Cook County News Herald

Lots of election activity this week




The 2010 Primary Election will officially be held on Tuesday, August 10, however much of Cook County will have already voted by mail-in ballot. TheCook County Auditor’s officeadvised that ballots be placed in return mail at least five days before the primary. Voters who have missed that deadline can still vote, however. Ballots can be hand-delivered to the auditor’s office in the Cook County until the polls close at 8:00 p.m. on August 10.

Voters in Grand Marais precincts will go to the polls as usual, to the Cook County Community Center for Grand Marais west and the Cook County courthouse for Grand Marais east. If you are unsure where your precinct votes, contact the Cook County Auditor’s office at (218) 387-3640.

That is also the number to call if you have questions about voting or voter registration.

As the primary narrows choices for races such as gubernatorial and county commissioner and for judicial seats, the city of Grand Marais, School District 166, and the Cook County Hospital Board are preparing for the general election. Filing to run for city council, school district or hospital board opened on July 23. The filing period continues until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17.

Seats to be on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the city of Grand Marais are for mayor and two city council seats. Mayor Sue Hakes, running for County Commissioner District 3 and Councilor Kay Costello, also running for Commissioner District 3, will not be eligible for re-election to the city council because of their entry in the commissioner race. Bill Lenz, whose city council seat expires this year has not yet decided if he will run for re-election. Citizens wishing to run for mayor or for a city council seat may do so by filing at Grand Marais City Hall and paying a $2 fee.

At press time, only one candidate has filed for a councilor seat, Alden Palmer. There are two council seats open as well as the mayor position.

No one has filed yet for the School District 166 school board. Three seats are up for election—District 1, currently held by Eric Kemp; District 3, currently held by Mary Sanders and District 5, currently held by Bill Huggins. To run for school board, citizens must file at the Cook County auditor’s office. The filing fee for school board is $2.

All three board members have filed for re-election for hospital board, Sharon Bloomquist in District 1, Howard Abrahamson in District 3, and Thomas Spence Sr. in District 5. Anyone wishing to run for a position on the hospital board may do so by filing and paying a $2 fee at the Cook County Auditor’s office.


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