CharlestonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Charleston Mayor Election 2026

1 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 2 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

See who is on your ballot
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.

Only the mayor's race is contested on the November 3 ballot. Each of the six council seats and the city clerk's office has one candidate.

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

01Sewer plant and lines4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council's October 8, 2026 agenda included the bid tabulation for Phase 1 of the wastewater treatment plant improvements.

What's on the tableThe council will decide which bids to accept and how to pay for sewer plant and line work.

02Property tax millage3 sourced facts

Where it standsThree millage ordinances were on the council's October 8, 2026 agenda: 1.1 mills on real property, 2.9 mills on personal property and 4.9 mills on both.

What's on the tableThe council sets the city's property tax millage levies each year.

03Water and sewer budget2 sourced facts

Where it standsOrdinance 2026-06, on the October 8, 2026 agenda, sets the 2026-2027 water and sewer revenue and operating budget.

What's on the tableThe council approves the water and sewer budget that customers' bills pay for.

04Parks and community center4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city added pickleball courts at the city park and began LED lighting work at the ball field complex.

What's on the tableThe council approves spending on park equipment and city buildings.

05Growth and building2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026 State of the City address reports 1 commercial and 9 residential building permits for the year.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how to plan sewer capacity and services for new homes and businesses.

  • The city issued 1 commercial building permit, 9 residential building permits and 8 residential remodel and improvement permits, the address says. City of Charleston
  • The sewer capacity study is meant to evaluate wastewater flows and plan for future development, according to the address. City of Charleston
2 notes on these statements

5NEWS lists the Charleston mayor's race between Michael Baumgartner and Brandon Burt as the city's only contested race. 5NEWS

Early voting for Franklin County is at the Charleston Courthouse, 607 East Main Street, and the Ozark Training Room. KNWA/FOX24 · Oct 15, 2026

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Who matches you?

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    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

    6 stay (not up this year): Jeffrey Blake Hayes, Joseph Ketter, Steve Meador, Susan Potts, David Rice, James Schmitz1 on this ballot

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

    Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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