Stutsman County early voting tops last two primary elections

Stutsman County already had more early voters than it saw in either of the last two primary elections, a sign that Tuesday’s June 9 primary was drawing stronger attention than usual. County records showed 671 people had voted early through Thursday, June 4, well above the 492 early ballots cast in the 2024 primary and the 277 in 2022.

The pace picked up across the week at the Stutsman County Courthouse in Jamestown, where early voting was open June 1-2 and June 4-5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3. Daily totals were 136 on Monday, 184 on Tuesday, 193 on Wednesday and 158 on Thursday. Jessica Alonge, the county auditor and chief operating officer, said the turnout was wonderful and could reflect both the number of contested local races and the push from the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office to remind voters about their options.

The election carries extra weight because city and school contests are decided in the primary, not left for November. In Jamestown, voters were deciding races for mayor, city council, parks and recreation commission and the school board, all of which shape daily life in the county seat. One of the most closely watched contests was a four-candidate race for three seats on the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Commission, with incumbents Mike Landscoot, Mindi Schmitz and Mike Soulis seeking reelection against Kyle McLean.

County and state election officials have been pushing multiple ways to vote. Election Day voting was set for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Jamestown Civic Center and at the American Legion in Medina for precinct 472910. The county also arranged accessible parking and route changes at the Civic Center. North Dakota does not require voter registration, but voters must show valid ID.

Absentee ballots remained available through Monday, June 8, but they had to be back in the county auditor’s office by the close of polls on Election Day to count. They could be returned by mail, secure drop box or hand delivery to the auditor, but not to a polling place. State figures released May 29 showed 17,706 absentee ballots had been received statewide out of 35,710 requested, or 49.58 percent. Alonge said she hoped turnout in Stutsman County would top 35 percent and would love to see it over 50 percent, a sharp jump from the county’s 16.2 percent primary turnout in 2024.