GrottoesNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Grottoes Town Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 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

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Voter registration deadline (Oct 23): the election office's notice

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The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters townwide choose up to three of the five Town Council candidates; the three with the most votes win.

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

01Budget, trash and utility fees4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the Fiscal 2025-2026 budget and fee schedule 3-2 in June 2025, after residents at the budget hearing asked for lower trash fees.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt future budgets and set trash, water and sewer fees.

  • The town manager described a $5,079,311 proposed Fiscal 2025-2026 budget whose only increases were 3% CPI increases to water and sewer fees. Town of Grottoes · May 12, 2025
  • In March 2025 the council voted 4-0 to award the solid waste collection contract to Meridian Waste Collection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. Town of Grottoes · Mar 10, 2025
  • In June 2025 Council member Chittum moved to change the trash fee to $29.00 bi-monthly; the mayor said it could not be entertained because the budget motion was already on the table. Town of Grottoes · Jun 9, 2025
  • The council approved the Fiscal 2025-2026 budget and fee schedule 3-2, with Council members Chittum and Justis voting no. Town of Grottoes · Jun 9, 2025
02Water lines and infrastructure2 sourced facts

Where it standsAfter a March 2025 water outage, the town planned to finish replacing the 6th Street water line and move on to 3rd Street.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how fast to replace water lines and how to pay for the work.

03Growth and the comprehensive plan3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved conditional use permits for storefronts with attached dwelling units on Dogwood Avenue in May 2025, and a draft comprehensive plan drew objections from residents.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide on conditional use permits, rezonings and the town's comprehensive plan.

04Pool and parks3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe town pool reopened in 2025 after repairs funded partly by a resident foundation, and the council has approved a natural playground.

What's on the tableThe next council will set pool fees and decide on park spending.

05Transparency and public access3 sourced facts

Where it standsResidents asked in 2025 for more information online and for meetings to be streamed; the town announced plans to record and later livestream council meetings.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how meetings and town documents are shared with residents.

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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 the council approve permits for storefronts with apartments along Dogwood Avenue?

  2. 2. Should town kids get free pool entry with a paying adult?

  3. 3. How should the town share plans, budgets and reports with residents?

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 voted6 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): Eddie Chittum, Jo Plaster, Maite Taylor3 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 Grottoes Town Council has seven members, including the mayor, who presides over meetings and casts tie-breaking votes. Town of Grottoes
  • Council members serve four-year staggered terms. Town of Grottoes
  • Regular council meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at Grottoes Town Hall. Town of Grottoes
  • Voters may choose up to three candidates for Member Town Council. Rockingham County

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