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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How to vote · 12 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.
Ward voters choose a mayor from three candidates; the five council candidates who filed are unopposed.
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.
- 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.
- Jack BolesCity Council, Ward 3, Position 1; unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026 election2sourced
- Charles ChapmanCity Council, Ward 1, Position 1; unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026 election3sourced
- Heath CorbishleyCity Council, Ward 2, Position 1; unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026 election1sourced
- Robin McKee HefnerCity Council, Ward 2, Position 2; unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026 election4sourced
- Richard SmokerCity Council, Ward 1, Position 2; unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026 election1sourced
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.
- At the August 18, 2026 meeting, Mayor Charles Gastineau played a video released by Flock and showed images of a stolen motorcycle recovered using the cameras. City of Ward · Aug 18, 2026
- Four residents spoke about the cameras during the August 18 meeting, and the mayor said the topic would be added to the next month's agenda. City of Ward · Aug 18, 2026
- The council discussed whether Flock automated license plate reader cameras are a viable asset for public safety or an invasion of privacy. The Arkansas Leader · Aug 26, 2026
- The October 20, 2026 agenda lists a discussion on license plate reader cameras under old business. City of Ward · Oct 20, 2026
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.
- On July 28, 2026, the council voted 6-0 to proceed with staggered four-year terms for council members. City of Ward · Jul 28, 2026
- On August 4, 2026, the council voted 4-0 to adopt Ordinance 2026-11, referring the change from two-year to four-year terms to the 2026 general election ballot. City of Ward · Aug 4, 2026
- The ballot asks whether voters favor four-year terms for council members elected within the City of Ward. Lonoke County Election Commission
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.
- In April 2026 the council voted 5-1 to continue discussions with Grand Prairie about a possible water line sale. City of Ward · Apr 21, 2026
- In June 2026 Mayor Gastineau said there was no action on the water line sale because the city was waiting on the engineering study. City of Ward · Jun 16, 2026
- The October 20, 2026 agenda includes a resolution for an emergency water connection agreement with the Grand Prairie Bayou Two Public Water Authority. City of Ward · Oct 20, 2026
- In August 2026 Mayor Gastineau said the 2024-2025 water and wastewater audit was clean with no findings. City of Ward · Aug 18, 2026
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. How long should Ward council members' terms be?
2. Should Ward sell a city water line to Grand Prairie?
Key dates
- Early voting beginsLonoke County Election CommissionOct 19, 2026
- Early voting endsLonoke County Election CommissionNov 2, 2026
- Election dayLonoke County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026
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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