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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

York City Council Election 2026

4 of 8 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 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.

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
Last day to register in person at the courthouse (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 York voter can vote for up to four of the five candidates; the four with the most votes win the at-large seats.

Last day to register in person at the courthouse · 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

01Landfill and utility rates3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved new garbage and landfill rates 6-2 in September 2026, and the 2026-2027 budget includes increases to water, sewer and landfill rates.

What's on the tableThe council sets utility and landfill rates and approves the landfill's capital spending.

02Project Access York3 sourced facts

Where it standsBids for the Project Access York trail came in under $10 million in fall 2026, and the council has authorized eminent domain to obtain easements.

What's on the tableThe council will act on contracts, easements and costs as the trail and pedestrian bridge are built.

  • Seven bids were received for the Project Access York trail and all were under $10 million; the Nebraska Department of Transportation had expected $10.3 to $10.6 million. City of York · Oct 1, 2026
  • The council voted 8-0 in September 2026 to authorize an eminent domain petition against McDonald's Corporation for easements needed for Project Access York. City of York · Sep 17, 2026
  • The council approved an NPPD letter agreement, estimated at $658,582, to relocate power lines for the Project Access York pedestrian bridge. City of York · Jul 2, 2026
03Golf carts and UTVs on city streets3 sourced facts

Where it standsSince August 2026, UTVs may use city streets once registered with an annual $100 fee; golf carts are not allowed.

What's on the tableThe council can change the UTV and golf cart rules by ordinance.

04Property tax and budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-2027 budget and a property tax rate of $0.230 per $100 of assessed value in September 2026, both 8-0.

What's on the tableThe council sets the property tax request and adopts the city budget each September.

05Workforce housing and TIF1 sourced fact

Where it standsIn April 2026 the council, sitting as the Community Development Agency, approved three TIF promissory notes for workforce housing projects on N. Lincoln Avenue.

What's on the tableThe council decides which housing and business projects receive tax-increment financing.

  • Resolutions 2026-5, 2026-6 and 2026-7 issued TIF promissory notes for workforce housing projects at 1619, 1627 and 1631 N. Lincoln Avenue, each passing 6-0 with two members absent. City of York · Apr 2, 2026
4 notes on these statements

Council member Jeff Pieper is not seeking reelection. York County · Mar 2, 2026

Doreen Lopez was appointed in December 2025 to fill the council seat vacated by the resignation of Vicki Northrop. JMW News · Dec 4, 2025

JMW News and KOOL Radio are holding a York City Council candidate forum on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Kilgore Library. JMW News · Oct 12, 2026

Stephen R. Postier, Scott Van Esch, Doreen Lopez, Richard McDougall and Amy Lehman are the five candidates for the four seats. York County Clerk

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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. Should York raise landfill and garbage rates now?

  2. 2. How should the council handle Project Access York?

  3. 3. Should golf carts be allowed on York city streets?

  4. 4. Should York use tax-increment financing (TIF) to support workforce housing?

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

4 stay (not up this year): Jeff McGregor, Tony North, Jennifer Sheppard, Jerry Wilkinson4 on this ballot

8 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 5-vote majority.

  • The mayor and City Council are elected at-large to serve four-year terms. City of York
  • The council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Building, 100 E. 4th Street. City of York
  • The council roll call lists eight council members and Mayor Barry Redfern. City of York · Oct 1, 2026
  • With three council members absent in July 2026, Mayor Barry Redfern cast the fifth vote a resolution needed to pass. JMW News · Jul 6, 2026
  • Voters choose up to four candidates for York City Council for four-year terms. York County Clerk

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