Park Perspective May 2021
www.stlouispark.org
Follow the city’s strategic priorities The St. Louis Park City Council has adopted the following five strategic priorities. Look for the icons throughout this and future editions of the Park Perspective to read stories about how the city is working to meet these priorities. St. Louis Park is committed to: Being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a more just and inclusive community for all. Continuing to lead in environmental stewardship. Providing a broad range of housing and neighborhood-oriented development. Providing a variety of options for people to make their way around the city comfortably, safely and reliably. reating opportunities to build social capital C through community engagement.
For city events, activities and news, visit www.stlouispark.org.
nextdoor.com @stlouispark
@stlouispark
@stlouispark
www.youtube.com/slpcable
Sign up for email and text notifications: www.stlouispark.org/sign-up
Preparing for the election
Next election is Nov. 2, 2021 The Nov. 2, 2021, election will be a local election only. Offices on the ballot will include four ward city council members. It will also include local school board offices for St. Louis Park, Hopkins or Edina public schools, depending on the school district in which you live. The offices of mayor and at large council members will not be on the 2021 ballot. Voting a ranked-choice ballot City offices are elected using the ranked-choice voting system. This means that you will be able to rank up to three choices for each ward council member race that appears on your ballot. By law, school districts are not allowed to use ranked-choice voting in school board elections. School board offices will appear on the other side of the ballot and are elected using the traditional method of voting. Visit www.stlouispark.org/vote for more information or call the elections office at 952.924.2503.
Filing for office
Sworn in Jan. 3, 2022
Election Day Nov. 2
Withdrawal period Aug. 11 – 12
Early voting Sept. 17 – Nov. 1
Filing for office
Make service requests or receive city information via the app
Candidate filing for the four ward city council member races will take place July 27 – Aug. 10, 2021, at the city clerk’s office, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd. Candidate filing for the offices of ward council member and ISD 283 school board member will take place July 27 – Aug. 10, 2021, at the city clerk’s office, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
or visit www.mystlouispark.org. The Park Perspective is printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper in an effort to meet the city’s environmentally preferable purchasing policy.
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities Permit No. 603
Filing period July 27 – Aug. 10
Filing for office of city council member To file for office, you must: • Complete an affidavit of candidacy This is not an actual ballot, but a representation.
• R ank up to three choices for the St. Louis Park ward council member race that appears on your ballot.
• Pay the $20 filing fee • F ile a nominating petition signed by at least 50 registered voters qualified to vote for the office
• Y our first choice is the candidate you would most like to see elected.
Filing for office of school board
• A lways vote left to right
• Complete an affidavit of candidacy
• S elect one candidate in each column. If you wish to rank second and/or third choices, you will select them in the corresponding second and third columns on the ballot. • T urn your ballot over to vote in school district races. Becoming a candidate If you work or volunteer in community organizing, serve on a committee or are active in your community, you may have considered broadening your impact by serving in local office. Choosing to become a candidate can be a tough decision. The City of St. Louis Park elections team can help you understand the official steps you need to take to get on a ballot. Be aware that the role of the city clerk’s office is to connect candidates with resources to help navigate the technical aspects and requirements of becoming a candidate and the overall administration of elections. City staff cannot interpret laws for candidates or provide advice related to campaigns. The “Become a candidate” page on the city website has been updated to offer more in-depth resources for those choosing to seek public office in the city. Watch for workshops that will be held later this year on the requirements and the process to file for public office. Workshops may be in person or virtual, depending on current gathering restrictions.
To file for office, you must: • Pay the $2 filing fee Note: All requirements listed above to file for either city council member or school board member must be completed during the filing period, July 27 – Aug. 10. This includes the collection of signatures on a nominating petition. Candidate requirements Any person may be a candidate for a city office if they are: • Eligible to vote in Minnesota • At least 21 years old upon assuming office • N ot a candidate for another office in the upcoming election • A St. Louis Park resident at least 30 days before the general election. Candidates for ward council member must reside in the ward they wish to represent. For candidate forms, visit www.stlouispark.org/vote or visit the city clerk’s office. Visit www.sos.state.mn.us for additional requirements for other offices. Withdrawing Candidates may withdraw and remove their name from a ballot during the withdrawal period. The 2021 withdrawal period is Aug. 11 – 12 by 5 p.m. To withdraw, you must file an affidavit of withdrawal with the city clerk’s office. Once the withdrawal period has ended, a candidate’s name cannot be removed from a ballot. (continued on page 8)