Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Dardanelle 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
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How to vote · 11 days left
Election day (Nov 3): the election office's noticeThese 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 citywide choose one mayor. The city attorney, city clerk and three Position 2 council seats each drew a single candidate.
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.
- Governor
- Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders · Republican
- Colt Shelby · Libertarian
- State Senator Fred Love · Democratic
- U.S. Senate
- Hallie Shoffner · Democratic
- Senator Tom Cotton · Republican
- Jeff Wadlin · Libertarian
- Also statewideLieutenant Governor · Attorney General · Secretary of State · State Treasurer · Auditor of State · Commissioner of State Lands
- Statewide measures4 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
What the next council decides
01City finances3 sourced facts
Where it standsMayoral candidate Kurt Spears says the city is in financial distress, and the council is weighing what to do with money returned from the Second Street waterline project.
What's on the tableHow tightly the city controls spending and how it uses leftover bond money.
- Spears criticized the handling of unpaid bills and said Dardanelle needs tighter control over spending. River Valley Radio · Sep 2, 2026
- Blackstone Construction told the council that $512,667 will be returned to the city from its guaranteed maximum price on the Second Street waterline project. River Valley Radio · Oct 6, 2026
- Council members discussed using the returned money to reduce the bond principal, but no vote was taken. River Valley Radio · Oct 6, 2026
02Water, streets and highway work3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city is finishing waterline and road work, refurbishing a water tower and seeking state funding for a new standpipe, while ARDOT plans to widen Highway 7.
What's on the tableWhich water, street and drainage projects the city pursues and how it works with the state.
- Blackstone's guaranteed maximum price for the Second Street waterline project was $7,697,229. River Valley Radio · Oct 6, 2026
- The council approved a resolution tied to Arkansas Natural Resources Commission funding as the city seeks money for a new 200,000-gallon standpipe. River Valley Radio · Sep 9, 2026
- ARDOT plans to widen Highway 7 (Union Street) from the bridge to the Taco Bell intersection and scheduled a public meeting on the project for Oct. 20. River Valley Radio · Oct 6, 2026
03Land for development2 sourced facts
Where it standsBoth mayoral candidates point to economic development as the city grows.
What's on the tableWhether the city works to open more property for development and industry.
- Spears said the city needs to explore ways to make additional property available for development and industry. River Valley Radio · Sep 2, 2026
- In announcing his campaign, Witt highlighted work involving economic development and housing. River Valley Radio · Jul 20, 2026
2 notes on these statements
Only one candidate filed for each other Dardanelle office: Kennard Helton (City Attorney), Amanda R. Smith (City Clerk), Dustin Bunting (Council Ward 1, Position 2), Talisa Piker (Council Ward 2, Position 2) and Kenneth A. Duvall (Council Ward 3, Position 2). River Valley Radio · Jul 31, 2026
Kurt Spears, a member of the City Council, is challenging incumbent Mayor Jimmy Witt. River Valley Radio · Sep 2, 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. How should Dardanelle handle city spending?
2. Should the city work to make more property available for development and industry?
Key dates
- Voter registration deadlineRiver Valley Radio · Sep 2, 2026Oct 5, 2026
- Early voting beginsRiver Valley Radio · Sep 2, 2026Oct 19, 2026
- Election dayRiver Valley Radio · Sep 2, 2026Nov 3, 2026
The seat math
0 stay (not up this year): 1 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 mayor of Dardanelle is a nonpartisan office on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. Ballotpedia
- Dardanelle council seats are filled by ward and position; the Position 2 seats in Wards 1, 2 and 3 are on the 2026 ballot. River Valley Radio · Jul 31, 2026
- In a mayor-council city, the mayor presides over council meetings and has a vote only to establish a quorum or when the mayor's vote is needed to pass a measure. Arkansas Code 14-43-501 (Justia)
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