Elections

School Board elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026.

There will be three open seats on the ISD 197 School Board beginning in January 2027.

Affidavits of Candidacy will be available on July 14.

The candidate filing period is July 14-28, 2026.

Affidavits of Candidacy should be submitted to the School District Clerk, Britini Osmonson, at the Independent School District 197 Office, 1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights, MN 55118.

The office hours during the filing period are Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.

There is a $2 filing fee, payable in cash only, upon submission of Affidavits of Candidacy.

If you have any questions, please email britini.osmonson@isd197.org

ISD 197 holds school board elections on even years, with the exception of seats that are vacated before the end of their term. The district also puts ballot measures like Operating Levy and Capital Projects levies on the local ballot when necessary. This may be in May, August, or November of an even or an odd year. The district will work to inform its community about any of its measures or elections.

Elected school board members typically serve a four-year term once inducted in January of the following year. However, candidates may be elected to serve a shorter term if their predecessor vacated the school board seat before the end of their four-year term.

Please read the Resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below to learn more about serving on the school board, running for the school board, the election process, and more.

Resources and FAQs

Resources for Potential School Board Candidates

If you're interested in becoming a candidate for the school board, please read the School District 197 School Board Member Handbook cover to cover. The handbook will give you detailed sense of what all is involved when becoming a school board member.

Click here to access the ISD 197 School Board Member Handbook

The Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) provides resources for potential candidates on its website, which covers basics such as the legal requirements for School Board members, how to file for the board, reasons to serve on the board, job duties of school boards, and how boards function as a team. C

Click here to access MSBA resources

How do I run for school board?

A filing period for Affidavits of Candidacy will be open in the summer before a school board election. A $2 fee is required to file. Affidavits of Candidacy will be available from the School District Clerk at the Independent School District 197 office: 1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 during office hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The 2026 filing period is July 14-28, 2026.

In order to be a school board candidate, individuals must:

be an eligible voter;
be 21 years of age, or more, upon assuming office;
have been a resident of School District 197 boundaries for thirty (30) days before the general election; and,
have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same primary or general election.

How do I vote in school board elections?

Who is eligible to vote in ISD 197 elections?

Individuals may register to vote and cast a vote in the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area if they:

are a U.S. citizen;
will be at least 18 years old on election day;
will have resided in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, or Eagan for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day;
have any felony conviction record discharged, expired, or completed;
are not under court-ordered guardianship where a court has revoked their voting rights; and,
have not been ruled legally incompetent by a court of law.

How do I check my voter registration?

Click here to check your Voter Registration

You must re-register each time you change your address, change your name, or do not vote for four years in a row. Update your registration by completing voter registration online.

If you move to a new Minnesota residence, you can submit a United States Postal Service change of address form. USPS will notify election officials of the change. If election officials can match the record in their system, they will update your address and mail a green confirmation postcard to you.

You can also register to vote by checking a box on your driver's license application or renewal form.

In Minnesota, you must register at least 21 days before Election Day for your name to appear on the polling place roster. If you do not meet the registration deadline, you must register at your polling place on Election Day.

How do I register to vote?

Campaign Finance Reports

2023 Campaign Finance Reports