General Election is Nov. 8
Although the presidential election has dominated the news, citizens have many other decisions to make on the state and local level when they go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Staples residents may vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Staples Community Center.
Motley residents can also vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Motley City Hall.
Townships and other cities may have different hours for voting.
How to vote
If you have voted in past elections in your district or registered to vote this year, you can simply show up at your polling place and give your name to the poll workers.
If you are not registered to vote, there are several ways to register on election day:
o ID with current name and address (valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID; or a receipt for any of these).
o Tribal ID with name, address, photo and signature.
o Photo ID and a document with current name and address.
- Approved photo IDs, the ID can be expired (choose one): driver’s license, state ID or learner’s permit issued by any state; U.S. Passport; U.S. Military or Veteran ID; Tribal ID with name, signature and photo; Minnesota university, college or technical college ID; Minnesota high school ID.
- Approved documents, can be shown on electronic device (choose one): bill, account or start-of-service statement due or dated within 30 days of the election for phone, TV or internet, solid waste, sewer, electric, gas or water; banking or credit card; rent or mortgage; residential lease or rent agreement valid through election day; current student fee statement; registered voter who can confirm your address.
o A registered voter from your precinct can go with you to the polling place to sign an oath confirming your address. You cannot vouch for others if someone vouched for you.
o If you live in a residential facility, a staff person can go with you to the polling place to confirm your address.
o If you are registered in the precinct but changed names or moved within the same precinct, you only need to tell the election judge your previous name or address.
Criminal record
If you have a criminal record it does not affect your right to vote in Minnesota unless you are currently serving a felony conviction sentence, including probation, parole or supervised release. Once you have completed release requirments, you can vote.
What’s on the ballot?
In addition to voting for the next President of the United States, Minnesotans will vote for their member of the U.S. House of Representatives, their state Senator and Representative, as well as on a constitutional amendment. Some Minnesotans may also be voting for their local County Commissioner, Soil and Water Supervisor, City Officers, School Board Members, Township Officers, or local ballot questions.
In this area those include:
o Staples-Motley School Board: Incumbents Chad Longbella and Bryan Winkels will be joined on the ticket by Creig Dobson and Greg Frisk. The four will be vying for three seats on the board.
o Staples City Council: Mary Theurer and Doug Case are two incumbents seeking to retain their seats. Charles Tester, Rachel Johnson and Brian Fisher have also filed, making it a five person race to fill the four open seats. Chris Etzler, the current mayor of Staples, is running unopposed.
o City of Motley: Two council positions and the mayor’s job will be open. Al Yoder and Amy Hutchinson have filed for mayor. Both are current council members but their seats are not up for election this year. Council incumbent Steve Johnson will be joined on the ballot by Nate Douglas and Robert Follis in a contest for the two open seats.
o United District Hospital Board: The board, which oversees Lakewood Health System, has eight candidates vying for the seven board seats open. Donald Sirucek and Susan Bartels filed for the Poplar Township seat. Other filings were Billy Haehnel, Meadowbrook Township; Barbara Peterson, Villard Township; Robert Mueller, Member at Large; Lana Hansen, City of Motley; Linda Dietrich, MooseLake Township; and Ronald Storbakken, Staples Township.
o Wadena County Commission: Incumbent Jim Hofer is being challenged by Ralph Miller in District 2. In District 4 the race is between Chuck Horsager and Murlyn Kreklau.
o Todd County Commission: Incumbents Barb Becker in District 1 and Rod Erickson in District 2 are running unopposed. In District 5 Delvin Durheim is challenging incumbent Randy Neumann.
o Cass County Commission: Incumbent Bob Kangas is running against John Warren in District 2.
o Morrison County Commission: Mike LeMieur is challenging incumbent Kevin Maurer in District 2.
o State legislature: In the races in District 9 for the state legislature incumbent Senator Paul Gazelka is being challenged by Jason Weinerman. Meg Litts of Staples and John Poston, Lake Shore, are vying for the seat in House District 9A. Incumbent Rep. Ron Kresha will be running against Dustin Simmonds in House District 9B.
o U.S. Congress: David Hughes is challenging incumbent Collin Peterson in District 7. Stewart Mills is challenging incumbent Rick Nolan in District 8.
People living in cities and townships surrounding the Staples and Motley areas will have these people on their ballots. Below are some of the area races.
Todd County
Villard Township - Town Supervisor Seat A, Rudy A. Bjerga Sr.; Town Clerk, Connie Mosack.
Wadena County
Aldrich - No candidates filed for Mayor, City Council or City Clerk.
Nimrod - Mayor, Keith Frame; City Council, Aaron Frame, Kevin Milbradt, Coleman Rydie; City Treasurer, Jeannie Arthur.
Morrison County
Randall - Mayor, Danny L. Noss, Bob Riitters; City Council, James Chyba, Andrew Haider, Rick Turner, Brian Zilka.
Rosing Township - Town Supervisor Seat C, Gary J. Rassler; Town Clerk - Treasurer, Anita Walker.
Scandia Valley Twp - Town Supervisor Seat C, Ian Newkirk; Town Supervisor Seat D, Jeff Hardy; Town Supervisor Seat E, Brian Pantzke, Mike Rosvold; Town Clerk, Kathie L. Headley.
Cass County
Becker Township - Town Supervisor Seat 2, Mike Fitcher; Town Clerk, Mary Fitcher.
Byron Township - Town Supervisor Seat 1, Mariann Guentzel, Joanne Wolmutt-Cavin; Town Supervisor Seat 2, David Hoemberg, Liana L. McCoy; Town Clerk, No candidates filed; Town Treasurer, No candidates filed.
Fairview Township - Town Supervisor Seat 2, Jim Weizenegger.
May Township - Town Supervisor Seat 1, David J. Horn, Lloyd Ligneel; Town Clerk, Bianca Wyffels; Town Treasurer, Bridgette M. Brown.
Meadow Brook Township - Town Supervisor Seat 1, Ernest Haehnel, (Corky) Carl Smith; Town Supervisor Seat 2, Donald A Ottenstroer; Treasurer, Robert McKimmy.
Pillager - Mayor, Bret Mattheisen, Sue Van Hal; Council Member,Paul Odenthal, LeRoy Smith.
Poplar Township - Town Supervisor Seat 1, Doug Shequen; Town Supervisor Seat 3, Troy Mevissen; Special Election for Town Clerk, Hope Johnson; Town Treasurer, Susan Bartels.
Sylvan Township - Town Supervisor Seat 1, Greg Booth; Town Supervisor Seat 2, John Wulff; Town Supervisor Seat 4, Greg Bennett.
