Last Tuesday, July 14, the second round of Minnesota’s candidate filing officially opened for the November 3 general election. The spring filing period covered candidates for federal, state, and county offices. The current two-week window, which closes July 28, is dedicated entirely to non-partisan local control positions on city and township councils, mayoral seats, and school boards. There is no limit on the number of candidates, and no primary elections are held.
These important local offices influence property tax levies, school budgets, rural infrastructure, and local zoning ordinances. In other words, they directly affect the people in their community.
When people are concerned about the future of their community, running for office can be a great way to make a difference. Seeking election to a school board, hospital board, or city council is the most direct way to move from observation and complaint to meaningful impact.
Once elected, however, some people serve for many years. Because national politics dominates press coverage and local chatter, few people seem willing to stand for election against the incumbents.
North Shore Health Board Member Sam Usem would like to see more people get involved. “Strong communities are built by people who are willing to step forward when their community needs them. As healthcare enters one of the most transformative periods in its history, I hope more members of our community will consider running for the Hospital Board and help ensure our local hospital remains strong, locally governed, and ready for the generations that follow,” he said.
Usem, who had not previously served in an elected position, won the nonpartisan general election in 2024 with roughly 80% of the vote against 17-year incumbent Kathryn Olson. He hopes that when his term is up in 2028, one or more community members will step up to challenge him if he seeks re-election.
Usem has been active on social media, encouraging people to file for office. “Ever thought about serving?” headlined a recent post. He mentioned the three board seats that are on the ballot this year: Districts 1, 3, and 5. He mentions, “You don’t need to be a health care expert,” but stresses that you do need to care about the future of healthcare in Cook County. “Your voice can help shape the care we all count on,” he wrote.
National politics command the headlines, but local down-ballot offices quietly shape daily life on the North Shore. When you run for these seats, you help decide how hard-earned tax dollars are taken from your neighbors and whether those funds are spent efficiently on vital services or toward bureaucratic bloat.
In too many small towns and counties across America, local seats are left uncontested or filled by default through low-turnout write-in votes. If good people choose not to run, the vacuum is often filled by single-issue activists or those who protect the status quo. Stepping up to run means common sense, local institutional knowledge, and genuine community stewardship have a seat at the table.
Because local governance was designed to be run by everyday citizens who care enough to show up, the barrier to entry is low, requiring only a basic filing fee and an affidavit of candidacy.
There are groups to help you if you decide to run. Organizations like Run GenZ (rungenz.com) and Run for Something (runforsomething.net) have a primary mission of training and supporting candidates running for “down-ballot” state and local offices. Run GenZ leans right, while Run for Something favors the left. The organizations serve as a campaign pipeline to lower the barrier to entry for those lacking established political connections.
This is the first local filing window where local candidates must present a physical photo ID and proof of residence to the filing officer when submitting their Affidavit of Candidacy. Updated candidate affidavits provide clearer legal mechanisms for candidates to keep their private home addresses off public-facing logs if safety concerns exist.
To run for these positions, you must be an eligible voter and a resident of the district for at least 30 days before the election. You’ll also pay a nominal filing fee. Filing is generally done with city clerks for municipal offices, with School District clerks for school board seats, or with the Cook County Auditor-Treasurer’s office in Grand Marais for the Hospital Board.
If you decide to give back to your community through serving in an elected position, remember the last day to file and get on the ballot is Tuesday, July 28, at 5 p.m.
