Judge - Court of Appeals 15
November 3, 2026 · Minnesota · Statewide · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 45 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 5,739,445 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(39,287,377 ÷ 5,739,445) ÷ ln(39,287,377 ÷ 582,397) = 45.67, comparing all statewide districts nationwide (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Average representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
This office is responsible for:
- Hearing appeals and major cases under state law
- Deciding what the state constitution and state laws mean
- Setting rulings that lower state courts must follow
Affected Areas: Public Safety and Crime Control, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Civil Rights, Impartiality, Legal Competence
Candidates
Kevin G. Ross
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Kevin G. Ross is a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals, where he has served since 2006. He previously served as a Minnesota district court judge and worked in public and private legal practice. His Judicial Branch biography also documents teaching, legal-writing, and community-service work.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Legal Competence 1 for
Election sources
Source: candidates.sos.mn.gov
Source: sos.mn.gov