ElktonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Elkton Mayor & Town Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 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
Deadline to register, update registration, or 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 town choose one mayor and up to three council members; the three council candidates with the most votes win.

Deadline to register, update registration, or 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

01Water system upgrades and rates3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town is installing new water lines and plans a one-million-gallon elevated water tank, largely funded through the Virginia Department of Health.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how fast to extend water line work and how to pay for it as required rate increases continue.

02License plate reader cameras3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council voted 5-0 to terminate the town's contract with Flock Safety for license plate reader cameras.

What's on the tableThe next council may decide whether the town uses license plate readers or similar camera systems in the future.

03Town budget and fees3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the FY2027 budget 5-0 in May 2026; it has no tax increases and is about 4% smaller than the year before.

What's on the tableThe next council will write the FY2028 budget and set fees and utility rates.

04Growth and new subdivisions2 sourced facts

Where it standsNew homes are being built in subdivisions in town, and the council approved a revised Downey Knolls plat in May 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will rule on subdivision, rezoning and special exception requests.

05Downtown Marketplace and revitalization3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council voted 4-1 to accept an EDRC donation for a performance patio and bench pads at the Downtown Marketplace.

What's on the tableThe next council will choose which downtown and park projects to fund first.

1 note on these statements

Mayor Joshua J. Gooden presides at council meetings and is not listed as voting on council motions; under the charter he votes only to break a tie. Town of Elkton

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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 Elkton police use license plate reader cameras?

  2. 2. Should the town add donor-funded features to the Downtown Marketplace now?

  3. 3. What role should the town play in helping local businesses?

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 voted7 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Louis Heidel, Jan Hensley, Rachel Michael3 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 town is governed by a council of six members and the mayor, all elected by voters of the whole town. Town of Elkton
  • Council members serve four-year terms and the mayor serves a two-year term. Town of Elkton
  • The mayor presides over council meetings and votes only to break a tie. Town of Elkton
  • The council elects a vice mayor from its members. Town of Elkton

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