FAIRMONT– The filing period for candidates to appear on the Nov. 5, 2024 general election ballot for local city government and school districts opens today, Tuesday, July 30.

In Fairmont, four of the five city council seats are up for election: Councilmember at large, Ward 2, Ward 3 and Ward 4. The city is divided into four wards and residents of those individual wards vote exclusively for their sector’s council representative.

Councilmember at large, however, is elected by and represents all residents in Fairmont. The position is a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2028. It is currently filled by Michele Miller.

Ward 2 is a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2028. It is currently filled by Britney Kawecki.

Ward 4 is a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2028. It is currently filled by Wayne Hasek.

Ward 3 is a two-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2026. The seat is currently filled by Randy Lubenow, who was elected in a special election following the resignation of Deb Foster on March 2, 2023. Lubenow was council representative of the ward prior to that.

Ward and precinct maps can be viewed at www.fairmont.org by clicking on the “City Council” tab under the “Departments” drop-down menu.

Filing is open through August 13. Those wanting to file must be a U.S. citizen and a resident in the ward they’re filing in for at least 30 days prior to the general election. They must also be 18 years of age and a qualified voter in the state of Minnesota.

Filing can be done at the city clerk’s office at 100 Downtown Plaza between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a filing fee of $5. In place of the filing fee, a candidate can also present a petition at the time of filing an affidavit.

The Fairmont Area School District’s filing period also opens today and will remain so through August 13. Three spots will be open on the school board. They’re all four-year terms currently filled by Dan Brookens, Julie Laue and Nicole Green.

Affidavits of candidacy are available in the school district business office at Fairmont Elementary School, located at 714 Victoria St. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, an eligible voter and a resident of the school district for at least 30 days prior to the general election. The filing fee is $2.