Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Saginaw City Council Election 2026

5 of 9

council seats up

2 contests

12 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council four-year terms · Vote for up to 4

Michael D. BallsIncumbentSaginaw City Council member since 2013 and a skilled-trades machine repair worker at Nexteer.4sourced
Jeanette BarnettCandidate for Saginaw City Council on the Saginaw County candidate list.1sourced
Priscilla GarciaIncumbentSaginaw's Mayor Pro Tem, elected to the City Council in 2022 and a licensed Medicare specialist.4sourced
Carly Rose HammondIncumbentUnion and community organizer with a bachelor's degree in history from Oakland University.9sourced
Bob JohnsonDirector of the Saginaw Bridge Center who spent about 15 years as a journalist with MLive/The Saginaw News.2sourced
Brenda F. MooreIncumbentSaginaw's mayor, a council member since 2013 and president of the Michigan Association of Mayors.4sourced
Melvin Price Jr.Candidate for Saginaw City Council on the Saginaw County candidate list.1sourced
Charles Anthony SledgeBehavior interventionist and former Saginaw County Planning Commissioner.2sourced
Rachel WeidingerNonprofit leader and organizer who serves on the Saginaw Planning Commission.4sourced
Tobias YoungIncumbentJourneyman electrician and business owner appointed to the Saginaw City Council in 2025.4sourced

City Council two-year partial term · 1 seat

Voters citywide choose up to four of ten candidates for four-year terms, and separately one of two candidates for a partial term ending Dec. 1, 2028. The four members elected in 2024 hold their seats through 2028.

1 note on these statements

Five incumbents are running for four four-year seats: Brenda F. Moore, Priscilla Garcia, Michael D. Balls, Carly Rose Hammond and Tobias Young, so at least one incumbent will lose. MLive · Jul 1, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Eric D. Braddock Sr.Council Member; term expires 20285sourced Bill OstashCouncil Member; term expires 20285sourced Jacinta SealsCouncil Member; term expires 20285sourced Heidi G. WigginsCouncil Member; term expires 20285sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty tax cap (Proposal 1), Micro dwelling units, Data centers Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register other than in person with the local clerk

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Property tax cap (Proposal 1)

Where it standsSaginaw voters will decide on Nov. 3, 2026 whether to eliminate the dollar cap on property tax revenue in Section 45 of the city charter.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how to budget under the outcome, with or without the dollar revenue cap.

On June 8, 2026 the City Council voted 9-0 to adopt a resolution approving ballot language for a proposed charter amendment to Section 45. City of Saginaw · Jun 8, 2026
The proposed amendment would eliminate the tax cap on the gross dollar amount of revenue that may be levied but otherwise maintains all other provisions, including the number of mills that may be levied. Saginaw County Clerk · Sep 22, 2026
Council Member Carly Rose Hammond said the repeal is expected to generate over $500,000 a year. WNEM · Jun 12, 2026

Micro dwelling units

Where it standsOn May 18, 2026 the council adopted a zoning ordinance amendment adding micro dwelling units and micro dwelling unit developments.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the new zoning rules are applied to housing proposals.

The amendment adds a new zoning code section titled Micro Dwelling Unit/Micro Dwelling Unit Development. City of Saginaw · May 18, 2026
The ordinance was adopted on a roll call with eight members voting yes and Council Member Hammond voting no. City of Saginaw · May 18, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsThe council enacted a temporary prohibition on data centers in January 2026 and later extended the moratorium.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to adopt a data center zoning ordinance.

In January 2026 the council unanimously approved a resolution enacting a six-month blanket prohibition of data centers. WNEM · Jan 13, 2026
As of Jan. 13, 2026 Saginaw had not received any applications for data centers. WNEM · Jan 13, 2026
On April 28, 2026 the Planning Commission's attorney advised that the City Council had voted to extend the data center moratorium and the timeframe for considering the data center ordinance. City of Saginaw · Apr 28, 2026

Ojibway Island access

Where it standsOjibway Island Park has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2021, and the council has not yet adopted an access plan.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how people can reach and use Ojibway Island Park, including whether vehicles are allowed.

The city closed the park to vehicular traffic in 2021. WNEM · Feb 23, 2026
On June 8, 2026 a motion to adopt the City Manager's recommendation for a two-month review of access options after the park opens failed 4-5. City of Saginaw · Jun 8, 2026
On June 8, 2026 the council voted 9-0 to direct staff to prepare materials to proceed with the north loop trail and emergency call boxes on Ojibway Island. City of Saginaw · Jun 8, 2026

Brownfield redevelopment plans

Where it standsThe council has approved amendments to the city's Brownfield Plan for several redevelopment projects.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to approve further Brownfield Plan amendments for redevelopment projects.

On Sept. 8, 2025 the council voted 7-1 to amend the Brownfield Plan for the 400 Federal Redevelopment Project and 7-1 to amend it for the Adams Street Redevelopment Project. City of Saginaw · Sep 8, 2025
On Oct. 6, 2025 the council voted 9-0 to amend the Brownfield Plan to include the South Water Street Redevelopment. City of Saginaw · Oct 6, 2025

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. Should Saginaw eliminate the dollar cap on property tax revenue?
2. Should Saginaw's zoning allow micro dwelling units?
3. How should Saginaw handle data center proposals?
4. Should Ojibway Island Park reopen to vehicle traffic?
5. Should the council approve Brownfield Plan amendments for redevelopment projects?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register other than in person with the local clerkSaginaw County ClerkOct 19, 2026
Election DaySaginaw County Clerk · Sep 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Eric D. Braddock Sr., Bill Ostash, Jacinta Seals, Heidi G. Wiggins5 on this ballot

9 council seats. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

Saginaw has a council-manager government with a nine-member City Council elected at large in nonpartisan elections for four-year, overlapping terms. City of Saginaw
The Mayor is a member of the Council who chairs it, and the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore are elected by the Council. City of Saginaw
The City Manager is appointed by and responsible to the City Council. City of Saginaw

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