Filing for Soil and Water Supervisor

Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) supervisors are responsible for stewarding the soil and water of an area through policy development, planning, and budgeting. Supervisors are elected to four-year terms and are elected in even years. Contact the County Auditor of the county the SWCD is located in to learn which offices will be on the ballot at the upcoming election.

Qualifications

Candidates for an elected SWCD office must:

• be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• be at least 21 years old upon assuming office
• have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election
• have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election (unless authorized by Minn. Stat. 103C.315, subd. 6)

Information about other qualifications for SWCD office is available from the county auditor.

How to File

Candidates for any SWCD office must submit the affidavit of candidacy and $20 filing fee from May 19, 2026 to June 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Candidates must file with the county auditor of the county in which the candidate resides.

• Instead of paying the filing fee, candidates may submit a Petition in Place of Filing Fee. The petition requires at least 500 signatures.

Withdrawal

A candidate who has filed for office may remove their name from the ballot by filing an affidavit of withdrawal. Candidates may withdraw within the filing period, or by 5:00 p.m. within two days of the end of the filing period. The affidavit of withdrawal is filed with the county auditor.

Write-In Candidates

A write-in candidate for county office must file a written request for their votes to be counted. This request must be filed with the county auditor not more than 84 days before the primary and no later than the 19th day before the general election.