2012 Election Information
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April 3 |
Deadline for municipalities to establish precinct boundaries and wards. |
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May 22-June 5 |
Candidate filing period open. |
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June 29-Aug 13 |
Absentee voting open at City Hall (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) Also open on Saturday, August 11, from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and on Monday, August 13, from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. |
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June 29-Nov 16 |
Campaign signs may be posted. |
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July 24 |
Voter pre-registration closes at 5:00 p.m. |
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August 14 |
Primary (polls open from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) |
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Sept 21-Nov 5 |
Absentee voting open at City Hall (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) |
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October 16 |
Voter pre-registration closes at 5:00 p.m. |
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November 6 |
General Election (polls open from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) |
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January 7, 2013 |
Terms begin for newly-elected officials. |
Over the next several months, City staff will be hard at work preparing for the upcoming elections. Besides establishing precinct boundaries and wards for redistricting, staff also has to secure polling locations, recruit election judges, test election equipment, and review state and federal election laws.
This year’s municipal election will consist of electing a mayor and three council members for terms commencing in 2013. Municipal offices are non-partisan, and names are placed on the ballot without party designation. If three or more persons file for an office, a municipal Primary will be held for that office. The following municipal offices, all of which carry 4-year terms,will be on the General Election ballot:
- Mayor
- Section I Council Member
- Ward 3 Council Member
- Ward 4 Council Member
The primary objectives of the mayor and council members are to establish an annual budget and long-range financial plan, identify and discuss issues impacting Crystal, receive and consider public input, and make appropriate decisions in a manner which encourages full and open discussion. For 2012, the mayor’s annual salary is $10,616.75; council members are compensated $8,167.34.
Candidate Filings
Persons interested in serving as mayor or a council member must file for office with the city clerk at 4141 Douglas Drive North. The filing period opens on May 22 and closes on June 5. All candidates must be an eligible voter, at least 21 years of age when assuming office, a resident of their ward or section at the time of filing for office, and have no other affidavit on file for any office at the Primary or ensuing General Election (exception: soil & water conservation district officer). A filing fee of $25 is paid at the time of filing the Affidavit of Candidacy, which must be notarized. The City offers notary public services for $2 per signature, with valid photo ID.
More details on redistricting, polling locations, absentee voting, voter registration, and campaign signs will be in the Summer 2012 edition of The Crystal Connection. The City’s website will also be updated as information becomes available.
The major areas of responsibility for a council member are:
- Regularly attend and thoroughly prepare for each Council Meeting, EDA Meeting, and Work Session
- Respond to constituent requests for information or assistance
- Participate on committees or task forces
- Discuss issues impacting the city with state legislators, Met Council representatives, and other local governments
- Annually evaluate the performance of the city manager
- Establish and modify goals, objectives, and policies to guide the City
- Review and approve an annual budget and tax levy
- Review and approve a capital improvements program for the City
- Attend meetings as a liaison to a City commission or other agencies serving the city
School board elections
Robbinsdale Area Schools District 281 no longer conducts odd-year elections. Therefore, their offices will share the ballot with the federal, state, county, judicial, and municipal offices this fall. Board members are elected at-large to four-year terms. This year, three offices will be on the ballot. For more information on school board elections, including eligibility and filing requirements, visit http://rdale.org or contact the school board’s election clerk at 763-504-8038 or karylanne_marchand@rdale.org.
Click here for information on becoming an election judge.
Election-Related Links
Office of the Secretary of State - Elections & Voting Information http://tinyurl.com/ycecjqx
Hennepin County - Voting & Elections http://tinyurl.com/y4ru3zc
Minnesota League of Women Voters www.lwvmn.org
Minnesota Election Statutes http://tinyurl.com/7xb2u2o
Crystal City Clerk Chrissy Serres (763-531-1145) chrissy.serres@crystalmn.gov
Disclaimer
Information is subject to change based on actions of the Minnesota Legislature and current rulemaking.