HarlanNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Harlan Mayor & City Council Election 2026

7 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 10 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 voteCheck your registration
No-excuse in-person early voting (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 and may vote for up to seven City Council candidates; the seven with the most votes win. Eight candidates are running for the seven council seats.

No-excuse in-person early voting · Oct 29

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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

01Annexation3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has discussed annexing the Holiday Apartments, Rhea Field, the National Guard Armory and land on KY 72, but had not taken a final vote as of August 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to bring these properties inside city limits, with city police, fire and garbage service.

02Sewer and garbage billing3 sourced facts

Where it standsKentucky American Water finalized its purchase of the Black Mountain Utility District in October 2026, and the city will bill sewer and garbage itself starting Oct. 30.

What's on the tableHow the city collects sewer and garbage fees and pays for sewer repairs.

03Property tax rates2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council held its second reading of the 2026 property tax ordinance, keeping all tax rates the same.

What's on the tableWhat property tax rates to set each year to cover city costs.

04City employee pay and benefits2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026-2027 budget gives city employees a 2 percent raise, and the city is paying the full increase in health insurance premiums.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps paying the full cost of employee health insurance as premiums rise.

05Blighted and empty buildings2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city enforces ordinances on blighted and nuisance properties and in September 2026 designated three more properties as problem areas.

What's on the tableWhich run-down properties to demolish and how to bring empty downtown buildings back into use.

2 notes on these statements

Justin Luttrell resigned from the council in April 2026 after moving outside city limits; the council appointed Jason Wayne Childers to finish his term. Harlan Enterprise · May 13, 2026

Joe Meadors and Geoff Marietta are the two candidates for Mayor of Harlan. Harlan Enterprise · Jun 5, 2026

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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. Should Harlan raise property tax rates to cover rising costs?

  2. 2. Should city employees start paying part of their health insurance?

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

Key dates

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 7 on this ballot

7 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

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