Residents of Grand Forks will have the opportunity to vote in a range of local elections on June 9, 2026. The ballot will include three seats on the City Council, positions on the School Board, Park Board, a municipal judge, and various county offices. Primary elections for county commission, sheriff, state’s attorney, and state congressional seats will also take place, with general elections scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Candidates for city offices began gathering signatures for their nomination petitions at the start of this year. The filing deadline for all candidates is 4 p.m. on April 6, 2026. To declare their candidacy, individuals must submit a certificate of nomination along with a statement of interests and a campaign finance disclosure report. Detailed forms are available at the Grand Forks City Auditor’s Office or can be accessed online through the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website.
Voting Locations and Procedures
On June 9, qualified voters can cast their ballots at several voting centers in Grand Forks, including:
– Alerus Center, 1200 S 42nd St.
– ICON Arena/Park District Office, 1060 47th Ave S
– Runnings, 1508 N Washington St.
– Hope Church, 1601 17th Ave S
Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting is available at the Alerus Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 2-5, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 6. Absentee voting begins on April 30, with all ballots needing to be postmarked by the day before Election Day. Voters can request absentee ballots online.
City Council and Local Positions
Three City Council seats are up for election, representing Wards 2, 4, and 6. The council is responsible for voting on city ordinances and resolutions. Currently, the Ward 2 seat is held by Rebecca Osowski, the Ward 4 seat by Tricia Lunski, and the Ward 6 seat by Council President Dana Sande. Candidates must file a nominating petition with a required number of signatures: 63 for Ward 2, 124 for Ward 4, and 45 for Ward 6.
In addition, three seats on the Grand Forks Park Board will also be contested. This board oversees local parks and related community programming. Current members include Tim Skarperud, Greg LaDouceur, and Jordan McIntyre. Candidates must submit a nominating petition with 300 signatures, along with other necessary documentation.
The municipal judge position is also on the ballot. The municipal judge, currently Kerry Rosenquist, oversees local court matters involving ordinance violations and non-criminal offenses. Candidates must meet the same requirements as those running for the Park Board.
Five seats on the Grand Forks School Board will be up for election, including those held by Board President Dave Berger, Josh Anderson, Sherry Houdek, Joel Larson, and Bill Palmiscno. Candidates must file with the Grand Forks Public Schools’ business office and meet specific requirements.
County and State Positions
Voters will also decide on three Grand Forks County Commission seats. Commissioners manage fiscal affairs and oversee county officials. The current officeholders are Kimberly Hagen, Mark Rustad, and Bob Rost. Candidates must submit a nominating petition with signatures equal to at least 2% of the votes cast in the last election or a maximum of 300 signatures.
Additionally, the positions of county sheriff and state’s attorney will appear on the ballot, both for four-year terms. Current officeholders are Andy Schneider as sheriff and Haley Wamstad as state’s attorney, with candidates required to meet similar filing criteria.
State legislative seats for local districts will also be contested, with numerous positions scheduled for election, typically for four-year terms. Candidates must file a nominating petition with signatures from 1% of their district’s population or a maximum of 300 signatures.
Moreover, three judgeships representing the Northeast Central Judicial District will be included on the ballot, providing an opportunity for voters to influence the local judiciary.
As Grand Forks prepares for these important elections, residents are encouraged to participate actively in the democratic process. For more information on candidacy and voting, residents can contact the appropriate offices or visit their respective websites.
