Horse CaveNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Horse Cave Mayor & City Council Election 2026

6 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 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
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 elect the mayor and may vote for up to six City Council candidates; the six with the most votes win. Two candidates are running for mayor and six for the six council seats.

In-person no-excuse absentee voting begins · 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

01Juvenile curfew4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council passed a juvenile curfew ordinance on first reading in December 2025, and its second reading was on the January 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableThe next council and mayor will oversee how the curfew is enforced and whether it needs changes.

02Property taxes and budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsFor 2025 the council set the real property tax rate at 11.8 cents per $100, below the compensating rate, and the personal property rate at 18.37 cents.

What's on the tableThe council sets property tax rates each year and adopts the city budget.

03Animal control3 sourced facts

Where it standsAnimal Haven of Hart County, a private nonprofit replacing the county shelter, asked cities for financial support; the council tabled the request in May 2025.

What's on the tableThe council decides whether and how to pay for animal pick-up and shelter services.

04Splash pad and recreation3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe Caverna Kiwanis Club proposed raising money for a splash pad in Horse Cave, with the city providing property and maintenance.

What's on the tableThe council would decide whether to commit city property and upkeep to a splash pad.

05License plate cameras2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city's automated license plate readers went into effect July 15, 2026.

What's on the tableThe council can set rules and funding for the city's camera system.

1 note on these statements

John B. Buckingham, a current council member, is running for mayor against Mayor Randall Curry. Green River Media

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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 Horse Cave have a curfew for juveniles?

  2. 2. Where should the city set its real property tax rate?

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 voted7 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.

  • The Department for Local Government lists Horse Cave's government type as Mayor/Council. Kentucky Department for Local Government
  • The citizens of Horse Cave elect a mayor to a four-year term and six council members to two-year terms. City of Horse Cave
  • In a mayor-council city, the mayor is not a member of the legislative body; the mayor presides over meetings and may veto ordinances or break a tie. City of Horse Cave
  • City Council meets on the second Monday of every month at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall Chambers, 121 Woodlawn Avenue. City of Horse Cave

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