Mayor of Boulder, 2026
Mayors might smile when they’re wielding the gavel, but sometimes they have to bring the hammer down!
In the year 2020, Boulder voters passed a ballot measure (Ballot Issue 2E) calling for the Mayor of Boulder to be directly elected in a ranked-choice voting election. The 2026 election will be the second test of the new system. Prior to 2023, Mayors were chosen in an internal election among the nine City Council members.
For a few important points about this year’s Mayoral election:
- The 2026 Mayoral winner will earn a two-year term, until 2028.
- The 2020 ballot measure did not increase the technical powers and responsibilities of the Mayor position. In very brief, the Mayor runs Council business meetings, plays a major role in setting meeting agendas, and often represents the city at events. The Mayor does not have veto power, while the full-time City Manager is the leader ultimately in charge of most city administration and staffing.
- For those who have never participated in a ranked-choice election, it might be helpful to visit this link in advance of voting: https://bouldercolorado.gov/guide/ranked-choice-voting-guide
- It is legal for sitting City Council members who have time left in their term to run for Mayor but keep their seat on Council if they don’t win the Mayoral race. However, no 2026 candidates appear to be running for Mayor with time on Council left in their terms.
- Candidates for Mayor who don’t finish first do not get a Council seat.
- The new Council after the 2026 election would internally select a Mayor Pro Tem (sort of like a Vice President), who would take over as Mayor should the elected Mayor be unable or unwilling to finish the two-year term.
There are six candidates for Mayor this year, and I will do my best to interview all of them. My approach has been to help readers get to know the candidates as people, and to learn their thoughts on top issues of the day. I asked them for the most part similar, but not identical questions. Just click on the profiles below to start learning!
