Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Albany Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 6

council seats up

4 contests

9 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Mayor · 1 seat

Alex Johnson IIIncumbentMayor of Albany since 2021 and founder of TrueLife Financial Solutions. Served on the Albany City Council, Ward II-A, from 2019 to 2020.6sourced
Carolyn McLeodFormer Albany city councilor and U.S. Army public affairs specialist and journalist.7sourced
Josh WarkAlbany business owner who runs a family food company and a software firm. Holds degrees from Bushnell University and Liberty University.3sourced

City Council Ward 1a · Unopposed

Steph NewtonIncumbentAlbany City Council President and communications and public affairs professional.6sourced

City Council Ward 2a · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3a · 1 seat

Voters elect the mayor citywide and one councilor in each of Wards 1, 2 and 3; each ward's other seat (b) is not up this year.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kevin KreitmanCouncilor, Ward 2b; appointed to fill a vacancy; term ends December 31, 2028bio only Marilyn SmithCouncilor, Ward 3b; term ends December 31, 20286sourced Michael ThomsonCouncilor, Ward 1b; term ends December 31, 20288sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPaying for street repair, Annexation and growth, License plate reader cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Paying for street repair

Where it standsStaff recommended a street maintenance fee starting July 1, 2027, and the council agreed by consensus on August 12, 2026 to bring a resolution back.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt the street maintenance fee resolution and whether to refer a local fuel tax to voters.

Public Works said streets are in the low end of fair condition, with a $51 million need in Ward 1, $40.6 million in Ward 2 and $33.9 million in Ward 3. Albany City Council minutes, August 12, 2026 · Aug 12, 2026
The recommended approach models a fee of $11.28 a month starting July 1, 2027, stepping up over five years. Albany City Council minutes, August 12, 2026 · Aug 12, 2026
The City Manager said in June 2026 that a street maintenance fee is already in effect but its rate is $0 until the council sets it by resolution. Albany City Council minutes, June 10, 2026 · Jun 10, 2026
A councilor said at the August 12 meeting that a local fuel tax would likely not be on the ballot until 2028. Albany City Council minutes, August 12, 2026 · Aug 12, 2026

Annexation and growth

Where it standsThe council adopted the East Albany Town Center annexation ordinance in March 2026 after the mayor broke a 3-3 tie.

What's on the tableHow the council treats future annexation requests and growth planning.

The East Albany Town Center annexation ordinance passed 4-3, with the mayor voting yes to break a 3-3 tie. Albany City Council minutes, March 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026
The ordinance withdrawing territory from the Albany Rural Fire Protection District passed 4-3, again with the mayor breaking a tie. Albany City Council minutes, April 6, 2026 · Apr 6, 2026
The minutes record that comprehensive plan efforts and a transportation system plan revision were starting soon. Albany City Council minutes, June 24, 2026 · Jun 24, 2026

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsThe council voted 4-2 on May 27, 2026 to cancel the city's contract with Flock Safety; the City Attorney has since reported on a possible ordinance.

What's on the tableWhether the city adopts rules on license plate reader cameras, including on private property.

On February 25, 2026 the council voted 4-2 to suspend operation of the city's Flock license plate reader cameras pending further action. Albany City Council minutes, February 25, 2026 · Feb 25, 2026
On May 27, 2026 the council voted 4-2 to cancel the Flock Safety contract effective immediately. Albany City Council minutes, May 27, 2026 · May 27, 2026
On July 8, 2026 the council reached consensus for the City Attorney to return with an ordinance requiring signage on private property that identifies whether license plate readers are in use. Albany City Council minutes, July 8, 2026 · Jul 8, 2026

Camping and cleanup in parks

Where it standsCamping near city parks and the cost of cleanups have come up repeatedly at council meetings in 2026.

What's on the tableWhat direction the council gives staff on camping and camp cleanup funding.

In February 2026 the City Manager said more than half of the budget for camp cleanups had been spent. Albany City Council minutes, February 11, 2026 · Feb 11, 2026
In May 2026 the City Attorney said the Simpson Park property is under the jurisdiction of the City of Millersburg and the Linn County Sheriff, and that Albany holds a conservation easement. Albany City Council minutes, May 13, 2026 · May 13, 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. Staff has proposed a monthly street maintenance fee starting in 2027. What should Albany do?
2. Should Albany ask voters to approve a local gas tax for street repair?
3. How should Albany treat requests to annex land into the city?
4. What should Albany do about license plate reader cameras?
5. What should Albany do about camping in city parks and natural areas?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Last day to register to voteBenton County ElectionsOct 13, 2026
Local ballots mailed (Benton County)Benton County ElectionsOct 14, 2026
Election DayCity of AlbanyNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Kevin Kreitman, Marilyn Smith, Michael Thomson4 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The City Council has a mayor elected at large and six councilors, with two councilors elected from each of three wards. City of Albany
Councilors serve four-year terms and the mayor serves a two-year term. City of Albany
The mayor presides over council meetings and can only vote in case of a tie. City of Albany
Albany has a council-manager form of government, and the city manager serves at the pleasure of the Council. City of Albany
The City of Albany municipal election is nonpartisan. City of Albany

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