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CITY, ND – Voters in Barnes County cast 2,725 total ballots in the June 14 primary election, with 1,921 of those absentee under the county’s new vote-by-mail system.

Barnes County turned out strongly in favor of political newcomer Doug Burgum in the Republican primary for North Dakota governor, with  1,390 (70%) for Burgum compared to 547 (27%) for current North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.

Results for Measure 1, which would have relaxed rules on corporate ownership of dairy and hog operations, were largely in keeping with the rest of the state, with 2,023 voting “No” and 552 “Yes”.

The Barnes County Commission races were primaries, with the top two vote recipients in each district moving on to the November race.  Each district had two candidates.  Incumbent John Froelich garnered 403 votes and Robert Drake 143 in the District 5 primary; in the District 1 primary Cindy Schwehr received 472 and LeRoy Triebold 163.  All four candidates will appear again on the November 8th ballot.

Turnout for the 2016 Primary Election, at 2,725 ballots, was up from the 2014 primary election, where 1,832 ballots were cast, but lower than the 2012 primary election, which had a total of 3,500.

Two newcomers were elected to the Valley City Commission on Tuesday, June 14th.

Rick Ross received 810 votes followed by Mike Bishop who received 803 votes.

City Commission incumbent Mary Lee Nielson received 618 votes while Jeff Edwards got 585 votes.
 In other Valley City races Municipal Judge Thomas Goven received 1,312 votes.

Also running unopposed: In the Valley City Park Board race Dick Gulman and Ross Powell both received 1,182.

In the Valley City School Board race Joyce Braunagel and Val Mortiz were also re-elected to another term.