Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Star City Mayor Election 2026
1 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 2 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
How to vote · 11 days left
Early voting ends (Nov 2): 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.
Star City voters choose a mayor from two candidates on the November 3, 2026 ballot. No City Council race is contested.
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
01Water and sewer system3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city sought USDA grants for its sewer system in 2020, and Mayor Paul Carter said in 2022 that a $2.4 million rehab of the wastewater treatment plant was complete.
What's on the tableHow the city maintains and pays for its water and sewer system.
- In June 2020 Mayor Paul Carter said the city was working to complete paperwork with the USDA on grants to fund the sewer system. Deltaplex News · Jun 11, 2020
- In 2022 Mayor Paul Carter said a $2.4 million rehab of the city's wastewater treatment plant had been completed. Deltaplex News · Aug 19, 2022
- In 2023 the general fund received a $63,302 contribution from the water department and paid $63,905 to the water department. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
02City budget and sales taxes3 sourced facts
Where it standsSales taxes are the general fund's largest source of money, and law enforcement is one of its largest costs.
What's on the tableHow the mayor and council set the city budget and spend sales tax money.
- The general fund received $1,352,099 in 2023, including $776,293 in sales taxes. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- The general fund spent $477,072 on law enforcement and $602,579 on general government in 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- The general fund's cash balance was $218,087 on December 31, 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
03Streets3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city's street fund, paid for mostly by state aid and sales taxes, spent $462,174 on highways and streets in 2023.
What's on the tableHow much the city spends on streets and which projects come first.
- The street fund received $183,307 in state aid and $152,862 in sales taxes in 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- The street fund spent $462,174 on highways and streets in 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- The street fund's cash balance was $435,239 on December 31, 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
04Parks and civic center3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city received $100,000 in state aid for its Fun Park in 2023 and runs a civic center that it rents out.
What's on the tableHow the city funds and keeps up its parks and the civic center.
- The Fun Park fund received $100,000 in state aid in 2023 and had spent none of it by year end. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- Civic center rental brought in $9,385 in 2023. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- In 2020 the council set up an account for a $7,072 state grant, matched by the city, to replace the civic center air conditioner. Deltaplex News · Jun 11, 2020
1 note on these statements
On Election Day, Nov. 3, 2026, polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. KVOM 101.7 · Oct 19, 2026
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Key dates
- Early voting beginsKVOM 101.7 · Oct 19, 2026Oct 19, 2026
- Early voting endsKVOM 101.7 · Oct 19, 2026Nov 2, 2026
- Election dayKVOM 101.7 · Oct 19, 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.
- Arkansas Legislative Audit's report for 2023 lists Paul Carter as mayor and Alicia Hawkins as recorder/treasurer of Star City. Arkansas Legislative Audit · May 23, 2024
- Star City voters elect the mayor; Paul Carter and Paul Dreher are on the 2026 ballot. KVOM 101.7 · Oct 19, 2026
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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