Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Warroad Mayor & City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 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
UnopposedVoters citywide elect the mayor and two council members; Dean Dorholt and Michele Vandal stay on the council.
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.
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Solar farm land lease3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn July 2026 the council authorized the Mayor and City Administrator to sign a solar agreement leasing city land near the city ponds.
What's on the tableHow the city oversees the lease as the solar project moves toward construction.
- Idemitsu Renewables asked to lease approximately 200 acres of city property near the city ponds for 35 years; construction could start as early as 2028. City of Warroad · Jun 22, 2026
- A restoration bond was added to the agreement after council asked about a guarantee if the company pulled out. City of Warroad · Jul 13, 2026
- The city attorney reviewed the changed agreement and recommended going forward. City of Warroad · Jul 27, 2026
02Budget, taxes and utility rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council approved the 2026 budget in December 2025 and raised electric, water and sewer rates for 2026.
What's on the tableThe 2027 budget and property tax levy, and future utility rates.
- In September 2025 the council approved a 2026 preliminary budget with an increase of 10%; the final budget can go down but cannot increase. City of Warroad · Sep 22, 2025
- Water and sewer rates rose 2% each for 2026, and a $2.50 per month storm water charge was added to help replace aging infrastructure. City of Warroad · Nov 10, 2025
- The 2026-27 electric rates are a 7% increase on kwh, after NMPA passed through a 6.5% increase from Minnkota. City of Warroad · Apr 13, 2026
03CN railroad siding east of town3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has sent a letter to the CN and other officials stating its position on a proposed railroad siding east of town.
What's on the tableHow the city responds as CN and MnDOT consider the siding and the crossings it would close.
- The proposed CN siding would close two crossings east of town. City of Warroad · May 11, 2026
- In May 2026 the council supported a joint letter from the county, townships and city opposing the siding location. City of Warroad · May 11, 2026
- In June 2026 the council agreed to write its own letter to MnDOT and CN, also recognizing the townships' concerns. City of Warroad · Jun 22, 2026
04Housing3 sourced facts
Where it standsA housing study for the city is under way, with a final report expected around October 2026.
What's on the tableWhat housing the city plans for, where, and what utility and street work it funds to support it.
- The council approved the first phase of the housing study at a cost of $57,000 in February 2026. City of Warroad · Feb 23, 2026
- The council authorized a Blandin Foundation grant application of up to $150,000 to help with Phase II of the housing survey. City of Warroad · Apr 13, 2026
- Survey data was presented in August 2026; the final report is expected to be completed around October. City of Warroad · Aug 24, 2026
05Outdoor pool and regional park3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city ran the outdoor pool itself in summer 2026 after the school stopped, and will review whether to continue in 2027.
What's on the tableWhether the city keeps running the pool, and the pace of later regional park phases.
- The school used to run the outdoor pool and told the city it did not want to do it this year. City of Warroad · May 26, 2026
- The council voted to operate the pool for the 2026 summer and review operations to consider continuation in 2027. City of Warroad · May 26, 2026
- In July 2026 the council approved paving the access road to the new marina. City of Warroad · Jul 13, 2026
5 notes on these statements
Tom Goldsmith is the only candidate for Mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State
Joe Olafson, Doug Thomasson and Brad Woodward are running for two City Council seats. Minnesota Secretary of State
Council member Kevin Thompson chose not to run again after more than 28 years with the city, KQ92 reported. KQ92 · Oct 14, 2026
Doug Thomasson did not attend the Oct. 13, 2026 candidate forum hosted by Warroad Community Development, KQ92 reported. KQ92 · Oct 14, 2026
City residents vote at the Community Center, 222 Virginia Ave NE. City of Warroad
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
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. Should Warroad lease city land for a solar farm?
2. Should the city oppose CN's proposed railroad siding east of town?
3. Should the city spend money to plan for new housing?
4. Should the city keep running the outdoor pool?
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
2 stay (not up this year): Dean Dorholt, Michele Vandal3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The city's officials are Mayor Tom Goldsmith and council members Dean Dorholt, Joe Olafson, Kevin Thompson and Michele Vandal. City of Warroad
- City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month at 4:30pm in the Warroad City Office Council Chambers. City of Warroad
- The mayor votes on council motions, as recorded in roll call votes. City of Warroad · Jul 14, 2025
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