McCookNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

McCook City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 12 days left

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Last day for in-person voter registration (Oct 23): 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.

Every McCook voter can vote for up to three of the six candidates; the three with the most votes win the at-large seats.

Last day for in-person voter registration · Oct 23

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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.

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.

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

What the next council decides

01Water, sewer and utility rates4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council raised water, sewer and trash rates for 2026-27 to pay for water treatment and wastewater plant work.

What's on the tableThe council sets utility rates and approves contracts for the water treatment and wastewater plant projects.

02Youth sports complex costs4 sourced facts

Where it standsMcCook has financed the PFC Gerald L. Walters Youth Sports Complex with long-term bonds and is negotiating a management contract.

What's on the tableThe council will decide on a management contract for the complex and how to cover its operating and debt costs.

03Housing and growth2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved the preliminary plat for the Walters Second Addition, with 40 residential lots and two commercial lots.

What's on the tableThe council will decide final plats, zoning and improvement districts for new housing near the sports complex.

04City budget and property taxes3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the FY 2026/2027 budget 5-0 on September 21, 2026.

What's on the tableThe council sets the annual budget, the property tax request and staffing levels.

05License plate reader cameras2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city attorney read a statement on license plate reader cameras at the September 8, 2026 council meeting.

What's on the tableThe council would decide whether McCook police may buy license plate reader cameras and what rules govern them.

06Ordinance readings and public input1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council sometimes suspends the rule requiring an ordinance to be read on three different days.

What's on the tableThe council decides, ordinance by ordinance, whether to suspend the three-reading rule.

  • The council voted 5-0 on September 21, 2026 to suspend the three-reading rule for Ordinance No. 2026-3124 on the city manager's salary. City of McCook · Sep 21, 2026
07Memorial Auditorium1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council was set to discuss a possible sale of Memorial Auditorium to McCook Christian Church on October 19, with no formal action planned.

What's on the tableThe council would decide whether, and how, to transfer ownership of Memorial Auditorium.

  • Tyler McCarty, representing McCook Christian Church, asked in September whether the city would consider selling the auditorium to the church. McCook Gazette · Oct 16, 2026
4 notes on these statements

Three seats are open; Gene Weedin is the only incumbent among the six candidates. McCook Gazette · Oct 19, 2026

Gene Weedin, Jared Muehlenkamp and Linda Taylor received the most votes among four candidates for McCook City Council in the 2022 general election. Red Willow County · Nov 8, 2022

Chelsey Eng and Dean McCoy also ran in the May 12, 2026 primary; the top six candidates advanced to the November general election. McCook News Now · May 13, 2026

Kaleb Taylor did not respond to the McCook Gazette candidate questionnaire. McCook Gazette · Oct 19, 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 the city cover the sports complex's new costs?

  2. 2. What is the best way to keep McCook taxes and utility costs affordable?

  3. 3. What should happen to the city's property tax levy?

  4. 4. Should McCook police use license plate reader cameras?

  5. 5. Should the council suspend the three-reading rule to pass an ordinance at one meeting?

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 voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jerry Calvin, Darcy Rambali3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The City Council is composed of five members elected at large. City of McCook
  • One council member is elected mayor by a vote of the council, and a second member is elected vice president. City of McCook
  • The council meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the City Council Chambers. City of McCook

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