Minnesota polls open for primary election

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota voters are confronting their busiest primary election in recent memory, with races for governor, both Senate seats and three congressional seats all on the ballot.



The biggest unsettled question may be the Democratic primary to succeed Gov. Mark Dayton. U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, Attorney General Lori Swanson and state Rep. Erin Murphy all had a path to victory.

On the Republican side, former two-term Gov. Tim Pawlenty carried big advantages in money and name recognition against Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson. County Commissioner Jeff Johnson was the party's endorsed candidate.

Other key races include Senate appointee Tina Smith trying to nail down the nomination to finish the last two years of Al Franken's term. And Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in Congress, is leaving to try for attorney general.



Polls are open to voters in Minnesota's primary election. State elections officials are reminding voters that they can only vote for candidates in one party. If you vote for candidates in both, your ballot won't count.

Minnesota has an open primary, so you don't have to register as a member of one political party or another to vote. There are nonpartisan offices on the back of the ballot which include local races. Since they aren't partisan, you can vote for any candidate. The two candidates with the most votes in those races move on to the general election.

The polls will close at 8 p.m.

