Precinct 1: Owatonna Public Library, 105 Elm Ave. N.
Ward 2, Precinct 2: Bethel Church, 1611 Hemlock Ave. N.E.
Ward 3, Precinct 1: Owatonna Arts Center, 540 West Hills Circle
Ward 3, Precinct 2: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 750 Jeffrey St.
Ward 4, Precinct 1: Sacred Heart Parish Center, 810 S. Cedar Ave., (entrance at 739 South Oak)
Ward 4, Precinct 2: Steele County Historical Society, 1700 Austin Road
Ward 5, Precinct 1: Grace Baptist Church, 265 NE 26th St.
Ward 5, Precinct 2: Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1909 St. Paul Road
TOWNSHIPS
Aurora Township: (Sec. 15) Aurora Town Hall, 7304 Austin Road, Owatonna
Berlin Township: Ellendale Community Center, 507 Second St. SE, Ellendale
Blooming Prairie Township: (Sec. 16) Blooming Prairie Town Hall, 13324 SE 64th Ave. Blooming Prairie
Clinton Falls Township: (Sec. 20) Clinton Falls Town Hall, 3723 N. Co. Rd. 45, Owatonna
Deerfield Township: (Sec. 22) Deerfield Town Hall, 7198 50th St. NW, Owatonna
Havana Township: (Sec. 18) Havana Town Hall, 4398 Havana Road, Owatonna
Lemond Township: (Sec. 21) Lemond Town Hall, 7423 SW 74th Ave., Ellendale
Medford Township: Medford Town Hall, 400 Central Ave., Medford
Meriden Township: (Sec. 17) Meriden Town Hall, 1083 SW 92nd Ave., Owatonna
Merton Township: (Sec. 17) Merton Town Hall, 4422 NE 60th St., Owatonna
Owatonna Township: (Sec. 22) Owatonna Township Hall, 1334 SE 28th St., Owatonna
Somerset Township: (Sec. 4) Steele Co. Trail Assn., 9028 SW 37th Ave., Hope
Summit Township: (Sec. 27) Summit Town Hall, 1380 E. Hwy. 30, Ellendale
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