EmpireNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Empire 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

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

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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 the mayor for a two-year term and choose two at-large council members for four-year terms.

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

01Mayor and council pay3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 a motion to raise mayor and council pay to $300 a month in 2027 and $350 a month in 2028 failed 2-2-1.

What's on the tableWhether to take up mayor and council pay again.

02Mayor's term length3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 3-2 in September 2026 to make the mayor's term four years starting with the 2028 election.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the four-year mayoral term before it takes effect.

032027 budget and property tax levy3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a proposed levy collectable in 2027 in September 2026; a public comment meeting on the 2027 budget is set for Dec. 8.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 budget and levy.

04New north-end water tower4 sourced facts

Where it standsDesign of the new water tower could be completed this winter, with bidding in late spring 2027.

What's on the tableWhether and when to bid the tower and issue the bonds to build it.

05Growth and development4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the Northwest Empire AUAR in January 2026 and is updating its comprehensive plan to reflect the AUAR's Sports Center Concept.

What's on the tableWhere and how fast Empire grows, including development proposals near the Farmington border.

3 notes on these statements

Melanie Lee is the only candidate on the ballot for Mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State · Nov 3, 2026

Eric Hanson and Marla Vagts did not submit answers to the Pioneer Press candidate questionnaire. Pioneer Press · Oct 5, 2026

Josh Gunderson, Eric Hanson and Marla Vagts had not responded to the VOTE411 questionnaire. League of Women Voters VOTE411

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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 Empire raise mayor and council pay?

  2. 2. Should the mayor's term be four years instead of two, starting in 2028?

  3. 3. How much should Empire's property tax levy rise for 2027?

  4. 4. Should the city support Summergate's concept plan for the Siewert property near Highway 66?

  5. 5. Should Empire remove the emergency access gate on 194th Street West at the Farmington border?

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 voted10 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): Mark Page, Danny Rubio3 on this ballot

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

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

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