OliviaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Olivia 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

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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 a mayor and two council members on Nov 3, 2026. Katianne Briese and Jill Hanson are running for mayor; Matt Baumgartner and Blanca Ferguson are the only candidates for the two council seats. Council members George Ebbers and Todd W. Howard serve through 2028.

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

012027 property tax levy and budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a preliminary 2027 levy and set the Truth in Taxation hearing for December 7, 2026.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, which cannot exceed the preliminary amount.

02Zoning rules for new housing4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn 2026 the council cut minimum lot sizes, rezoned some R-1 property to R-2 and eased R-2 setback and lot coverage rules.

What's on the tableWhether to keep loosening zoning rules and how to handle housing proposals such as the former hospital site.

  • Ordinance 2026-04 reduced the minimum single-family lot size in R1 from 12,000 to 8,000 square feet, and in R2 from 8,000 to 4,000 square feet. City of Olivia · Jan 5, 2026
  • Ordinance 2026-08 rezoned certain property from R-1 Low Density Residential to R-2 High Density Residential. City of Olivia · May 18, 2026
  • Ordinance 2026-09 removed the R-2 maximum lot coverage requirement and reduced front and rear yard setbacks for single-family and two-family homes. City of Olivia · Jun 15, 2026
  • The EDA was to hold a public hearing on the proposed sale of the north lots at the former hospital site to a developer interested in constructing housing, including duplexes. City of Olivia · Oct 5, 2026
03Utility rates and power supply4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn October 2026 the council held a first reading of Ordinance 2026-15, which would raise 2027 utility rates.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt the proposed 2027 utility rate increases.

04Community Center (Armory) costs3 sourced facts

Where it standsA University of Minnesota Extension study presented in September 2026 estimated the Community Center runs an annual operating gap of about $33,000.

What's on the tableHow to run and pay for the Community Center, including whether to try new passes and hours.

05Police leadership and license plate cameras3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe police chief is stepping down to a patrol officer position on January 1, 2027, and the city hired SCSC to run the search for a new chief.

What's on the tableWho becomes the next police chief, and what stance the city takes on license plate cameras.

1 note on these statements

Matt Baumgartner and Blanca Ferguson are the only candidates for the two council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State

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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 Olivia raise its 2027 property tax levy as proposed?

  2. 2. Should Olivia keep easing zoning rules to allow more homes?

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 voted6 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 Ebbers, Todd W. Howard3 on this ballot

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

  • The mayor serves a two-year term; council members serve four-year terms. City of Olivia
  • The 2026 ballot has the mayor's seat and two City Council Member positions. City of Olivia
  • The mayor votes on council motions; roll call votes list the mayor with the council members. City of Olivia · Oct 5, 2026
  • On Election Day, Olivia's polling place is the Olivia Public Library, 405 South 10th Street, open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. City of Olivia

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