Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Shelbyville Mayor & City Council Election 2026

6 of 6

council seats up

2 contests

13 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · 1 seat

Norris BeckleySenior pastor at Centennial Baptist Church for over a decade, born and raised in Shelbyville.3sourced
Joshua BerkleyAttorney who opened Berkley Law in 2016 and is president of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.4sourced
Troy EthingtonIncumbentShelbyville mayor since January 2023 and a 25-year veteran of the Shelbyville Fire Department. He previously served six years on the City Council.4sourced
Shane SuttorShelbyville City Council member who says he has served 16 years on the council. He has worked 32 years at Toyota.8sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 6

Voters choose one mayor and up to six council members from nine council candidates; the mayor presides and votes only to break a tie.

2 notes on these statements

Council member Shane Suttor is on the ballot for mayor; his campaign site says he has served 16 years on the City Council. Shane Suttor for Mayor (campaign site)

Troy Ethington is the incumbent mayor seeking re-election, the Sentinel-News reported. Sentinel-News

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesData center moratorium, Flock license-plate cameras, Growth and the comprehensive plan Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote (online by 4 p.m. local time)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Data center moratorium

Where it standsThe council passed a temporary moratorium on data center applications; the Sentinel-News reported it runs through December 31, 2026 and can be extended.

What's on the tableWhether to extend the moratorium, and what rules for power, water and location the city writes for data centers.

On June 4, 2026, Councilmember Suttor suggested the council place a moratorium on data centers. Shelbyville City Council minutes, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026
On July 16 the council agreed by consensus to recommend a moratorium, with a first reading set for August 6. Shelbyville City Council minutes, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
The ordinance puts a temporary hold on applications for zoning changes, permits, site plans, utility extensions and other approvals for data centers; the Triple S Planning Commission is to review utility, water, electric and emergency-service impacts. Sentinel-News
On September 3 councilmembers discussed data center regulations; Mayor Ethington said Planning and Zoning would hold a public hearing on the topic. Shelbyville City Council minutes, September 3, 2026 · Sep 3, 2026

Flock license-plate cameras

Where it standsThe city has four Flock cameras in place; a resident raised concerns at the August 6 meeting.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the cameras as they are, add rules for their use, or remove them.

Police Chief Gentry told the council on July 16 that the city has four Flock cameras in place. Shelbyville City Council minutes, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
At the August 6 meeting a resident raised concerns about the four Flock cameras; the police chief invited him to the police station to discuss them. Shelbyville City Council minutes, August 6, 2026 · Aug 6, 2026
Candidate James Mulcahy said the four cameras are not a privacy threat and are an important crime-fighting tool, and that the council can strengthen current regulations. Sentinel-News

Growth and the comprehensive plan

Where it standsThe city has sought proposals for a new comprehensive plan and has annexed more land this year.

What's on the tableHow the comprehensive plan guides zoning, annexation and development in the city.

On July 16 the council reviewed a developer's appeal of the Triple S Planning and Zoning recommendation on a zone change for 833 Harrington Mill Road from Agricultural to R-3 and R-4; no motion was made to accept or deny the recommendation. Shelbyville City Council minutes, July 16, 2026 · Jul 16, 2026
The council approved annexation of about 3.46 acres off Hedden-Imel Lane on second reading, the Sentinel-News reported. Sentinel-News

Downtown Entertainment District

Where it standsThe city attorney said in August that work on an Entertainment District ordinance was back on track for presentation to the council.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt an Entertainment District ordinance for downtown.

On August 6 the city attorney reported that work on the Entertainment District ordinance should be ready to present to council in late September. Shelbyville City Council minutes, August 6, 2026 · Aug 6, 2026
On June 4 Mayor Ethington thanked Councilmember Zaring for her work on Entertainment District signage. Shelbyville City Council minutes, June 4, 2026 · Jun 4, 2026
Candidate Sally Pollett Zaring said she wants the council to move forward with an Entertainment District that would allow carrying alcoholic beverages in downtown Shelbyville. Sentinel-News

Gas station and EV charging rules

Where it standsThe council passed an ordinance creating rules for retail filling stations and EV charging stations in February 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or enforce the filling-station rules as development proposals come forward.

The ordinance was read for the first time at a special meeting on January 30, 2026. Shelbyville City Council minutes, January 30, 2026 (special meeting) · Jan 30, 2026
At the February 5 meeting, an attorney for landowners at Highway 53 and Hooper Station Road said the ordinance would interfere with a real estate transaction and asked the council to vote no. Shelbyville City Council minutes, February 5, 2026 · Feb 5, 2026
On February 5 the ordinance passed on a roll call in which all six council members voted aye. Shelbyville City Council minutes, February 5, 2026 · Feb 5, 2026

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. What should Shelbyville do about data centers?
2. What should the city do with its Flock license-plate cameras?
3. How should the city treat new development?
4. Should downtown Shelbyville create an Entertainment District where drinks can be carried outdoors?
5. How should the city regulate gas stations and EV charging stations?

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 vote (online by 4 p.m. local time)Kentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot (11:59 p.m. Eastern)Kentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 20, 2026
In-person excused absentee voting beginsKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 21, 2026
No-excuse early in-person voting begins (October 29-31)Kentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 29, 2026
Election Day, polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local timeKentucky State Board of ElectionsNov 3, 2026

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 city is governed under the Mayor-Council plan, with an elected mayor and an elected City Council of at least six members. Shelbyville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20: Elected Officials
The mayor is elected for a four-year term and council members are elected at large for two-year terms, with no primary. Shelbyville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20: Elected Officials
The mayor presides at council meetings and may cast the deciding vote in case of a tie, but has no other vote. Shelbyville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20: Elected Officials
The ballot lists the Shelbyville City Council contest as vote for up to six, and the mayor contest as vote for one. Kentucky Secretary of State

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