DaytonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Dayton Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

5 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 3 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
Voter registration deadline (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 townwide choose a mayor, two Town Council members for full terms, and two more in a special election for terms ending December 31, 2028; only the special election has more candidates than seats.

Voter registration deadline · 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

01Taxes and the town budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council adopted an $8,024,705 budget for Fiscal 2026-2027 and a new town cigarette tax, both by 5-1 votes.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the Fiscal 2027-2028 budget and set tax rates and fees.

02Town cigarette tax2 sourced facts

Where it standsA town cigarette tax took effect July 1, 2026, after the council approved it 5-1.

What's on the tableThe next council can keep, change or repeal the cigarette tax.

03New water storage tank3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town is designing a 2.5-million-gallon water storage tank and transmission main, partly paid for by a Southeast Crescent Regional Commission grant.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to approve construction contracts and financing for the tank.

04Snow removal2 sourced facts

Where it standsResidents and business owners told the council in February 2026 that streets and sidewalks were poorly cleared after a winter storm.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how much to spend on snow equipment, staff or contractors.

05Door-to-door sales3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council amended the Commercial Solicitation Ordinance after a solar company solicited at homes in town.

What's on the tableThe next council will set the permit fee and decide how the rules are enforced.

4 notes on these statements

Samuel S. Lee is the only candidate for mayor, and Deborah L. "Deb" Peggans Crank and Chad W. Moore are the only two candidates for the two full-term Town Council seats. Rockingham County Electoral Board

Council member J.D. Sager resigned from the Town Council effective April 1, 2026. Town of Dayton · Apr 13, 2026

Council member Emily Estes resigned from the Town Council effective June 16, 2026. Town of Dayton · Aug 10, 2026

L. Joey Henry was appointed in June 2026 to fill the vacancy created by J.D. Sager's resignation until a successor is elected. Town of Dayton · Jun 8, 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 Dayton keep its town cigarette tax?

  2. 2. Should the town pay contractors to help clear snow after big storms?

  3. 3. Should door-to-door commercial sellers need a town permit?

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 voted9 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): Bradford Dyjak, Ralph Hensley5 on this ballot

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

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

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