WadenaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Wadena Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 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 4 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 elect a mayor and two council members on Nov 3, 2026. Mac Nelson is the only candidate for mayor; three candidates seek the two 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

012027 budget and levy4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a proposed 2027 levy of $1,689,651, a 12.55% increase over 2026.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy, set in December, and where to cut or add spending.

02Data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council held a first reading of an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on data centers in September 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt the moratorium and what rules to set for data centers and other high-impact utility users.

03Railroad quiet zone3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved moving forward with Bolton & Menk engineering for a railroad Quiet Zone project, estimated at $23,995.

What's on the tableWhether to fund the quiet zone's construction and how to cover the cost gap.

04Highway 10 and 71 digital sign3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has tabled the digital sign at the Highway 10 and 71 intersection to December 31, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether, where and how to build the city digital sign at the intersection.

05City Facebook comments2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council voted to remove comment capabilities from the city's Facebook posts.

What's on the tableWhether to keep comments turned off on city social media.

1 note on these statements

Mayor George Deiss is not on the candidate list; Mac Nelson is the only candidate for mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State

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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 Wadena welcome data centers?

  2. 2. Should Wadena pursue a railroad quiet zone so trains stop sounding horns in town?

  3. 3. Should the city build its digital sign at Highways 10 and 71?

  4. 4. Should the city turn off comments on its Facebook posts?

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 voted6 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): Wade Miller3 on this ballot

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

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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