Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ward Mayor Election 2026

1 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 12 days left

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.

Ward voters choose a mayor from three candidates; the five council candidates who filed are unopposed.

Early voting ends · Nov 2

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Also on your ballot: a measure

Taken from the official analysis and ballot arguments. We take no position.

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.

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

01License-plate reader cameras4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council discussed Flock license-plate reader cameras in August 2026 without a vote, and the topic stayed on its agenda in September and October.

What's on the tableWhether Ward uses Flock license-plate reader cameras, and under what rules.

02Council term lengths3 sourced facts

Where it standsWard voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether council members should serve four-year terms instead of two-year terms.

What's on the tableIf voters approve, the council will put four-year terms in place for its members.

03Water system and Grand Prairie4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council is weighing a possible sale of a city water line to Grand Prairie and has waited on an engineering study.

What's on the tableWhether to sell the water line, and what agreements to make with the Grand Prairie water authority.

04City-owned property3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has let the mayor explore selling, leasing or swapping several city properties, including land on Highway 367 and Highway 31.

What's on the tableWhether to sell, lease or keep city-owned land.

  • In March 2026 the council voted 4-1 to let the mayor continue discussions with potential buyers on a possible land sale or swap. City of Ward · Mar 17, 2026
  • In April 2026 the council voted 6-0 to let the mayor seek an outside appraisal of the Highway 31 property. City of Ward · Apr 21, 2026
  • In August 2026 the council voted 5-0 to give the lessee of the city's hayfield on Highway 31 the first right of refusal if the city decides to sell it. City of Ward · Aug 18, 2026
05Street overlays and sidewalks3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has chosen engineers for street overlay work and has low bids for overlays and a Safe Routes to School sidewalk project on its October agenda.

What's on the tableWhich street and sidewalk projects to fund and which contractors to hire.

  • In August 2026 the council voted 5-0 to continue with Bond Engineering for overlaying more streets and the sports complex parking lot and entrance. City of Ward · Aug 18, 2026
  • The October 20, 2026 agenda includes a resolution accepting Rogers Group Inc as low bidder to overlay the sports complex and other streets. City of Ward · Oct 20, 2026
  • The October 20, 2026 agenda includes a resolution accepting Harris Construction as low bidder for Phase V of the Ward Safe Routes to School sidewalk project. City of Ward · Oct 20, 2026
2 notes on these statements

Stacey McMinn announced her run for mayor after Mayor Charles Gastineau decided not to seek re-election. The Arkansas Leader · Mar 23, 2026

The county's notice of election lists five unopposed Ward City Council candidates: Charles Chapman, Richard Smoker, Heath Corbishley, Robin McKee Hefner and Jack Boles. Lonoke County Election Commission

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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 long should Ward council members' terms be?

  2. 2. Should Ward sell a city water line to Grand Prairie?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted3 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Jack Boles, Charles Chapman, Heath Corbishley, Robin McKee Hefner, Richard Smoker1 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 City Council has six members, two from each of Ward's three voting wards, elected at large. City of Ward
  • Council members are elected every two years, in even-numbered years. City of Ward
  • The mayor is elected every four years and presides over City Council meetings. City of Ward
  • The mayor may vote when needed to pass an ordinance, resolution or motion. City of Ward
  • The mayor appoints and removes department heads, including the police and fire chiefs, unless two-thirds of the council votes to override. City of Ward

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