Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Eaton Rapids Mayor & City Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.
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How to vote · 12 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor
1 seat- Pamela K. ColestockIncumbentMayor of Eaton Rapids since 2021 and Precinct 2 council representative from 2016 to 2021. She works as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Eaton Rapids Medical Center.9sourced
- Paul O. MalewskiFormer Eaton Rapids mayor (2018 through 2021) and former Eaton Rapids chief of police. He is a kayaking instructor with Team River Runner, according to WKAR.2sourced
All city voters choose the mayor and one at-large council member; the three precinct council seats are not on this ballot. The at-large race is uncontested.
Also on your Nov 3 ballot
We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.
- Governor
- Jocelyn Benson · Democratic Party
- John James · Republican Party
- Anthony Hudson · Libertarian Party
- Donna Brandenburg · U.S. Taxpayers Party
- Douglas Campbell · Green Party
- U.S. Senate
- Abdul El-Sayed · Democratic Party
- Mike Rogers · Republican Party
- Lydia Christensen · Libertarian Party
- Tim Long · U.S. Taxpayers Party
- Douglas P. Marsh · Green Party
- Walter P. Kristy · Natural Law Party
- Also statewideSecretary of State · Attorney General · Member of the State Board of Education · Regent of the University of Michigan · Trustee of Michigan State University · Justice of Supreme Court
- Statewide measures2 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Deb MalewskiCouncilmember, Precinct 1; term end not confirmed4sourced
- Ken NicholasCouncilmember, Precinct 2; term end not confirmed4sourced
- William SteeleCouncilmember, Precinct 3, and Mayor Pro-Tem; term end not confirmed4sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Horner Mill site3 sourced facts
Where it standsEnvironmental testing and demolition preparation at the former Horner Mill site began in September 2026, with demolition planned for spring.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to fund the rest of the demolition and what the site becomes.
- Rep. Tom Barrett's office says he secured $1 million in federal funding to help start demolition of the old Horner Woolen Mills site. WILX · May 8, 2026
- Environmental testing, planning and demolition preparation began the week of September 21, and the Eaton County Land Bank plans to begin demolition in the spring. City of Eaton Rapids
- The $1 million in federal funding covers only part of the project, so the city and Land Bank will keep seeking more revenue. City of Eaton Rapids
02Streets, water and sewer3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has several street, water main and sewer projects under way.
What's on the tableThe next council will approve contracts and decide how to pay for further street and utility work.
- The council awarded the Plains Road Sewer Extension Project to Iron Horse Excavating LLC for $1,566,790.04 in May 2026. Eaton Rapids City Council meeting minutes, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026
- The council awarded the East Knight Street and South Center Street road project to Mike & Sons Asphalt for $312,462.11 in May 2026. Eaton Rapids City Council meeting minutes, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026
- Contractors are installing new water mains across the city. City of Eaton Rapids
03Housing, zoning and growth1 sourced fact
Where it standsThe city has received grant money to rewrite its zoning ordinance and plan for downtown flood mitigation.
What's on the tableThe next council will adopt a rewritten zoning ordinance and rule on rezonings and new development.
- The city received three Community Development Block Grants totaling $723,500, with no city match, for asset management planning, downtown flood mitigation and a zoning ordinance rewrite. City of Eaton Rapids
04Animal control2 sourced facts
Where it standsEaton County budget cuts reduced animal control staffing to one officer, and the city is in talks with the county about restoring services.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to join a partnership with Eaton County for animal control.
- The council voted 5-0 in September 2026 to support exploring a partnership with Eaton County for animal control services. Eaton Rapids City Council meeting minutes, September 14, 2026 · Sep 14, 2026
- Local police departments are increasingly handling aggressive dogs, strays and bite reports. City of Eaton Rapids
05Fire truck replacement2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is seeking outside funding to replace the fire department's aerial ladder truck.
What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to pay for a replacement truck.
- The council voted 5-0 in March 2026 to request federal Congressional Directed Spending to replace the aerial fire truck. Eaton Rapids City Council meeting minutes, March 9, 2026 · Mar 9, 2026
- The city was not considered for state budget funding for a new fire truck for the second year in a row. City of Eaton Rapids
2 notes on these statements
Pamela K. Colestock and Paul O. Malewski are the two candidates for mayor; Richard Loftus is the only candidate for the at-large council seat. Eaton County Clerk · Aug 20, 2026
Eaton Rapids Mayor Pamela Colestock is up for re-election against Paul Malewski in a nonpartisan race. WKAR · Oct 3, 2026
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Who matches you?
Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.
1. How hard should the city push to redevelop the Horner Mill site?
2. How should the city handle proposals for new homes and businesses?
3. Should Eaton Rapids partner with Eaton County on animal control?
4. Should the city keep seeking outside funding to replace its aerial fire truck?
Key dates
- Election DayEaton County Clerk · Aug 20, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Deb Malewski, Ken Nicholas, William Steele2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The Eaton Rapids City Council is made up of five individuals: the mayor, three precinct council members and one at-large council member. City of Eaton Rapids
- The mayor and council members serve four-year terms. City of Eaton Rapids
- The Mayor Pro-Tempore is appointed by the council on the mayor's recommendation. City of Eaton Rapids
- The mayor votes on council business: roll calls list the mayor among the five votes. Eaton Rapids City Council meeting minutes, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
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