Ballots in Faribault County misprinted, misidentify parties for candidates in house race
FARIBAULT COUNTY, Minn. — Seventeen ballots in Faribault County misidentified the parties for candidates in the State Representative District 23A race, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.
In a statement Friday, Republican incumbent Rep. Peggy Bennett said she learned from a supporter that her opponent, Joe Staloch, was labeled as Republican. Staloch filed to run for the house seat as a member of the DFL, according to the secretary of state's website.
The secretary's office says they're "pursuing corrective action through the courts including instructions for voters who already received and returned an incorrect ballot to ensure their vote is counted correctly.
According to the secretary's office, each county in the state is responsible for preparing ballots and the secretary's office provides a list of certified candidate names and their political party affiliation to all counties. The secretary's office says that information was provided accurately and on time.
The error is limited to ballots issued by Faribault County and the secretary's office says ballots issued by Freeborn, Steele and Waseca counties accurately list the candidates' parties.
This comes as early voting begins in the state. For information on everything you need to vote, you can head here.