Judge - Court of Appeals 1
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
Elizabeth Bentley
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Elizabeth Bentley is a judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals, appointed in 2024. She previously directed the University of Minnesota Law School's Civil Rights Appellate Clinic, served as special counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, practiced appellate law, and clerked for judges including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, Legal Competence 1 for
Election sources
Source: candidates.sos.mn.gov
Source: sos.mn.gov