Election Day is on Tuesday, and Minnesotans will be voting on many key races. Senator Al Franken (DFL) and Governor Mark Dayton (DFL) are running in close races for their re-elections. Control of the U.S. Senate and Minnesota House are up in the air, and many local races will also be decided on Tuesday. Below, The Mac Weekly provides information on all candidates that will be on the ballot as well as information on how to vote Tuesday.

WHERE DO I VOTE?

If you’re registered to vote at 1600 Grand Avenue, vote at Macalester-Plymouth Church (right across the street from Carnegie). If you’re registered at an off-campus address, check your polling place at mnvotes.org.

WHEN CAN I VOTE?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Minnesota law guarantees you time off from work to vote, so “I can’t vote — I have to work” doesn’t work as an excuse. what do i need to vote?

WHAT DO I NEED TO VOTE?

If you’re already registered, you don’t need to bring anything. Minnesota doesn’t have a Voter ID law, so you’ll simply sign a box verifying your identity and you will be allowed to vote.

I’M NOT REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA. CAN I STILL VOTE?

If you are eligible to vote and have not voted (in either Minnesota or another state) yet, you can still register to vote on Election Day. Bring a valid student ID and you will be allowed to register and vote on Tuesday. If you’ve already voted — you can’t vote again.

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR/LT. GOV:

Mark Dayton* (DFL) Running mate: Tina Smith

Dayton is running for a second term as Governor. He has run on a platform of successful progressive governance in Minnesota, citing the state’s successful job growth in the past few years and Minnesota’s strong performance in the economic recovery. He is also trumpeting his legislative accomplishments of the past few years, which included a higher minimum wage, same-sex marriage, MNSure and universal pre-kindergarten.

Jeff Johnson (R) Running mate: Bill Kuisle

Johnson is a Hennepin County Commissioner running as the Republican challenger to Dayton. After winning the Republican endorsement and a four-way primary, he has argued that Minnesota needs to cut taxes and wasteful spending which have been a highlight of DFL governance. A Star Tribune poll shows Johnson trailing Franken by 7 percent, with Independence Party candidate Hannah Nicollet garnering 5 percent.

Other candidates: Hannah Nicollet (I), Chris Holbrook (L), Chris Wright (Grassroots)

CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATE

Al Franken* (DFL)

After winning election to the U.S. Senate by a mere 312 votes in 2008, Franken is running for a second term on a platform of continued job growth for Minnesota and expanded access to education and health care. Franken has especially focused on net neutrality and consumer privacy during his time in the Senate, as well as opposition to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision and support for campaign finance reform.

Mike McFadden (R)

McFadden is a lifelong businessman who is challenging Franken for his Senate seat. He argues that Franken has been too liberal for the United States. McFadden has been running a relatively moderate campaign this year. After a few month of Franken comfortably leading in the polls, McFadden has closed the gap slightly and a recent poll shows him running 9 percent behind Franken.

Other candidates: Steve Carlson (I), Heather Johnson (L)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE:

Betty McCollum* (DFL) Sharna Wahlgren (R) Dave Thomas (I)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE:

Erin Murphy* (DFL) Andrew Brown (R)

SECRETARY OF STATE:

Steve Simon (DFL) Dan Severson (R) Bob Helland (I) Bob Odden (L)

STATE AUDITOR:

Rebecca Otto* (DFL) Randy Gilbert (R) Patrick Dean (I) Keegan Iversen (L) Judith Schwartzbacker (Grassroots)

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Lori Swanson* (DFL) Scott Newman (R) Brandon Borgos (Independence) Mary O’Connor (L) Andy Dawkins (Green) Dan Vacek (Legal Marijuana Now)

SUPREME COURT:

Wilhelmina Wright* John Hancock

David Lillehaug* Michelle MacDonald

(Description of races listed are for Ward 3, Precinct 7, which is Macalester’s voting precinct. Those registered to vote at another off-campus address might have different races down-ballot.) Incumbents are marked with an asterisk.

Election guide by Joe Klein ’16. Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons and published under Creative Commons licensing.