SpringfieldNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Springfield City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 2 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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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 choose two council members from three candidates, all citywide. The mayor and two council members stay on.

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

01Property taxes and the 2027 budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the proposed levy collectible in 2027 at a 7.55% increase over the prior year.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget in December, which can be lower but not higher than 7.55%.

022027 Central Street project4 sourced facts

Where it standsBrown County plans to rebuild Central Street (CSAH 3) in 2027, and the city ordered an engineering report on its share of the work.

What's on the tableWhether to go ahead with the city's street and utility work after a hearing, and the assessments on nearby property.

03Hazardous buildings3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has ordered repair or removal of several buildings that a state-licensed inspector found hazardous.

What's on the tableHow hard to push owners to repair or tear down hazardous buildings, and when to delay enforcement.

04Housing and commercial grant program3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is preparing a grant pre-application through the state agency DEED for residential and commercial projects, based on interest surveys.

What's on the tableWhether to keep committing city money to grant programs for residential and commercial projects.

05Future of the Medical Center3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has asked Region 9 Development Commission to evaluate potential future uses of the Springfield Medical Center.

What's on the tableWhat to do with the Medical Center building and how much to spend on its upkeep.

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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. How firmly should the city act on hazardous buildings?

  2. 2. Should the city put its own money toward state grants for home and commercial projects?

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 voted12 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Josh Anderson, Lowell Helget, Nick Klisch2 on this ballot

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

  • The council is made up of the mayor and four council members. City of Springfield
  • Regular council meetings, where official business and voting occur, are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm at the Springfield Area Community Center. City of Springfield
  • A workshop meeting is held on the 1st Wednesday of each month, and no formal action or voting takes place at it. City of Springfield
  • Council votes at the Aug. 12, 2026 meeting were recorded as Yes 5, with the mayor and four council members present. City of Springfield · Aug 12, 2026

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