After swearing-in next council meeting, all citizens of Bemidji will be represented by an at-large council member.
The special election is to fill the seat left vacant by Jim “Doc” Thompson last summer, and former at-large council member Dave Larson and political newcomer Dan Jourdain are vying to fill the seat that represents all five wards of the city.
Early voting is underway at Bemidji City Hall during business hours, with extra hours this Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and city hall will also be open until 5 p.m. this Monday.
In-person voting on Tuesday will be in each ward’s respective polling site from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and City Hall will also accept absentee ballots until 3 p.m..
Ward 1 – American Indian Resource Center – 1630 Birchmont Drive NE
Ward 2 – Bemidji National Guard Armory, 1430 23rd Street NW
Ward 3 (both precincts) – Boys & Girls Club (East Entrance) – 1600 Minnesota Avenue NW
Ward 4 – City Hall – 317 4th Street NW
Ward 5 – Northwest Technical College – 905 Grant Avenue SE
Below are interviews on some city issues held with the candidates before the primary in August. The first one is Jourdain’s and the second is Larson’s.