Filing period nears for city, school board and hospital board elections
The candidate filing period for municipal, school district and hospital district offices will open in just over a month.
Candidates seeking a spot on the Nov. 3 election ballot may file for office between July 14 and July 28.
In the City of Grand Marais, three City Council seats will be on the ballot this year. Three seats on the North Shore Health hospital board representing Districts 1, 3 and 5 are also up for election. Voters will also elect three members to the ISD 166 School Board.
The following seats are up for election, along with the individuals who currently hold them:
City of Grand Marais
- Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson
- City Councilor Craig Schulte
- City Councilor Michael Garry
North Shore Health Board
- District 1 Patty Winchell-Dahl
- District 3 Steve Frykman
- District 5 Randy Wiitala
Cook County Schools ISD 166 School Board
- District 1 Erik Redix
- District 3 Rena Rogers
- District 5 Dan Shirley
The filing period for federal, state, and county offices closed on Tuesday, June 2.
In Cook County, three county commissioner seats in Districts 1, 3, and 5 are up for election this year. Two seats on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, representing Districts 2 and 4, will also appear on the ballot. The Cook County Sheriff’s seat is also on the ballot this year. Find a list of candidates who filed for the upcoming November election here.
As election season nears, Cook County is actively recruiting election judges. In a news release, the county said, “Election judges play a vital role in administering elections and supporting voters at polling places across the community.”
Minnesota law requires a balance of election judges between the major political parties. The county said at this time, there is a “greater need for election judges affiliated with the Republican Party.”
Polling place election judges are needed for either or both of the state primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, or the state general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Judges will be paid $18 per hour, and positions are not eligible for benefits.
Contact Cook County election officials at the Cook County Courthouse for additional information.
Kalli Hawkins June 14, 2026
