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Filings for elected offices in area cities and in the Paynesville Area Hospital District opened on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and closed on Tuesday, Sept. 10. A two-year term for mayor and two four-year council seats will be up for election in most cities this fall, as are representatives for the hospital board in six entities.

For the city of Paynesville, Jackie Braun joined incumbent council members Jean Soine and Dennis Zimmerman in seeking a council seat. The top two vote-getters in November will serve on the council for four years.

For the hospital board in Paynesville Township, incumbent Grace Peteler did not file for re-election, and her open seat will be the subject of a three-way race between Denise Hansen, Brad Johnson, and Kay Spooner. The winner will represent the township on the hospital board, which owns and operates the Paynesville Area Health Care System, for the next four years. With the filings closed, no other races are contested. Most cities have a two-year term for mayor up for election and two four-year terms on the city council. Six entities in the hospital district - the city of Lake Henry, the city of Richmond, Paynesville Township, Roseville Township, Union Grove Township, and Zion Township -Êhave representatives up for re-election this fall. Excepting Paynesville and Roseville townships, the incumbent was the sole filer in the other four entities.

In Roseville Township, incumbent Mel Jones did not file for re-election. Candidates for office need to be an eligible voter in Minnesota, must be 21 years of age when assuming office, and need to be a resident of their respective district for 30 days prior to the general election. There was a $2 filing fee.