Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Elm Springs Mayor & City Council Election 2026
2 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 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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How to vote · 11 days left
Last day to request a mailed absentee ballot (Oct 27): 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.
Mayor
1 seatCity Council Ward 2 Position 1
1 seatThree contests are on the November 3 ballot: Mayor and the two Ward 2 council seats. The other four council seats each have one 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.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Toby EutingUnopposed candidate for City Council, Ward 3, Position 2, in 2026bio only
- Paul FontaineUnopposed candidate for City Council, Ward 1, Position 1, in 2026bio only
- Craig OvertonUnopposed candidate for City Council, Ward 3, Position 1, in 2026bio only
- Abbey StoneUnopposed candidate for City Council, Ward 1, Position 2, in 2026bio only
What the next council decides
01Growth and the Vision Plan3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted the Elm Springs Vision Plan, with a Future Land Use and Master Street Plan, on April 23, 2026.
What's on the tableThe council will decide rezoning requests and development rules, using the Vision Plan as a guide.
- The Elm Springs City Council adopted the Vision Plan on April 23, 2026, after a Planning Commission public hearing on April 9. Elm Springs Vision Plan (project site) · Apr 23, 2026
- The Future Land Use Plan helps determine whether future rezoning requests are compatible. Elm Springs Vision Plan (project site) · Apr 23, 2026
- The plan is not regulatory; it is a policy guide for the Planning Commission and City Council. Elm Springs Vision Plan (project site) · Apr 23, 2026
02Elm Springs Road rezoning3 sourced facts
Where it standsA request to rezone two properties on Elm Springs Road to a Planned Unit Development went to a Planning Commission hearing on July 9, 2026.
What's on the tableThe council decides rezoning requests like this one after the Planning Commission makes its recommendation.
- The request covers properties at 1465 and 1551 Elm Springs Road. KNWA · Jul 4, 2026
- The request seeks to rezone the properties from Residential Agricultural and Single-Family Residential to Planned Unit Development. KNWA · Jul 4, 2026
- The Elm Springs Planning Commission was to hear public comments before making a recommendation. KNWA · Jul 4, 2026
03Downtown plan3 sourced facts
Where it standsA Congress for the New Urbanism team held a design charrette in Elm Springs in March 2026 on a conceptual downtown plan.
What's on the tableThe council will decide how much of the downtown concept to carry into city plans and rules.
- The CNU Legacy Project team worked with the City of Elm Springs, the United Methodist Church and a business on a shared vision for downtown revitalization. Public Square (CNU) · Feb 27, 2026
- The team gathered in Elm Springs March 2-4, 2026. Public Square (CNU) · Feb 27, 2026
- The project was to develop a conceptual downtown plan adding amenities and local services in a walkable setting. Public Square (CNU) · Feb 27, 2026
04Access to city meetings and records2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city posts meeting agendas and other information on its Facebook page.
What's on the tableThe council can decide whether to record or stream meetings and how to post city records online.
- The city's website says meeting agendas and other information are posted to the city's Facebook page. City of Elm Springs
- The city's elected officials page says aldermen are elected to two-year terms. City of Elm Springs
05Sewer system finances3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city's sewer department spent more than it took in from operations in 2023, and auditors flagged a bond reserve shortfall.
What's on the tableThe council sets sewer rates and approves spending for the sewer system.
- The sewer department had an operating loss of $12,557 in 2023, on operating revenues of $283,484. City of Elm Springs Sewer Department · Dec 23, 2024
- Auditors found the department was not in compliance with the depreciation reserve requirements of its bond agreement with the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. City of Elm Springs Sewer Department · Dec 23, 2024
- The department's net position fell from $783,920 to $744,472 during 2023. City of Elm Springs Sewer Department · Dec 23, 2024
4 notes on these statements
The city's Elected Officials page lists Jeannie Burks (Ward 2, Position 1) and Beau Brannon (Ward 2, Position 2) as the Ward 2 council members. City of Elm Springs
Paul Fontaine (Ward 1, Position 1), Abbey Stone (Ward 1, Position 2), Craig Overton (Ward 3, Position 1) and Toby Euting (Ward 3, Position 2) are unopposed. Washington County Election Commission
The Elm Springs ballot also has a contested City Clerk race between Mari Massingill and Twila Taylor. Washington County Election Commission
A December 2024 audit report on the city's sewer department was addressed to Mayor Harold Douthit. City of Elm Springs Sewer Department · Dec 23, 2024
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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. What minimum lot sizes should Elm Springs require outside the Town Center?
2. What should the city have before approving a major rezoning?
3. How much of the CNU downtown concept should Elm Springs adopt?
4. Should the city record council and Planning Commission meetings on video and post them online?
Key dates
- Absentee ballots availableWashington County Election CommissionSep 18, 2026
- Voter registration deadlineWashington County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
- Early voting beginsWashington County Election CommissionOct 19, 2026
- Last day to request a mailed absentee ballotWashington County Election CommissionOct 27, 2026
- Early voting endsWashington County Election CommissionNov 2, 2026
- Election Day (polls 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)Washington County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026
The seat math
4 stay (not up this year): Toby Euting, Paul Fontaine, Craig Overton, Abbey Stone2 on this ballot
6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
- Elm Springs is divided into three wards, each represented by two aldermen. City of Elm Springs
- Aldermen are elected to two-year terms. City of Elm Springs
- The mayor is the principal officer of the city and ex-officio president of the council. City of Elm Springs
- The City Clerk is elected to a four-year term. City of Elm Springs
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