Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Mountain Lake Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 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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How to vote · 12 days left
Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese 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.
Mayor
UnopposedVoters choose two of the four council members from four candidates; Mayor Mike Nelson is the only candidate for mayor. Two council members stay on.
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.
- Governor
- Amy Klobuchar · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Lisa Demuth · Republican
- Steven Young · Green
- U.S. Senate
- Peggy Flanagan · Democratic-Farmer-Labor
- Michele Tafoya · Republican
- Marisa Simonetti · Independent
- Rebecca Whiting · Libertarian
- Also statewideSecretary of State · State Auditor · Attorney General · Associate Justice - Supreme Court · Judge - Court of Appeals
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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.
What the next council decides
01Paying for the new fire and ambulance hall4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe estimated purchase price of the new Fire and Ambulance Hall has risen to about $2.7 million, and the city has bonded for $2.1 million.
What's on the tableHow to finance the remaining cost, including whether to issue more bonds, and whether to pay the developer more under the facility agreement.
- The estimated purchase price of the completed Fire and Ambulance Hall increased to approximately $2.7 million; the city has already bonded for $2.1 million. City of Mountain Lake · Sep 28, 2026
- The developer asked the city for additional funds; the council said it will require a complete itemized breakdown of the added costs before considering a price adjustment or closing. City of Mountain Lake · Oct 5, 2026
- Issuing additional bonds would require a public hearing, followed by a 30-day period in which voters could petition for an election on the bonds. City of Mountain Lake · Oct 19, 2026
- The city administrator said General Fund reserves are approaching the city's minimum reserve target of 50% of annual operating expenditures. City of Mountain Lake · Oct 19, 2026
02Property taxes and the 2027 budget3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the 2027 preliminary levy at a 9% increase; the final levy can be lower but not higher.
What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, adopted in December.
- The 2027 preliminary levy was set at an increase of $100,211.66, or 9%, over the previous year (passed 5-0). City of Mountain Lake · Sep 28, 2026
- The city administrator said most of the proposed levy increase is associated with the purchase of the new Fire and Ambulance Hall, and health insurance premiums rose 10.5%. City of Mountain Lake · Sep 28, 2026
- For 2026, the council split the fire hall levy increase across 2026 and 2027, setting the final 2026 levy at $1,113,660.12. City of Mountain Lake · Dec 1, 2025
03Data center3 sourced facts
Where it standsA conditional use permit for a data center of up to 12,000 square feet at 2203 3rd Avenue was approved in November 2025.
What's on the tableWhether to take any further action on the permit, which the council was told it can revoke only for substantial evidence of a violation of its conditions.
- The council voted 5-0 in November 2025 to approve a conditional use permit for a data center in the industrial district. City of Mountain Lake · Nov 17, 2025
- At a July 2026 meeting, residents raised concerns about electric rates, the electrical system, backup generation, noise, and water and sewer service; no action was taken. City of Mountain Lake · Jul 20, 2026
- The council was advised that the project is exempt from environmental review and that the permit cannot be revoked without substantial evidence of a violation of its conditions. City of Mountain Lake · Aug 10, 2026
04Housing and water lines3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has grants to expand the Lakeview Estates subdivision and to replace lead and galvanized water service lines.
What's on the tableHow large to build Lakeview Estates Phase II, and when to take on other street projects.
- The city was awarded $2 million to design and build streets, water and sewer infrastructure to expand housing at Lakeview Estates. City of Mountain Lake · Sep 21, 2026
- Lakeview Estates Phase II was estimated at about $2.58 million for 14 single-family lots, or about $2 million for 8 lots. City of Mountain Lake · Oct 5, 2026
- The council agreed to wait for the next funding round before applying for a grant for the Fourth and Fifteenth Street project, estimated at $3.6–3.7 million. City of Mountain Lake · Oct 5, 2026
3 notes on these statements
The official candidate list shows Mike Nelson for Mayor, and Bryan Bargen, Emily Mathiowetz, Brittany Winters and Andrew Ysker for Council Member (Elect 2). Minnesota Secretary of State
Bryan Bargen and Andrew Ysker are incumbents; Emily Mathiowetz and Brittany Winters are newcomers. Cottonwood County Citizen · Jul 29, 2026
Mountain Lake's polling place is the Mountain Lake Community Center, 1027 Second Avenue. City of Mountain Lake
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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. Should Mountain Lake allow the data center approved for 2203 3rd Avenue?
2. Should the city keep the developer's parking lot design for the new fire and ambulance hall?
3. Should Mountain Lake allow tiny houses?
4. Should the city charge a lodging tax on hotel stays to support tourism promotion?
Key dates
- Early voting by absentee ballot, by mail or in person beginsMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline for the General ElectionMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
- Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Jeff Jack, Darla Kruser3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The City Council is composed of a mayor and four council members; council members serve four-year terms and the mayor a two-year term. City of Mountain Lake
- The council meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of every month at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall. City of Mountain Lake
- The mayor is listed among the members present and votes on council motions. City of Mountain Lake · Sep 8, 2026
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