MANY LOCAL SEATS WILL BE OPEN, PETITION PERIOD SOON

    Many local government and school board positions across Journal Country will be opening this year as current terms expire, offering residents several opportunities to seek elected office and become involved in local leadership.
    In the City of Britton, five of six city council seats will be open. In Ward I, the seats currently held by Lindsey Kimber (two-year term) and Jerome Marlow (one-year term) are expiring. Ward II will have two openings, with terms ending for Norm Mack (two-year term) and Brian Beck (one-year term). The Ward III seat held by Tim Dahme, a two-year term, will also be up for election. Circulation of nominating petitions may begin Feb. 2, with petitions due to the city finance officer by March 24.
    Langford will have one trustee position opening, a three-year term currently held by Orrie Jesz. Petition circulation begins Feb. 2, and petitions must be filed with the finance officer at City Hall by March 24, or mailed by registered mail by the same deadline.
    In Eden, one trustee seat will become vacant, a three-year term currently held by Chad Fagerland. Nominating petitions may be filed with the municipal finance officer beginning Jan. 31 and must be submitted no later than Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.
    The City of Veblen will have multiple openings, including council positions in Ward I, Ward II (currently vacant), and Ward III, each for two-year terms, as well as the mayor’s seat for a two-year term. Petition circulation and filing may begin Feb. 2, with a filing deadline of March 24. Petitions are filed at the city finance office.
    Lake City will have one trustee position open, a three-year term currently held by Marty Anderson. Circulation of nominating petitions may begin Jan. 30, with petitions due by Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.
    Claremont will see two trustee positions open, both three-year terms currently held by Frank Rasmussen and Jason Spencer. Petition circulation may begin Feb. 2, and petitions must be filed at City Hall by March 24 at 5 p.m.
    In Pierpont, the trustee position currently held by Steve Cameron is up for re-election. Petitions may be taken out after Jan. 31 and must be returned to the finance officer by Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.
    Hecla does not have expiring board seats until later this year and will have a November election if one is needed. 
    Area school boards will also have seats opening. The Britton-Hecla School Board will have three three-year terms expiring, currently held by Kelli Erickson, Angela Grupe and Heather Landreth. Petition circulation may begin Feb. 2, with petitions due to the district business manager by March 24. The Langford Area School Board will have two three-year terms opening, held by Fallon Deutsch and Morgan Holler, with petitions available beginning Feb. 2 and due by March 24.
    Voters and potential candidates are reminded that a change in state law now affects when these elections are held. Under House Bill 1130, municipal and school district elections no longer take place in April and must instead be held in conjunction with the primary or general election. The primary election will be held June 2, with a voter registration deadline of May 18 and absentee voting beginning April 17.