Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
West Liberty Mayor & City Council Election 2026
6 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
How to vote · 11 days left
No-excuse in-person absentee voting begins (Oct 29): the election office's noticeThese 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 seatCity Council
Unopposed- Sarah Beth LeggIncumbent2sourced
- Russell "Rusty" LindonIncumbentMember of the West Liberty City Council.2sourced
- Dwayne NickellIncumbentMember of the West Liberty City Council.2sourced
- Kyle RisnerMayor of West Liberty2sourced
- Tony SmithIncumbentMember of the West Liberty City Council.1sourced
- Mark WalterIncumbentMember of the West Liberty City Council.2sourced
Voters citywide choose one mayor and may vote for up to six City Council candidates; six candidates are running for the six council seats.
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
- Statewide measures1 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.
What the next council decides
01Water treatment plant upgrades3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn 2026 the city sought engineering firms for upgrades to its water treatment plant, with qualifications due September 30, 2026.
What's on the tableWhich engineering firm and project the city pursues, and how the upgrades are paid for.
- The City of West Liberty advertised a request for qualifications for engineering services for its Water Treatment Plant Improvements and Upgrades Project. Gateway Area Development District
- The listed work includes modernizing or replacing chlorine feed systems, building and rehabilitating filters, and replacing control valves. Gateway Area Development District
- Anticipated funding sources include Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding and local partnerships. Gateway Area Development District
02Wastewater treatment plant upgrades3 sourced facts
Where it standsIn 2026 the city sought engineering firms for upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant and sewer system, with qualifications due September 30, 2026.
What's on the tableWhich sewer plant and collection system upgrades the city carries out, and how they are funded.
- The City of West Liberty advertised a request for qualifications for engineering services for its Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements and Upgrades Project. Gateway Area Development District
- The listed work includes replacing sewer plant UV systems, installing one million gallon flow tanks, and replacing and extending sewer mains. Gateway Area Development District
- The regional FY26 wastewater ranking lists the City of West Liberty WWTP Improvements project as not funded. Gateway Area Water Management Council
03Water supply from Cave Run Lake3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city has proposed a water allocation study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to increase its draw permit from Cave Run Lake; the regional ranking lists it as not funded.
What's on the tableWhether and how the city pursues a larger water draw, intake repairs and storage tank work.
- The City of West Liberty needs to increase its current draw permit from Cave Run Lake, and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water allocation study would be the first step. Gateway Area Water Management Council
- The same project would rehab or replace the existing water intake and rehab the existing water treatment plant. Gateway Area Water Management Council
- The city also proposes improvements and rehabilitation of two existing water tanks. Gateway Area Water Management Council
1 note on these statements
Six candidates are running for the six West Liberty City Council seats, so the council race has no opposition. Kentucky Secretary of State · Nov 3, 2026
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Key dates
- Last day to register to voteKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 5, 2026
- Online mail-in absentee ballot request portal closesKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 20, 2026
- Excused in-person absentee voting beginsKentucky State Board of ElectionsOct 21, 2026
- No-excuse in-person 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): 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 ballot lists 'Vote for One' for Mayor, City of West Liberty, and 'Vote for Six' for City Council, City of West Liberty, on a nonpartisan city ballot. Kentucky Secretary of State · Nov 3, 2026
- The Kentucky Department for Local Government lists West Liberty's government type as Mayor/Council. Kentucky Department for Local Government
- Under Kentucky's mayor-council plan, the mayor presides at council meetings but may vote only to break a tie. KRS 83A.130
- Kentucky mayors are elected to four-year terms. KRS 83A.040
- Kentucky city legislative body members are elected at large to two-year terms. KRS 83A.040
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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