LexingtonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Lexington Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 5 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 to vote and apply for a mail-in 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.

Voters choose one of two candidates for mayor to finish a term ending in 2028, and up to three candidates for three at-large City Council seats with four-year terms.

Deadline to register to vote and apply for a mail-in 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

011% school sales tax referendum4 sourced facts

Where it standsLexington voters decide on November 3, 2026 whether to allow a 1% local sales tax that can be used only for school construction or major renovation.

What's on the tableIf voters approve, the council budgets the new revenue for school capital projects until the tax expires.

02Taxes and the city budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe fiscal year 2027 budget lowered the real estate tax rate to $0.704 per $100 after property assessments rose.

What's on the tableThe next council sets the annual budget and tax rates, including any change to the lodging tax.

03Housing and city-owned land4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council loosened a townhouse rule, started a new residential zoning district and set goals for redeveloping city-owned land.

What's on the tableThe next council acts on the proposed zoning district and on plans for the VDOT and Spotswood properties.

04Downtown and special events2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council discussed a draft special events policy at an August 2026 work session, and candidates differ on college offices downtown.

What's on the tableThe next council decides whether to adopt an events policy with fees, and how to handle downtown building use.

5 notes on these statements

David G. Sigler is also on the ballot for City Council because he filed for council before being appointed interim mayor; he has said that if he wins both, he would take the position of mayor. The News-Gazette

If David G. Sigler wins the mayor's race and is re-elected to council, a special election would be called to fill the council vacancy. The Ring-tum Phi · Oct 19, 2026

Nicholas A. Betts is not running for re-election to City Council. The Ring-tum Phi · Oct 19, 2026

Amber Ansted did not attend the September 22, 2026 candidate forum hosted by 50 Ways Rockbridge. The News-Gazette

Will Kirchner, owner of 18 West Gallery, has announced that he is running for City Council as a write-in candidate. The News-Gazette

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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 Lexington voters approve the 1% sales tax for school construction?

  2. 2. When property assessments rise, what should happen to the real estate tax rate?

  3. 3. Should Lexington raise its lodging tax rate?

  4. 4. Should event organizers pay for police and street closures?

  5. 5. How should Lexington treat college offices in downtown buildings?

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 voted5 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): Marylin E. Alexander, John P. Driscoll, Leslie C. Straughan3 on this ballot

6 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. 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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