Election 2023: Northern Minnesota's results

Minnesotans across the Northland went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, to cast ballots in local elections.

Here's the updated live results. Final update as of 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

Beltrami County sales tax question

Yes — 8,802, 96.84%

No — 287, 3.16%

"The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners has voted to construct a new County Jail at an estimated cost of $80 million. Taxpayers have a choice as to how to fund the project.

"Shall Beltrami County establish a five-eighths of one percent (0.625%) sales and use tax to pay for constructing and financing the new jail?

Local News

Beltrami voters head to the ballot box to decide on sales tax to fund a new jail

Larissa Donovan

"A YES vote means that the majority of the costs would be financed through the sales and use tax which would remain in effect for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first.

"A NO vote means that the majority of the costs would be financed through increased property taxes for 30 years or until the bonds are retired, whichever comes first."

The 242-bed facility is projected to cost between $60 million to $80 million. The correctional facility’s construction is expected to last at least a year, opening in mid-2027.

Grand Rapids School District

Local News

Grand Rapids School District referendum fails with 75% voting 'no'

Chelsey Perkins, Larissa Donovan

Superintendent Matt Grose said he's disappointed in the results and hopes the district can learn from the election as it makes tough choices in the near future.

Listen • 8:13

Question 1
Yes — 1,938, 25.03%

No — 5,804, 74.97%

Question 2

Yes — 1,736, 22.53%

No — 5,970, 77.47%

Question 3

Yes — 1,658, 21.53%

No — 6,044, 78.47%

Question 1

"The school board of lndependent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $1,100.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for seven years beginning with taxes payable in 2024 and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 be approved?"

Local News

Grand Rapids students improve in reading, but looming budget crunch places intervention at risk

Heidi Holtan, Chelsey Perkins

Listen • 14:31

Question 2

"The school board of Independent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the amount of 4.287% times the net tax capacity of the school district. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $2,500,000 for taxes payable in 2024, the first year it is to be levied, and would be authorized for seven years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $17,500,000. The additional revenue from this authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, educational software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure, the costs of technology related personnel and training; the purchase and replacement of school buses and school-related transportation vehicles; and the acquisition of curriculum, textbooks and materials. The projects to be funded have received a positive Review and Comment from the Commissioner of Education. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 also be approved?

Question 3

"The school board of Independent School District No. 318 (Itasca County) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $300.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for seven years beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. If School District Question 1 and School District Question 2 are approved, shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 318 also be approved?

Counties

Koochiching County

District 5 Commissioner - Special Election - 100% reporting
Dale N. Erickson — 359 votes, 62.98%.
Rich Mastin — 211, 37.02%.

Lake County

District 1 Commissioner - Special Election - 100% reporting
Joe Baltich — 251 votes, 45.39%.
Jack Nelson — 223 votes, 40.33%.
Write-ins — 79, 14.29%.

Contributed

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Lorie Shaull

School district candidates and ballot questions

Barnum School Board special election

Tony Newman — 64, 38.32%
Patrick S. Poirier — 102, 61.08%

Carlton School Board special election

Ryan Leonzal — 90, 62.07%
Steven Schmidt — 54, 37.24%

Clearbrook-Gonvick School District referendum
Yes — 258, 45.03%
No — 315, 54.97%

"Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 2311 (Clearbrook-Gonvick Public School) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,370,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of a new 2-station gymnasium with storage; remodeling and upgrades to convert the existing small gymnasium and fitness room into a multipurpose room, new fitness room, team room and visiting team locker room; the renovation and remodeling of media center classrooms and small group spaces; the construction and equipping of additional special education classrooms; the remodeling of early childhood special education spaces; the installation of a new roof and exterior doors; the construction of a secure entry to the office area; renovations, remodeling and upgrades to restrooms at the school site and facility; and the acquisition of furniture, fixtures and equipment?"

Crosby-Ironton School District referendum

Yes — 920, 49.07%.
No — 955, 50.93%.

"The school board of Independent School District No. 182 (Crosby-Ironton Schools) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $975.00 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2024, and increase each year by the rate of inflation beginning with taxes payable in 2025, unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 182 be approved?"

Deer River School District referendum

Yes — 247, 25.26%
No — 731, 74.74%

"Shall the board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River), Minnesota be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $24,195,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, upgrades, renovations, and improvements to accessibility, security, mechanical, electrical, roofing, windows, doors, and instructional space and systems?"

Larissa Donovan

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KAXE

Goodridge School District referendum
Yes — 230, 56.23%.
No — 179, 43.77%.

"Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 561 (Goodridge Public School) be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $21,350,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities, including the construction and equipping of classroom additions to the school site and facility; the construction of improvements to repurpose and remodel existing classroom spaces; the construction and equipping of a new gymnasium facility including weight room and locker rooms; renovations and upgrades to the science lab, career and technical education (CTE) spaces and restrooms; the construction of improvements to relocate the main office to the ground level; and upgrades and improvements to the boiler and HVAC systems?"

Laporte School District referendum
Yes — 136, 78.16%
No — 38, 21.84%

Nashwauk-Keewatin School Board special election

Pam Brons — 109, 50.00%
William Hendricks — 107, 49.08%
Write-in — 2, 0.92%

Pequot Lakes School District referendum
Question 1
Yes — 925, 46.37%.
No — 1,070, 53.63%.

Question 2
Yes — 805, 40.49%.
No — 1,183, 59.51%.

Question 1
"The board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 0.8873% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $500,000 for taxes first levied in 2023, payable in 2024, and would be authorized for ten (10) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $5,000,000. The proposed authorization will provide funds for technology, buses and other District vehicles. The projects to be funded have received a positive review and comment from the Commissioner of Education. Shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) be approved?"

Question 2
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the board of Independent School District No. 186 (Pequot Lakes Public Schools) be authorized to issue general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $76,550,000 for acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities?

Thief River Falls School District referendum

Question 1
Yes — 1,150, 46.81%.
No — 1,307, 53.19%.

Question 2
Yes — 965, 39.5%.
No — 1,478, 60.5%.

Question 3
Yes — 958, 39.17%.
No — 1,488, 60.83%.

Question 1
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $750 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"

Question 2
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed a new capital project levy authorization in the maximum amount of 4.426% times the net tax capacity of the School District. The proposed capital project levy authorization will raise approximately $800,000 for taxes first levied in 2023, payable in 2024, and would be authorized for seven (7) years. The estimated total cost of the projects to be funded over that time period is approximately $5,600,000. The revenue from the proposed capital project levy authorization will provide funds for the acquisition, installation, replacement, support and maintenance of software, software licenses, computers, improved technology equipment, networks, infrastructure and the costs of technology related personnel and training. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the capital project levy authorization proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"

Question 3
"The School Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota has proposed to increase the School District's general education revenue by $407 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be first levied in 2023 for taxes payable in 2024 and would be applicable for ten (10) years unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the increase in general education revenue proposed by the Board of Independent School District No. 564 (Thief River Falls), Minnesota be approved?"

Local municipalities

Aurora mayor, city council

Doug Gregor — 146, 49.66%.
Richard Hess — 143, 48.64%.
Write-ins — 5, 1.70%.

Two seats were also up for election on the City Council, but no one filed to fill those seats.

Write-ins — 145; Bob Hanson earned 98, John Micklausich earned 16. These two top vote-getters must accept the roles.