MagnoliaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Magnolia Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 8 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 2 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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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.

Voters choose a mayor and two contested council seats, Ward 2 and Ward 3. Ward 1 and Ward 4 Position 2 candidates Annette Hughey and Julia Nipper are unopposed and are not listed as contested.

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

01Recreation funding and a prepared-food tax3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 5-2 in June 2026 not to put a 2% prepared-food tax for a civic and aquatic center on the November ballot.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city pays for parks, trails and a civic or aquatic complex, and whether any tax returns to voters.

02Short-term rentals1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council passed regulations on short-term rentals in August 2026.

What's on the tableHow the new rules are enforced and whether they change.

  • The ordinance requires Airbnb-style hosts to carry insurance comparable to hotels, have the building inspected, hold a business license for each property and be available in person. Magnolia Banner-News · Aug 25, 2026
03City code and state law1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council approved an ordinance in September 2026 to align city code automatically with state law.

What's on the tableHow city contracting and other rules are written and followed under the new mayor.

04A new mayor and council2 sourced facts

Where it standsMagnolia will have a new mayor because Parnell Vann is not seeking a fifth term.

What's on the tableThe next mayor and council set priorities starting in 2027.

1 note on these statements

James Jefferson Jr. is a current council member with two years remaining in his council term and is also a candidate for mayor. Magnolia Reporter · Aug 5, 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. 1. How much should the city invest in recreation and mentoring for young people?

  2. 2. How much should the city publish about contracts and spending?

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

3 stay (not up this year): Wayne Simpson, Lori Story, Jenny Marie Whitehead3 on this ballot

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

  • Council candidates run for a four-year term, and the mayor is elected by voters to a four-year term. AR Votes

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