Former candidate talks election complaint with GF County Commission

A former Grand Forks School Board candidate has asked the county commission to review the actions of County Auditor Deb Nelson during the recent election.

Ron Barta alleges that Nelson “impeded” his right to campaign on June 11th and 14th outside the Alerus Center. Barta says he was more than the required 100 feet away from the doors to the polling site. Barta says the line of questioning by Nelson created a scene as voters were entering the building.  Barta says he has filed a complaint with the Grand Forks Police Department.

Commissioner Diane Knauf says the distance factor was a non-issue and Nelson was inquiring about comments from Alerus staff and concerned citizens.

Commissioner Tom Falck says elections can be hard and Nelson does a good job running them for the county.

Barta says he was hoping for an apology. The incident is also being reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Barta finished seventh among 23 candidates for five open seats on the school board.