> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://plymouthmn.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Election 2026: Filing Period Opens as Plymouth Braces for Major City Council Shakeup - URL: https://plymouthmn.com/election-2026-filing-period-opens-as-plymouth-braces-for-major-city-council-shakeup/ - Published: 2026-07-16T12:06:47.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-16T12:06:47.000Z - Description: The 2026 local election season has officially begun in Plymouth. With four City Council seats on the November ballot—including a highly anticipated mayoral showdown between incumbent Jeff Wosje and challenger Clark Gregor—here is everything you need to know about the candidate filing period. - Author: The Newsroom at PlymouthMN - Tags: News & Insights, Elections 2026, Plymouth, Mayor, City Council, Politics, Community Leaders, Civic Engagement The political landscape in Plymouth is gearing up for a significant transition this fall. On Tuesday, July 14, the City of Plymouth officially opened the candidate filing period for the upcoming November 3 general election. > **This year, the stakes are exceptionally high, with four out of the seven City Council seats on the ballot**—meaning the outcome of this election will directly shape the city's approach to housing, infrastructure, and budgeting for the next four years. Here is a look at the seats up for grabs, the confirmed mayoral showdown, and what you need to know before the July 28 filing deadline closes. --- ## The Marquee Matchup: The Mayor's Office The race for the citywide mayoral seat is currently shaping up to be a heavyweight contest between two current city leaders—though the field remains officially open to challengers until the July 28 deadline. As we reported throughout June, current At-Large Council Member and Deputy Mayor [**Clark Gregor** launched his mayoral bid](https://plymouthmn.com/plymouth-brief-clark-gregor-launches-mayoral-bid-chankahda-trail-closures-and-hilde-nights-returns/) early in the cycle. Gregor, who stepped in as acting mayor earlier this year, is running on a platform emphasizing housing affordability, sustainable economic growth, and environmental protection. He is challenging incumbent Mayor **Jeff Wosje**, [who formally announced his re-election bid](https://plymouthmn.com/mayor-wosje-announces-re-election-bid-at-city-council-session/) at the late June City Council session. Wosje, who has spent 16 years on the council (including eight as mayor), is anchoring his campaign on maintaining public safety, strong financial stewardship, and managing smart development to protect Plymouth's quality of life. **While these two incumbents dominate the early narrative, any eligible resident can still enter the race over the next two weeks.** --- ### Stay in the loop on Plymouth and the west metro Get plain-English updates on local issues, community stories, and events that matter. We are also free of clickbait ads and have no paywall. **If you value this experience,** a quick share on Reddit, Facebook or Nextdoor goes a long way for an independent project like ours. ⚡Delivering Noise-free Hyperlocal News Experience [Subscribe Today](#/portal/signup) --- ## The Open Council Seats In addition to the Mayor's office, three other four-year council terms will be decided on the November ballot, bringing the total to four open seats. Because Plymouth utilizes a combination of a ward system and citywide representation, voters will see different contests depending on their specific neighborhoods: - **Mayor:** A citywide seat representing all residents. - **At-Large Council Member:** A citywide seat representing all residents. (This is the seat [currently held by Clark Gregor](https://plymouthmn.com/mayor-wosje-announces-re-election-bid-at-city-council-session/), guaranteeing an open race with no incumbent if he pursues the Mayor's office). - **Ward 2 Council Member:** Representing the southwest quadrant of Plymouth. - **Ward 4 Council Member:** Representing the northeast quadrant of Plymouth. *Unsure which ward or precinct you live in? Residents can easily verify their specific voting district by visiting the Minnesota Secretary of State’s polling place finder webpage at* [*mnvotes.org*](https://www.mnvotes.org/?ref=plymouthmn.com)*.* --- [![](https://plymouthmn.com/content/images/2026/07/how-elections-work.jpg)](https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/?ref=plymouthmn.com) Ever wonder how candidates get on the ballot in the first place? Or how political parties decide who will represent them as their candidate? \[Source: [Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State](https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/?ref=plymouthmn.com)\] --- ## How to Run for Local Office For residents who want to move beyond voting and actually step into local governance, the window to act is brief. ### The Timelines - **Filing Window Opens:** Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - **Filing Window Closes:** Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at precisely 5:00 p.m. - **Official Withdrawal Deadline:** Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (The final day a candidate can legally remove their name from the ballot). ### The Eligibility Requirements To file for a city council seat, candidates must meet the following criteria: - Must be eligible to vote in the state of Minnesota. - Must be at least 21 years old by the time they take office in January 2027. - Must have maintained residence in the specific district or ward they are running to represent for at least 30 days prior to the November 3 election. Filings cannot be done online. Candidates must complete an official affidavit of candidacy and pay a **$5 filing fee** in person with the city clerk. Filing can be completed during normal business hours (**8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday**) at Plymouth City Hall: > **Plymouth City Hall** > 3400 Plymouth Blvd. > Plymouth, MN 55447 For specific questions regarding the filing process or documentation, residents can contact City Clerk Jodi Gallup directly at **763-509-5080** or via email at *jgallup@plymouthmn.gov*. As the filing period continues, *PlymouthMN* will actively track the official city candidate log and provide continuous, unedited coverage of the platforms, priorities, and individuals asking for your vote this November. --- ***Source:*** [https://www.plymouthmn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8965/2158](https://www.plymouthmn.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8965/2158?ref=plymouthmn.com) [Minnesota Voting Information Portal![](https://plymouthmn.com/content/images/icon/favicon-ef12bad3195c1df2d971f4cef8299e2acbeb327015ab2d1109c52cd2900451b1.ico)](https://pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/?ref=plymouthmn.com) ****Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State: Elections & Voting** [It’s an Action Race: Mayor Wosje Announces Re-Election Bid at City Council SessionIt is officially a race! 🗳️ True to his word, Mayor Jeff Wosje used Tuesday night’s City Council meeting to announce he is running for re-election in 2026\. This sets up an elite, incumbent-on-incumbent battle against Council Member Clark Gregor for the city’s highest office. With four state legislators also in the room delivering a massive West Metro funding brief, it was an unforgettable night at City Hall. Read our full analysis of what this means for Plymouth voters.![](https://plymouthmn.com/content/images/icon/favicon-467b9feccbe0d278bd918d989b50c1b956a730dc2dbc7cf4b650840f031a326d.ico)PlymouthMN.comThe Newsroom at PlymouthMN![](https://plymouthmn.com/content/images/thumbnail/PlymouthMN-City-Council-1-4f697906ce0fd93609047f3917cf88b0db9104f837776f5a9a441e1e022f8674.jpg)](https://plymouthmn.com/mayor-wosje-announces-re-election-bid-at-city-council-session/) *Feature image credit:* [*Dmitrii Vaccinium*](https://unsplash.com/@vaccinium?utm%5Fsource=unsplash&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcontent=creditCopyText) --- **What issues matter most to you in this upcoming local election?* Are you more concerned about housing affordability, property taxes, or public safety? Let us know in the comments below!*