Candidate Filing Window Opens for Rochester School Board Races

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The candidate filing window is now open for the Rochester School Board seats that are on the ballot for this year's election. 

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Those wishing to run for the seats have until Tuesday, July 28 to file for the race. No candidates have filed as of 9:30 Tuesday morning. 

Four of the seven seats are on the ballot in 2026. The seats on this year’s ballot are currently held by Cathy Nathan, Justin Cook, Jean Marvin, and Julie Workman. 

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Candidate Filing Window Opens Amid Changed Format for Rochester School Board Election

The 2026 election will look different than it has in years past. In February, the Rochester School Board voted to scrap primary elections to narrow the field of candidates for school board positions. 

See Also: List of Candidates Running for Rochester-Area Public Offices 

The change was made on a 6-1 vote with school board member Don Barlow casting the lone dissenting vote.

The ending of the primary means every candidate who filed to run for a school board seat will be on the ballot in November. 

Read More: Rochester School Board Eliminates Primary Elections 

Another change to the school board’s election format that is now in effect was approved by state lawmakers and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz earlier this year. 

The legislation ends the so-called “alley system,” which allows anyone running for a school board seat to challenge only one candidate. 

Read More: Bill to Change Rochester School Board Elections Signed into Law 

The four Rochester School Board seats on the ballot this year will now be awarded to the top vote-getters with all candidates competing for the seats with each other. 

The House passed the bill on a 124-9 and the Senate approved the measure by a 41-26 margin.