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 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 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.

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, 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.

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 [email protected].

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

Minnesota Voting Information Portal

It’s an Action Race: Mayor Wosje Announces Re-Election Bid at City Council Session

It 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.

PlymouthMN.comThe Newsroom at PlymouthMN

Feature image credit: Dmitrii Vaccinium

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!