Residents of Grand Forks will head to the polls this summer to cast their votes in the 2026 elections, which will feature three City Council seats and several other local positions. Elections are scheduled for June 9, where voters will have the opportunity to select candidates for the City Council, School Board, Park Board, and municipal judge. Additionally, primary elections for the County Commission, county sheriff, county state’s attorney, and state congressional seats will take place, with the general election for these positions set for November 3.
Candidates for city office began collecting signatures for their nomination petitions at the start of the year. All submissions must be finalized by 4 p.m. on April 6, 2026. To declare their candidacy, individuals must submit a certificate of nomination or a similar document to the designated official. Certain roles necessitate a specified number of signatures from eligible voters. Candidates are also required to file a statement of interests and a campaign finance disclosure report, with most forms available at the designated filing office or on the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website.
Voting Locations and Early Voting
Qualified voters in Grand Forks County can cast their ballots at various voting centers throughout the city on June 9. The voting locations include:
– 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 07:00 to 19:00. Early voting will be available at the Alerus Center from 10:00 to 18:00 on June 2-5, and from 10:00 to 14:00 on June 6. Absentee, or mail-in, voting will start on April 30, with all absentee ballots required to be postmarked by the day before Election Day. Voters can request an absentee ballot through the North Dakota Secretary of State’s website.
City Council and Local Positions
Three City Council seats are up for election, representing Wards 2, 4, and 6. The City Council serves as the legislative body for Grand Forks, responsible for voting on city ordinances and resolutions. Each elected member serves a four-year term. Current occupants include Rebecca Osowski for Ward 2, Tricia Lunski for Ward 4, and Dana Sande, who is also the Council President, for Ward 6.
To run for a City Council position, candidates must file a nominating petition and a statement of interests with the Grand Forks City Auditor’s Office by the April 6 deadline. The number of required signatures varies by ward: candidates for Ward 2 need at least 63 signatures, Ward 4 candidates require 124 signatures, and Ward 6 candidates must collect 45 signatures.
The Grand Forks Park Board of Commissioners will also have three seats on the ballot. This board is responsible for decisions regarding local parks, programming, and facilities upkeep. Current members include Tim Skarperud, Greg LaDouceur, and Jordan McIntyre. Candidates must file a nominating petition with 300 signatures, along with a statement of interests and a campaign financial disclosure form, by the same April 6 deadline.
The position of municipal judge will be contested as well. The judge oversees local court proceedings related to ordinance violations, Class B misdemeanors, infractions, and non-criminal traffic offenses. Kerry Rosenquist currently holds this position. Aspirants for the municipal judge role must submit a nominating petition with 300 signatures, along with other required documentation.
Furthermore, the Grand Forks School Board will feature five seats on the ballot. The board governs the Grand Forks School District and is involved in school policy and negotiations with the teachers union. Current members include Dave Berger (Board President), Josh Anderson, Sherry Houdek, Joel Larson, and Bill Palmiscno. Candidates must submit a candidate filing form, a statement of interests, and a campaign disclosure statement to the Grand Forks Public Schools’ business office by the April 6 deadline.
The Grand Forks County Commission will have three seats on the ballot, currently held by Kimberly Hagen, Mark Rustad, and Bob Rost. County commissioners manage the fiscal affairs of the county and are elected for four-year terms. Candidates for this position must file a nominating petition with signatures equal to at least 2% of the votes cast in the last election for the office or a maximum of 300 signatures.
The sheriff and county state’s attorney positions are also up for election. Current officeholders include Andy Schneider (sheriff) and Haley Wamstad (state’s attorney). Aspirants must follow similar procedures to those for the County Commission.
Finally, several state legislator positions will be contested, including those for District 17 and District 43, currently held by Sen. Jonathan Sickler, Rep. Mark Sanford, Rep. Landon Bahl, Sen. Jeff Barta, Rep. Zac Ista, and Rep. Eric Murphy. Candidates for these positions must gather signatures from 1% of their district’s population or a maximum of 300 signatures, and must be endorsed at a legislative district meeting to qualify for the ballot.
As Grand Forks prepares for these elections, local officials encourage residents to stay informed and participate in the democratic process. All necessary forms and additional information are accessible through the relevant offices or online resources.
