Interested in serving in public office? Filing period is May 17-31

The filing period for many public offices opens May 17, and those interested in seeking election to a local government position have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, to throw their hats in the ring.
In the city of Luverne, the offices of mayor (Pat Baustian) and two council members (Esther Frakes in the North Ward, and Eugene Marshall in the South Ward) are up for election.
Marshall and Frakes have indicated they will not seek re-election, and they urge citizens in their wards to consider serving on the City Council.
“Serving on City Council has been a very rewarding and gratifying experience,” Frakes shared in a letter to the editor this spring.
“The current mayor and council as well as the city staff are very progressively minded, and residents have seen some wonderful improvements over the years.”
She mentioned new city branding and several additions and improvements to city public areas.
“The projects are ongoing, and it’s an exciting time for the city of Luverne,” Frakes said.
“I encourage residents who buy into the progressive approach to consider filing to fill the North Ward council seat that I will vacate.”
Three County Board seats are up for election this year in Districts 1 (Ken Hoime), 3 (Ron Boyenga) and 5 (Jody Reisch).
Soil and Water Supervisors will be elected in Districts 1, 3 and 4 (Eugene Cragoe, Norman Overgaard and Dave Esselink, respectively are current supervisors in those seats).
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are special purpose units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local level. 
Candidates for U.S. representative, state senator, state representative and any judicial office also may file from May 17 through 5 p.m. May 31.
The filing period for small cities, school boards and some townships is Aug. 2 through Aug. 16.
Open seats on these boards will be announced this summer as those filing dates approach.
 
How to file for office
Candidate filing requirements vary depending on the office, whether the candidate is a member of a major political party or a minor political party or an independent, and whether the office is partisan or nonpartisan.
Candidates for State Senate, House of Representatives and judicial offices have a choice to either file with the secretary of state or in their county of residence.
Candidates for U.S. Congress must file with the secretary of state. Candidates for county offices must file with their county auditor.
Filing dates may vary for candidates for municipal and school district offices.
Additional candidate filing information, forms and instructions are available on the office website, www.sos.state.mn.us.
Candidates for local offices should contact their county auditor, municipal clerk, or school clerk for additional information.
After the filing period closes, the Secretary of State will post a listing of candidates who have filed for office on its website, which will include local candidates if those jurisdictions provide filing information to this office.
The Rock County Auditor’s Office can be reached at 507-283-5060.