Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Tracy Mayor & City Council Election 2026
4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 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 seat- Burke GardnerMember of the Tracy Planning Commission and the Wheels Across the Prairie board. In his own words, he has worked in theatre and designed homes, and planned to begin a full-time job teaching English at the high school this school year.4sourced
- Ronald StephensAir Force veteran and former Tracy police officer who later joined the Lyon County Sheriff's Department. In his own words, he spent more than 17 years as a team leader for the Brown, Lyon and Redwood County Drug Task Force emergency response unit and SWAT team.3sourced
City Council
Vote for up to 3- Jan ArvizuIncumbentTracy City Council member who was part of the Community Center Workforce Group. She also runs the S.A.I.L. class and was named one of Lyon County's 2026 Outstanding Senior Citizens.8sourced
- Russel BoiceMember of the Tracy Planning Commission, appointed by the City Council in March 2026.3sourced
- Gordon CrossleyCandidate for Tracy City Council.1sourced
- Nikki HinrichsCandidate for Tracy City Council.1sourced
- Jeri SchonsIncumbentTracy City Council member whose current term runs 2023–2026.10sourced
Voters choose the mayor from two candidates and three of the six council members from five candidates; all run citywide. Three council members stay on.
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
01Property taxes and the 2027 budget4 sourced facts
Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a preliminary 2027 levy increase of 8%, which it can lower but not raise before December.
What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, which the council certifies in December.
- The council adopted the 2026 tax levy at a 5% increase in December 2025 (passed 6-1). City of Tracy · Dec 8, 2025
- The council set the preliminary 2027 levy at 8% (passed 5-2); it can lower the levy before certification in December but cannot raise it. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Oct 1, 2026
- Each 1% levy increase brings in about $16,000 for the budget. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Sep 17, 2026
- City projections showed a 6% increase would let the city catch up financially in about three years. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Sep 24, 2026
02Phase E street and utility project3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council awarded the Phase E construction bid to R&G Construction in June 2026 and capped per-parcel assessments at $7,900.
What's on the tableHow the project is paid for over time, and what property owners pay on future street projects.
- The total estimated cost of Phase E is $9,810,000, with $1,090,200 in preliminary assessments. City of Tracy · Jun 1, 2026
- Each parcel's assessment is capped at $7,900, up from $7,500, after a May 2026 council vote. City of Tracy · Jun 1, 2026
- The council chose a 20-year loan at 1.97% interest to go with a Public Facilities Authority grant, which the city administrator said saves $757,443 over 20 years. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Oct 1, 2026
03Cannabis retail3 sourced facts
Where it standsCannabis retail registration and zoning remain delegated to Lyon County, which has already issued its maximum number of licenses.
What's on the tableWhether to take cannabis retail regulation back from the county, which would require the city to issue a license to a qualified applicant.
- In January 2026 the council voted 5-2 to consider amending its cannabis ordinance after a group asked about opening a dispensary in Tracy. City of Tracy · Jan 12, 2026
- The city attorney said that if the city rescinded its delegation to the county, state law would require it to issue one license per 12,500 residents. City of Tracy · Jan 26, 2026
- No motion was made to rescind Resolution 2024-98, so the delegation to Lyon County stayed in place. City of Tracy · Jan 26, 2026
04Water and sewer systems and rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is replacing its water and wastewater control (SCADA) system and has approved yearly utility rate increases.
What's on the tableUtility rates and loans for big-ticket equipment such as a rescue pumper, a jet vac truck and a new pool filter system.
- The council accepted a $497,340 low base bid for SCADA improvements in December 2025 (passed 4-3). City of Tracy · Dec 8, 2025
- Including programming and engineering, the SCADA project was estimated at about $679,300. City of Tracy · Dec 8, 2025
- The council has approved a 3% increase in utility rates for 2027 and the four years after. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Sep 24, 2026
05Council size and term limits3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe Tracy Charter Commission is discussing whether to shrink the council from seven members to five and whether to change term limits.
What's on the tableWhether to put council size or term limits before voters, which could happen in 2028 at the earliest unless a special election is called.
- In 2018, voters approved returning the council to seven members, including the mayor. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Oct 1, 2026
- Under the current charter, a council member can serve no more than 14 consecutive years before taking at least a one-year break. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Oct 1, 2026
- The quickest either item could be put on the ballot is 2028, unless a special election is called. Tracy Area Headlight Herald · Oct 1, 2026
2 notes on these statements
The official candidate list shows Burke Gardner and Ronald Stephens for Mayor, and Jan Arvizu, Russel Boice, Gordon Crossley, Nikki Hinrichs and Jeri Schons for Council Member (Elect 3). Minnesota Secretary of State
The terms of Mayor Pam Cooreman and Council Members Jan Arvizu, Jeri Schons and Dave Tiegs run 2023–2026; Seth Schmidt, George Landuyt and Brian Hinrichs serve terms that run 2025–2028. City of Tracy
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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. How much should Tracy raise its property tax levy for 2027?
2. Should the cap on what each property pays for street projects rise with construction costs?
3. Should Tracy move toward allowing a cannabis shop in town?
4. Should the city pay more than estimated to replace its water and sewer control system all at once?
5. How many members should the Tracy City Council have?
Key dates
- Early voting by absentee ballot, by mail or in person beginsMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Sep 18, 2026
- Pre-registration deadline for the General ElectionMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Oct 13, 2026
- Election DayMinnesota Secretary of State · Jan 22, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Brian Hinrichs, George Landuyt, Seth Schmidt4 on this ballot
7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- The City Council consists of the mayor and six council members elected by the city at large. City of Tracy
- The council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the council chambers at city hall. City of Tracy
- The mayor votes on council items in roll call votes. City of Tracy · May 26, 2026
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