Conway, ARVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Conway City Council Election 2026

4 of 8

council seats up

4 contests

9 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council Ward 1 Position 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 2 Position 1 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 Position 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 Position 2 · 1 seat

Four council seats have contests on the November 3 ballot: Ward 1 Position 2, Ward 3 Position 2, Ward 4 Position 2 and a special election for Ward 2 Position 1. Ward 2 Position 2 has one candidate and is not on the printed ballot. Check your sample ballot for which contests you vote in.

2 notes on these statements

The person elected to Ward 2, Position 1 serves the rest of the term; the seat is next on the ballot in November 2028. Conway City Council special meeting minutes, July 2, 2026 · Jul 2, 2026

The Ward 1, Position 2, Ward 3, Position 2 and Ward 4, Position 2 council seats have terms ending December 31, 2026. City of Conway

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Bart CastleberryMayor; term ends December 31, 20284sourcedAndy HawkinsCouncilmember, Ward 1, Position 1; term ends December 31, 20284sourcedTheodore Jones Jr.Councilmember, Ward 4, Position 1; term ends December 31, 20287sourcedMark LedbetterCouncilmember, Ward 3, Position 1; term ends December 31, 20288sourcedShelley MehlCouncilmember, Ward 2, Position 2; term ends December 31, 20268sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesProposed data center, Rezonings and housing density, City employee pay and benefitsKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Proposed data center

Where it standsA data center known as Project Stratus has been proposed near Lollie Road; the city's document packet includes a memorandum of understanding with an unnamed developer, and KATV reports the city has annexed and rezoned acreage connected to the site.

What's on the tableThe next council will take part in later decisions on the project, including any further agreements and approvals.

  • The city released a document packet with minutes, ordinances and a memorandum of understanding tied to the proposal. KATV
  • Residents opposed to the proposal cited concerns about noise, water usage and strain on the power grid. KATV
  • Mayor Castleberry called a public committee meeting on the proposed data center for Tuesday, May 12, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. City of Conway

Rezonings and housing density

Where it standsThree Conway Boulevard rezonings from S-1 to R-2 stalled without a second in July; two failed 4-1 in August and the third was rezoned R-2A in September.

What's on the tableThe council votes on each rezoning request and conditional use permit, including how many units per acre are allowed.

City employee pay and benefits

Where it standsThe council raised employee pay mid-year in June and in September voted to seek a health insurance broker; candidates also discuss firefighter pay and staffing.

What's on the tableThe next council will vote on the city budget, pay adjustments and any change to employee health insurance.

Sales tax revenue and streets

Where it standsVoters approved two sales tax increases in November 2025, but monthly sales tax revenue has run below last year's level for three months.

What's on the tableThe council decides how to spend revenue from the new taxes on public safety equipment, streets and drainage, and other priorities.

Pace and process of council votes

Where it standsThe council regularly waives the requirement to read ordinances three times and adds emergency clauses; two candidates say the pace should slow.

What's on the tableThe next council sets how much notice residents get before votes, including agenda timing and use of emergency clauses.

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. When a rezoning would allow more duplexes or apartments, what should the council do?

  2. 2. What should Conway do about the proposed data center near Lollie Road?

  3. 3. How quickly should the council act on ordinances?

Seat 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): Bart Castleberry, Andy Hawkins, Theodore Jones Jr., Mark Ledbetter, Shelley Mehl4 on this ballot

8 council seats. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

  • The Conway City Council has eight members, two for each of four wards (Position 1 and Position 2 in each ward). City of Conway
  • Council seats in Position 1 have terms ending December 31, 2028, and seats in Position 2 have terms ending December 31, 2026. City of Conway
  • The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. City of Conway, Arkansas

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