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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ely Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 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
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 for a two-year term and three council members for four-year terms; the top three council vote-getters win.

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.

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

What the next council decides

012027 budget and tax levy3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a preliminary 2027 levy increase of 4.9%, with maximum levy revenue of $2,549,000.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, which can come in at or below the preliminary maximum, and which requests the city funds.

02Comprehensive plan update2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted down seeking bids from outside firms in April 2026 and in September set a $5,000 budget for consultant help with public outreach.

What's on the tableHow the comprehensive plan is rewritten, who writes it and how much the city spends.

03Utilities and the Burntside water line2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city raised water, sewer and electric rates in April 2026 and is preparing to bid the Burntside water intake and pumphouse replacement.

What's on the tableFuture utility rates and the contracts and borrowing for the Burntside water line project.

04Housing and zoning2 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates have proposed zoning changes to allow more and smaller homes, and the council voted down a storage container rule in September 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to change city code on lot sizes, setbacks, house sizes and other land uses.

05Wildfire economic recovery2 sourced facts

Where it standsLocal businesses lost part of their busiest season in summer 2026, and the city has backed an economic impact survey of businesses.

What's on the tableHow the city supports affected businesses and the local economy.

  • Mayor Heidi Omerza said she has worked with state and federal officials and with business owners who lost part of their busiest season. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
  • The council approved sharing the Ely Community Response Economic Impact Survey on the city's Facebook page. City of Ely · Aug 18, 2026
2 notes on these statements

Josh Brang did not attend the September 2026 council candidate forum. The Ely Echo · Sep 19, 2026

Emily Roose's current council term runs through December 31, 2028. City of Ely

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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 Ely handle its property tax levy?

  2. 2. Should the city budget pay for small requests from its advisory commissions, such as the $1,700 Tour of Ely brochure?

  3. 3. Who should rewrite Ely's comprehensive plan?

  4. 4. Should Ely keep raising utility rates step by step to pay for its water, sewer and electric systems?

  5. 5. Should city code allow smaller houses on smaller lots?

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 voted5 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): Jerome Debeltz, John Lahtonen4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The Ely City Council is made up of a mayor and six council members. City of Ely
  • The mayor is elected to a two-year term and council members to four-year terms. City of Ely
  • The mayor has no more voting power than a city councilor and presides over council meetings. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026

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