GRAND RAPIDS / BEMIDJI — Voting is open for the 2026 primary election, and KAXE News provides 2026 Primary Election Guide for voters.
The online guides include primary candidates from all levels of government. New this year, free, printable PDF versions are available covering statewide candidates and several primary races in Northern Minnesota. (links below)
KAXE News Director Chelsey Perkins emphasizes that the election guides are meant to provide information to empower and inform about voting and elections — particularly for the primaries, when voter participation is usually less robust.
“We’ve collected nearly 70 candidate questionnaires so voters can compare the responses of those wishing to represent them across so many important issues,” Perkins said. “Our news team has fact-checked these answers and attached editor’s notes with context and corrections when appropriate.”
"Our news team has fact-checked these answers and attached editor’s notes with context and corrections when appropriate."Chelsey Perkins
The KAXE News team contacted every candidate up to three times using information from the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State to invite their responses. Candidates were prohibited from using AI to generate answers to the questions. Perkins specified that the candidate responses were not edited by KAXE News but were published as submitted, which includes typos or formatting.
KAXE is pleased to offer these guides in a printable .pdf format at no cost for individuals and organizations to print and share or distribute.
Statewide Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Aitkin County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Beltrami County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Cass County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Clearwater County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Hubbard County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Itasca County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
Wadena County Primary Election Guide (.pdf)
The KAXE News team welcomes questions, comments, and corrections. Contact news@kaxe.org about these guides and all coverage.
KAXE News will also publish a General Election Guide featuring contested statewide and Northern Minnesota races later this summer.
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