MadrasNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Madras Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 8 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 6 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 recommended day to return ballots by mail (Oct 27): 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 Madras voter picks one mayor and can vote for up to three council candidates; the three with the most votes win four-year terms.

Last recommended day to return ballots by mail · Oct 27

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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

01City staffing and turnover4 sourced facts

Where it standsMadras hired Brenda Fahey as City Administrator in June 2026 but is restarting its search for a police chief.

What's on the tableThe new council will oversee the city administrator, fill vacant leadership posts and decide how to keep staff.

02Police services3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council voted 5-1 to have staff evaluate law enforcement service delivery options, including alternative service models.

What's on the tableWhether Madras keeps, changes or contracts out how it delivers police services.

03City finances and utility funds4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted a $37.7 million budget for 2026-2027 and agreed not to raise water or sewer rates this budget year.

What's on the tableHow to restructure transfers from water and sewer funds to other city services, and whether to keep the city's water system.

04Housing and Stone Oak3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn October 2025 the council approved rezoning the 3.5-acre Stone Oak property on Oak Street to R-2, allowing more multi-family housing.

What's on the tableHow the city zones for new housing and how it responds to residents who want the Stone Oak decision revisited.

05Business loans and incentives3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council voted 3-1 to buy the former Initiative Brewing building for $1.1 million to recover prior city loan and grant funds.

What's on the tableHow the city uses loans, grants and tax incentives to attract and keep businesses.

3 notes on these statements

Tony Chard and Christopher Heden were appointed to the council on Sept. 1, 2026 to serve until newly elected councilors take office in January; Heden is not running. Madras Pioneer · Sep 2, 2026

Kaitlyn Lynch filed for City Council and later withdrew; she is not on the ballot. City of Madras · Aug 26, 2026

The Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce held separate council and mayor candidate forums, and the county Republican and Democratic parties held a joint forum on Oct. 14. Madras Pioneer · Oct 15, 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. Should Madras require top city staff, such as the police chief, to live in or near the city?

  2. 2. Should Madras study alternatives to running its own police department, such as a sheriff contract?

  3. 3. Should Madras keep moving money from its water and sewer funds to other city services?

  4. 4. Should Madras keep running its own water system?

  5. 5. Should Madras welcome more subsidized housing?

  6. 6. Should Madras use tax incentives to attract businesses?

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 voted6 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Whitney Bell, Gabriel Soliz, Pamela Thomas3 on this ballot

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

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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