Cold SpringNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Cold Spring 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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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day (Nov 3): 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 a mayor and two council members on Nov 3, 2026. Ryan Hennen is the only candidate for mayor; three candidates seek the two council seats. Council members Doug Schmitz and Fran Ramler serve through December 2028.

Election Day · Nov 3

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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.

What the next council decides

01City Hall and police remodel3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a $4.8 million City Hall and Police Department remodel budget in February 2026 and planned lease revenue bonds to pay for it.

What's on the tableHow the remodel's costs, change orders and bond payments are handled as the project is built.

02Fire service contracts with townships2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city negotiated 2027-2031 fire protection contracts with Wakefield, Collegeville and Luxemburg townships; Wakefield Township later rejected several items.

What's on the tableWhether and on what terms to settle the fire protection contract with Wakefield Township.

03City administrator and public works staffing3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council is hiring a new city administrator and has set pay for separate Streets & Parks and Water & Wastewater supervisor positions.

What's on the tableWho becomes the next city administrator and how public works is staffed and paid.

04Backyard chickens2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council voted 3-2 against an ordinance that would have allowed backyard hens, so city code still bans poultry in city limits.

What's on the tableWhether to revisit rules for keeping hens in town.

053rd Avenue SE reconstruction2 sourced facts

Where it standsCold Spring and Wakefield Township agreed to rebuild 3rd Avenue SE together, with the township holding the construction contract.

What's on the tableHow the city shares costs with neighboring townships on shared road projects.

1 note on these statements

Mayor Dave Heinen is not on the candidate list; Ryan Hennen 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. 1. Should Cold Spring carry out the $4.8 million City Hall and Police Department remodel?

  2. 2. Should Cold Spring allow residents to keep backyard hens?

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 voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Fran Ramler, Doug Schmitz3 on this ballot

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

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