Raciążek, Poland to hold mayoral runoff after candidate misses majority by 12 votes

A premature municipal election was held in the Gmina Raciążek on 26 July 2026 following the death of former mayor Piotr Zabłocki. Maciej Malinowski received 539 votes (49 % of the valid ballots), Krzysztof Sadowski 447 votes (40.64 %), and Mirosław Siedlecki 114 votes (10.36 %). Voter turnout was 45.26 % with 1,116 residents casting ballots; 16 votes were invalid.

Because no candidate surpassed the required 50 % threshold, a runoff is scheduled for 9 August 2026 between the top two candidates, Malinowski and Sadowski. Malinowski, a 39‑year‑old civil engineer and deputy director of the local road authority, leads the race, while Sadowski, a 44‑year‑old volunteer firefighter and current councilor, will contest the second round. The runoff will determine the new wójt (mayor) of Raciążek.

The election was prompted by the earlier mayor’s death and reflects a slight decline in participation compared with the previous cycle, which saw a 58 % turnout.