Stearns County sets filing, absentee and polling plans for District 4 special election

Stearns County elections officials told the county board on May 19 that a special election will fill the vacancy in Commissioner District 4 and outlined filing deadlines, absentee voting, polling‑place changes and canvassing dates.

Laura Loudenback, division director of elections and Lisonbee Centers, said the county’s filing period opens tomorrow and runs through June 3; the filing fee is $50 for county commissioner candidates, and candidates may submit petitions instead of paying the fee. A primary would be held Aug. 12 if more than two candidates file; otherwise the special general election will be held in the August timeframe that matches Minnesota’s uniform election schedules.

“After the vacancy was declared, because the term expires Dec. 31, 2026, it needs to be filled by a special election because it was more than one year remaining on the term,” Loudenback said, citing the state timelines for county vacancies. She also noted a 2025 law change requiring candidate filers to present valid identification or other proof of residence to the filing officer.

Elections supervisor Roxanne Garrett said District 4 has just over 18,000 registered voters. Absentee voting in person at the Stearns County Service Center will begin June 27 and continue through Aug. 11 during regular business hours; the office will also be open Saturday, Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garrett said District 4 contains 13 precincts; the county will use 10 existing polling places and has relocated three sites that were unavailable for the August and November elections. The moves are: St. Cloud Ward 4 P7 from CenterCare Southpointe to Grace United Methodist Church; Waite Park City Hall to Ledge Amphitheater building; and Waite Park P3 to the Waite Park Community Shelter. Registered voters in affected precincts will receive notices of the change.

Garrett confirmed that voters on the permanent absentee list will automatically receive mailed ballots for this election. She also explained that Minnesota law does not permit the county to consolidate polling places; school districts may consolidate precincts only after submitting a resolution by Dec. 31.

The county described the canvassing schedule; officials said canvassing will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 5, and that two county commissioners will be appointed to serve on the canvassing board for the August and November canvasses. The board approved a motion to appoint Commissioners Notch and Persky to the canvassing board for Aug. 13 and Commissioners Clark and Bertram for the Nov. 5 canvass. Commissioner Persky made the motion; Commissioner Clark seconded and the board approved it.

The elections office reminded the board that the person elected in the special election will take office after the county receives the certificate of election and required campaign finance reports; the successful candidate will be sworn in at the next board meeting to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Loudenback encouraged interested candidates to review commissioner duties and filing packets on the county website and to note residency and eligibility rules, including Minnesota Statute 200.031 regarding candidate residency.