WinstedNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Winsted Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 5 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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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, two council members, and one more council member in a special election on Nov 3, 2026. Jeff Albers is the only candidate for mayor. Jessie Cafferty, Julie Weinbeck Baruch, Tim Storms and Michael J Watroba are running for the two regular seats; Beth Ollig and Brittany Thiemann are running in the special election. Council Member Matt Wroge serves through 2028.

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 property tax levy and budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council certified a preliminary 2027 property tax levy; the final levy is set in December 2026.

What's on the tableThe final 2027 levy and budget, which can be lower than the preliminary levy but not higher.

022027 street and water main project4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council ordered the 2027 Infrastructure Improvement Project for three areas; design is planned for fall 2026 and construction for 2027.

What's on the tableBids, final costs and property owner assessments for the 2027 project, and when to do the remaining street areas, including Zion Avenue.

  • Staff recommended three areas for 2027: Rosalie from Kingsley Street to 3rd Street, Sherman and Arthur from Kingsley to Barrett, and Baker Avenue from Kingsley to 6th Street North. City of Winsted · Apr 21, 2026
  • The schedule includes bidding in spring 2027, construction in 2027, and a final assessment hearing in fall 2027 with assessments on tax rolls in 2028. City of Winsted · Apr 21, 2026
  • Staff estimated that completing all five street areas, with other city costs, would mean at least a 7% property tax increase for 2027 and at least 14.5% for 2028. City of Winsted · Feb 17, 2026
  • Mayor Albers said the council is planning a project for Zion Avenue in 2030, with some patching in 2026. City of Winsted · May 19, 2026
03Hainlin Park pavilion3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council awarded the Hainlin Park pavilion contract in May 2026 and borrowed $1,685,000 for the pavilion and park equipment in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow to fit the new debt payments into future budgets and what else to add at Hainlin Park.

04Replacing city vehicles and equipment3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn 2026 the council approved a new fire rescue truck but did not authorize a new plow truck.

What's on the tableWhen and how to replace aging equipment such as the city's 1999 plow truck.

05Private pool fence rule3 sourced facts

Where it standsCity ordinance requires a four-foot fence around larger pools, and staff found many private pools without fences.

What's on the tableWhether to enforce the pool fence ordinance as written or amend it before the 2027 pool season.

1 note on these statements

Jeff Albers is the only candidate for mayor. Minnesota Secretary of State

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Who matches you?

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  1. 1. Should the city go ahead with the 2027 street and water main project, paid partly by assessments on nearby property owners?

  2. 2. Should the city borrow money for park projects like the Hainlin Park pavilion?

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 voted9 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): Matt Wroge4 on this ballot

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

  • Winsted is an Optional Plan A city whose City Council is made up of the Mayor and four City Council Members. City of Winsted
  • The Mayor presides over meetings, and each member of the City Council has a single, equal vote. City of Winsted
  • The Mayor serves a two-year term and council members serve four-year overlapping terms; all council members serve at-large. City of Winsted
  • The City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. at Winsted City Hall. City of Winsted
  • Tim Fury and Matt Wroge took the oath of office as newly elected council members on January 8, 2025. City of Winsted · Jan 8, 2025
  • The council accepted Council Member Tim Fury's resignation and declared a council vacancy in October 2025. City of Winsted · Oct 7, 2025
  • The council appointed Julie Weinbeck to fill a vacant council seat with a term expiring December 31, 2026 (passed 4-0, November 2025). City of Winsted · Nov 18, 2025
  • The council declared a council vacancy after the death of Council Member Tom Ollig (Resolution R-26-26, July 2026). City of Winsted · Jul 21, 2026
  • The council appointed Max Fasching to fill a vacant council seat with a term expiring December 31, 2026 (passed 4-0, August 2026). City of Winsted · Aug 18, 2026

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