Three Candidates Remain on Moorhead Ballot Despite Exiting
Three council candidates missed the official withdrawal deadline and will remain on the November ballot.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Elections
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Jayce Swanson has ended her Ward 1 Moorhead City Council campaign, joining other candidates who previously dropped out. All three will still appear on the November 3 ballot as they missed the official deadline to withdraw.
Why it matters
The presence of inactive candidates on the ballot can affect voter choice and outcome tallies in local races. Swanson ended her bid primarily because most of her potential supporters were already backing Sarah Opitz.
A total of 15 candidates filed for various city offices across Moorhead, which is divided into four wards. Each ward will elect one council member alongside the race for mayor.
The players
Jayce Swanson
A candidate who ended her campaign for the Moorhead City Council Ward 1 seat.
Sarah Opitz
A remaining candidate vying for the Ward 1 council seat in the upcoming election.
Ryan Nelson
An active candidate competing for the Ward 1 council position.
Ben Livingston
A candidate who withdrew from the Ward 1 city council race in August.
Ryan Schatz
A candidate who ended his campaign for the Ward 2 city council seat.
The details
Jayce Swanson, appearing as Dalton Swanson on the ballot, is one of three candidates who exited their respective races after the cutoff. Ben Livingston and Ryan Schatz also concluded their campaigns for Ward 1 and Ward 2, respectively.
Timeline
Ben Livingston announced the end of his campaign in August 2026.
The city council election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The situation follows the strict procedural requirements of the official candidate withdrawal deadline. This policy ensures administrative stability for election officials but can lead to inactive names appearing alongside active challengers like Sarah Opitz.
Moorhead voters should be aware that the names of withdrawn candidates will still appear on their ballots during the November election. Residents are encouraged to review the current active list of candidates before heading to the polls to ensure their vote reflects their current preferences.
The takeaway
Voters should carefully distinguish between active campaigns and candidates who have formally withdrawn but remain on the ballot. Checking official municipal resources helps ensure that your vote supports a candidate still actively seeking office.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming municipal races, visit the Moorhead elections page.
More information
Residents can review candidate filings and find ballot details at the Moorhead voter information and registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INFORUM.
Live Poll
Should ballots include candidates who have announced they are no longer running for office?
