St. JamesNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

St. James Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 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 · 12 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 citywide elect the mayor and one at-large council member; Ward 1 and Ward 2 voters each elect one council member.

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

01Cannabis and hemp businesses4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council rezoned a site where a cannabis grower plans to operate, registered the city liquor store to sell hemp edibles, and is reviewing a hemp edibles ordinance.

What's on the tableHow the city regulates cannabis and hemp businesses and sales, including at its own liquor store.

02Immigration enforcement and city policy5 sourced facts

Where it standsA work group of council members, Watonwan County Cares and residents has met, and the council adopted a police policy on working with outside agencies.

What's on the tableWhether the city issues a public statement on its role or adds immigration resources to its website.

032027 budget and property tax levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the preliminary 2027 tax levy, 4-0.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, after a Truth-in-Taxation hearing on December 1, 2026.

04Inclusive park3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved fundraising and let the Inclusive Park project move forward, without approving a final design or committing city funds.

What's on the tableWhether to accept land, approve agreements and spending, and authorize construction.

05Zoning and land use3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has weighed several rezonings and permits in 2026, including one it voted down against the Planning Commission's advice.

What's on the tableHow the city handles industrial uses, salvage yards and conversions of business property near homes.

1 note on these statements

Mary Shupe was appointed to the council in March 2026 to fill a vacancy, after receiving the highest score in council members' rankings of the applicants. City of St. James · Mar 17, 2026

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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 the city-owned liquor store sell lower-potency hemp edibles?

  2. 2. Should St. James allow a cannabis cultivation and manufacturing business at 806 1st Avenue South?

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 voted10 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): Sue Craig, Steve Lindee3 on this ballot

5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The council has a mayor and five members: two from Ward 1, two from Ward 2 and one at large. City of St. James
  • The 2026 ballot elects the mayor for two years and the Ward 1, Ward 2 and at-large council members for four years. City of St. James
  • In January 2026 the mayor cast a tie-breaking vote after the four council members present split 2-2. City of St. James · Jan 6, 2026
  • Council meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. City of St. James

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