HinckleyNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hinckley Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 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 · 12 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 citywide elect the mayor and two council members; Tim Burkhardt and Jace Scharpnick stay on the council.

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

01Budget and property tax levy3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a 2027 preliminary budget of $7,031,125 and a levy of $1,343,446.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 budget and levy, set in December.

02Fire service3 sourced facts

Where it standsHinckley, Sandstone and Pine City have been meeting with the State Fire Marshal's Office about their fire departments; no decisions have been made.

What's on the tableWhether and how Hinckley works with neighboring cities on fire protection, and how to pay for fire equipment.

03Housing3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city hired Maxfield Research to update its housing study, last completed in 2018, and is working with Commonwealth on a proposed 44-unit development.

What's on the tableHow the city responds to the new housing study and the Commonwealth development.

04Sheriff's contract3 sourced facts

Where it standsHinckley contracts with the Pine County Sheriff for policing, and the 2027-2028 contract is being negotiated.

What's on the tableWhether to approve the next sheriff's contract and its terms.

05Firehouse Liquor and utility funds3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city-owned Firehouse Liquor is getting a new parking lot, and a financial review recommends yearly water and sewer rate increases.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on the liquor store and how to set water and sewer rates.

3 notes on these statements

Donald Zeman and Matthew Vogel are running for Mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State

John A. Frank and Judy Hopkins are the only candidates for the two City Council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State

Donald Zeman defeated Matthew Vogel for Mayor in 2024, 336 votes to 262. Minnesota Secretary of State · Nov 5, 2024

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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 Hinckley keep its tax rate steady, letting the levy rise with property values?

  2. 2. Should Hinckley keep exploring options for fire service with Sandstone and Pine City?

  3. 3. Should the city pay for an updated housing study to attract developers?

  4. 4. Should the city support Commonwealth's proposed 44-unit housing development?

  5. 5. Should the city-owned liquor store fund major upgrades like a new parking lot?

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 voted13 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): Tim Burkhardt, Jace Scharpnick3 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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