Item 3.12 Appointing General Election Judges and Absentee Ballot Board
Request for
City Council Action
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT REQUESTOR: MEETING DATE:
Administration City Clerk Etzel September 28, 2026
PRESENTER(s) REVIEWED BY: ITEM #:
Consent Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Hille 3.12 – Appoint Election Judges
and Absentee Ballot Board and
Approve Election Specialists
STRATEGIC VISION
MEETS: THE CITY OF OTSEGO:
Is a strong organization that is committed to leading the community through innovative communication.
Has proactively expanded infrastructure to responsibly provide core services.
Is committed to delivery of quality emergency service responsive to community needs and expectations in a
cost-effective manner.
X Is a social community with diverse housing, service options, and employment opportunities.
Is a distinctive, connected community known for its beauty and natural surroundings.
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff are recommending the City Council adopt a resolution appointing absentee ballot board, election specialists
and election judges.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT? IS A PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
Minnesota Statute §204B.21 outlines that election judges for precincts in a municipality be appointed by the
governing body of the municipality, and that the appointments shall be made at least twenty-five (25) days before the
election. This resolution provides City staff with the ability to select from election judges for the 2026 State Primary
Election.
City staff are recommending the hiring of two additional temporary employees to assist with election responsibilities.
Staff are recommending the hiring of Laurie Jones and Jane Covart. These individuals will assist with the 2026
Elections, and act in the capacity of election judges with additional responsibilities. Both of the election specialists
has successfully passed their background check. The Seasonal, Temporary & Part-Time Pay Plan outlines a range of
$16.00 - $20.00 per hour for the Election Specialist positions.
Wright County will be acting on behalf of the City of Otsego as part of the Absentee Ballot Board, so they are included
in the appointing resolution.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• Resolution 2026-85
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to adopt Resolution 2026-85 appointing Election Judges and Absentee Ballot Board Election Judges for the
November 3, 2026, General Election, and approve the hiring of Laurie Jones and Jane Covart to the positions of
Election Specialist, with pay at $20.00 per hour.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
General Fund – Elections Department (41410)
Yes
CITY OF OTSEGO
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO: 2026-85
APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES AND ABSENTEE BALLOT BOARD ELECTION JUDGES
FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026, GENERAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, the City is responsible for appointing and training election judges and absentee ballot board election judges and
utilizes individuals that participated in the caucus process, those individuals who have previously served and election judges
or who are new and City staff; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute §204B.21 requires that person serving as election judges be appointed by the City Council at
least 25 days before the election, and allows for deputy clerks trained in the processing and counting of absentee ballots to
serve on the absentee ballot board; and
WHEREAS, election judges and absentee ballot judges are required to attend the necessary training in order to hold the
position.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTSEGO, MINNESOTA:
1. The following is a list of persons appointed for the 2026 General Election at the discretion of the City Clerk should
they meet the requirements for an election judge and/or absentee ballot board, and should they choose to serve:
Michaela Andrusko
Jim Ayres
Vivian Ayres
Edward Barder
Micki Becker
Evan Bell
Michael Bistodeau
Ronald Black
Mike Brumm
Adam Bush
Shelly Chapman
Richard Christenson
Renae Citrowski
Alvina Cook
Jane Covart
Michelle DeGree
Teegan Dubbeldee
Anne Echtenkamp
Theresa Eleveru
Rosellen Fairall
Judy Fehn
Vincent Ferrara
Natalie Findell
Lisa Follmer
Debra Frentress
Matthew Garten
Loren Green
Deborah Gross
Lily Grubbs
Nancy Hackbarth
Marqueta Hainje
Mike Halloran
Alecia Hansen
Linda Heath
Gloria Heidner
Robin Hille
Annlea Hoxter
Gary Hoxter
Laurie Jones
Amy Kadrmas
Mary Kuechle
Connie Kuntz
Gwen Lapp
Bonita Lee
Dan Lefebvre
Carolyn Lewis
Roger Lewis
Vi Look
Shera Madson
Denise McCalla
Shelly Meneley
Jessica Meyer
Patrick Moore
Mary Murphy
Sandra Nordberg
Graham Nylin
Hanna Olstad
Kathy O'Neal
Jim Penick
Alexander Perchak
Cindy Peterson
Jessica Poff
Judy Riess
Tim Rizk
Andrea Robb
Amber Schaefer
Toni Seroshek
Dick Sieber
Jane Sieber
Karen Skepper
Janet Skoog
Dan Sly
Penny Smeby
Gina Smelter
Krystle Smith
Stan Steuter
Sheryl Theuninck
Eric Topp
Caryn Weber
Pamela Weeks
Wade Weidner
Kimerly Wilcox
Louis Witt
Luellen Wright
Denise Wrum
2. That Election Judges shall be paid $16.00 per hour, Head Election Judges shall be paid $18.00 per hour, and Election
Specialists shall be paid $20.00 per hour.
3. The following City staff are appointed for the 2026 General Election at the discretion of the City Clerk from the
following list should they meet the requirements for an election judge and/or absentee ballot board, and should
they choose to serve:
Audra Etzel Katie Kalland Jake Larsen
Sabrina Hille Mary Olson Adam Flaherty
Sandy Lindenfelser Marlo Olson Heidi Carey
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members appointed to the Wright County absentee ballot board as authorized under
Minnesota Statute §203B.121, Subd. 1, under the direction of the Election Manager are also apponted to serve as members
of the Otsego Absentee Ballot Board; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is authorized to appoint additional election judges and absentee ballot board
judges as deemed necessary within the twenty-five (25) days before the election without further action.
ADOPTED by the Otsego City Council this 28th day of September, 2026.
MOTION BY:
SECONDED BY:
IN FAVOR:
OPPOSED:
CITY OF OTSEGO
__________________________________
Jessica L. Stockamp, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Audra Etzel, City Clerk