Clifton ForgeNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Clifton Forge Town Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 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 voteCheck your registration
Last day to register or 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.

All voters in Clifton Forge may vote for up to three candidates; the three with the most votes win.

Last day to register or to apply for a mailed ballot · 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.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01Downtown and vacant property3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town has reacquired the 600 Main Street building and plans to seek proposals from developers, and it is applying for a state planning grant aimed at blighted property.

What's on the tableWhich proposals to accept for town-owned buildings and how to deal with vacant and run-down property.

02Budget and utility rates2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the fiscal 2026-27 budget on June 9, 2026, keeping water and sewer rates flat.

What's on the tableThe next budget, tax rates and water and sewer charges.

03Town staffing and pay2 sourced facts

Where it standsHiring and keeping town staff, including police officers, was a main topic at the 2024 council debate.

What's on the tablePay levels and hiring rules for town employees, set through the budget and town policy.

04How the mayor is chosen3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council picks the mayor and vice mayor from among its own members; in January 2025 it re-elected Jeff Irvine as mayor 3-2.

What's on the tableWho serves as mayor and vice mayor at the council's next reorganization.

2 notes on these statements

Michael L. Foster was appointed by the council in May 2026 to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Benjamin Nicely, who resigned. Alleghany Journal · May 26, 2026

Deborah A. Laudermilk did not attend the Oct. 1, 2026 Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. Alleghany Journal · Oct 1, 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. How should Clifton Forge deal with run-down and vacant buildings?

  2. 2. Should the town keep licensing food trucks and other mobile vendors?

  3. 3. Should the town raise pay to keep police officers and other staff?

  4. 4. Should outside reviewers check town hires who are related to officials?

  5. 5. Should voters elect the mayor directly instead of the council choosing?

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 voted3 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): Jeff Irvine, Carl "Shorty" Wolfe Jr.3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

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