Editorial policy
Purpose
This Editorial Policy explains the principles and standards that guide the editorial decisions of Who's Running MN. It is intended to promote transparency, consistency, fairness, and public trust in the organization's work.
Who's Running MN is committed to providing nonpartisan educational resources that help Minnesota voters learn about state and local elections and the candidates seeking to represent their communities. This policy describes how editorial decisions are made and the standards applied to all content published by the organization.
Editorial decisions include, but are not limited to, decisions regarding coverage, publication, editing, corrections, and the application of this Editorial Policy.
At present, Who's Running MN fulfills this mission primarily by publishing standardized candidate videos. As the organization grows, it may expand to include additional nonpartisan election information and educational resources. Unless otherwise stated, the editorial principles described in this policy apply to all content published by Who's Running MN.
Mission
Purpose
To help Minnesota voters learn more about state and local elections and the candidates seeking to represent their communities.
Mission
To provide fair, nonpartisan educational resources that help Minnesota voters learn about state and local elections and the candidates running in them.
Vision
To create a trusted, nonpartisan starting point for Minnesota voters to learn about the state and local elections on their ballot.
Core Editorial Principles
All editorial decisions made by Who's Running MN are guided by the following principles.
Nonpartisanship
Who's Running MN does not endorse or oppose political parties, candidates, political action committees, or ballot questions. Editorial decisions are made independently and without regard to political affiliation or ideology.
Fairness
Eligible candidates for covered elections are provided the same opportunity to participate under the same published participation standards. Editorial standards and participation procedures are intended to be applied consistently across all eligible participants.
Consistency
Who's Running MN seeks to present comparable information in a standardized format when reasonably practicable. Standardization promotes fairness, helps reduce unintended editorial influence, and allows voters to more easily compare participating candidates.
Transparency
Who's Running MN seeks to clearly explain its editorial practices, participation requirements, and any limitations in its coverage. Significant editorial policies are made publicly available.
Accuracy
Who's Running MN is committed to presenting accurate information regarding election administration, candidate participation, and its own published materials. When errors introduced by the organization are identified, they will be reviewed and corrected as appropriate.
Respect
Who's Running MN is committed to treating candidates, voters, election officials, and members of the public respectfully regardless of political affiliation, beliefs, or viewpoints.
Accessibility
Who's Running MN seeks to present information in a manner that is clear, understandable, and accessible to a broad audience when reasonably practicable.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by political parties, candidates, donors, advertisers, sponsors, or other outside organizations.
Scope of coverage
Who's Running MN focuses on Minnesota state and local elections.
Because the organization operates with limited resources, it may not be able to cover every election or every office. Decisions regarding which elections are covered are made based on available resources, organizational capacity, and the organization's mission.
Coverage priorities and scope may change over time as the organization grows.
Candidate Participation
Participation in Who's Running MN candidate videos is voluntary.
For each covered election, Who's Running MN seeks to invite every officially filed candidate for that office to participate under the same published participation standards.
Participating candidates receive substantially the same:
● invitation process;
● participation materials;
● recording instructions;
● submission requirements;
● interview questions; and
● publication standards.
Candidates remain free to decline participation at any time before publication.
Eligibility to participate is determined in accordance with applicable election law and Who's Running MN's published participation standards. Circumstances affecting a candidate's eligibility or participation after an invitation has been issued may be addressed through this Editorial Policy and other applicable published policies.
Candidate Videos
Who's Running MN currently fulfills its mission primarily by publishing standardized candidate videos.
Participating candidates respond to substantially the same questions and are presented using a substantially consistent production format when reasonably practicable. This standardized approach is intended to promote fairness, reduce unintended editorial influence, and help voters compare candidates more easily.
While Who's Running MN seeks to apply consistent editorial standards to all participating candidates, individual videos may differ based on each candidate's submitted content and other reasonable production considerations.
The videos are designed to provide voters with a concise introduction to each participating candidate in the candidate's own words. They are intended to serve as a starting point for voter research and are not intended to provide comprehensive coverage of a candidate, campaign, or election.
Production Standards
Who's Running MN seeks to present candidate videos in a consistent and professional manner.
Editing may include technical or production-related changes intended to improve clarity, accessibility, consistency, or presentation, including:
● adjusting audio levels;
● trimming silence or technical interruptions;
● adding introductory or closing graphics;
● adding captions or other accessibility features; and
● formatting videos for publication.
Editing is intended to improve presentation and accessibility and is not intended to alter the meaning, substance, or intent of a candidate's responses.
Candidates are responsible for recording and submitting their own responses in accordance with the published participation materials and recording guidelines.
Endorsement
Publication of candidate content by Who's Running MN does not constitute an endorsement or approval of any candidate, political party, viewpoint, or statement.
Candidates are solely responsible for the content of their own submissions.
Candidate Statements
Candidates speak on their own behalf.
Each candidate is solely responsible for the accuracy, completeness, legality, and opinions expressed in their submitted materials.
Who's Running MN provides a platform for candidates to introduce themselves directly to voters. Voters are encouraged to consult multiple reliable sources before making voting decisions.
Accuracy and Corrections
Who's Running MN is committed to correcting factual errors that originate from the organization.
If an error introduced by Who's Running MN is identified, the organization will review the issue and may, as appropriate:
● publish a correction;
● update the affected content;
● replace the content; or
● remove the content.
Who's Running MN generally does not independently verify factual claims made by participating candidates. Candidates are responsible for the accuracy of their own statements.
If Who's Running MN receives credible information suggesting that published content may violate applicable law, contain materially false information, or otherwise warrant review under this Editorial Policy or other applicable published policies, the organization may review the matter and determine an appropriate response at its discretion.
Editorial Judgement
Who's Running MN exercises editorial judgment in applying this Editorial Policy. While this policy establishes the organization's guiding principles and standards, it cannot anticipate every situation that may arise.
When circumstances are not specifically addressed by this policy, Who's Running MN may make reasonable editorial decisions consistent with its commitment to fairness, nonpartisanship, transparency, accuracy, respect, and the other principles described in this Editorial Policy.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of financial or political considerations.
Donations, sponsorships, advertising, or other financial support, if accepted, do not influence:
● which elections are covered;
● which candidates are invited;
● editorial standards;
● publication decisions; or
● editing practices.
No candidate or organization may purchase favorable editorial treatment.
Transparency Regarding Participation
For each covered candidate video, Who's Running MN will disclose that participation is voluntary and that all officially filed candidates for the covered office were invited to participate under the same published participation standards.
Feedback and Questions
Members of the public, candidates, election officials, and other interested parties are encouraged to report factual errors introduced by Who's Running MN, technical issues, or questions regarding this Editorial Policy.
Feedback may also include suggestions for improving the organization's editorial practices, accessibility, or voter resources.
Who's Running MN will review feedback in good faith but may not respond individually to every submission.
Changes to this Policy
This Editorial Policy may be updated from time to time as the organization grows or its editorial practices evolve.
The most current version will be published on the Who's Running MN website. Continued use of the organization's website and services following publication of an updated policy constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
Contact Information
Questions regarding this Editorial Policy may be directed to:
Who's Running MN
Email: whosrunningmncontact@gmail.com
This Editorial Policy reflects the organization's commitment to providing fair, transparent, and nonpartisan resources that help Minnesota voters learn about the candidates and elections appearing on their ballots.
Effective Date: July 8, 2026
Last Updated: July 8, 2026