RockfordNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Rockford City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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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.

Voters citywide choose two council members for four-year terms; the mayor is not on the 2026 ballot.

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.

What the next council decides

01Growth and the tax base2 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates in 2024 and 2026 have spoken about how Rockford should attract business and new homes.

What's on the tableWhich development projects and annexation requests the council approves.

02Streets, sidewalks and water meters3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city's 2026 Street Improvement Project mills and overlays streets and repairs some curbs, sidewalks and storm sewers.

What's on the tableWhich streets and sidewalks get repaired or built next, and how the work is paid for.

  • The 2026 Street Improvement Project includes milling and overlaying asphalt, repairing select curbs and sidewalks, and upgrading storm sewer structures. City of Rockford
  • The project focuses on preserving existing streets before more extensive and costly reconstruction is needed. City of Rockford
  • A citywide water meter replacement project began in fall 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2029. City of Rockford
03Wastewater treatment upgrades2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is upgrading its Wastewater Treatment Facility in two phases, with Phase 1 in 2026.

What's on the tableHow and when the second phase of upgrades goes ahead.

  • Many core components of Rockford's Wastewater Treatment Facility have exceeded their intended service life. City of Rockford
  • The improvements are being completed in two phases so the city can address the most critical needs first. City of Rockford
3 notes on these statements

Three candidates are running for two four-year council seats: Tom Bermel, Wyatt Gutzke and Nick Morter. Crow River News · Sep 24, 2026

Wyatt Gutzke could not be reached for the Crow River News 2026 voter guide, and Tom Bermel did not answer its questions by the deadline. Crow River News · Sep 24, 2026

In 2022, Wyatt Gutzke and Michael Werman won the two council seats; Nick Morter received 690 votes. Crow River News · Nov 17, 2022

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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. What kind of new development should Rockford focus on?

  2. 2. Should the city work to make downtown Rockford a destination for visitors?

  3. 3. Should the city plan new sidewalks and walking trails across town?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Heather Michalik, Melissa Vogel, Michael Werman2 on this ballot

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

  • The council is the mayor and four council members, each with one equal vote. City of Rockford
  • The mayor and council members serve four-year terms. City of Rockford
  • Regular council meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at City Hall. City of Rockford
  • All Rockford residents, in both Hennepin and Wright counties, vote at the Rockford Community Center, 7600 County Road 50. City of Rockford

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