Twelve residents of Independent School District 196 filed candidacy for the School Board during the two-week filing period that ended Aug. 15 and will vie for four open seats in the Nov. 7, 2023 School Board election.

The 12 candidates (in alpha order) are Craig Angrimson of Apple Valley, Kim Bauer of Apple Valley, Melissa Field of Lakeville, Leah Gardner of Eagan, Sachin Isaacs of Burnsville, Cory Johnson of Eagan, Jackie Magnuson of Rosemount, Charles McCready of Apple Valley, Teressa Schlueter of Apple Valley, Gina Swaney of Apple Valley, Lori Urkiel of Rosemount, and Anna Williams of Eagan. Gardner announced Aug. 29 and McCready on Sept. 7 that they were withdrawing from the race; however, their names will still appear on the ballot because their decisions were made after the Aug. 17 deadline to officially withdraw.

The terms of current board members Isaacs, Johnson, Magnuson and Joel Albright expire Jan. 1, 2024. The term of all four open positions is four years, from January 2024 to January 2028.

Absentee voting for the Nov. 7 School Board election will begin Sept. 22. Voters do not need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be completed by mail or in person at the Dakota County Western Service Center in Apple Valley, the Dakota County Northern Service Center in West St. Paul, and the Dakota County Administration Center in Hastings. District residents who do not live in Rosemount or Apple Valley may also vote absentee in person at the District Office. Because Rosemount and Apple Valley are having city elections, Rosemount voters may vote absentee at Rosemount City Hall and Apple Valley voters may vote absentee at the Apple Valley Municipal Center. To absentee vote by mail, voters may download an application from the district website and mail the completed application as directed in the application materials. Direct balloting (early voting) will be offered at the three county government buildings starting Oct. 20. Voters can also cast their ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at their designated polling location. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. To find out where you vote in this election, go to www.mnvotes.org.

The League of Women Voters of Dakota County will hold a candidate forum Sept. 13 at Rosemount City Hall. The forum will be recorded and available to view afterward on the District 196 YouTube channel and other locations.