Annual Meeting and Elections

Dakota Electric Association is democratically governed by elected members who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. We depend on the guidance and perspective of our board to help set priorities for the co-op and guide governance decisions.

Annual Meeting

As member-owners, all Dakota Electric members are invited to attend and ask questions at the cooperative’s annual meeting, typically held in the month of April. Annual Meetings provide members with information about the cooperative’s growth, financial health, board election and programs available to members.

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Annual Election Information

BOARD OF DIRECTOR ELECTION

A 12-person Board of Directors, consisting of and elected by members, governs the cooperative. Dakota Electric’s Board of Directors acts on behalf of the membership to guide operations and future planning for the cooperative.

The Board of Directors is comprised of three members from each of its four districts. Directors serve three-year terms and are elected by you, our member-owners. Each year, one seat in each of the four districts is up for election. Any eligible member may seek election in the district in which they reside. Dakota Electric encourages all members to vote.

Dakota Electric hires third-party contractor Survey & Ballot Systems to run its annual elections. Two weeks prior to the annual election, each member will receive their director election ballot in the mail from Survey & Ballot Systems. Each ballot includes instructions on how to vote by mail or online, as well as all director candidate biographies.
Ballot Box
NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Every year, Dakota Electric seeks interested members to be part of our annual election process by serving on the Nominating Committee. The window for Nominating Committee applications opens on November 13, 2026 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on December 2, 2026. Nominating Committee members must be available January 12, 2027 for an in-person orientation, as well as January 26 & 27, 2027, for Director candidate interviews.

All Committee members are required to be available and participate in the following:

January 12, 2027 (afternoon/evening) – Orientation for Committee members, plus Committee prep meeting (in-person at Dakota Electric Headquarters*)

January 26, 2027 (afternoon/evening) – Director candidate interviews (in-person at Dakota Electric Headquarters*)

January 27, 2027 (afternoon/evening) – Director candidate interviews backup date (in-person at Dakota Electric Headquarters*)

*There is a preference for in-person candidate interviews, but accommodations for other suitable means, including but not limited to video or telephone conferencing, will be granted due to unforeseen or exceptional circumstances.

Two members and one alternate member from each district will be selected at random from the pool of eligible member applicants. Selected member volunteers will be notified of the outcome following the Board meeting held on December 17, 2026 and will also receive a handbook outlining Committee responsibilities. Those who serve on the Nominating Committee will receive a stipend for their time.

INTERESTED DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

In adherence with Dakota Electric’s bylaws and policies, an annual election is held where any eligible member may seek election to the board of directors in the district which they reside. Members interested in seeking election for a director seat may apply by filling out the Board Director Candidate Application. Application forms will go live right here on December 28, 2026 and will close on January 14, 2027.

For election-related questions, please contact Nicole McEathron at [email protected] or 651-463-6337.

Districts

Districts are ordered from left to right (1-4) and contain approximately the same amount of members.

Boundaries

Western Boundary

District One’s western border aligns with the western edge of the service territory.

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District One and District Two starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 (Old Sibley Memorial Hwy.) and 12th Ave.; then south on 12th Ave. 0.2 of a mile to Parkwood Dr.; then south on Parkwood Dr. 0.6 of a mile to Burnsville Pkwy.; then east on Burnsville Pkwy. 0.7 of a mile to county state aid highway (CSAH) 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.5 miles to CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then west on CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.) 0.5 of a mile to CSAH 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to CSAH 42 and Lac Lavon Dr.; then south on Lac Lavon Dr. 1.5 miles to CSAH 46 (162nd St. W.); then west on CSAH 46 0.4 of a mile to Ipava Ave.; then south on Ipava Ave. 0.3 of a mile to 165th St. W.; then east on 165th St. 1.3 miles to Highview Ave.; then south on Highview Ave. 1.4 miles to CSAH 9 (Dodd Blvd.); then south on Dodd Blvd. 10 miles to CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.) 1.5 miles to CSAH 86 and Hazelwood Ave.; then south on Hazelwood Ave. (CSAH 46) 4.6 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District One and District Two starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 (Old Sibley Memorial Hwy.) and 12th Ave.; then south on 12th Ave. 0.2 of a mile to Parkwood Dr.; then south on Parkwood Dr. 0.6 of a mile to Burnsville Pkwy.; then east on Burnsville Pkwy. 0.7 of a mile to county state aid highway (CSAH) 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.5 miles to CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.); then west on CSAH 38 (McAndrews Rd.) 0.5 of a mile to CSAH 11; then south on CSAH 11 1.1 miles to CSAH 42 and Lac Lavon Dr.; then south on Lac Lavon Dr. 1.5 miles to CSAH 46 (162nd St. W.); then west on CSAH 46 0.4 of a mile to Ipava Ave.; then south on Ipava Ave. 0.3 of a mile to 165th St. W.; then east on 165th St. 1.3 miles to Highview Ave.; then south on Highview Ave. 1.4 miles to CSAH 9 (Dodd Blvd.); then south on Dodd Blvd. 10 miles to CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Pillsbury Ave.) 1.5 miles to CSAH 86 and Hazelwood Ave.

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District 2 and 3 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 and Rahn Rd.; then follows Rahn Rd. south 0.65 miles to Carnelian Ln.; then west on Carnelian Ln. 0.5 of a mile to Nicols Rd.; then southwest at the intersection of Nicols Rd. and Carnelian Ln. to Hwy. 77; then south on Hwy. 77 4.4 miles to 140th St W; then east on 140th St W 0.5 of a mile to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 2.5 miles to 157th St. W.; then east on 157th St. W. 0.6 of a mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 1.3 miles to 170th St. W.; then east on 170th St. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2.5 miles to Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.); then west on Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.) 1 mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 3 miles to 225th St. W.; then west on 225th St. W. 1 mile to CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.); then south on CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.) 2.5 miles to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 3.3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then west on to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.) 3.7 miles to CSAH 46 (Hazelwood Ave.) where it meets up with District 1 Eastern Boundary.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District 2 and 3 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at Hwy. 13 and Rahn Rd.; then follows Rahn Rd. south 0.65 miles to Carnelian Ln.; then west on Carnelian Ln. 0.5 of a mile to Nicols Rd.; then southwest at the intersection of Nicols Rd. and Carnelian Ln. to Hwy. 77; then south on Hwy. 77 4.4 miles to 140th St W; then east on 140th St W 0.5 of a mile to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 2.5 miles to 157th St. W.; then east on 157th St. W. 0.6 of a mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 1.3 miles to 170th St. W.; then east on 170th St. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2.5 miles to Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.); then west on Co. Rd. 64 (195th St. W.) 1 mile to Flagstaff Ave.; then south on Flagstaff Ave. 3 miles to 225th St. W.; then west on 225th St. W. 1 mile to CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.); then south on CSAH 23 (Cedar Ave.) 2.5 miles to Galaxie Ave.; then south on Galaxie Ave. 3.3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then east on CSAH 86 4.5 miles to County Rd. 51 (Biscayne Ave).

Eastern Boundary

The boundary between District 3 and 4 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) and CSAH 26 (Lone Oak Rd.); then west on Lone Oak Rd. 0.3 of a mile then south 0.3 mile; then east 0.3 mile to Pilot Knob Rd.; then south on Pilot Knob Rd. (CSAH 31) 0.9 of a mile to Hwy. 35E; then south on Hwy. 35E 2.3 miles to CSAH 30 (Diffley Rd.); then east on Diffley Rd. 0.3 of a mile to Johnny Cake Ridge Rd.; then south on Johnny Cake Ridge Rd. 1.3 miles to CSAH 32 (Cliff Rd.); then east on Cliff Rd. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2 miles to CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.); then south on CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.) 3.3 miles to CSAH (160th St. W.); continue south on alignment with Diamond Path 1 mile to Co. Rd. 58 (170th St. W.); then east on 170th St. W. 2 miles to Biscayne Ave.; then south on Biscayne Ave. 3.2 miles to CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl.); then east on CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl. 3.2 miles to Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.); then south on Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.) 4.5 miles to CSAH 80 (245th St. W.); then west on CSAH 80 (245th St. W.) 2 miles to Alverno Ave;  then south on Alverno Ave. 0.5 miles to CSAH 80 (250th St. W.); then west on CSAH 80 (250th St. W.) 1 mile to CSAH 51 (Biscayne Ave.); then south on CSAH 51 (Biscayne Ave.) 3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then west 8.2 miles to CSAH 46 (Hazelwood Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Hazelwood Ave) 4.6 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Western Boundary

The boundary between District 3 and 4 starts on the north edge of Dakota Electric’s service area at CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) and CSAH 26 (Lone Oak Rd.); then west on Lone Oak Rd. 0.3 of a mile then south 0.3 mile; then east 0.3 mile to Pilot Knob Rd.; then south on Pilot Knob Rd. (CSAH 31) 0.9 of a mile to Hwy. 35E; then south on Hwy. 35E 2.3 miles to CSAH 30 (Diffley Rd.); then east on Diffley Rd. 0.3 of a mile to Johnny Cake Ridge Rd.; then south on Johnny Cake Ridge Rd. 1.3 miles to CSAH 32 (Cliff Rd.); then east on Cliff Rd. 1 mile to CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.); then south on CSAH 31 (Pilot Knob Rd.) 2 miles to CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.); then south on CSAH 33 (Diamond Path W.) 3.3 miles to CSAH (160th St. W.); continue south on alignment with Diamond Path 1 mile to Co. Rd. 58 (170th St. W.); then east on 170th St. W. 2 miles to Biscayne Ave.; then south on Biscayne Ave. 3.2 miles to CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl.); then east on CSAH 66 (Vermillion River Trl. 3.2 miles to Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.); then south on Co. Rd. 79 (Blaine Ave.) 4.5 miles to CSAH 80 (245th St. W.); then west on CSAH 80 (245th St. W.) 2 miles to Alverno Ave;  then south on Alverno Ave. 0.5 miles to CSAH 80 (250th St. W.); then west on CSAH 80 (250th St. W.) 1 mile to CSAH 51 (Biscayne Ave.); then south on CSAH 51 (Biscayne Ave.) 3 miles to CSAH 86 (280th St. W.); then west 8.2 miles to CSAH 46 (Hazelwood Ave.); then south on CSAH 46 (Hazelwood Ave) 4.6 miles to the south edge of the service area.

Eastern Boundary

District Four’s eastern border aligns with the eastern edge of the service territory.

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Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

Dakota Electric’s articles of incorporation and bylaws provide the framework for governing and conducting business at Dakota Electric with information on membership, board of director elections, capital credits and more.
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