Minnesota Supreme Court Justices to Face Unopposed Election
Justices Sarah Hennesy and Paul Thissen will appear on the general election ballot in Minnesota on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Elections
Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Sarah Hennesy and Paul Thissen are set to face no challengers in the upcoming nonpartisan statewide judicial election. Both candidates will appear on the ballot for their respective seats during the general election on November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The nonpartisan election allows voters to confirm or reject judicial candidates, ensuring that voters across Minnesota have a direct role in the state's highest court. Unopposed races represent a key part of the judicial confirmation process in the state.
Justice Sarah Hennesy is running for Seat 1, and Justice Paul Thissen is running for Seat 4. These seats are included on the nonpartisan, statewide general election ballot scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The players
Sarah Hennesy
She is an incumbent justice currently seeking election to Seat 1 on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Paul Thissen
He is an incumbent justice currently seeking election to Seat 4 on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
The details
The Minnesota Supreme Court election features both incumbents running without opposition for their specific seats. Voters will see these choices on the ballot during the November 3, 2026 general election.
Timeline
November 3, 2026 is the date of the statewide general election.
Political Context
This election follows the established guidelines set by Minnesota's nonpartisan judicial election system for confirming supreme court justices. Opposition groups occasionally challenge the lack of choice in judicial races, arguing that unopposed incumbents face fewer performance audits.
Voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots for these judicial seats on November 3, 2026. This election directly determines the composition of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the coming term.
The takeaway
Voters in judicial elections play a critical role in the oversight of the state's highest court. Residents should check their local precinct polling information to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming November 3, 2026 election.
Further reading
Learn more about the voting process at the Minnesota Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MinnPost.
