AustinNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Austin Mayor Election 2026

1 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Early voting ends (Nov 2): 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.

Austin voters choose a mayor from four candidates; the three council candidates who filed are unopposed.

Early voting ends · Nov 2

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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.

What the next council decides

01Growth and the 5,000-resident mark3 sourced facts

Where it standsAustin is growing, and the next mayor takes over from a mayor who has served since 1998.

What's on the tableHow the city plans for growth, including changes that come with passing 5,000 residents.

02Streets and drainage2 sourced facts

Where it standsMayoral candidates named storm water drainage and street quality among the city's pressing issues.

What's on the tableWhich street and drainage repairs to fund, and how to pay for them.

03Police, fire and city staff2 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates have raised police pay, volunteer firefighting and the retention of city employees.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on pay and staffing for police, fire and public works.

04Parks and the county trail2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city park received a $100,000 state grant in 2025, and a Lonoke County multi-use trail is planned.

What's on the tableWhether and how to connect Austin's park and neighborhoods to the trail, and how to fund park upkeep.

05Animal services2 sourced facts

Where it standsTwo mayoral candidates named animal control as an issue facing the city.

What's on the tableWhether Austin adds or changes animal services.

3 notes on these statements

Mayor Bernie Chamberlain is retiring and is not on the ballot; she has been mayor since 1998. The Arkansas Leader · Oct 16, 2026

The county's official candidate list shows three unopposed Austin City Council candidates: Rusty Eisenhower, Robert Gee and Mike Stinnett. Lonoke County Clerk · Sep 1, 2026

An Austin mayoral candidates forum was held on Oct. 12, 2026 at the Cabot Middle School North cafeteria. The Arkansas Leader · Oct 16, 2026

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Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should Austin pay for street and drainage repairs?

  2. 2. Should Austin raise police pay to compete with nearby cities?

  3. 3. Should Austin connect its park to the Lonoke County Multi-Use Trail?

  4. 4. Should Austin expand animal services?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Rick Baumgartner, Laurel Carnes, Rusty Eisenhower, Robert Gee, Mike Stinnett1 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The City Council has six members, each holding a numbered position in one of Austin's three wards. City of Austin
  • City Council members are elected at large. City of Austin
  • The City Council meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at Austin City Hall. City of Austin
  • The Planning & Zoning Commission reviews zoning amendments, site plans and plat applications and makes recommendations to the City Council. City of Austin

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