AlbemarleNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Albemarle 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

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Early voting ends (Oct 31): 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.

Three council seats are on the ballot: one at-large seat, which every city voter votes on, and the District 2 and District 4 seats, which are voted on by residents of those districts. The mayor's seat is not on this ballot.

Early voting ends · Oct 31

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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.

  • U.S. Senate
    • Michael Dublin · Green
    • Roy Cooper · Democratic
    • Shannon W. Bray · Libertarian
    • Michael Whatley · Republican
    Official candidate list, in its order
  • Also statewideNC Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 01 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 01 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 02 · NC Court of Appeals Judge Seat 03
  • U.S. HouseDistrict 8
  • NC State SenateDistrict 33
  • NC House of RepresentativesDistrict 67
  • Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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

01Development standards3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn April 2026 council approved three zoning text amendments tied to the Envision Albemarle 2045 land use plan, each by a 5-2 vote.

What's on the tableThe next council applies the new standards to rezonings and development proposals and can revise them.

02Budget and property taxes3 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil adopted the 2026-27 budget in June 2026 with the property tax rate unchanged at 61 cents per $100 and a $26.5 million general fund.

What's on the tableThe next council adopts future budgets, sets the tax rate and decides on utility rates.

03Intercity bus stop2 sourced facts

Where it standsCouncil has not decided whether the intercity bus stop at 154 S. First St. stays or moves; NCDOT may appear at the Oct. 19 meeting.

What's on the tableThe council will recommend to NCDOT whether the current stop location is satisfactory or whether to use another site.

  • Management at Brasseur Electric Train Repair, the occupant of the building in front of the stop, asked officials to consider relocating it. Stanly News Journal · Sep 24, 2026
  • Police Chief Ryan Manley told council that nothing has changed since his December presentation showing the stop was not creating widespread public safety or quality-of-life problems downtown. Stanly News Journal · Sep 24, 2026
04Board appointments2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn August 2026 council appointed Gerald Poplin to the ABC Board by a 4-3 vote after rejecting a proposal to interview the three applicants.

What's on the tableThe next council fills vacancies on city boards and decides how applicants are considered.

2 notes on these statements

Martha Hughes was appointed to complete the District 4 term of Chris Whitley. City of Albemarle

The current District 4 term expires Dec. 7, 2026. WCNC

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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 Albemarle handle new development requirements?

  2. 2. Should Albemarle keep an intercity bus stop?

  3. 3. How should council fill city board vacancies?

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 voted2 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Bill Aldridge, Benton Dry, Martha Sue Hall, Dexter Townsend3 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 City of Albemarle is served by a mayor and seven council members. City of Albemarle
  • Council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. City of Albemarle
  • Under S.L. 2026-25, changes making Albemarle's municipal elections partisan take effect for the 2028 elections. N.C. General Assembly

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