Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Fulton Mayor & City Commission Election 2026

5 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 11 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to vote Check 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.

Mayor

1 seat

City Commissioner

Vote for up to 4

Voters choose one mayor and may vote for up to four City Commissioner candidates; the four with the most votes win.

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.

U.S. Senate
- Andy Barr · Republican Party
- Charles Booker · Democratic Party
- Christopher Campbell · Kentucky Party
Official candidate list, in its order
Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (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

01Restaurant tax for tourism3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe commission voted in April 2026 to raise the restaurant tax from 1% to 2%, effective July 1, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the 2% rate and how the money is used for tourism.

The Tourism Commission chairman said the 1% restaurant tax brings in about $150,000 a year. City of Fulton · Mar 9, 2026
The tourism director said the cap on the tax is 3%. City of Fulton · Mar 9, 2026
Ordinance 2026-10 raising the restaurant tax from 1% to 2% passed 4-0 on second reading, with Mayor Prater voting no. City of Fulton · Apr 13, 2026

02Water and sewer finances3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city manager told the commission in June 2026 that the water fund showed a deficit of about $54,000 in the next budget.

What's on the tableHow much to raise water and sewer rates and how to pay for repairs.

The city manager said a 5% increase would generate about $52,000 and still leave water about $2,000 short. City of Fulton · Jun 22, 2026
Commissioners agreed to a 3% water increase in the city during the final budget discussion. City of Fulton · Jun 22, 2026
Ordinance 2026-12 setting the water and sewer rates passed 5-0 on second reading. City of Fulton · Jun 29, 2026

03Lead water line replacement2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is applying for several grants to replace lead and galvanized water service lines.

What's on the tableWhich grants to pursue and how to pay for the next phase of line replacement.

The commission voted 5-0 to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds to replace lead water service lines and meters. City of Fulton · Jun 22, 2026
The city manager said a KY WWATERS application was one of several grants stacked to get $2,000,000 for phase two of the lead copper galvanized removal on the water lines. City of Fulton · Jun 25, 2026

04School resource officers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe school board decided not to keep both school resource officers, and city staff prepared a letter to the board about the contract's notice terms.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps providing school resource officers and how it funds police positions.

The city manager said the city can fund only 11 officers. City of Fulton · Jun 22, 2026
The city manager said the school board decided not to have both school resource officers without giving the city notice. City of Fulton · Jun 22, 2026

05Recycling1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe commission discussed discontinuing the recycling program in May 2026.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps any recycling service.

The city manager said the recycling program was not the city's program and that the partner did not want to pay for it. City of Fulton · May 11, 2026

2 notes on these statements

Thunderbolt Radio reported that incumbent Mayor David Prater will be challenged by Brandon Gallimore. Thunderbolt Radio · Jun 3, 2026

The city's commissioners page lists Jeff Vaughn, Darcy Linn, Kevin Kelley and Elaine Forrester as commissioners. City of Fulton

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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. Should Fulton raise its restaurant tax from 1% to 2% to fund tourism?
2. Should the city raise water rates to keep up with repairs and debt?

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 voted4 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Online mail-in absentee ballot request portal closesKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 20, 2026
In-person no-excuse absentee voting begins (through Oct. 31)Kentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 29, 2026
Election Day (polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)Kentucky State Board of ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 5 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The ballot lists 'Vote for One' for Mayor and 'Vote for up to Four' for City Commissioners, City of Fulton, on the nonpartisan city ballot. Kentucky Secretary of State · Nov 3, 2026
Fulton uses the Commission Plan: an elected mayor and four elected commissioners make up the City Commission. City of Fulton
A City Manager handles the city's day-to-day responsibilities under the Manager Plan. City of Fulton
The mayor presides at meetings of the legislative body. City of Fulton
The commission named Nathan Lamb as City Manager in July 2026. City of Fulton · Jul 22, 2026

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