Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Harrisonburg City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

3 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Dany R. FlemingIncumbentVice Mayor of Harrisonburg, retired, and a past chair of the Harrisonburg City School Board. His current term on the City Council runs 2023-2026.9sourced
Monica L. RobinsonIncumbentExecutive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project and a Harrisonburg City Councilmember. Her current term on the City Council runs 2023-2026.8sourced
Sal T. Romero Jr.Former Harrisonburg Vice Mayor and Chief of Staff for Harrisonburg City Schools. He served on the City Council from 2018 to 2022.1sourced

Two of the five at-large council seats are on this ballot; voters choose up to two of three candidates.

1 note on these statements

Dany R. Fleming and Monica L. Robinson were each recorded as Democratic candidates and Sal T. Romero Jr. as an independent on the state's November 3, 2026 candidate list. Virginia Department of Elections

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Nasser AlsaadunCouncilmember; current term 2025-20284sourced Laura DentCouncilmember; current term 2025-20284sourced Deanna R. ReedMayor and Councilmember; current term 2025-20283sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesStudent-oriented housing and rezonings, Taxes and the budget, Zoning ordinance rewrite Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day of early in-person voting

Sat, Oct 31, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Student-oriented housing and rezonings

Where it standsCouncil split 3-2 on first reading of the Lindsey Apartments rezoning in August 2026 after tabling it in April; earlier rezonings and a cash-proffer policy passed with at least one no vote.

What's on the tableThe next council votes on rezonings, special use permits and proffers for new apartment and student housing projects.

The council approved the Lindsey Apartments rezoning on first reading 3-2 on August 25, 2026; the proposal is a four-story building of up to 180 units with a parking garage. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
The council approved the rezoning of 810 Port Republic Road, a mixed-use student housing and retail project, 3-1 on July 8, 2025. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, July 8, 2025 · Jul 8, 2025
The council voted 4-1 on January 14, 2025 to amend the zoning ordinance to allow cash proffers. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, January 14, 2025 · Jan 14, 2025

Taxes and the budget

Where it standsThe FY 2026-27 budget and a real estate tax rate of $1.01 per $100 were approved 5-0 in May 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council writes the FY 2027-28 budget and sets the real estate tax rate.

The council voted 5-0 on May 26, 2026 to set the FY 2026-27 real estate tax rate at $1.01 per $100 of assessed value; assessments rose an estimated 2.5%. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
The council voted 5-0 on May 12, 2026 to adopt the FY 2026-27 budget and appropriation ordinance. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

Zoning ordinance rewrite

Where it standsStaff is rewriting the zoning ordinance; in May 2026 the council voted 3-2 to disband the Ordinance Advisory Committee and request an engagement plan.

What's on the tableThe next council holds the public hearing on and adopts the rewritten zoning ordinance.

The council voted 3-2 on May 12, 2026 to endorse staff's approach, disband the Ordinance Advisory Committee and request a community engagement plan. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

Public housing and the Housing Authority

Where it standsThe council approved the Housing Authority's purchase of 227 N. Main Street 4-1 in November 2025.

What's on the tableThe next council oversees city support for affordable housing and the Housing Authority.

The council voted 4-1 on November 25, 2025 to approve the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority's purchase and renovation of 227 N. Main Street for housing and office space. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, November 25, 2025 · Nov 25, 2025

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. Should the council approve rezonings for new student-oriented apartment complexes?
2. Should the city accept cash proffers from residential developers?
3. What should the city do with its real estate tax rate of $1.01 per $100?
4. Should the zoning rewrite move forward without the Ordinance Advisory Committee?
5. Should the city approve Housing Authority property purchases like 227 N. Main Street?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Early in-person voting beginsCity of HarrisonburgSep 18, 2026
Last day of early in-person votingCity of HarrisonburgOct 31, 2026
Election DayVirginia Department of ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Nasser Alsaadun, Laura Dent, Deanna R. Reed2 on this ballot

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

Harrisonburg's City Council has five members elected at-large. City of Harrisonburg
The council elects its own mayor by roll call vote at its January organizational meeting. Harrisonburg City Council minutes, January 2, 2025 · Jan 2, 2025

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