GF joint powers agreement to address election issues

A Joint Powers Agreement between the city and county spells out responsibilities leading to the June 14th election in Grand Forks.

Among the notable changes is the transfer of authority to designate polling places within the city to the county.  In exchange the county will pick up the entire tab of the election rather than passing a portion of the costs to each taxing entity.

Council member Bret Weber fears the move will further erode neighborhood polling places in the name of cost and workforce issues.

Several council members say they have only heard positive things about running elections through one polling site – the Alerus Center.  Grand Forks County Auditor Deb Nelson says fewer polling locations actually improves efficiency.

The council gave preliminary approval to the one-year agreement on a 5-1 vote last week.   Final approval is expected tonight (Monday).