Buffalo, MNVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Buffalo Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · Unopposed

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose the mayor, who is unopposed, and two of the council's four members from three candidates.

1 note on these statements

Brad Dahl and Erin Walsh are running for re-election to the City Council; Jenny Stuhr is running for a first term. KRWC · Sep 29, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Sheila CrawfordCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 20283sourcedGeorge FantauzzaCouncilmember; term ends December 31, 20284sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decides2027 property tax levy, Street reconstruction and debt, Police facility and equipmentKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

City candidate forum, 6 PM at the Buffalo City Center

Tue, Oct 6, 2026

TomorrowAll key dates

What the next council decides

2027 property tax levy

Where it standsThe council certified a preliminary 2027 levy increase of up to 7.5% on Sep 8, 2026; the final levy is set in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy, which can be lowered from the preliminary figure but not raised.

Street reconstruction and debt

Where it standsThe Northeast Area Phase 1 street project is under contract, financed in part by bonds the council sold in May 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to levy each year for pavement management and debt payments on the street projects.

Police facility and equipment

Where it standsThe council approved a body camera system in July 2026, and a potential police station was cited in September as an upcoming capital need.

What's on the tableWhether and how to fund an expanded police facility, and how to cover recurring costs such as body cameras.

Buffalo Fiber

Where it standsThe city-owned fiber network has passed 1,000 customers and the council is expanding it and contracting for network operations.

What's on the tableWhether to keep expanding the network and how to fund its operations and equipment.

Downtown redevelopment

Where it standsThe council created a tax increment financing district for one downtown project in June 2026, and the former Wright County Government Center site awaits redevelopment.

What's on the tableWhether to use tax increment financing for further downtown projects and how to approve the government center site redevelopment.

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 Buffalo pay to rebuild its streets?

  2. 2. What should Buffalo do about its police facility?

  3. 3. Should Buffalo keep expanding its city-owned fiber network?

  4. 4. Should Buffalo use tax increment financing for downtown projects?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Sheila Crawford, George Fantauzza3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • Buffalo's elected council is a Mayor and four City Council members. The Mayor serves a two-year term and council members serve four-year terms. City of Buffalo
  • Council members are elected every four years, two each every two years. City of Buffalo
  • The council meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the City Center. City of Buffalo

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