Mower County Board of Commissioners approves special election to fill District 1 vacancy

The Mower County Board of Commissioners, at their Nov. 24 board meeting, approved a special election to be held to fill the vacancy on the board created by the unexpected death of Commissioner Tim Gabrielson on Nov. 10.

Commissioner Gabrielson was re-elected on Nov. 3 to another four-year term to represent District 1. That term begins on January 4, 2021. Per Minnesota statute, a special election to fill a vacancy is required.

The filing period for the position will run from Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 through Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Filing hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday, December 11, 2020. Interested candidates to fill this vacancy can file their Affidavits of Candidacy and pay the $50 filing fee at the Auditor-Treasurer’s office in the Mower County Government Center, located at 201 First Street NE in Austin.

The Special General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021 if no Special Primary Election is needed. Otherwise, if more than two candidates file for the position, a Special Primary Election will be necessary and that will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 and the Special General Election would then be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.

Candidates must reside in District 1, which includes the townships of Lansing, Red Rock, Udolpho, and Waltham; and also includes the cities of Brownsdale, Mapleview, Waltham, and the 1st Ward, 1st Precinct of the City of Austin. Only voters living in Commissioner District 1 will vote in the special election.

The County Board chose not to appoint anyone to complete the current term or to fill the vacancy during the new term until the special election winner takes office.