CorningNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Corning Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 4 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 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

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Election day (Nov 3): 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.

Voters elect the mayor and three contested ward council seats on Nov. 3, 2026; if no candidate wins a majority, the top two go to a Dec. 1 runoff.

Election day · Nov 3

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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

01Water and sewer rates1 sourced fact

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council took up an ordinance setting water and sewer rates.

What's on the tableWhether and how fast to raise water and sewer rates.

  • The Feb. 9, 2026 council agenda listed Ordinance 2026-03, establishing rates for services rendered by the city's water and sewer system. City of Corning · Feb 9, 2026
02Wastewater system2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council held an emergency meeting on the sewer project in April 2026 and in August considered moving loan money to the sewer loan.

What's on the tableHow to pay for and carry out wastewater system improvements.

  • The council called a 9 a.m. emergency meeting on April 30, 2026 regarding the sewer project, with wastewater system improvements as its business item. City of Corning · Apr 30, 2026
  • The Aug. 10, 2026 agenda listed reallocating funds budgeted for the Industrial Development loan payment to the Sewer Short-Lived Asset loan after the Industrial Development loan was paid off. City of Corning · Aug 10, 2026
03Condemned properties1 sourced fact

Where it standsCode enforcement on condemned properties is a standing item; the August 2026 agenda listed six condemned properties for status and next steps.

What's on the tableWhat to do about condemned buildings in town.

04City-owned industrial buildings3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city owns industrial property it leases out, and in 2026 the council discussed rent on these buildings.

What's on the tableRent and improvements for city-owned industrial and spec buildings.

05Council terms on the ballot3 sourced facts

Where it standsCorning voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to change aldermen's terms from two years to staggered four-year terms.

What's on the tableThe next council serves under whichever term length voters choose.

  • If approved, aldermen for South Ward Position 1 and North Ward Position 1 would be elected to four-year terms at the 2028 general election. KAIT · Oct 8, 2026
  • If approved, half of the City Council positions would be open for election every general election after 2030. KAIT · Oct 8, 2026
  • Corning voters will also decide on a proposal to change city council terms from two-year to staggered four-year terms. Paragould Daily Press
1 note on these statements

Terry Masterson is the only candidate for City Council, North Ward, Position 1, and J'Anna Couch is the only candidate for City Clerk. Ballotpedia

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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

    1 stay (not up this year): Terry Masterson3 on this ballot

    4 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

    • The city council meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the city hall. City of Corning
    • Greg Ahrent is Mayor, and the current aldermen are Terry Masterson, Ray Vannoy, Randall Godwin and Trent McKinney. City of Corning
    • In 2024, Terry Masterson was on the ballot for North Ward Position 1, Ray Vannoy for North Ward Position 2, Randall L. Godwin for South Ward Position 1 and Trent McKinney for South Ward Position 2. Ballotpedia
    • In Clay County city races, if no candidate receives 50.1 percent of the vote on Nov. 3, the top two finishers advance to a Dec. 1 runoff. Paragould Daily Press

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

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