Minnetonka Election Guide: Candidates and Ballot Issues on Election Day

Make sure you get that red "I Voted" sticker!

Election Day is upon us—Tuesday, Nov. 6, is the big day—and Minnetonka Patch wants to make sure you're not only equipped with information, but also the logistics of voting. After all, every vote matters.

Everyone votes for a reason: to see their candidates win. That's why we're going to offer robust election night coverage, heavy on real-time results from all the races you're following: Federal, senate, congressional, Minnesota constitutional amendment results, Hennepin County election results including judicial races and local coverage of state races effecting people in Minnetonka.

Tune in to Minnetonka Patch on Election Day for frequent updates.

• Need to know where to vote? How to register to vote? Visit Minnetonka Election Guide: Know Where and How to Vote

• Want to read more about the candidates? Browse Minnetonka Patch's Election Guide section.

• Want to find out what your neighbors say about the candidates? Check out our large database of political Letters to the Editor

Who/What is On the Ballot?

This year, the ballot includes everything from U.S. President to state constitutional amendments to park commissioners, but no city council or school board races will be voted on in Minnetonka. Need some help sorting through all the candidates and questions?

Click on the blue links below to learn more about each candidate. 

State Senate

District 44- Northern Minnetonka

• Terri Bonoff (DFL), incumbent

• David Gaither (R)

District 48- Southern Minnetonka

• David Hann (R), incumbent

• Laurie McKendry (DFL)

District 49- Small northeast portion of Minnetonka: The Lone Lake portion of Shady Oak Road between I-494 and Highway 169.

• Keith Downey (R), incumbent

• Melisa Franzen (DFL)

State House

District 44B- Northern Minnetonka

• John Benson (DFL), incumbent

• Mark Stefan (R)

District 48A- Southern Minnetonka

• Yvonne Selcer (DFL)

• Kirk Stensrud (R), incumbent

District 49B- Small northeast portion of Minnetonka: The Lone Lake portion of Shady Oak Road between I-494 and Highway 169.

• Terry Jacobson (R)

• Paul Rosenthal (DFL)

Hennepin County Commissioner

District 6- Represents Minnetonka, Deephaven, northern Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach, most of Orono, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.

• Jan Callison, incumbent

• Dave Wahlstedt

Three Rivers Park District

District 4- Represents Minnetonka, Deephaven, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka Beach, Richfield, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay and Woodland.

• John Gunyou

• Leigh Harrod

U.S. House

District 3- Represents western portion of the Twin Cities including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka and Wayzata.

• Erik Paulsen (R), incumbent

• Brian Barnes (DFL)

U.S. Senate

• Amy Klobuchar (DFL), incumbent
• Kurt Bills (R)
• Stephen Williams (Independence)

Presidential Race

• Barack Obama (DFL), incumbent
• Mitt Romney (R)
• Gary Johnson (Libertarian)

MN Constitutional Amendments

Recognition of Marriage Amendment

A yes or no question: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota? 

Marriage between two gay individuals is not currently recognized by Minnesota law. A ballot cast with no vote on this question will count as a "no" vote. This amendment would also invalidate common-law marraiges for straight couples.

• See what supporters say: Minnesota for Marriage
• See what opponents say: Minnesota United for All Families

Voter Identification Amendment

A yes or no question: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013?

• See what supporters say: Protect My Vote
• See what opponents say: Take Action MN

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