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

Dakota 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.

  • Candidate picture

    Tim Shimshak (AJ)
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Lois Peterson
    (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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As a council member I will welcome the input and the points of views from all our city residents. During my career as an educator I learned the value and importance of weighing each person’s perspective on topics of concern . Everyone should be encouraged to voice their ideas regarding how to best serve the Dakota community. Having grew up on a small dairy farm I recognize the value of cooperative work.
First of all, my priorities will be determined by the members of our community. It is they that determine what issues need to be addressed. Together we would discuss solutions and move forward with resolutions. As a council member it would be my task to pursue options and to then present the findings to the community for input.
I would always be available to all persons in our community, whether they have lived in Dakota for one year or fifty years their concerns matter to me.
I would request all issues raised be included on the monthly council meeting agenda, including time allowed for community input. As Dakota follows the codes of Minnesota cities, this will be referenced when issues arise.
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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.