Medford, ORVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Medford City Council Election 2026

4 of 8

council seats up

4 contests

8 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.

City Council Ward 1 · Unopposed

City Council Ward 2 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 3 · 1 seat

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

Four of the eight council seats are on this ballot, one in each of the city's four wards. Each ward elects its own councilor, and voters choose only in their own ward. The mayor is not on this ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Brian Sjothun is the only candidate for Ward 1. Incumbent councilors Jessica Ayres (Ward 1) and Zac Smith (Ward 2) did not file for re-election. Rogue Valley Times · Aug 28, 2026

The county says it has not verified the candidate information in the voters' pamphlet for accuracy. Jackson County Voters' Pamphlet, Nov 3, 2026 General Election (City of Medford, pp. 15-37 to 15-40)

The mayor and four councilors Mike Kerlinger, John Quinn, Garrett West and Kevin Keating are not on the 2026 ballot. City of Medford

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kevin Keating4sourcedMike Kerlinger5sourcedJohn Quinn4sourcedGarrett West3sourcedMichael ZarosinskiMayor of Medford, elected 2024 to a four-year term2sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesMain Street layout, Baseball stadium and downtown redevelopment, Housing and growthKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Main Street layout

Where it standsThe council voted in January to restore Main Street's earlier three-lane layout, then in April and May chose a layout with angled parking, two travel lanes and a bike lane. The city said restriping would continue through Sept. 30.

What's on the tableHow downtown streets balance bike lanes, parking and car lanes, including in the Transportation System Plan update.

Baseball stadium and downtown redevelopment

Where it standsIn June the council approved a study of a professional baseball stadium at Hawthorne Park or Harry & David Field. The city said no construction decision has been made and the study is expected to finish this fall.

What's on the tableWhether the city moves ahead on a stadium and how it pays for it, as part of the downtown Creekside Quarter project.

Housing and growth

Where it standsThe council's 2025-27 goals include diversifying and incentivizing a mix of housing. Neighbors have appealed some recent projects to the council.

What's on the tableHow the city balances new housing types, neighborhood concerns and land-use review deadlines.

Homelessness and public safety

Where it standsMedford police counted 13 illegal homeless encampments in a March survey, down from 186 in 2023. The council's goals call for balancing support, accountability and public safety.

What's on the tableHow much the city funds the Livability Team, shelter and services, and other public safety measures.

Water Commission and the new city manager

Where it standsIn August the council voted 7-1 to send a letter to the Medford Water Commission about its concerns. The council also selected Martha Bennett as city manager; she starts Nov. 30.

What's on the tableHow the next council works with the new city manager and the Medford Water Commission.

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. Main Street is being restriped with angled parking and a bike lane. What should the council do about bike lanes on downtown streets?

  2. 2. The city is studying a professional baseball stadium downtown. What should the council do?

  3. 3. How should Medford handle new housing and density?

  4. 4. How should Medford respond to homeless camping?

  5. 5. How should the council handle disagreements with the Medford Water Commission?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

5 stay (not up this year): Kevin Keating, Mike Kerlinger, John Quinn, Garrett West, Michael Zarosinski4 on this ballot

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

  • Medford's City Council is a mayor and eight councilors. The city has four wards with two councilors elected from each ward. City of Medford
  • The mayor is elected by the city at large to a four-year term and presides over the council. The mayor does not vote except to break a tie. City of Medford
  • Councilors serve four-year terms, with one council position in each ward up for election every two years. City of Medford
  • In the Nov. 3, 2026 election the four councilors elected will serve four-year terms from Jan. 1, 2027 to Dec. 31, 2030. City of Medford
  • The mayor and councilors are unpaid volunteers. City of Medford

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