North Prairie Regional Water District has set a new election for April 3 for the at-large seat on its board after determining the vote at its annual meeting Monday was inconclusive.

A parliamentary decision was made for a new election due to voter confusion that led to disqualification of 15 over-voted ballots, which was well over 10% of ballots cast.

Running for the at-large position on the seven-member board are incumbent Matthew Zelinski of Deering, who has been filling the seat by appointment, and Crystal Hendrickson, Minot. The initial vote was Zelinski, 55, and Henrickson, 44.

Hendrickson has been vocal for the past few years about what she and a number of other North Prairie members see as a consistent lack of oversight and accountability within the organization. Among concerns, she lists water rate increases, borrowing that is near maximum capacity, lack of customer service and difficulty in accessing public records.

Hendrickson said she believes the right decision was made to hold a new election. However, she added, there is concern that decisions were guided by bylaws that were adopted by the board in 2020 but never by the membership as required.

The board, with its parliamentarian Shane Goettle, also consulted with the National Association of Parliamentarians, which advised a new election. Members voted to recess the annual meeting and continue it at a future date no later than April 17 at a place to be determined. North Prairie later set the date of the meeting for April 3, with registration at 4:45 p.m. and a continued meeting to follow at 5 p.m. at 52 Pines, 3220 Grayson Drive, Burlington.

The date takes into consideration the need to publish meeting notices at least 10 days in advance.

The requirement for publication of a second election prevented another immediate re-vote. Some members who voted also had left before results were tabulated and would not have been available to vote again.

The voter confusion stemmed from lack of ballot clarity regarding how voters should select from four candidates to fill three open seats. Two candidates ran unopposed to represent two geographical areas, while Zelinski and Hendrickson ran for the one at-large seat , but the ballot instructed voters to choose three candidates.

The second election only applies to the at-large position. Election results were allowed to stand for Kelly Drevecky, Minot, in Area 1 and incumbent Austin Hanson, Des Lacs, in Area 6.