IsantiNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Isanti Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 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 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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General election (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 choose a mayor and two council members, all elected at large. Two council members are not up this year.

General election · 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

01Property tax levy and reserves4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a 3.95% preliminary levy increase for 2027; the final levy is set in December.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, and how much of the city's fund balance to use.

02Data centers3 sourced facts

Where it standsOrdinance 847, an interim moratorium on data center development, was approved in September 2026 while the city studies the issue.

What's on the tableWhat permanent zoning rules, if any, to adopt for data centers before the moratorium ends.

03Wastewater plant capacity3 sourced facts

Where it standsEngineers project the wastewater plant will reach 85% of capacity in 2 to 3 years, and the council is moving through facility planning in phases.

What's on the tableHow and when to expand wastewater treatment capacity, and how to pay for it.

04Paying for parks2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has a park sponsorship program, Play Isanti, and has used park dedication fees for new amenities.

What's on the tableHow much park upkeep and new amenities should rely on donations and sponsorships versus city funds.

3 notes on these statements

Four candidates ran for mayor in the August 11 primary. Luke Merrill and Christopher Brooks advanced; Jeff Johnson and Joshua Lehn did not. County News Review · Aug 11, 2026

Erika Zdon was appointed to a vacant council seat in March 2026 after a 2-2 council ballot; Mayor Luke Merrill cast the tie-breaking vote. Isanti City Council minutes, March 17, 2026 · Mar 17, 2026

Council members Nick Pedersen and George Hemen are listed as endorsers on Luke Merrill's campaign website. Merrill for Mayor

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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 large a property tax levy increase should Isanti set for 2027?

  2. 2. Should the city draw down its fund balance to hold the levy down?

  3. 3. How should Isanti handle proposed data centers?

  4. 4. How should the city plan for wastewater plant capacity?

  5. 5. How should Isanti pay for park upkeep and new amenities?

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 voted8 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): George Hemen, Steve Lundeen3 on this ballot

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

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