Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Oak Ridge City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 4

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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

Steve DuncanIndependent candidate on the Anderson County sample ballot for Oak Ridge City Council.1sourced
Joe Gaddis2sourced
Warren GoochIncumbentMayor of Oak Ridge who has served on the city council for about 12 years.10sourced
L.C. "Charlie" HensleyIncumbentOak Ridge council member who has served on the council in two separate stints totaling 13 years.9sourced
Greta Stoutt OwnbyOak Ridge Planning Commission member and chair of the Arts, Culture and History Alliance Advisory Board. Has directed the Leadership Oak Ridge program.2sourced
Ellen D. SmithIncumbentOak Ridge council member who has served on the council in two separate stints totaling 17 years.9sourced

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

2 notes on these statements

Council member Sean Gleason, who has only served one term, is not seeking re-election. The Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026

Warren Gooch, L.C. "Charlie" Hensley and Ellen D. Smith are the three council members seeking re-election; Greta Stoutt Ownby, Steve Duncan and Joe Gaddis are newcomers. The Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jim DodsonMayor Pro Tem; term ends November 20289sourced Derrick HammondCouncilmember; term ends November 20289sourced Chuck HopeCouncilmember; term ends November 20286sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesIndustrial land at Horizon Center, Housing and rezoning, Nuclear and energy development Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Industrial land at Horizon Center

Where it standsA rezoning of 96.5 acres in Horizon Center from IND-2 to IND-3 failed 3-3 on second reading in July 2025 and passed first reading 5-2 in January 2026.

What's on the tableThe council elected this year will decide further readings and future rezonings of industrial land and the rules that apply there.

In July 2025 the ordinance changing Development Area 5 in Horizon Center Industrial Park from IND-2 to IND-3 failed by board vote, with three members voting yes and three no. Oak Ridge City Council · Jul 14, 2025
In January 2026 the council approved first reading of the same 96.5-acre rezoning by board vote, with Councilmembers Hammond and Smith voting no. Oak Ridge City Council · Jan 12, 2026
In March 2026 the council approved first reading of an ordinance allowing zero lot line setbacks for sides and rear when industrial parcels in the same zoning district abut. Oak Ridge City Council · Mar 9, 2026

Housing and rezoning

Where it standsThe council approved rezonings for the Lafayette Drive and South Illinois Avenue parcels, and in 2026 took up by-right attached housing in R-3 districts.

What's on the tableThe council elected this year will decide further zoning changes, planned unit developments and housing-related incentives.

In July 2025 the council approved an ordinance rezoning 3.79 acres at Lafayette Drive and South Illinois Avenue to a unified business district with a planned unit development overlay, 4-2. Oak Ridge City Council · Jul 14, 2025
In March 2026 the council approved first reading of an ordinance allowing single-family attached dwellings on individual lots by right in R-3 districts, with a maximum of 16 units per acre. Oak Ridge City Council · Mar 9, 2026
In April 2026 the council approved a resolution recommending that the Industrial Development Board proceed with a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes lease for the Bluffs Apartments project. City of Oak Ridge · Apr 13, 2026

Nuclear and energy development

Where it standsThe council approved transferring Heritage Center land to Oklo for a proposed nuclear fuel recycling facility and accepted a grant tied to the Centrus project.

What's on the tableThe council elected this year will vote on agreements, grants and emergency-planning contracts tied to nuclear and energy projects in the city.

In April 2026 the council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to transfer properties in the Heritage Center Industrial Park to Oklo, Inc. for its proposed advanced nuclear fuel recycling facility. City of Oak Ridge · Apr 13, 2026
In April 2026 the council approved accepting a nuclear economic development pass-through grant of up to $8,200,000 to support the American Centrifuge Operating LLC (Centrus) project. City of Oak Ridge · Apr 13, 2026
In January 2026 the council approved a $60,000 agreement with Spectra Tech to assess the city's needs for emergency response to nuclear fuel storage. Oak Ridge City Council · Jan 12, 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. Should the city rezone the 96.5-acre Development Area 5 in Horizon Center from IND-2 to IND-3?
2. Should the Lafayette Drive and South Illinois Avenue parcels be rezoned for business use?
3. Should single-family attached dwellings be allowed by right in R-3 districts?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineThe Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsThe Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026Oct 14, 2026
Last day to apply for an absentee ballotThe Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026Oct 24, 2026
Early voting endsThe Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026Oct 29, 2026
Election DayThe Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Jim Dodson, Derrick Hammond, Chuck Hope4 on this ballot

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

The City is governed by a seven member City Council. City of Oak Ridge (Granicus)
Approximately half of the City Council is elected every two years for a four-year term of office. City of Oak Ridge (Granicus)
Following each regular City election, the City Council elects one of its members as Mayor to serve for a two-year period. City of Oak Ridge (Granicus)
The City Council appoints the City Manager, who is the chief administrative officer of the City. City of Oak Ridge (Granicus)
The race is at-large, so voters anywhere in Oak Ridge can vote for any of the six candidates. The Oak Ridger (via Yahoo) · Sep 24, 2026

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