AmherstNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Amherst Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 2 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
Deadline to apply for a mailed ballot (Oct 23): 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.

Voters elect a mayor, choose up to two candidates for two four-year council seats, and pick one candidate in a special election for a council seat whose term ends in 2028.

Deadline to register or update registration · Oct 23

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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.

What the next council decides

01Water supply and drought3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town has been buying water from the Amherst County Service Authority during a drought, and a consultant has drafted a Drought Management Plan.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how to secure the town's water supply and pay for water and wastewater work.

  • In September 2026 staff said they would keep monitoring the Buffalo River and buy water from the Amherst County Service Authority as needed to refill the tanks. Town of Amherst · Oct 14, 2026
  • A state permit requires the town to submit a Monitoring and Operations Plan to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality within 180 days of permit issuance. Town of Amherst · Oct 14, 2026
  • In August 2026 the town manager updated the council on the July 22, 2026 draft of the Drought Management Plan by W/W Associates. Town of Amherst · Sep 9, 2026
02Zoning rules for business3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council adopted zoning amendments meant to make the town more business-friendly, and a draft sign ordinance is under review.

What's on the tableThe council will decide on further zoning changes, including the sign ordinance and parking rules for shopping centers.

03Inoperable vehicles1 sourced fact

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council changed the town code on abandoned vehicles, 3-1.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how inoperable vehicles on private property are regulated in the zoning code.

04Budget2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set the calendar for the FY 2027-2028 budget.

What's on the tableThe council will adopt the next budget and set tax rates and user fees.

05Park on Main2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town surveyed residents on features for the planned Park on Main, and staff proposed an open-house meeting before a site plan is drawn.

What's on the tableThe council will decide which features the park includes and approve its site plan.

1 note on these statements

In July 2026 the council voted 3-0 to ask the Circuit Court to hold the special election in November 2027. Town of Amherst · Aug 12, 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 Amherst loosen zoning rules to make it easier to open and run a business?

  2. 2. Should keeping an inoperable vehicle on private property be a criminal offense?

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 voted5 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jared Steven Martin, Kenneth S. Watts3 on this ballot

5 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

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