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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Austin City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Last day to vote early in person (Nov 2): the election office's notice

These 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.

Voters elect one council member at large citywide and one member in each of Wards 1, 2 and 3 on Nov. 3; the mayor is not on this ballot.

Last day to vote early in person · Nov 2

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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.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

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.

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

What the next council decides

01Property tax levy and budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsStaff proposed a 10.29% levy for 2026 in September 2025; the council approved a 7.5% levy motion 4-3, and the final 2026 levy was set at $10,535,000 in December.

What's on the tableThe next council will set the levy and budget for 2027 and later years, including any cuts to positions and services.

02The municipal pool3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council discussed not opening the pool for the 2026 season in September 2025; Parks extended pool hours over a July 2026 weekend.

What's on the tableWhether to keep operating the existing pool, close it, or pursue a replacement.

03Point-of-sale sewer inspections2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe ordinance took effect March 1, 2026; the city reported 197 inspections in its first three months.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or end the inspection requirement, including questions about earlier inspections.

04City staffing, pay and administrator search3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city administrator left in June 2026; two finalists for the job were approved Sept. 8, 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will work with the new administrator and the 2026-2028 pay structure.

05Infrastructure and public safety costs3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city's share of the I-90 sound wall roughly doubled to about $200,000, and the city will not pursue a local option sales tax for the law enforcement center.

What's on the tableHow to fund road, flood and public safety projects and their local costs.

1 note on these statements

Jason Baskin is the only candidate who filed for the Ward 2 seat. Minnesota Secretary of State, Nov. 3, 2026 candidate filings (council members)

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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. 1. How should the council set next year's property tax levy?

  2. 2. What should the city do with the aging municipal pool?

  3. 3. What should the council do with the point-of-sale sewer inspection ordinance?

  4. 4. How should the council handle city employee pay structures?

  5. 5. How should the council respond when state road project costs to the city rise?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted4 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Paul Fischer, Steve King, Mike Postma, Rebecca Waller4 on this ballot

7 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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