Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Jefferson Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 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 · 11 days left

Election Day (Nov 3): 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.

All voters choose one of two mayoral candidates and up to three councilors; only two candidates filed for the three council seats.

Election Day · Nov 3

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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.

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

01New housing and the development code4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council rewrote parts of the development code, including a rule allowing subdivisions to be built in up to three phases.

What's on the tableThe next council will act on further development code amendments that planning staff are preparing.

02City staff pay and benefits2 sourced facts

Where it standsSince July 1, 2026, the city pays 100% of health insurance premiums for full-time employees.

What's on the tableThe council adopts the city budget each year, including employee pay and benefits.

03The Howell Building on Main Street3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn April 2026 the council declared the Howell Building at 125 N. Main St. a dangerous building and ordered abatement.

What's on the tableThe council decides how the city enforces its dangerous-building orders.

04Police services and fireworks3 sourced facts

Where it standsJefferson contracts with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for police services; the FY 2026-27 contract was settled at $801,120.

What's on the tableThe council approves the sheriff's contract each year and could take up local rules on illegal fireworks.

3 notes on these statements

Two candidates, Justin Guinan and Les Davis, filed for three City Councilor positions. City of Jefferson certification of candidates to Marion County Elections · Aug 18, 2026

Two applicants, including the incumbent, filed for the Mayor position. City of Jefferson

Walt Perry is a sitting city councilor whose council term ends December 31, 2028. City of Jefferson

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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. When a developer builds a subdivision in Jefferson, how many phases should the city allow?

  2. 2. Should the city pay the full cost of health insurance premiums for full-time staff?

  3. 3. What should the city do about the Howell Building at 125 N. Main St.?

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): David Kellogg, Kate Steele3 on this ballot

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

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