Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Lewiston Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 12 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

Find your match: 4-question quiz See who is on your ballot

No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.

Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to vote Check your registration

Deadline to order absentee ballots (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.

Mayor

1 seat

City Council Ward 2

1 seat

City Council Ward 4

1 seat

City Council Ward 6

1 seat

Voters choose a mayor citywide, and each of Wards 2, 4 and 6 elects one councilor. Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 are not on this ballot.

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.

Governor
- Rick Bennett · Independent
- Robert B. Charles · Republican
- Hannah M. Pingree · Democratic
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
- Susan M. Collins · Republican
- Troy D. Jackson · Democratic
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. HouseDistrict 2
State SenateDistrict 21
House of RepresentativesDistrict 95 (26% of Lewiston residents) · District 94 (25%) · District 93 (25%) · District 96 (24%)

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Youth gun violence and public safety4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved $200,000 in added police overtime on Aug. 4, 2026, and a council Public Safety Committee has been meeting.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on police staffing and technology versus youth programs, and what the Public Safety Committee recommends.

On Aug. 4, 2026 the council approved a $200,000 supplemental appropriation from the salary reserve for additional police overtime (7-0). City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026
An amendment to add $55,000 from fund balance for a self-deploying drone did not pass (2-5). City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026
On Sept. 1, 2026 Councilor Longchamps said the Public Safety Committee held its third meeting that afternoon. City of Lewiston · Sep 1, 2026
The mayor and then Council President David Chittim called a June special public meeting on youth gun violence that more than 150 people attended. The Maine Wire · Aug 22, 2026

02Mobile home park rents2 sourced facts

Where it standsA proposed moratorium on rent increases for mobile home park lots did not receive first passage on Aug. 4, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether and how Lewiston limits lot rent increases at mobile home parks, including a permanent ordinance the Housing Committee has been drafting.

The proposed moratorium, which would take effect Sept. 29, 2026, failed first passage 2-5. City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026
Councilor Nagine said the Housing Committee should keep working on the mobile lot rent ordinance. City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026

03City budget, taxes and economic development4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council passed the FY2027 budget 5-2 in May 2026 and later folded Economic Development into City Administration.

What's on the tableNext year's budget, how the reorganized economic development function is run, and utility fee levels.

The FY2027 resolve appropriated $72,226,179 in the General Fund and passed 5-2. City of Lewiston · May 19, 2026
The same resolve included $32,885,176 for the Lewiston School Department. City of Lewiston · May 19, 2026
The council voted 5-2 to eliminate the Economic Development Director position and reorganize third-floor departments. City of Lewiston · May 19, 2026
On Sept. 1, 2026 the City Administrator reported Economic Development will become a division of City Administration. City of Lewiston · Sep 1, 2026

04Development deals and tax increment financing3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved several development agreements in July and August 2026, including tax increment financing for a 72-unit affordable housing project.

What's on the tableWhether to keep granting tax increment and other incentives for downtown and housing projects.

On July 21, 2026 the council approved a letter of intent with Eco Hospitality Consultants for the Red Shop and a TIF returning up to 75% of net new tax revenue for 30 years (7-0). City of Lewiston · Jul 21, 2026
On July 21, 2026 the council authorized an option agreement with Bates Mill, LLC for Bates Mill #5 through June 30, 2031 (7-0). City of Lewiston · Jul 21, 2026
On Aug. 4, 2026 the council approved a credit enhancement agreement returning 73% of the captured tax increment over 20 years for the 72-unit Soleil project (6-1). City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026

05Syringe service program ballot question2 sourced facts

Where it standsQuestion 1 on the November city ballot asks voters whether to restrict Lewiston's syringe services.

What's on the tableHow the city carries out the result and what it does about discarded needles.

Question 1 asks if an ordinance should be changed to require a one-to-one needle exchange and eliminate mobile units, among other service reductions. NEWS CENTER Maine
The ballot measure proposes a daily syringe cap and a one-for-one syringe exchange limit. Maine Public · Sep 30, 2026

4 notes on these statements

Four School Committee seats (Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7) are also on the Nov. 3 ballot and are not covered in this guide. Turner Publishing · Jun 16, 2026

The council voted 7-0 in July 2026 to ask voters on the November ballot whether a Charter Commission should be established. City of Lewiston · Jul 21, 2026

Question 1 on the November city ballot asks voters about restrictions on Lewiston's syringe services. NEWS CENTER Maine

The mayor's race has five candidates: Brian Beaulieu, Ricky LaChapelle, Jay Rodrigue, Carl Sheline and Charles Soule. The Maine Wire · Aug 22, 2026

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

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. How should Lewiston respond to youth gun violence?
2. Should Lewiston limit rent increases for mobile home park lots?
3. How should the city staff economic development?
4. Should the city use tax increment financing for affordable housing projects?

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

Absentee ballots available at City Clerk's OfficeCity of LewistonOct 5, 2026
Early in-person voting begins in the City Council ChambersCity of LewistonOct 13, 2026
Deadline to order absentee ballots (4:00 p.m.) and last day of early votingCity of LewistonOct 29, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)City of LewistonNov 3, 2026
New terms beginTurner Publishing · Jun 16, 2026Jan 4, 2027

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Scott Harriman, Bret Martel, Joshua Nagine, Chrissy Noble3 on this ballot

7 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council has seven councilors, one for each of Lewiston's seven wards. City of Lewiston
The mayor presides at council meetings. City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026
Under the City Charter, the mayor may cast a vote when a councilor is absent. City of Lewiston · Aug 4, 2026
The mayor is elected citywide; councilors are elected by ward. Turner Publishing · Jun 16, 2026
The mayor and Ward 2, 4 and 6 councilors elected in November 2026 serve two-year terms, January 2027 to January 2029. City of Lewiston
Councilors for Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 were elected in November 2025 to terms ending January 2028. City of Lewiston

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

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.