Of 4,196 regular elections in Minnesota—2,918 (70%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Minnesota has the ninth highest rate of uncontested elections.

There are at least 14 office types up for election in Minnesota this year. 

Treasurer and clerk have the highest rate of uncontested elections at 98% each. Elections for the office of local judge have the next highest uncontested rate at 94%, followed by local councilmember and water board at 92% each.

U.S. senator, state senator, and chief state supreme court justice have the highest rate of contested elections at 100% each. The next highest contested office types in Minnesota are U.S. representative and state representative at 96%, followed by board of education at 60%.

Minnesota has a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Among states with Democratic trifectas, 55% of elections are uncontested and 45% are contested. Those rates for Republican trifectas are 66% and 34%, respectively. In states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. 

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!