Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Marked Tree Mayor & City Council Election 2026
4 of 8 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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.
Mayor
1 seatCity Council Ward 1 Position 2
1 seatCity Council Ward 2 Position 2
1 seatCity Council Ward 4 Position 2
1 seatVoters choose a new mayor and fill three contested City Council positions: Ward 1, Position 2; Ward 2, Position 2; and Ward 4, Position 2. Ward 3, Position 2 has 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.
What the next council decides
01City finances4 sourced facts
Where it standsState auditors found that the city's general and street funds were running low and raised doubt about the city's ability to continue as a going concern.
What's on the tableHow the council balances the budget: which costs to cut, which services to outsource and how to pay back money owed between funds.
- As of October 31, 2025, the General Fund had a cash balance of about $12,453 and the Street Fund had a deficit of $59,381. Arkansas Legislative Audit · Nov 19, 2025
- The audit says these balances are primarily the result of expenditures exceeding revenues over the past few years. Arkansas Legislative Audit · Nov 19, 2025
- The city's plan includes eliminating five full time staff positions and a hiring and spending freeze. Arkansas Legislative Audit · Nov 19, 2025
- In May 2024 the city moved $40,000 from its Capitol Building fund to cover payroll. KAIT · May 20, 2024
02Garbage service1 sourced fact
Where it standsThe city's plan to fix its finances says sanitation services are intended to be outsourced.
What's on the tableWhether to hand garbage collection to an outside company or keep running it with city crews.
- The audit says outsourcing sanitation is meant to eliminate lease payments, landfill costs, and vehicle maintenance and insurance costs. Arkansas Legislative Audit · Nov 19, 2025
03Ambulance dispatch2 sourced facts
Where it standsSome ambulance calls in Marked Tree have been rotated to a service based outside the city, and an ordinance on dispatch failed in February 2025.
What's on the tableWhether emergency calls go first to the ambulance service based in town.
- A Riverside Ambulance representative said calls rotate between services, with some going to a service outside Marked Tree. KAIT · Feb 11, 2025
- Mayor Danny Johnson said the in-town service should be the first priority, with another ambulance called if it is on a run. KAIT · Feb 11, 2025
04New industry and grants2 sourced facts
Where it standsBasden Steel announced in November 2025 that it will build a facility on 70 acres in Marked Tree off Interstate 555.
What's on the tableHow the city supports new employers and uses state grants.
- The Basden Steel project is expected to start with about 25 to 30 jobs. KAIT · Nov 26, 2025
- Marked Tree was awarded a $499,000 grant in July 2026 in a round of Arkansas Economic Development Commission grants. NEA Report · Jul 13, 2026
3 notes on these statements
Mayor Danny Johnson did not file for re-election, so Marked Tree will have a new mayor. Wynne Progress · Aug 7, 2026
David Smith is the only candidate for City Council, Ward 3, Position 2. Wynne Progress · Aug 7, 2026
Neither Ward 2, Position 2 candidate, Zachary Highfill or Bryant “Bear” Lacefield, is marked as an incumbent on the county clerk's list of contested races. KAIT · Oct 12, 2026
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Key dates
- Early voting beginsArkansas Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
- Election dayArkansas Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
- General runoff election, if neededArkansas Secretary of StateDec 1, 2026
The seat math
1 stay (not up this year): David Smith4 on this ballot
8 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.
- The City of Marked Tree operates under an elected Mayor-Council form of government. Arkansas Legislative Audit · Nov 19, 2025
- The 2026 filings list City Council positions for Wards 1 through 4, all of them Position 2. Wynne Progress · Aug 7, 2026
- In Arkansas cities of the first class, the mayor 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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