SanfordNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Sanford Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 11 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 quizSee 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 voteCheck your registration
Last day to request an absentee ballot (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.

Your houseWhat does your Sanford house pay?A typical Sanford house pays about $9,900 a year. Enter your address for your own number: property tax from the county's record, water, trash and energy, and the money dates ahead.

The candidates

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

Voters choose one mayor for a two-year term and two councilors for three-year terms; the ballot says vote for one mayor and vote for two council candidates.

Last day to request an absentee ballot · Oct 29

Take your ballot with you

Candidates, positions and key dates in one email, sent now.

Your cheat-sheet comes right away. You'll also get a reminder before Election Day, the results, then what your council decides next. Unsubscribe anytime. No ads, never sold.

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 33
  • House of RepresentativesDistrict 142 (40% of Sanford residents) · District 143 (40%) · District 141 (20%)
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.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Aries sludge plant and data center proposals3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has enacted moratoriums on data centers and on biosolids and sewage thermal processing facilities, each opening time to write new rules.

What's on the tableWhat standards, or bans, Sanford sets for these projects, and whether any project goes to voters.

02Mobile home lot rent stabilization2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a Mobile Home Lot Rent Stabilization Ordinance in May 2026, effective June 14, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to amend or keep the rent rules for mobile home park lots.

03Housing and downtown growth2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council has approved housing-related actions in 2026, including a CDBG grant for new units and a contract zone for a mill redevelopment.

What's on the tableHow Sanford balances housing, downtown development and industry in its next council term.

  • On Aug. 4, 2026 the council authorized accepting a $500,000 CDBG grant for Habitat for Humanity York County to create five housing units on Island Avenue (7-0). City of Sanford · Aug 4, 2026
  • On June 2, 2026 the council authorized a Contract Zoning Agreement with Stenton Mill, LLC for redevelopment of 13 River Street (7-0). City of Sanford · Jun 2, 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. 1. Should Sanford voters decide on the Aries sludge plant and data center projects by referendum?

  2. 2. What should Sanford do about the Aries sludge plant and data center proposals?

  3. 3. Should Sanford limit annual rent increases at mobile home parks?

  4. 4. What should the next council put first?

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 Sanford is runWho runs Sanford, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.Your houseA typical Sanford house pays about $9,900 a yearProperty tax, water, trash and energy, line by line for your address, plus the savings most owners miss.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Ayn Hanselmann, Nathan Hitchcock, Charlene Plante3 on this ballot

7 council seats. 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

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.