IndependenceNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Independence City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 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 choose two at-large council members from five candidates; the mayor is not on this ballot.

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

01Rising budget and tax levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsA preliminary 2027 draft budget showed a 14.37% increase in the total city operating levy, driven mainly by public safety and debt service.

What's on the tableFuture budgets and tax levies, including how to pay for rising police and fire costs.

02West Suburban Fire District3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a 5-year agreement making the West Suburban Fire District the city's sole fire department, with an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2026.

What's on the tableHow much the city pays for fire service and whether to stay in the agreement, which has a 2-year out clause.

03Hilltop Farm development and water3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe developer of the proposed Airport/Hilltop Farm development proposed about 240 homes served by municipal sewer and individual private wells.

What's on the tableWhether to approve the development and who pays for water mains, fire protection and future water service.

04Growth, zoning and data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2027 draft budget includes $20,000 to begin the city's Comprehensive Plan update, due in 2028.

What's on the tableHow the next Comprehensive Plan handles zoning, density and land uses such as data centers.

4 notes on these statements

Brad Fisher was appointed in February 2025 to serve out the remainder of Brad Spencer's council term ending December 31, 2026. Independence City Council minutes, Feb 4, 2025 · Feb 4, 2025

In the Press & News voter guide, Jon-Paul Story wrote that Lynn Betts announced she would not seek reelection. Press & News · Sep 24, 2026

The Press & News reported that Brad Fisher and Hal Tearse could not be reached for its voter guide. Press & News · Sep 24, 2026

Video statements by all five candidates, made available by the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission, are linked on the city's elections page. City of Independence

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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. What should the city do about its share of property taxes?

  2. 2. How should Independence handle new housing growth?

  3. 3. Should Independence allow data centers?

  4. 4. Should Independence stay in the West Suburban Fire District?

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 voted4 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Steve Grotting, Ray McCoy, Brad Spencer2 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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