Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Mesa City Council Election 2026

1 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Council member District 5 · 1 seat

Alicia GoforthIncumbentDistrict 5 council member; term runs until January 202714sourced
Aleks VranicicWorks in the spa and salon business, according to the Mesa Tribune. His campaign site lists fiscal responsibility, public safety, growth, homelessness and Falcon Field as his issues.13sourced

Only District 5 voters vote in this runoff between the top two finishers of the July 21 primary; the candidate with more votes wins.

4 notes on these statements

In the July 21 primary, Alicia Goforth received 5,980 votes (34.08%) and Aleks Vranicic 4,711 (26.85%); no candidate won a majority, so the two meet in a runoff. Mesa Tribune

Nick Willis won District 4, and Scott Somers was re-elected without a challenger, in the July primary. Mesa Tribune

Councilwoman Jenn Duff (District 4) is termed out of office; she endorsed Nick Willis. Mesa Tribune

Mesa council races are nonpartisan; the Mesa Tribune reports that both Goforth and Vranicic are running as conservatives. Mesa Tribune

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Rich AdamsDistrict 1 council member; term runs until January 20297sourced Mark FreemanMayor (elected citywide in 2024); not on this ballot7sourced Francisco HerediaDistrict 3 council member; term runs until January 20296sourced Scott SomersVice mayor and District 6 council member; re-elected unopposed in July 20267sourced Dorean TaylorDistrict 2 council member; term runs through January 20296sourced Nick WillisDistrict 4 council member-elect; won the seat outright in the July 21, 2026 primary3sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesFalcon Field Airport fees, Utility rates, Budget and structural deficit Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Falcon Field Airport fees

Where it standsThe council adopted landing fees at Falcon Field in March 2026, then delayed them 90 days in July 2026 amid a flight-school lawsuit and an FAA review.

What's on the tableWhether to confirm, change or drop the landing fees after the outside legal review, and how to pay for the airport.

The council approved new Falcon Field fees and charges, including landing fees, 7-0 on March 23, 2026. City of Mesa · Mar 23, 2026
City Attorney Jim Smith said the fees were meant to help make the airport financially self-sustaining, not to reduce noise or flight traffic. City of Mesa · Mar 23, 2026
Two flight schools, CAE Aviation Academy and Thrust Flight Properties, sued Mesa in federal court to stop the landing fees. AZFamily · May 21, 2026
On July 27, 2026 the council voted 6-1 to delay the landing fees so outside counsel could review them; Councilmember Goforth voted no. City of Mesa · Jul 27, 2026

Utility rates

Where it standsIn December 2025 the council raised utility rates, with a 2.5% residential increase, down from an earlier 5.5% proposal.

What's on the tableHow much to raise water, wastewater, gas, electric and trash rates in future years.

Staff reduced the proposed residential rate adjustment from 5.5% to 2.5% after council discussion. City of Mesa · Dec 1, 2025
The utility rate ordinances passed 4-1 on December 1, 2025, with Councilmember Taylor voting no and two members absent. City of Mesa · Dec 1, 2025
Non-residential water rates were scheduled for council action on February 9, 2026, to take effect April 1, 2026. City of Mesa · Dec 1, 2025

Budget and structural deficit

Where it standsThe council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget 6-1 in June 2026; the city manager said it uses reserves while moving toward a balanced budget.

What's on the tableHow fast to close the structural deficit and whether to cut spending, use reserves or raise revenue.

City Manager Scott Butler said the budget includes $56 million in General Fund reductions over three years and uses reserves to avoid service cuts. City of Mesa · Jun 1, 2026
Mayor Freeman said Mesa is one of the few municipalities without a primary property tax. City of Mesa · Jun 1, 2026
The Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget passed 6-1, with Councilmember Taylor voting no. City of Mesa · Jun 1, 2026

Homelessness and shelter sites

Where it standsMesa bought the Grand Hotel on East Main Street in 2023 for its homelessness program and rezoned it for a social service facility.

What's on the tableWhether to add, keep or limit city shelter and temporary housing sites.

The council voted 4-3 in May 2023 to buy the Grand Hotel at 6733 East Main Street. City of Mesa · May 15, 2023
In November 2023 the council voted 4-3 to rezone the site so the city could move part of a temporary housing program for people experiencing homelessness there. City of Mesa · Nov 6, 2023

Housing density and growth

Where it standsThe council decides rezoning cases one by one, and several 2025 housing projects passed on split votes.

What's on the tableWhich rezonings for apartments, townhomes and single-family homes to approve.

The Price Manor II rezoning in Lehi passed 5-2 in September 2025, with Councilmembers Adams and Goforth voting no. City of Mesa · Sep 22, 2025

Bond measures on the ballot

Where it standsVoters will decide on $150 million in public safety bonds and $135 million in transportation bonds on November 3, 2026.

What's on the tableIf the bonds pass, the council approves each bond project before construction.

The 2026 Bond Program would not exceed $285 million across two ballot questions. City of Mesa
All projects are considered individually and must be approved by the City Council prior to construction. City of Mesa
The bonds would be repaid from secondary property tax revenues, at an estimated average rate of $0.2226 per $100 of assessed value. City of Mesa

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. Who should pay to run Falcon Field Airport?
2. How should Mesa set utility rates?
3. How should Mesa close its structural budget deficit?
4. Should Mesa add more city-owned shelter or temporary housing sites?
5. How should the council handle proposals for apartments and other higher-density housing?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register to voteCity of Mesa City ClerkOct 5, 2026
Ballots mailed and early voting beginsCity of Mesa City ClerkOct 7, 2026
Last day to request a ballot by mailCity of Mesa City ClerkOct 23, 2026
Last day to mail back your ballotCity of Mesa City ClerkOct 27, 2026
Election DayCity of Mesa City ClerkNov 3, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Rich Adams, Mark Freeman, Francisco Heredia, Scott Somers, Dorean Taylor, Nick Willis1 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Mesa voters elect a mayor and six councilmembers on a non-partisan basis. City of Mesa
Councilmembers serve four-year terms, with three members elected every two years; the mayor is elected at-large every four years. City of Mesa
The vice mayor is selected by the City Council. City of Mesa
The mayor votes on council items: Mayor Freeman is listed among the votes on the Falcon Field fees in March 2026. City of Mesa · Mar 23, 2026
Mesa will hold a General Election on November 3, 2026 for a District 5 councilmember runoff and four ballot measures. City of Mesa City Clerk

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