BentonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Benton Mayor & City Council Election 2026

6 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 10 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 2 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

Find your match: 2-question quizSee who is on your ballot

No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.

Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
In-person no-excuse absentee voting begins (Oct 29): 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.

Voters citywide choose one mayor from two candidates and up to six City Council members from eight candidates.

In-person no-excuse absentee voting begins · Oct 29

Take your ballot with you

Candidates, positions and key dates in one email, sent now.

Your cheat-sheet comes right away. You'll also get a reminder before Election Day, the results, then what your council decides next. Unsubscribe anytime. No ads, never sold.

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.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

What the next council decides

01Sewer capacity and new housing4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe sewer main near West 5th and 6th Streets is near capacity, and the city is seeking grants and a loan to replace it so new housing can connect.

What's on the tableHow to pay for the West 6th Street sewer replacement and which developments the city can serve.

  • In May 2026 the sewer system near a proposed Old Symsonia Highway development was estimated to be at 97% capacity, and the upgrade was estimated at over $1.5 million. City of Benton · May 29, 2026
  • In August 2026 the council approved applying for a $545,950 Delta Regional Authority award and a $550,000 state GRANT program award for the project. City of Benton · Aug 17, 2026
  • The council also approved a $1,511,850 Kentucky Infrastructure Authority loan application, to be used only if grant funding is not received. City of Benton · Aug 17, 2026
  • City Clerk Bethany Cooper said the city could afford the project without raising taxes or water rates. Tribune-Courier · Jun 4, 2026
02Property tax rate2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the 2026 real estate tax rate at 20.8 cents, the substitute rate.

What's on the tableNext year's property tax rate: the compensating rate, the substitute rate, or an increase of up to 4%.

03Splash pad at H.H. Lovett Park2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is applying for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for a splash pad at H.H. Lovett Park, and held a public hearing on Sept. 21, 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on the splash pad, which features to include, and where to put it.

04Golf carts on city streets1 sourced fact

Where it standsIn June 2026 a motion to pass an ordinance allowing golf carts on Benton city streets died for lack of a second.

What's on the tableWhether to allow golf carts on city streets and under what rules.

  • In April 2026 the council agreed to hold a public hearing on allowing golf carts on city streets, after the police chief reviewed state law KRS 189.286. City of Benton · Apr 20, 2026
05Garbage service costs2 sourced facts

Where it standsBenton extended its GFL garbage contract in 2026 and added a temporary fuel surcharge to bills.

What's on the tableGarbage rates and the next contract.

4 notes on these statements

Mayor Rita Dotson will retire at the end of her term, so the mayor's race has no incumbent. Tribune-Courier · May 7, 2026

Laura Craynon was appointed in January 2026 to the council seat Darryl Carr resigned. City of Benton · Jan 5, 2026

Brenda Edwards was appointed in June 2026 to the council seat Kevin Farley resigned to become the city's planning and zoning administrator. Tribune-Courier · Jun 25, 2026

Laura Craynon was appointed because she had no intention of running on the 2026 ballot. Tribune-Courier · Jun 4, 2026

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

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. Should Benton borrow, if grants fall short, to upgrade the West 6th Street sewer for growth?

  2. 2. Should Benton allow golf carts on city streets?

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 voted12 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 6 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.