Elections were held in some area townships last week.

The annual township elections had always been the second Tuesday in March. This year a blizzard delayed them for a week.

That is, those that had not already been moved to the November general election ballot because of threats from the state to require handicapped voting machines for all precincts.

Among the Staples area townships that held elections were Staples Township, which had 30 voters come to the polls to choose two new supervisors

Township Clerk Sharon Ingebritson reported that Chris Mertens was elected to fill out the remaining two years of a term to which he had been appointed last year. At the same time, Ron Hoemberg was elected to a full three year term as supervisor.

Turtle Creek Township south of Staples also had their election,

Township clerk Roxann Japp reported Ron Carry was elected supervisor with 24 votes and Chris Lindquist was elected treasurer with 26.

Moran Township, also south of Staples, had three candidates for a three-year township supervisor opening. Mike Motl chose not to run for re-election. Running for the job were Arnold Boie, Dale Christensen and Ray Desotel. Boie with 20 votes won, while Desotel had 15 and Christensen 12. Barb Becker, with 44 votes, was re-elected treasurer, which is a two-year position.

Another election was held in Wadena County's Thomastown Township, but candidates Michael Weyer for supervisor and Lois Gould for treasurer were unopposed.

Elections were also held in other townships, but results have not been obtained. Those with election results can report them to the Staples World by calling 894-1112.

Some of the local townships that did not have elections last Tuesday include Germania, Bartlett and Villard in Todd County. While they did not hold elections, many had their normal annual meetings that traditionally have been the same day as annual elections.

Although townships voted to move their elections, an exception has now been approved allowing townships under certain population levels to forgo the handicapped requirement. Numerous townships are tying to move back to March elections, but special legislation is apparently needed from the Legislature to allow this to happen.