VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The League of Women Voters (LWV) is hosting a morning for voters to meet local candidates in person. The Barnes County/Valley City Primary Election Forum will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday, May 30, at the Hi-Liner Activity Center (HAC) at Valley City High School – (corner of 4th Street and 2nd Avenue NW).
LWV volunteers have invited the participation of all city and county candidates who are in contested races on the ballot in Barnes County for the June 9 Primary Election. Each forum participant will be able to make a brief statement, and a moderator will ask questions that are submitted by the audience. Two Valley City State University professors, Dr. Tony Dutton and Dr. Alex Jorgensen, will moderate the forum.
The Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation will provide coffee and cookies.
“This is an excellent chance for voters to gain first-hand information about who and what will be on the Primary ballot. It’s also an important opportunity for candidates to hear from constituents on the issues that matter most to them,” said Vicki Voldal Rosenau, a LWV volunteer. Voter-education forums are a key component in the League’s ongoing mission of “Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy,” she added.
Candidates in the six contested local races are:
- Valley City Commission President– Mike Bishop and Brian Mindt;
- Valley City Commissioner (VOTE for 2)– Jeffrey Erickson, David Kline, Dewey Magnuson and Peyton Puckett;
- Valley City Public School Board At-Large Member–Michaela Hamilton and Sherri Horsager;
- Valley City Park Board (VOTE for 3)– Dick Gulmon, Seth Hanson, Buff Murray and Kirk Olson;
- Barnes County Auditor– Beth Didier and Carol Grenz;
- Barnes County Commissioner District 4– Rory Gabel, Vicky Lovell, Ron Manson and Lance Peterson.
Except for the School Board, in-person voting on June 9 will be from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Barnes County Courthouse. To vote by mail/absentee ballot, visit or call the Barnes County Auditor Office (701-845-8500). For school board, to vote absentee prior to June 9, call or stop by the VCPS District Office (460 Central Ave. N., 701-845-0483). On June 9, in-person voting will be from 9 AM to 7 PM, again at 460 Central Ave. N.
For city, park board and school board races, results of the June 9 election are final. In each county race, the top two June 9 vote getters will advance to the General Election, which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd.
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization seeking to guarantee that elections are a secure and reliable representation of citizens making their voices heard. One LWV cornerstone has always been promoting informed civic participation by sharing accurate election information. The league’s online voter guide, VOTE411.org, provides detailed election information.
Feature photo: In mid-April, local League of Women Voters volunteers met to plan the May 30 Barnes County/Valley City Primary Election Forum. (Back): Angie Martin, Darcee Weber, Don Vig, Betty Tykwinski; (Front): Ann Wendel, Sharon Buhr, Gail Pederson, Vicki Voldal Rosenau. Not pictured: Elise Miller.
