Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Las Vegas City Council Election 2026

1 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

Luke McCarthyFirefighter with more than 25 years of experience, now in his 20th year with the Clark County Fire Department. Has held leadership positions in the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and served as a board member of Nevada Child Seekers.9sourced
Shannon NordstromAttorney licensed since 2001. Served as an appointed Hearing Commissioner and Alternate Judge with the Las Vegas Municipal Court from 2018 to 2023, including a five-month appointment as Interim Municipal Court Judge in Department 6 in 2022.9sourced

Only Ward 2 is on the Nov. 3 ballot; Wards 4 and 6 were decided earlier in 2026. Ward 2 voters pick one council member; the mayor and the other five members are listed as holdovers.

3 notes on these statements

The seat is open: Councilwoman Kara Kelley was appointed to serve out the remainder of former Councilwoman Victoria Seaman's term, and agreed not to run for a full term. Nevada Current · Sep 29, 2026

In June's primary, McCarthy led with about 35% and Nordstrom had about 33%; neither reached the 50% needed to win outright. Nevada Current · Sep 29, 2026

Ward 2 covers much of Summerlin and has more than 116,000 residents. Nevada Current · Sep 29, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Francis Allen-PalenskeCouncilwoman, Ward 4; declared elected without opposition in 2026 to a new four-year term5sourced Shelley BerkleyMayor; elected November 20246sourced Nancy E. BruneCouncilwoman, Ward 6; re-elected June 9, 2026 to a second four-year term5sourced Olivia DiazMayor pro tem and councilwoman, Ward 3; re-elected June 20246sourced Brian KnudsenCouncilman, Ward 1; re-elected June 20245sourced Shondra Summers-ArmstrongCouncilwoman, Ward 5; elected November 20245sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget and reserves, County islands agreement, Homelessness Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins

Sat, Oct 17, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Budget and reserves

Where it standsThe council unanimously adopted a Fiscal Year 2027 budget in May 2026 after deficits tied to the Badlands settlement.

What's on the tableHow to rebuild reserves and where to cut or spend in future budgets.

The Badlands settlement and other factors contributed to a projected two-year general fund deficit of $110 million through fiscal year 2026. Las Vegas Review-Journal · May 21, 2025
The City Manager said the bond rating required a 20 percent reserve, while the City Council wanted a 25 percent reserve, so departments were asked for a 2.5 percent decrement. City of Las Vegas · May 20, 2026
The council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget 7-0 on May 20, 2026. City of Las Vegas · May 20, 2026

County islands agreement

Where it standsThe council postponed its discussion of the interlocal agreement with Clark County to Oct. 7; if no action is taken by December, it renews for five years.

What's on the tableWhether to extend, change or end the city's interlocal agreement with Clark County covering county islands.

County islands are pockets of Clark County surrounded by City of Las Vegas land; the two governments share park trails, sewer lines and emergency response there. FOX5 Las Vegas · Sep 17, 2026
The city said it has made more than 13,000 service calls to the county islands since 2023. FOX5 Las Vegas · Sep 17, 2026
Wards 4 and 6 are the two city wards affected by the discussion. 8 News Now · Sep 15, 2026

Homelessness

Where it standsThe city, Clark County and North Las Vegas have agreed to fund operations of Campus for Hope, a planned facility for people experiencing homelessness.

What's on the tableHow much the city spends on homelessness services and how it supports Campus for Hope.

In February 2025 the council approved, 7-0, an agreement in which Clark County will subsidize the city's Campus for Hope contribution for fiscal years 2027-2031. City of Las Vegas · Feb 19, 2025
City staff said the model requires the state to match $100 million for construction and $15 million annually for operations. City of Las Vegas · Feb 19, 2025
Campus for Hope is a planned 900-bed facility at Charleston and Jones boulevards. Las Vegas Review-Journal · Sep 6, 2026

Arts District parking

Where it standsIn August 2026 the city rolled back parking changes planned for Oct. 1 in the 18b Arts District, keeping $10 monthly employee permits.

What's on the tableWhether to raise Arts District parking fees again to help pay for the new garage.

The city will offer a subsidized $10 monthly permit to area employees in the new 500-space Arts District Parking Garage through the end of the Charleston Boulevard storm drain project. City of Las Vegas · Aug 26, 2026
The city had previously said parking increases were necessary to help pay for the new $32 million garage. FOX5 Las Vegas · Aug 27, 2026
Instead of raising employee permits to $30, the city is keeping them at $10 a month. FOX5 Las Vegas · Aug 27, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsOther Nevada governments are weighing data center rules; Reno placed a moratorium on data centers in June 2026.

What's on the tableWhether Las Vegas should pause or regulate new data centers.

The City of Reno became the first municipality to place a moratorium on data centers. Nevada Current · Jun 18, 2026
The Clark County Commission unanimously approved a Switch data center expansion in June 2026 while discussing future data center regulations. Nevada Current · Jun 18, 2026

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. The city paused planned Arts District parking fee increases. What should it do next?
2. Should Las Vegas end its interlocal agreement with Clark County on the county islands?
3. How should the city close budget gaps left by the Badlands settlement?
4. Should the city put more money into homelessness services?
5. How should Las Vegas handle new data centers?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early voting beginsNevada Secretary of StateOct 17, 2026
Early voting endsNevada Secretary of StateOct 30, 2026
Election DayNevada Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
Deadline to canvass resultsNevada Secretary of StateNov 13, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Francis Allen-Palenske, Shelley Berkley, Nancy E. Brune, Olivia Diaz, Brian Knudsen, Shondra Summers-Armstrong1 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The nonpartisan Las Vegas City Council includes the mayor and six members, who each represent a ward. Nevada Current · Sep 29, 2026
Mayor and City Council positions are elected by registered voters in the city, serve four-year terms and are limited to a total of three terms on the City Council. City of Las Vegas
The mayor votes on council items: the FY2027 budget roll call lists Mayor Berkley among the seven votes. City of Las Vegas · May 20, 2026

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