SouthgateNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Southgate 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

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
In-person, no-excuse early 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 choose one of two mayoral candidates and up to six of the eight City Council candidates on the ballot.

In-person, no-excuse early 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

01Property tax rate3 sourced facts

Where it standsAt a September 2026 public hearing the city proposed a real property tax rate of $0.445 per $100, down from $0.529 last year.

What's on the tableThe council sets the property tax rate by ordinance each year.

02Development tax deals3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council approved a master bond resolution for Sunrock industrial revenue bonds, 5-1.

What's on the tableThe council decides whether to approve bond and payment-in-lieu-of-tax deals for new development.

03Streets and the KLC bond3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is rebuilding streets including Valley View and Blossom Lane, financed partly through a Kentucky League of Cities bond.

What's on the tableThe council decides how much to borrow and which streets to repair next.

04Police pay and staffing2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe police chief told the council the city struggles to find replacement officers at current salaries.

What's on the tableThe council sets police pay and staffing in the budget and pay ordinances.

05License plate cameras2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 residents asked the council to discuss Flock license plate cameras, and the mayor referred the topic to the Safety committee.

What's on the tableThe council may decide how license plate reader cameras and their data are used.

1 note on these statements

Mark Messmer, a current council member, is running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Jim Hamberg. LINK nky

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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 Southgate keep lowering its 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 voted6 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

  • Online mail-in absentee ballot request portal closesLINK nkyOct 20, 2026
  • Excused, in-person absentee voting startsLINK nkyOct 21, 2026
  • In-person, no-excuse early voting beginsLINK nkyOct 29, 2026
  • Election DayLINK nkyNov 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.

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

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