Decision 2018

The Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission (NDC4) and Town Square Television strive to encourage citizens to be involved in the political process, through a variety of election-related programming, including Candidate Forums, Meet the Candidates segments, and General Election Night LIVE Coverage. We cover all local elections for the cities of Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and West St. Paul; Independent School Districts 196, 197, and 199, and Special District 6; Dakota County; and the State of Minnesota.

 

2018 Minnesota Primary Election Results

2018 Candidate Forums

Mendota Heights Mayor & City Council Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

West St. Paul Mayor & City Council Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

League of Women Voters Dakota County Dakota County Commissioners Dist. 2 Candidate Forum - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

South St. Paul Mayor & City Council Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

Inver Grove Heights Mayor & City Council Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

MN House of Representatives Districts 52A, 52B, & 54A Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

Dakota County Board of Commissioners District 2 Candidates - Government Channel 18 | Online | Facebook Live

League of Women Voters Dakota County West St. Paul Mayoral Candidate Forum - Channel 21 | Online

LIVE October 25, at 9 AM - Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce MN 2nd Congressional District Candidate Forum - Government Channel 18 | Online

Meet the Candidates

Meet the Candidates gives candidates in Northern Dakota County races a unique opportunity to reach voters and talk about their campaigns. Candidates are interviewed, individually, in five-minute segments, hosted by Town Square Television's Colleen Fuentes. 

Watch Meet the Candidates on Community Channel 14

Watch Online: Meet the Candidates - State & Federal

Watch Online: Meet the Candidates - City & County

2018 Important Election Dates

January 29 - Primary for Senate District 54 Special Election - Results

February 6 – Precinct Caucus Night - Gubernatorial Preference Poll Results: DFL | Republican

February 12 – Special Election for Senate District 54 - Results

May 8 – Special Election for ISD 197 Referendum - Results

May 22 – June 5 – Filing period for Federal, State, and County Offices, and Cities with a Primary

July 31 – August 14 – Filing Period for Cities without a Primary, and School Districts

June 29 – August 13 – Absentee voting open for State Primary

August 14 – Minnesota State Primary - Results

September 21 – November 5 – Absentee voting open for General Election

November  6 – General Election

2018 Northern Dakota County Races & Candidates

US Senator (Regular - 6 Year Term)

  • Paula M. Overby - MN Green Party | Meet the Candidates Segment
  • Dennis Schuller - Legal Marijuana Now
  • Jim Newberger - Republican
  • Amy Klobuchar - DFL*

US Senator (Special – 2 Year Term)

  • Sarah Wellington - Legal Marijuana Now
  • Jerry Trooien - Unaffiliated | Meet the Candidates Segment
  • Karin Housley - Republican
  • Tina Smith - DFL*

US House of Representatives District 2

  • Angie Craig - DFL
  • Jason Lewis - Republican*

MN Governor/ Lt. Governor

  • Chris Wright/Judith Schwartzbacker - Grassroots Legal Cannabis
  • Josh Welter/Mary O'Connor - Libertarian
  • Jeff Johnson/Donna Bergstrom - Republican
  • Tim Walz/Peggy Flanagan - DFL

MN State Auditor

MN Secretary of State

MN Attorney General

  • Noah M. Johnson - Grassroots Legalize Cannabis
  • Doug Wardlow - Republican
  • Keith Ellison - DFL

MN House of Representatives District 52A | Candidate Forum

MN House of Representatives District 52B | Candidate Forum

MN House of Representatives District 54A | Candidate Forum

Dakota County Board District 2 | Candidate Forum

Dakota County Attorney

  • James C. Backstrom*

Dakota County Sherriff

  • Tim Leslie*

Inver Grove Heights Mayor | Candidate Forum

Inver Grove Heights City Council (2) | Candidate Forum

Lilydale Mayor

  • Warren E. Peterson*

Lilydale City Council (2)

Lilydale City Council - Special

  • Lyle Hanzal*

Mendota Mayor

  • Brian Mielke*

Mendota City Council

  • Melody Rasmussen*

Mendota Heights Mayor | Candidate Forum

Mendota Heights City Council (2) | Candidate Forum

South St. Paul City Council (3) | Candidate Forum

Sunfish Lake Mayor

  • Dan O'Leary*

Sunfish Lake City Council (2)

  • Mike Hovey*
  • JoAnne Wahlstrom*

Sunfish Lake City Council - Special

  • Shari Hansen*

West St. Paul Mayor | Candidate Forum

West St. Paul City Council - Ward 1 | Candidate Forum

  • Richard Vitelli*

West St. Paul City Council - Ward 2 | Candidate Forum

West St. Paul City Council - Ward 3 | Candidate Forum

  • Wendy Berry
  • David Meisinger

South St. Paul School Board (4)

MN 1st District Court (10)

  • Arlene M. Ascencio Perkkio* | Meet the Candidates Segment
  • Martin "Marty" Judge
  • David L. Knutson*
  • Paula Duggan Vraa*
  • Michael J. Mayer*
  • Kathryn D. Messerich*
  • Jamie Cork*
  • Jody L. Winters*
  • Jessica J.W. Maher*
  • Douglas C. Bayley*
  • Richelle M. Wahi*

MN Court of Appeals (6)

  • Lucinda Ellen Jesson*
  • Anthony L. Brown
  • Tracy Smith*
  • Renee L. Worke*
  • Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks*
  • Diane Bratvold*
  • James B. Florey*

MN Supreme Court (4)

Voting Information

Register To Vote:

  • In Minnesota, you are eligible to vote if you are:
    • A U.S. citizen
    • At least 18 years old on Election Day
    • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
    • Finished with all parts of any felony sentence
  • Register Online
  • Register on Election Day - In Minnesota, you may register in person, at your polling place, with proof of residence.

Find your Polling Place - MN Secretary of State Pollfinder

In Minnesota, you may vote early (absentee), without an excuse, beginning 46 days before an Election. Early Voting for the General Election runs September 21 - November 5.

Information for Candidates

Guidelines for Election Programming On NDC4/Town Square Television Channels - Document

Meet the Candidates Letter - Document

Meet the Candidates Registration Forum - Document

Meet the Candidates Samples - Video