The Dickinson County Auditor reports an abnormally high number of absentee ballots being cast ahead of the election Tuesday – presumably because of a crowded race in the Spirit Lake school district. Between two resignations and the normal rotation, all five seats are open this year.

Five candidates are running for three full terms: Incumbents Teressa Beck and Greta Guys; appointed member Jermy Mouw; and Tyler Alger and Linda Moore.

Four candidates are running to fill out two partial terms including incumbent Sonja Hamm, and Michele Goodenow, Mieka Stecker, and Yvonne Taylor.

There’s also a crowded race on the other end of Dickinson County with seven candidates running for three open seats. Only incumbent John Klopstad is seeking another term. The other candidates are Allison M. Antoine, Jeanne Fisher, Brian Hinshaw, Joe Kennedy, Amanda Plathe, and Ryan Schmidt.

In Spencer, three candidates with experience are seeking two terms. Phil Bieber was appointed to a seat last year.

Brea Schmidt is seeking re-election to another term.

And former school board member Dean Mechler wants back on the board.

And FIVE candidates are seeking three spots on the Estherville Lincoln Central school board: Kari Fechter, Flor Hernandez, Lili Jensen, Jeff Soper, and Tasha Welch.