Associate Justice - Supreme Court 4
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
Paul Thissen
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Paul Thissen is an associate justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. He joined the court in 2018 and was elected in 2020. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003 to 2018, including as speaker and Democratic House leader, and worked as an attorney and appellate public defender.
Records: Legal Competence 1 for
Election sources
Source: candidates.sos.mn.gov
Source: sos.mn.gov