Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Saco Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 2 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Last day of in-person absentee voting (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 a mayor citywide for a three-year term and one councilor each in Wards 2, 3 and 7. Ward 2 and Ward 7 terms are three years; the Ward 3 term is the one remaining year.

Last day of in-person absentee voting · 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.

  • 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 1
  • State SenateDistrict 31
  • House of RepresentativesDistrict 129 (43% of Saco residents) · District 130 (43%) · District 126 (14%)

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.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01Mobile home park rents and housing4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council enacted a mobile home park lot rent ordinance on Sept. 14, 2026, and approved a Housing Action Plan the same night.

What's on the tableHow the new rent rules are applied and changed, and what the next council funds and builds under the Housing Action Plan.

02Smith-Stockman Connector2 sourced facts

Where it standsOn Aug. 3, 2026 the council approved Option C, a roadway and drainage build, and directed staff to take the next steps.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city funds and builds the connector between Smith Lane and Stockman Avenue.

03Data centers2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council enacted a 61-day emergency prohibition on data centers on Aug. 3, 2026, to give the city time to update its code.

What's on the tableWhat permanent zoning and permitting rules, if any, Saco adopts for data centers.

04Pepperell Park redesign2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council held a workshop on Sept. 14, 2026 on master plan options for Pepperell Park, with investment levels from $3.5 million to $9 million.

What's on the tableWhich Pepperell Park design the city adopts and how much it invests.

  • The landscape architect presented three master plan options with levels of investment ranging from $3.5 million to $9 million. City of Saco · Sep 14, 2026
  • The city's Parks and Recreation Director said the park was donated to the city in the early 1800s with restrictions on its uses. City of Saco · Sep 14, 2026
05City budget and surplus3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the FY27 municipal budget of $43,982,264 on May 11, 2026, and school budget validation passed at the June 9 referendum.

What's on the tableThe FY28 municipal budget and how surplus funds are used.

1 note on these statements

Jodi L. MacPhail is unopposed for mayor and Nathan D. Johnston is unopposed in Ward 7 on the city's list of qualified candidates. City of Saco · Sep 17, 2026

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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. How should Saco handle rent increases at mobile home parks?

  2. 2. How should Saco use surplus fund balance?

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 voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How Saco is runWho runs Saco, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Douglas Edwards, William Gayle, Tricia Huot, Jeffrey Onnen4 on this ballot

7 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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