VirginiaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Virginia Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 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 citywide choose a mayor from two candidates. Two candidates filed for three City Council seats.

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

01City finances and spending freeze4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn April 2026 the council adopted a citywide spending freeze, and in September it eliminated several positions left open by early retirements.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the freeze, which positions to cut or refill, and how to rebuild city reserves.

022027 property tax levy3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a preliminary 2027 levy of $9,524,435, an increase of about 8%.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy, set in December, which can only stay the same or go down.

03Ambulance and public safety costs4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council voted 1-6 against seeking outside proposals for ambulance services and formed a committee on regional funding.

What's on the tableHow to pay for the city's ambulance service, including whether neighboring areas share the cost.

04Forensic audit of sales tax funds2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council voted 6-1 to seek a firm for a forensic audit and to develop a request for proposals.

What's on the tableWhich firm conducts the audit, what it costs, and what follows from its findings.

7 notes on these statements

Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. is not running for re-election. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026

Annie Bachschneider and Steven B. Johnson are both current city councilors. Mesabi Tribune · Oct 14, 2026

The three council seats on the ballot are held by Maija Biondich, Liz Motley and Justin Skalko. Mesabi Tribune · May 22, 2026

Two candidates, Justin Skalko and Andrew S. Babbini, filed for the three City Council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State

Justin Skalko was appointed to fill the seat of Councilor Gary Friedlieb, who resigned in December 2025. Mesabi Tribune · May 22, 2026

Danielle Barber was listed as a write-in candidate for Virginia City Council at an Oct. 15 Laurentian Chamber candidate event. WDIO · Oct 15, 2026

Steven B. Johnson did not respond to the KAXE Election Guide questionnaire. KAXE · Sep 28, 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. How should Virginia set its 2027 property tax levy?

  2. 2. Should Virginia freeze nonessential city spending?

  3. 3. When city employees take early retirement, what should happen to their positions?

  4. 4. How should Virginia address the cost of its ambulance service?

  5. 5. Should Virginia pay for a forensic audit of its sales tax funds?

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 voted5 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Julianne Paulsen4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The City Council is made up of six councillors and the mayor. City of Virginia
  • The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms, with three of the six council seats elected every two years. City of Virginia
  • The mayor has no more voting power than a city councilor and presides over council meetings. KAXE · Sep 28, 2026
  • Three council seats and the mayor's seat are on the 2026 ballot. City of Virginia

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