Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Redwood Falls Mayor & 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
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How to vote · 11 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
1 seatCity Council At Large
1 seat- Denise CastleDenise Castle filed on July 24, 2026, as a nonpartisan candidate for an at-large Redwood Falls council seat.2sourced
- Jim SandgrenIncumbentJim Sandgren has been an at-large Redwood Falls City Council member since his election in 2006. He works for Redwood County as its Emergency Management Director.8sourced
All voters citywide choose the mayor and one at-large council member; Ward 3 voters also choose their ward council member.
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
01Budget and property tax levy3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council adopted a preliminary 2027 budget with a 7.9% property tax levy increase; the final levy and budget are set for December 15, 2026.
What's on the tableHow much the city levies in property taxes and what it funds in future budgets.
- The preliminary 2027 budget includes a tax levy increase of 7.9%, and the city's tax capacity has increased by 7%, for an estimated 0.71% increase in the city's overall tax rate. City of Redwood Falls · Sep 15, 2026
- The preliminary levy can be lowered when setting the final levy, but it cannot be increased. City of Redwood Falls · Sep 15, 2026
- The 2026 levy of $4,039,352 was 7.1% higher than the previous year; property taxes fund 10% of the total 2026 city budget. City of Redwood Falls · Dec 16, 2025
02Housing development and zoning4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the council adopted Ordinance 105, allowing more housing types in several residential zoning districts; the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership's Reflection Cove rental project has struggled to find funding.
What's on the tableWhether to support new housing projects with city infrastructure, grants and zoning changes.
- Ordinance 105 allows single family dwellings and duplexes in the R-4, R-M and R-B districts and attached dwellings of two to four units in the R-2, R-4, R-M and R-B districts. City of Redwood Falls · Jul 7, 2026
- The Reflection Cove Housing Development is proposed to consist of 12 rental housing units (5 twin homes and 2 single homes); its state funding request was not approved. City of Redwood Falls · Jun 3, 2025
- The council awarded the 2025 Reflection Cove Housing Addition infrastructure contract to Schmidt Construction for $992,493.50. City of Redwood Falls · Jun 3, 2025
- City staff reported that obtaining adequate funding has been the biggest challenge for the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership's multi-family rental project. City of Redwood Falls · Mar 18, 2025
03Library addition and renovation3 sourced facts
Where it standsConstruction of the library addition is under way, with contractors working to enclose the addition and pave the parking lot by the end of November 2026.
What's on the tableChange orders and final costs for the project, and the library's operating budget once the addition opens.
- The total estimated library project cost is $4,902,030; the Redwood Area Library Foundation committed to reimburse the city an anticipated $3,543,441. City of Redwood Falls · Oct 21, 2025
- The $345,000 replacement of the library's existing HVAC system is part of the library's 2026 budget and is the only monetary contribution not covered by grants and private donations. City of Redwood Falls · Oct 21, 2025
- Contractors are working to get the addition completely enclosed and complete the parking lot paving by the end of November. City of Redwood Falls · Sep 1, 2026
04Lead water service lines2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn March 2026 the council authorized a state funding application to replace about 40 lead service lines, part of a multi-year phased approach.
What's on the tableHow fast to replace the remaining lead and galvanized service lines and how to pay for them.
- The city's inventory has 167 services listed as lead or galvanized, with an estimated replacement cost of $5,010,000. City of Redwood Falls · Mar 17, 2026
- The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority reduced the city's replacement project to a multi-year phased approach because requests exceeded its budget. City of Redwood Falls · Mar 17, 2026
05Shipping container rules2 sourced facts
Where it standsIn May 2026 the council adopted Ordinance 104 regulating portable storage and shipping containers, after tabling it once for more information.
What's on the tableHow the new container rules are enforced and whether to change them.
- Ordinance 104 is meant to ensure portable storage and shipping containers are used for short-term, temporary storage and are not used as accessory buildings in residential and central business district zones. City of Redwood Falls · May 19, 2026
- On May 5, 2026, the council tabled the ordinance until city staff could investigate the current inventory of storage containers in the city. City of Redwood Falls · May 5, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Larry Arentson is the only candidate for the Ward 3 council seat. Minnesota Secretary of State
Every resident of Redwood Falls votes at the Redwood Area Community Center, 901 Cook Street. City of Redwood Falls
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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 Redwood Falls' 2027 property tax levy rise by about 7.9%, as in the preliminary levy?
2. Should duplexes and attached homes be allowed in more of the city's residential zones?
3. Should the city build the library addition, paid mostly by donations and a state grant?
4. Should the city bar shipping containers from use as accessory buildings in residential and central business district zones?
Key dates
- Early voting begins (absentee by mail or in person)Minnesota Secretary of StateSep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline (same-day registration available)Minnesota Secretary of StateOct 13, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of Redwood FallsNov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Shannon Guetter, Denise Kerkhoff, Matt Smith2 on this ballot
5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Redwood Falls is a home-rule charter city governed by a mayor and five council members, all elected to staggered four-year terms. City of Redwood Falls
- Three council members are elected from each of three wards, and two council members are elected at-large. City of Redwood Falls
- The mayor presides at council meetings and does not have the right to vote, but may veto any council action; the council can override a veto by an 80 per cent vote of its full membership. City of Redwood Falls
- The mayor appoints the City Administrator, all department heads and all commission members, with council approval. City of Redwood Falls
- The City Council holds regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:00 p.m. City of Redwood Falls
- City elections are held in even-numbered years, and there is no primary for city offices. City of Redwood Falls
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