Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEarly Voting for 2022 General ElectionContact: Jennifer Bennerotte, Communications Director Phone 952-833-9520 • jbennerotte@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Early Voting for 2022 General Election Begins Sept. 23  Edina, Minn., Sept. 20, 2022 – Edina voters can begin casting their ballot for the Nov. 8 General Election starting Friday, Sept. 23. Two City Council Members will be elected in November. Those on the ballot are Kate Agnew, Ron Anderson, Jeff Hovanec, Janet Kitui and Julie Risser. There are also federal, State, County and School Board positions on the ballot for most Edina voters. As part of the General Election, Edina voters will consider a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $39.3 million of an investment plan to renovate and provide new services at Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park. In-person early voting Hours at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays Sept. 23-Nov. 4; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. Voters also have the option to vote by mail. You can apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you at bit.ly/MNAbsentee. If voting by mail, you will need a registered Minnesota voter or a notary to act as a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. Completed ballots must be received by Hennepin County by Election Day to count. Regarding the referendum on Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park, voters will find two questions on the ballot. The first question is at the bottom of the middle column on the first page of the ballot and asks if voters approve the use of a local option sales tax to fund $21.6 million in improvements at Braemar Park and Arena. Those improvements include: $8.1 million at Braemar Park New trail system for walking, biking and cross-country skiing New playground, pickleball and platform tennis courts and upgrades to the Courtney Fields baseball complex Restored natural resources and improved parking $13.5 million to update Braemar Arena New HVAC system, updated roof and improved energy efficiency Upgraded restrooms, locker rooms, rink surfaces and rink-cooling system The second question is at the top of the third column on the first page of the ballot and asks if voters approve the use of a local option sales tax to fund $17.7 million to transform Fred Richard Park from a shuttered executive golf course into a multi-faceted park. These investments include: New trails, pickleball courts and a basketball court Natural restoration, inclusive playgrounds, a pavilion and a great lawn area New lighting, seating, signs, infrastructure and parking If either one or both questions are approved, the sales tax will not exceed a total of one-half of one (0.5) percent. The sales tax would be used to finance the parks and arena improvements over no more than 19 years. If the bonds for the park projects are paid off before then, the sales tax expires earlier. The only way the tax could be extended or used for other projects would be if the Legislature authorized the change, and Edina voters approved. To find details about what’s on your ballot, visit the Secretary of State My Ballot Finder at myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us. For more information about early voting or the election, visit EdinaMN.gov/Election or contact City Clerk Sharon Allison at SAllison@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0408. -30-   Edina, Minn., Sept. 20, 2022 – Edina voters can begin casting their ballot for the Nov. 8 General Election starting Friday, Sept. 23. Two City Council Members will be elected in November. Those on the ballot are Kate Agnew, Ron Anderson, Jeff Hovanec, Janet Kitui and Julie Risser. There are also federal, State, County and School Board positions on the ballot for most Edina voters. As part of the General Election, Edina voters will consider a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $39.3 million of an investment plan to renovate and provide new services at Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park. In-person early voting Hours at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St., are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays Sept. 23-Nov. 4; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7. Voters also have the option to vote by mail. You can apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you at bit.ly/MNAbsentee. If voting by mail, you will need a registered Minnesota voter or a notary to act as a witness when you vote and complete your ballot. Completed ballots must be received by Hennepin County by Election Day to count. Regarding the referendum on Braemar Park and Arena and Fred Richards Park, voters will find two questions on the ballot. The first question is at the bottom of the middle column on the first page of the ballot and asks if voters approve the use of a local option sales tax to fund $21.6 million in improvements at Braemar Park and Arena. Those improvements include: $8.1 million at Braemar Park New trail system for walking, biking and cross-country skiing New playground, pickleball and platform tennis courts and upgrades to the Courtney Fields baseball complex Restored natural resources and improved parking $13.5 million to update Braemar Arena New HVAC system, updated roof and improved energy efficiency Upgraded restrooms, locker rooms, rink surfaces and rink-cooling system The second question is at the top of the third column on the first page of the ballot and asks if voters approve the use of a local option sales tax to fund $17.7 million to transform Fred Richard Park from a shuttered executive golf course into a multi-faceted park. These investments include: New trails, pickleball courts and a basketball court Natural restoration, inclusive playgrounds, a pavilion and a great lawn area New lighting, seating, signs, infrastructure and parking If either one or both questions are approved, the sales tax will not exceed a total of one-half of one (0.5) percent. The sales tax would be used to finance the parks and arena improvements over no more than 19 years. If the bonds for the park projects are paid off before then, the sales tax expires earlier. The only way the tax could be extended or used for other projects would be if the Legislature authorized the change, and Edina voters approved. To find details about what’s on your ballot, visit the Secretary of State My Ballot Finder at myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us. For more information about early voting or the election, visit EdinaMN.gov/Election or contact City Clerk Sharon Allison at SAllison@EdinaMN.gov or 952-826-0408. -30-