Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

McKenzie Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 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

Find where to vote Check your registration

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.

City Council at-large

Vote for up to 3

Mayor

Unopposed

Ryan D. GriffinIncumbentRyan D. Griffin is the mayor of McKenzie.5sourced

Voters pick up to three of the five council candidates; the top three win. Mayor Ryan D. Griffin is the only candidate for mayor.

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.

Governor
15 candidates on the ballot
- Marsha Blackburn · Republican
- Jerri Green · Democratic
- Misam Abidi · Independent
- Dean Brewer · Independent
- Ray Brown · Independent
- David Hatley · Independent
- Wendell Jackson · Independent
- Charles Van Morgan · Independent
- Eddie Lee Murphy · Independent
- Lauren Pinkston · Independent
- Victor L. Scoggin · Independent
- Dave Seeman · Independent
- Karl Knox Smithson · Independent
- L. Webb Taylor · Independent
- Robert C. Vick · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
10 candidates on the ballot
- Bill Hagerty · Republican
- Marquita Bradshaw · Democratic
- Tharon Chandler · Independent
- Andrew Gerena · Independent
- Jeremy Dean Hearn · Independent
- Robert Jones · Independent
- James William Macon III · Independent
- Yoshi D. Matthews · Independent
- David Sutman, Jr. · Independent
- Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (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

01Property taxes and the budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn 2025 the council voted to exceed the certified property tax rate, and the 2026/2027 budget keeps the rate at 0.8218 per $100 of assessed value.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the 2027/2028 budget and set the tax rate.

In June 2025 the council voted 4-1 on a motion to exceed the certified rate, at 0.8218 for Carroll, Weakley and Henry counties. City of McKenzie · Jun 12, 2025
The Carroll County Observer reported that the McKenzie City Council imposed a tax increase in June 2025. Carroll County Observer · Feb 11, 2026
The 2026/2027 budget has no tax increase and uses roughly $200,000 from fund balance for street paving, a public works roof, park restrooms, tornado sirens, radios and SRO vehicles. City of McKenzie · Jun 22, 2026
The proposed 2026/2027 budget included a 3% raise for city employees. City of McKenzie · May 14, 2026

02Fluoride in city water3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn March 2026 the council heard from dentists, health department staff and residents on removing fluoride from city water; the motion on Resolution 26-003 failed.

What's on the tableThe next council could take up fluoride in city water again.

On Resolution 26-003, Removal of Fluoride from City Water System, the roll call was four no votes and the motion failed 4-0. City of McKenzie · Mar 12, 2026
Councilperson Young said removing fluoride would save $10,000 a year. City of McKenzie · Mar 12, 2026
A health department representative said there are 460 water systems in the state and around 85% are fluoridated. City of McKenzie · Mar 12, 2026

03Mulberry Park and soccer complex3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city is building the Mulberry soccer complex and has applied for grants for field lighting and a longer walking track.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide on further phases of the park and how to pay for them.

In April 2025 the council approved Bond Fund Resolution 25-003 for the soccer complex, 6-0. City of McKenzie · Apr 10, 2025
In March 2026 the council approved an LPRF grant application for Mulberry Park, with a 5% city match of $18,500 from the 2026/2027 budget. City of McKenzie · Mar 12, 2026
The grant would pay for lighting for the soccer field and for extending the walking track around the park and making it ADA accessible. City of McKenzie · Mar 12, 2026

04Depot retail incubator3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city turned its former depot building into low-rent space for new businesses, and three businesses were approved in April 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the depot leases and any new tenants.

In October 2025 the council approved the proposal for the Depot to become a retail incubator, with four units. City of McKenzie · Oct 9, 2025
The city attorney said tenants would be required to be open three days a week, including Friday or Saturday, for five hours a day. City of McKenzie · Oct 9, 2025
In April 2026 the council approved the Main Street Committee's recommendations to fill three of the four spots in the former depot building. City of McKenzie · Apr 9, 2026

05Tornado sirens3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city plans to replace its three tornado sirens and add two more, for a total of five.

What's on the tableThe council expects to vote on the siren bids and financing at its November meeting.

Mayor Griffin said the city would replace all three sirens and add two more, and that the council had approved a three-year loan for them. City of McKenzie · Jul 7, 2026
The new sirens would be fully automated instead of being triggered manually by a dispatcher. Carroll County Observer · Oct 9, 2026
Financing options of three and five years will be presented, with Safe Streets funds covering the required $42,000 down payment. Carroll County Observer · Oct 9, 2026

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

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. Should McKenzie raise its property tax rate to pay for streets and services?
2. Should McKenzie borrow money to build out the Mulberry soccer complex?
3. Should the city rent the depot building to new businesses at low rent?

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 voted8 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineCarroll County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Election DayCarroll County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Drew Beeler, Tim McBride, Jessie Townes3 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 lists a mayor, a vice mayor and five other councilpersons. City of McKenzie
The City Council meets at City Hall on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. City of McKenzie
Councilpersons are elected at large; voters choose three on the 2026 ballot. Carroll County Election Commission
Mayor Ryan D. Griffin is unopposed, and five candidates filed for the city's council. Carroll County Observer · Aug 25, 2026
Under the charter, no ordinance is adopted unless it receives four affirmative votes, and the council can override a mayor's veto with four votes. City of McKenzie
Ordinances must pass on two separate readings. City of McKenzie

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