The Polk County Commissioners met on Tuesday at the Polk County Government Center. They reviewed the canvassing dates of the 2024 presidential election, along with the 2024 Polk County Election Judges and Ballot Board Members.
POLK COUNTY PARTICIPATES IN THE CITY OF CROOKSTON HOUSING ABATEMENT PROGRAM
The meeting began with Polk County Director of Property Records Sam Melbye meeting with the commissioners, where he presented the resolution to participate in the city of Crookston’s housing abatement program. This program allows homeowners looking to build property in Crookston to receive a two-year tax abatement. “We join in with that so that the county’s portion would be abated,” said Melbye, “The county’s portion is put in place with our levy, and there’s a specific line item allocated. We can now reimburse this portion back to the city.” The board approved that the county participate in the tax abatement program.
2024 ELECTION CANVASSING DATES/POLK COUNTY ELECTION JUDGES
The commissioners were presented with the canvassing dates for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Canvassing for the presidential primary is set for Thursday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m. in the Polk County Government Center. “The canvassing for that is to go through and certify that election,” said Melbye, “For the Polk County election results.”
The State Primary Election canvassing will be held on Wednesday, August 14, at 1:00 p.m. at the Polk County Government Center, and the General Election canvassing will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. at the Polk County Government Center.
Following the review of the canvassing dates, the board approved the appointment of the 2024 Polk County election judges. “The role of the election judge is to make sure we have staff and anyone available who has taken the training,” said Melbye, “And is also certified to work with balloting, just to prepare on our end that so we have the people available to do the necessary work and are certified through the state.”
Here is the list of the Polk County Election Judges: Casey “CJ” Wilde-Olson, Kayla Schumacher, Julie Sandman, Connie Desrosier, Amanda Maygra, Catherine Ortiz, Amy Erdmann, Annalee Jones, Andrew Desselier, Harrison Boucher, Diana Amiot, Jennifer Perreault Patty Frydenlund, and Kendall Wahouske.
2024 Polk County Ballot Board Members: Casey “CJ” Wilde-Olson, Kayla Schumacher, Julie Sandman, Connie Desrosier, Amanda Maygra, Catherine Ortiz, Janet Mattison, Amy Erdmann, Annalee Jones, Andrew Dessilier, Harrison Boucher, Diana Amiot, Jennifer Perreault, Megan Nelson, and Reid Huttunen.
Melbye’s final item to the board was establishing an absentee/Mail Ballot Board for the 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary and General elections. “We want to establish this board so when we receive absentee mail (UOCAVA),” said Melbye, “When we get those ballots back, these people are trained and approved to handle these ballots.” These board members will have the authority to accept and reject ballots. If the ballot is rejected, the board members will be instructed to notify the voter and issue them a new ballot. If the ballot is accepted, it will then go to processing. The board ultimately approved to approve the staffing of the absentee mail ballot board.
