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Elections

Special Election Information

  • January 6, 2026: Filing Opens
  • January 20, 2026: Filing Closes
  • January 22, 2026: Candidate Withdrawal Deadline
  • February 27, 2026: Start of Absentee Voting
  • April 14, 2026: Special Election Day (both precincts will vote at the Hylander Center)

At the Board meeting following the special election, the BOE members will canvass the results. There will be a 7-day contest period following the meeting at which the votes were canvassed. 

The elected member will be sworn in at the next Board meeting after the votes have been canvassed. 

BOE Member Candidate Filings

Individuals interested in running for office must file an Affidavit of Candidacy and pay a $2 filing fee at the District Center (1440 49th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421). 

  • Filings will open on January 6, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
  • Filings will close on January 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
  • The last day for candidates to withdraw their filing is January 22, 2026. 

Packets with filing forms and information will be available in the District Center lobby during CHPS's normal business hours from January 6th to the 20th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On January 20th, the CHPS District Center will accept filings until 5:00 p.m. and applicants have until January 22nd at 5:00 p.m. to retract their filing. 

One seat will be up for election for a term beginning at the first Board of Education Meeting after the votes have been canvassed and ending in January 2029, during the BOE Organizational Meeting. This is a three-year term to finish the term held by former CHPS Board Director, Corenia Smith, who stepped down from her position in October 2025. The CHPS BOE appointed Lorien Mueller as her replacement until, in accordance with state law, CHPS holds a special election for the vacant seat. This election will take place on April 14, 2026 (Polls are open 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.). This special election will take place at the Hylander Center (1400 49th Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421), and both precincts will be voting here.

For information regarding the special election filings, please contact Stephanie Alvarez, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education at CHPS. Email AlvarezS@colheights.k12.mn.us or call 763-528-4504.

BOE Member Resigns - Seat Open for Special Election

Columbia Heights Public Schools Board of Education member Corenia Smith has submitted her resignation from the school board effective immediately. The CHPS School Board voted unanimously on the acceptance of the resignation at the October 14th Board of Education meeting. Smith was elected to the CHPS Board of Education during the 2024 election.
 
In accordance with MN state law, CHPS must hold a special election for the seat. The Board voted at the October 14 meeting to hold that special election on April 14, 2026, and has appointed a replacement to fill the seat in the meantime. Lorien Mueller has been appointed as a Board member and will serve until the newly elected board member is sworn in at the April Board of Education meeting following the certification of the election results. The community has 30 days to provide a valid petition to reject the Board of Education appointee.
 

Any questions can be directed to the CHPS Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Education, Stephanie Alvarez.