PerhamNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Perham Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 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 · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
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.

All voters in the city choose the mayor, who is unopposed, and two council members from three candidates; the two with the most votes win.

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

01Ambulance service and the emergency services building4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a March 2026 amendment to the EMS Joint Powers Agreement 3-2, and heard a space needs analysis for the Emergency Services Building in September 2026.

What's on the tableHow Perham shares control of the area ambulance service, and what it builds for emergency services.

02Property taxes and the 2027 budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a preliminary 2027 levy increase of 4.78%, which sets the maximum for the final levy.

What's on the tableHow much of the preliminary increase to keep when the final 2027 levy is adopted in December.

03Street, sewer and water projects3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council is weighing 2027 street and utility projects in the northeast part of town that could cost upwards of $4.06 million.

What's on the tableWhether to go ahead with the 2027 projects and how to fund them, including assessments.

04Parks and the Arvig Park trailhead3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has applied for a state outdoor recreation grant and leased land for a trailhead facility at Arvig Park.

What's on the tableWhich park needs to fund first, and how much tax money versus grants and donations to use.

05Food trucks2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council adopted Ordinance 442, which permits and restricts mobile food units, on a 4-1 vote.

What's on the tableWhether to change where food trucks may operate on public property.

06Growth, jobs and new land1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe east side industrial park addition is sold out after the council approved the sale of the last lot in October 2026.

What's on the tableWhere Perham grows next, and how it pays for streets and utilities to new areas.

3 notes on these statements

Tim Meehl is the only candidate on the ballot for Mayor. Otter Tail County · Nov 3, 2026

Brad Schmidt, Fred Lehmkuhl and Taylor Altstadt are the three candidates for two council seats. Otter Tail County · Nov 3, 2026

Absentee and early voting is done at the Otter Tail County Government Services Center, 510 W Fir Ave, Fergus Falls. Otter Tail County

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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 Perham have approved the March 2026 amendment to the EMS Joint Powers Agreement?

  2. 2. How should Perham pay to update its parks?

  3. 3. Should Perham limit where food trucks can operate on public property?

  4. 4. Should Perham expand into surrounding rural areas to make room for growth?

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 voted3 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 Fresonke, Brien Meyer3 on this ballot

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

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