Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Bayport Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Last day of early in-person voting (Nov 2): 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
UnopposedCity Council
Vote for up to 2- Paula GraslewiczRegistered nurse who works as a school nurse and previously held nursing management positions. She has served for three years as president of her homeowners association, which she helped establish.3sourced
- Katie HillIncumbentOffice assistant and bookkeeper who is seeking re-election to her seat on the Bayport City Council.5sourced
- Orin KippIncumbentReal estate and banking attorney. He was a member of the Bayport Planning Committee for 8 years before being named to the City Council.5sourced
Voters citywide choose the mayor, who is unopposed, and two at-large council members from three candidates.
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
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 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.
What the next council decides
01Future of the prison site3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe state is closing the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, located in Bayport, in phases, with full closure expected by June 30, 2029.
What's on the tableHow the city takes part in state planning for the site and what uses it supports there.
- The closure of the prison in Bayport was announced on May 15, 2025, as part of a state budget deal; full closure is expected by June 30, 2029. Pioneer Press · Sep 27, 2025
- The Department of Corrections said the prison would operate at half capacity, or 553, by Oct. 1, 2025. Pioneer Press · Sep 27, 2025
- Candidates in the Stillwater Gazette voter guide were asked how the city can balance development and growth with maintaining Bayport's integrity as the prison closes in phases. Stillwater Gazette · Oct 16, 2026
02Aging sewer lines and other infrastructure2 sourced facts
Where it standsCandidates in the Stillwater Gazette voter guide named aging infrastructure, including sewer lines, among Bayport's pressing issues.
What's on the tableHow to repair and pay for aging sewer lines and other infrastructure.
- In the Stillwater Gazette voter guide, Orin Kipp named aging infrastructure, budget constraints and planning for the prison closure as the three most pressing issues. Stillwater Gazette · Oct 16, 2026
- Paula Graslewicz said in the same guide that the city has to maintain its infrastructure and manage taxes while preparing for change. Stillwater Gazette · Oct 16, 2026
03New riverfront park and boat launch3 sourced facts
Where it standsA riverfront city park, with a possible public boat launch, has been planned on land protected along the St. Croix River.
What's on the tableHow to build and pay for the riverfront park and a possible boat launch.
- In 2019 the Washington County Board approved a Land and Water Legacy Program conservation easement protecting 11 acres along the St. Croix River in Bayport for a city park. St. Croix 360 · Sep 1, 2019
- The city was to work with the state to determine the feasibility of a public boat launch on the site. St. Croix 360 · Sep 1, 2019
- Bayport has five public parks and a public boat launch. City of Bayport
1 note on these statements
Paula Graslewicz, Katie Hill and Orin Kipp filed for two at-large City Council seats (Elect 2); Michele Hanson is the only candidate for Mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State
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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 should residents be involved in plans for the prison site?
2. How should Bayport fix its aging sewer lines?
Key dates
- Early (absentee) in-person voting beginsWashington CountySep 18, 2026
- Early (direct) in-person voting beginsWashington CountyOct 16, 2026
- Last day of early in-person votingWashington CountyNov 2, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.)Washington CountyNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Carl Bliss, Ethan Gilmore3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The City Council consists of a Mayor and four Council members, who are elected at large by city residents. City of Bayport
- Regular council meetings are typically held at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at City Hall. City of Bayport
- All Bayport residents vote at the Bayport Fire Department, 1012 5th Ave. N.; Washington County handles voter registration, absentee voting and result tabulation. City of Bayport
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