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   ST. PAUL, Minn. – Voting on a new list of finalists begins today in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s latest Name a Snowplow contest. The top eight vote-getters will become new MnDOT snowplow names, one new name for each MnDOT district.

   See the list of finalists and vote now at mndot.gov/nameasnowplow.

   Voting will remain open through noon on Friday, Feb. 13. Individuals will be able to vote one time and select up to eight of their favorite names.

   “MnDOT’s 800 snowplows keep Minnesota’s roads clear, drivers safe and traffic moving, despite the snow and cold,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “Name a Snowplow is a fun way to highlight the work of these plows and their operators, and to celebrate one of the ways Minnesotans get through winter together. We hope Minnesotans take time to notice all of our plows -- named or not -- so all of our operators can safely do their work.”

   MnDOT received more than 6,750 snowplow name submissions in December, staff reviewed those suggestions and helped narrow the list to 30 finalists. The agency considered a variety of factors, including uniqueness, frequency of submissions, Minnesota-specific ideas, and names that would be easily identifiable and understandable to most audiences.  

   Minnesotans are encouraged to follow @mndot on Facebook, X and Instagram for updates on the Name a Snowplow contest, and to see winter weather alerts, safety messages, project updates and more.

   This is MnDOT’s sixth Name a Snowplow contest. In addition to the 40 named snowplows selected through previous contests, MnDOT staff have also helped to name four additional snowplows: Giiwedin-The North Wind; Goonodaabaan-Snow Vehicle (both Ojibwe); Icamna-Blizzard and Wakta!-Watch Out! (both Dakota) in acknowledgement of the highways the state maintains and plows adjacent to tribal lands.

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