Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

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Voter Guide

Ely City Council Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for City Council

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

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    Jerome J. Debeltz
    (NP)

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    Paul Kess
    (NP)

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    John Lahtonen
    (NP)

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    Frederica Musgrave
    (NP)

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    Emily Roose
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)

What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)

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I believe in government transparency. Ely Citizens for Transparency and I have been recording City meetings and posting comments since Nov 2023. www.elyminnesota.com/blog/ I believe government should serve the community, not play political games. Input at Public Hearings is too late. I am going door-to-door asking small businesses and residents how well government serves them. I have worked in purchasing for the government. Citizens are not being served when competitive bidding does not take place. I will make decisions in a nonpartisan fashion. Since early 2023, I have spoken to Council about establishing and following better standards of behavior, ethics, conflicts of interest and accountability. I believe in service.
1 Broadcast/stream ALL meetings free to all, accessible 24/7. Post ALL public agendas and documents online ahead of time - for informed public input. 2. Set up policies and procedures so government reflects our diverse community...and accountable to us. We need welcoming outreach based on really wanting diverse representation. If outreach isn't working, look in the mirror. 3. Balanced comprehensive plans, not piecemeal development. Integrate nature. Remember seniors. Focus on downtown business.
I am doorkocking now, engaging in real conversations. I am and will continue to focus on WORKing on City issues, not political agendas. The issues I addressed previously. People agree with them. If elected, I plan on holding open comfortable public "coffee talks," also targeting those whose voices are underrepresented. As a retired teacher, I understand the value of taking time to clearly explain issues and listen to others. I need to learn from all, because I do not know everything.
I will continue to stand up and speak out. I tried to explain the need for transparency. accountability, fiscal responsibility, codes of ethics, etc. since the spring of 2023. With Citizens for Transparency, we recorded & posted City meetings not broadcast to the public, so they could watch with their own eyes and ears - the good and bad. Change is always slow. It is harder to do from the outside. I'll recommend policies & procedures as an insider. I'll welcome diverse voices to serve in gov.
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Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.