Though township elections generally turn out low voter numbers, it’s participation in this level of goverment that is essential, according to the Freeborn County auditor.

&uot;If you want to keep your grassroots government going, you need to get out there and support it,&uot; Dennis Distad said.

By running for office or attending meetings, people will understand why decisions are made for their area and how their tax money is being spent. It’s important for township members to have a base of knowledge on what issues affect their area, Distad said.

Following are the election results:

Albert Lea Township turned out 24 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 5 percent of the 509 registered township voters. Supervisor Stanley Reichl received 21 votes and incumbent Treasurer Edmund Nelson received 24 votes. Also on the ballot was a $10,000 levy for general fund, $70,000 for road and bridge and $20,000 for fire, which were approved. At the annual meeting, residents listed concerns about condition of the roads. They put $22,000 worth of gravel last year and may have to spend an equal or greater amount again this year since their roadways are traveled so often.

Alden Township turned out 11 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 6 percent of the 195 registered township voters. Incumbent Supervisor John Krueger received 11 votes and incumbent Treasurer Greg Smith received 11 votes. Also on the ballot was a $60,000 levy for road and bridge and $10,200 levy for fire; both were approved.

Bath Township turned out 10 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, out of 270 registered township voters. Incumbent Mark Foster was unopposed

as supervisor and received 10 votes. Incumbent Keith Bengtson was unopposed

as treasurer, receiving 10 votes.

Carlston Township turned out 10 voters in the township elections Tuesday

night, out of an estimated 206 registered township voters. Incumbent

supervisor Dave Peterson was unopposed and received 10 votes. Mitch Johnson recieved 10 votes to fill an unexpired term as supervisor. Incumbent Steve Schmidt received 10 votes in an unopposed race for treasurer.

Bancroft Township turned out 19 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 2 percent of the 765 registered township voters. Incumbent Supervisor Alan Christensen received 19 votes and Incumbent Treasurer Joanne Johnsrud received 18 votes. Also on the ballot was a $106,000 levy for road and bridge, $37,000 for fire and $15,000 for revenue which were passed by the township.

Freeborn Township turned out 9 voters in the township elections Tuesday

night, out of an estimated 216 registered township voters. Incumbent Ron

Jacobsen was unopposed for supervisor, receiving 9 votes. Incumbent Barb

Hunnicutt was unopposed for treasurer and received 9 votes.

Freeman Township turned out 25 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 7 percent of the 369 registered township voters. Incumbent supervisor Roger Larson received 23 votes, and incumbent treasurer Wayne Sather received 25 votes. Also on the ballot was a $54,000 general levy for road and bridge, fire, and township expenses, which was approved.

Hartland Township turned out 13 voters in the township elections Tuesday

night, out of 182 registered township voters.

Paul Lynne was unopposed for

supervisor and received 13 votes. Joanne Phillips was unopposed for

treasurer and received 13 votes.

Hayward Township turned out 15 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 5 percent of the 282 registered township voters. Incumbent supervisor Charles Kermes received 15 votes, and incumbent treasurer Susan Runden received 15 votes. Also on the ballot was a $90,000 levy for road and bridge, fire, and township expenses, which was approved.

London Township turned out 15 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 7 percent of the 208 registered township voters. Incumbent supervisor Kiven Lukes received 15 votes, and incumbent treasurer Laurell Davis received 15 votes. Also on the ballot was a $41,000 levy for roads and bridges, $9,500 for the general fund, and $9,000 for the fire fund, which were all approved.

Manchester Township turned out 20 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 7 percent of the 303 registered township voters. Supervisor Tom Venem received 20 votes.

Incumbent Treasurer Scott Morreim received 19 votes. Also on the ballot was a $45,000 levy for road and bridge, $10,000 for revenue and $15,150 for fire; all were approved.

Mansfield Township turned out 20 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 11 percent of the 190 registered township voters. Supervisor Bradley Harig received 20 votes, and incumbent treasurer Jerry Wacholz received 20 votes. Also on the ballot was a $43,000 levy for roads and bridges, a $14,000 levy for the town fund, and a $9,200 levy for fire, which were all approved.

Moscow Township turned out 55 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 14 percent of the 385 registered township voters. Incumbent chairman Karen Brand received 33 votes over newcomer Jeff Jacobson, who received 22 votes. Incumbent Treasurer Burton Magnuson received 54 votes. Also on the ballot was a $17,000 general levy, $65,000 for road and

bridge, $10,000 for fire and $5,000 for the town hall; all levies were approved.

Newry Township turned out 12 voters in the township elections Tuesday night,

out of about 245

registered township voters. Robert Kittelson received 12

votes in an unopposed race for supervisor. Paul Sunde was unopposed for

treasurer and received 12 votes.

Nunda Township turned out 13 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 5 percent of the 241 registered township voters. Incumbent supervisor Lowell Gabriel received 13 votes, and incumbent treasurer Paula Yocum received 13 votes. Also on the ballot was $58,000 levy which will be divided among the road and bridge fund, the town fund, and the fire protection fund at a later date. The creation of the fire protection fund was decided upon at Tuesday’s annual meeting.

Oakland Township turned out 39 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 15 percent of the 259 registered township voters. Write-in Randy Lukes was elected supervisor with 27 votes. Lukes previously served as chairman. Incumbent treasurer Julie Maxa received 36 votes. Also on the ballot was a $105,000 levy for road and bridge, fire, and township expenses, which was approved.

Pickerel Lake Township turned out 13 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 3 percent of the 500 registered township voters. Incumbent Supervisor David Behrends received 13 votes and incumbent Treasurer Leonard Breamer won with 12 votes. Also on the ballot was a $40,000 levy for road and bridge, which was lowered by $4,000 from last year and a $31,000 levy for fire, and $14,000 levy for the town fund. All levies were approved. At the annual meeting the township donated $150 to the Historical Society $150 and $300 to Senior Resources.

Riceland Township turned out 16 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 5 percent of the 310 registered township voters.

Supervisor Paul Anderson received 16 votes and incumbent Treasurer Marion Hogstad received 16 votes. The township will set their levy this August.

Shell Rock Township turned out 56 voters in the township elections Tuesday night, or nearly 21 percent of the 272 registered township voters. Incumbent supervisor Donald Koch received 16 votes, but write-in Milton Wolff received 39 votes, defeating Koch. Treasurer David Horning received 54 votes. Also on the ballot was a $75,000 general levy for road and bridge, fire, and township expenses, which was approved.