Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Elizabethton City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 4

10 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 · Vote for up to 4

Curt AlexanderIndependent candidate on the Carter County sample ballot for Elizabethton City Council.1sourced
Frankie BaileyIndependent candidate on the Carter County sample ballot for Elizabethton City Council.1sourced
Richard M. BarkerIncumbentRetired senior vice president and treasurer of Elizabethton Federal Savings Bank after 41 1/2 years.6sourced
William E. (Bill) CarterIncumbentRetired downtown business owner and Army Reserve retiree who served in its Medical Service Corps.4sourced
Larry ClarkIndependent candidate on the Carter County sample ballot for Elizabethton City Council.1sourced
Mike MeltonRetired U.S. Postal Service employee and Marine Corps veteran on the Carter County Parks and Recreation Board.2sourced
Laura MooreIndependent candidate on the Carter County sample ballot for Elizabethton City Council.1sourced
Terry NorrisRetired businessman who founded A to Z Rentals around 1995 and flew Army helicopters in Vietnam.1sourced
Scott J. SamsOwner of Tennessee Auto Sales who also co-owns Magic Moments Wedding Chapel and Barnes Boring Hardware.2sourced
Michael G. SimerlyIncumbentRetired businessman with 10 years in the pharmacy business and 32 years in the grocery business.4sourced

Voters choose up to four of the ten candidates, and the four with the most votes win. Three council seats are not on this ballot.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kim BirchfieldCouncilmember, elected November 20246sourced Deborah GougeCouncilmember, elected November 20243sourced Jeffrey C. TreadwayCouncilmember, elected November 20244sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesProperty taxes and the city budget, Downtown cruise-ins and street closures, Rezoning and housing Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Property taxes and the city budget

Where it standsThe council adopted a 2026-27 budget 6-1 in June 2026 and accepted the state-certified tax rate of $.9305 in July.

What's on the tableThe council elected this year will set future budgets and property tax rates, including the first full cycle after the county reappraisal.

The city's tax rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year was $1.74 per $100 of assessed value, and the certified rate was calculated at 93.05 cents. Elizabethton Star · Jun 12, 2026
The 2026-27 budget includes a 3% across-the-board pay raise for city employees. Elizabethton Star · Jun 12, 2026
The council passed the 2026-27 budget and tax rate ordinance on second reading 6-1 on June 11, 2026. Elizabethton City Council minutes, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026
On July 9, 2026 the council voted 7-0 to adopt the state-certified tax rate of $.9305. Elizabethton City Council minutes, July 9, 2026 · Jul 9, 2026

Downtown cruise-ins and street closures

Where it standsSince April 2026 the Car Club's cruise-ins on East Elk Avenue are limited to one Saturday a month, May through October.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to keep, expand or move the cruise-ins when the club asks for its next schedule.

On April 9, 2026 the council approved monthly cruise-ins on East Elk Avenue by a 5-1 vote, with one member absent. Elizabethton City Council minutes, April 9, 2026 · Apr 9, 2026
The cruise-in has been held for roughly 20 years, and some downtown business owners told the council road closures hurt their sales. Elizabethton Star · Apr 10, 2026
Cruise-ins are scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 31, 2026. Elizabethton Star · Oct 2, 2026

Rezoning and housing

Where it standsThe council has approved several rezonings in 2026, including industrial land to high-density residential on West Doe Avenue.

What's on the tableThe next council will vote on rezoning requests and related zoning code changes.

On Jan. 8, 2026 the council passed on first reading, 7-0, a rezoning of three West Doe Avenue parcels from M-1 to R-3 high-density residential. Elizabethton City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2026 · Jan 8, 2026
On Feb. 12, 2026 the council passed that rezoning on second reading, 7-0. Elizabethton City Council minutes, Feb. 12, 2026 · Feb 12, 2026
On May 14, 2026 the council passed on second reading, 7-0, a rezoning of 1020 West G Street from B-2 to M-R medical-residential. Elizabethton City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026
On July 9, 2026 the council passed on first reading, 7-0, a code change from sidewalks on both sides to one side. Elizabethton City Council minutes, July 9, 2026 · Jul 9, 2026

Data centers, alcohol and business rules

Where it standsCandidates Richard M. Barker and Mike Melton have each raised a business-regulation issue in published statements this fall.

What's on the tableThe next council would decide whether to set city rules on these types of businesses and equipment.

Richard M. Barker said he does not support commercial data centers or bitcoin mining operations within the city limits. Elizabethton Star · Oct 2, 2026
Mike Melton said he wants a council seat to slow the flow of alcohol and close the tattoo and piercing shops. Elizabethton Star · Sep 22, 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. After the county reappraisal, how should the city set its property tax rate?
2. How often should East Elk Avenue close for car cruise-ins?
3. Should the city allow commercial data centers or crypto mining?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineCarter County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsCarter County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Last day to request an absentee ballotCarter County Election CommissionOct 24, 2026
Early voting endsCarter County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayCarter County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Kim Birchfield, Deborah Gouge, Jeffrey C. Treadway4 on this ballot

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

The City Council has seven members, including the mayor. City of Elizabethton
Council members select the mayor from among the members following each election. City of Elizabethton
Each council member is elected to serve a four-year term. City of Elizabethton
The council hires a professional city manager to manage and direct day-to-day operations. City of Elizabethton
Four of the seven seats are up in 2026; candidates run citywide and the four highest vote-getters win. Johnson City Press · Jun 25, 2026
Regular council meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. City of Elizabethton

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