2026 Election Dates

Candidate Filing Period

The candidate filing period for Goodwill Township Officials begins on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 and continues through 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Candidate filings for the following offices are to be filed with the deputy clerk:

(3) Town Supervisor Seats

(1) Town Clerk

(1) Town Treasurer

Click here for Candidate Filing Information Packets on MN Secretary of State site. An Affidavit of Candidacy is available here or by email from the deputy clerk. There is a $2.00 filing fee and must be included with the Affidavit at the time of filing.

All candidate filings must be received by 5:00 p.m. on January 13, 2026. NOTE: No candidate filings will be taken on January 1st, in observance of New Year’s Day.

Candidate filing is by appointment with the deputy clerk, Pam Olson, during the filing period. If you would like to make an appointment, or need further information, email: polson@goodwilltownship.org or call 651-248-0253. You may also file on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade building located at 8025 Oak Narrows Rd, Cook, MN.

The Town Election for Goodwill Township, Minnesota, will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Election judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place. Election judges help to guarantee the rights of voters are protected on election day.

Read the information below about the requirements and time commitment, fill out the Election Judge Application and submit to polson@goodwilltownship.org.

Qualifications to be an election judge

You must:

• be at least 18 years old on Election Day and be a U.S. citizen

• be a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days

• be eligible to vote in Minnesota

• be able to read, write, and speak English

• complete required training session(s)

  You cannot be:

• the spouse, parent, child, step, or sibling of an election judge serving in the same precinct

• a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, step, or sibling of a candidate on the ballot in the same precinct

• If you are ages 16-17, you may serve as a Trainee Election Judge

Official Duties of an election judge may include:

• Setting up polling place

• Assist voters, register voters and ensure all qualified voters are permitted to vote

• Demonstrate how to vote and distribute ballots to voters

• Register new voters at the polling site

• Close polling place following voting and determine results after polls close

Time off from Work

You may take time off from your regular job without penalty, other than a reduction in wages equal to those wages you earn while serving as an election judge. A person selected to serve as an election judge must give 20 days written notice prior to the election to his or her employer.

High School Student Trainees

16 and 17-year-old students can work as election judge trainees, receive training, and be paid for their work. It’s a great way to learn about elections and voting, and earn cash at the same time! Click here for more high school trainee information.

If you are interested in being an election judge, please fill out an Election Judge Application Form and return it to polson@goodwilltownship.org

Election Judges

Absentee Voting

You can apply for an absentee ballot any time during the year, except the day of the election. Leave time for election officials to mail your ballot. Use this form to request absentee ballots for most elections.

For the town election held on March 10th, return the completed absentee ballot application via email to polson@goodwilltownship.org. If you do not want to send this information online, you can fill out a paper version of this form and return it by mail to:

Goodwill Elections Administrator

8025 Oak Narrows Rd, Unit B

Cook, MN 55723

For state and federal elections, return your completed absentee application to your county election office by mail, fax or email.

To complete this form, you will need to provide:

· Minnesota driver’s license or ID card, or last 4 digits of Social Security number and an email address

You may also vote absentee from 10:00am-12:00 pm on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the address noted above.

Your returned ballot must be received by Election Day. You can return your ballot in person no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent your ballot.

What's on the March 10, 2026 Ballot?

Township Officials & Terms:

Supervisor Seat A: 1-year term

Supervisor Seat B: 2-year term

Supervisor Seat C: 3-year term

Clerk: 2-year term (even years)

Treasurer: 1-year term (odd years)

Ballot question:

“Shall Option B, providing for the appointment of the clerk and treasurer by the town board, be adopted for the government of the town?”

Polling Place

Your polling place is where you go to vote in local, state, and federal elections. With the recent organization of your new township, Goodwill residents now have the opportunity to vote in person in your own community on Election Day! Your new polling place is at the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade building, located at 8025 Oak Narrows Road, Cook, MN. Your name will not be on the roster at any other location.

The polls will be open on Election Day from 10:00am-8:00pm.

More Election Information can be found at MNvotes.org

You may register online to vote, check your registration, find where you vote, learn about voting by mail or in person.

What does the ballot question mean for the township?

The Goodwill Supervisors voted unanimously to bring Option B to the residents and have them decide whether to have the town clerk and treasurer positions appointed rather than elected. If Option B is adopted, the election for those positions is nullified and the positions are filled by appointment by the town board. Because adopting Option B changes the positions from elected to appointed, the people appointed to the clerk and treasurer positions would not need to be a township resident, but would need to be qualified to perform the duties of the office. Direct all questions about this option to a Town Board Supervisor.

Election Results

Election results will be reported on the website after the Board of Canvass certifies the local election results. The Board of Canvass shall meet within two days after the election. Check here for local election results.