Minnesota 2nd Congressional District race delayed after 3rd party candidate dies

Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Weeks has died, according to a Thursday, Sept. 24, news release from Secretary of State Steve Simon. Simon's office could not confirm further details on the circumstances of Weeks's death.

With a candidate's death so close to the Nov. 3 general election, though, the congressional race will be postponed until Feb. 9, 2021, according to the news release. Weeks was set to face off with incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, as well as Republican challenger Tyler Kistner in the historically purple suburban district.

Per state law, if a major party nominee dies within 79 days of Election Day, a special election must be held for that office the second Tuesday of February.

Simon said Thursday that residents of Minnesota's 2nd District should still cast their votes in November for other races up and down the ballot. Candidates for the CD2 race will still appear on the ballot, but votes for those candidates will not be counted in November. Voters must vote again in February's special election in order to pick their next member of Congress.

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For CD2 residents who have already voted early in-person or cast absentee ballots, Simon said they do not need to request a new ballot or vote again. Their votes for other races up and down the ballot will be counted.