Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Roanoke City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

7 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 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 3

David A. BowersAttorney and former Roanoke mayor (1992 to 2000 and 2008 to 2016) who has practiced law for 48 years. Also served 8 years on City Council.3sourced
S. M. "Danny" ClawsonExecutive Director of the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition and a longtime HIV advocate. Holds a Master in Public Health from Emory University and served two years in the Peace Corps.6sourced
Kathy S. CohenRetired rabbi who came to Roanoke in 1996 and retired from Temple Emanuel as Rabbi Emerita in June 2025. Graduated from Brandeis University and was ordained at Hebrew Union College.3sourced
Amanda F. MarkoSmall business owner whose career spans economic development and marketing. Serves on the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission and is immediate past vice chair of the Mill Mountain Advisory Board.4sourced
Stephanie M. MoonStephanie Moon Reynolds is a former Roanoke City Clerk (retired 2019) and City Council member (2020 to 2024). She was the first African American to serve as City Clerk.3sourced
Raekwon M. MooreRoanoke native who supports electronic health record systems in mental health after a banking career. Serves on the United Way Community Impact Committee and the Board of Directors for the Grandin Theatre Foundation.5sourced
Vivian Y. Sanchez-JonesIncumbentRoanoke City Council member since October 2020 and student support specialist for Roanoke City Public Schools. First seated in October 2020 to fill an unexpired term; current term ends Dec. 31, 2026.12sourced

Three of the seven council seats are on this ballot, all elected citywide; voters may choose up to three candidates, and the top three vote-getters win four-year terms.

3 notes on these statements

The three seats on this ballot are held by Vivian Y. Sanchez-Jones, Peter Volosin and Evelyn Powers; Powers did not seek reelection and Volosin finished fourth in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary. Cardinal News · Aug 4, 2026

Raekwon M. Moore, S. M. "Danny" Clawson and Vivian Y. Sanchez-Jones won the Aug. 4, 2026 Democratic primary for the party's three nominations. Cardinal News · Aug 4, 2026

Vivian Y. Sanchez-Jones and S. Terry McGuire abstained from the May 11, 2026 school budget vote, filing statements that they are Roanoke City Public Schools employees. City of Roanoke City Council · May 18, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Joseph L. CobbMayor; term ends Dec. 31, 20289sourced Nicolas S. HagenCouncil Member; term ends Dec. 31, 20289sourced S. Terry McGuireVice-Mayor; council term ends Dec. 31, 2028 (vice-mayor term ends Dec. 31, 2026)9sourced Phazhon T. NashCouncil Member; term ends Dec. 31, 20288sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget and school funding, Flock cameras and gunshot detectors, Housing density and zoning Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration and mail ballot request deadline

Fri, Oct 23, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Budget and school funding

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council adopted a $421.5 million budget that cuts more than 100 positions and balanced it without raising taxes; city schools faced a $14 million shortfall.

What's on the tableThe next council writes the 2027-28 budget, including how much goes to Roanoke City Public Schools and whether the meals tax increase continues past 2027.

The 2026-27 budget eliminates more than 100 positions, reduces annual pay raises and cuts more than $50 million from capital improvement projects. WSLS 10 · May 12, 2026
Roanoke City Public Schools was left with a $14 million shortfall and announced cuts including 170 positions. WSLS 10 · May 12, 2026
A 1% meals tax increase passed in 2025 brought the tax to 6.5% and is set to end in 2027. Cardinal News · Jul 23, 2026
The council adopted the 2026-27 annual budget ordinance 5-2 on May 11, 2026, with Vice-Mayor McGuire and Council Member Hagen voting no. City of Roanoke City Council · May 18, 2026

Flock cameras and gunshot detectors

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council repealed its April approval of Flock gunshot detectors after 30 were installed at the wrong locations; the city still runs Flock license plate readers.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, limit or end the city's remaining Flock license plate readers and camera.

In April 2026 the city approved encroachment permits for 75 gunshot detection devices. Cardinal News · Jul 6, 2026
The city said it incorrectly installed 30 Flock Raven gunshot detectors, and the council voted unanimously to repeal the April ordinance. Cardinal News · Jul 6, 2026
As of July 2026, the city had 27 Flock devices active: 26 license plate readers and one live video camera. Cardinal News · Jul 6, 2026

Housing density and zoning

Where it standsZoning rules adopted in 2024 that allow townhomes, cottage courts and small apartments in single-family neighborhoods remain in effect.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or roll back those density rules after the Planning Commission reviews a citizens group's proposal.

The council voted 5-2 in March 2024 to allow townhomes, cottage courts and small apartments in single-home neighborhoods, and re-adopted the rules in September 2024. WSLS 10 · Jul 7, 2026
In July 2026 the council voted 4-3 to send residential zoning back for more public comment and review. WSLS 10 · Jul 7, 2026
The July 6, 2026 resolution refers zoning amendments that incorporate the Citizens' Proposal to the Planning Commission. City of Roanoke City Council · Aug 17, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsThe council adopted zoning rules for data centers in July 2026; a regional authority partly owned by Roanoke has agreed to sell land at Wood Haven Technology Park for a potential data center.

What's on the tableHow Roanoke handles the Wood Haven sale as a co-owner and whether to change its own data center rules.

Under the proposed zoning amendments, a data center would be permitted only by special exception in Industrial Planned Unit Development districts, with rules on screening, setbacks, building design, noise and an infrastructure impact study. City of Roanoke City Council · May 18, 2026
The council adopted the four zoning sections on data centers 7-0 on July 6, 2026. City of Roanoke City Council · Aug 17, 2026
The Western Virginia Industrial Facility Authority confirmed its purchase agreement with Clearview Dynamics for 94 acres at Wood Haven Technology Park is for a potential data center. Cardinal News · Sep 22, 2026
Roanoke and Roanoke County each hold 44.2% ownership in the land, and closing on the sale is anticipated in October 2027. Cardinal News · Sep 22, 2026

Evans Spring

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council amended the Evans Spring plan to make conservation an acceptable use, and a land conservancy is now preparing another plan.

What's on the tableHow the city responds to the owners' and conservancy's plans for the 150-acre tract in Northwest Roanoke.

Evans Spring is a 150-acre undeveloped tract in Northwest Roanoke, across Interstate 581 from Valley View Mall. Cardinal News · Oct 2, 2026
The May 2026 amendments made conservation an acceptable use and dropped a mandatory interstate connection. Cardinal News · Oct 2, 2026
The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy received a $50,000 grant to create a plan with Hill Studio, expected by the end of winter or early spring. Cardinal News · Oct 2, 2026

Casino at the Berglund Center

Where it standsCity leaders have explored an entertainment district with a casino at the Berglund Center, but the council did not include it in its 2026 legislative requests.

What's on the tableWhether to keep pursuing a casino, which would need state approval and a citywide vote.

A casino would require the state legislature's approval and a majority of Roanoke voters voting in favor on a ballot measure. WDBJ7 · Dec 9, 2025
The casino idea has been met with unanimous opposition from area state legislators. WDBJ7 · Dec 9, 2025
City council members have signed NDAs regarding a potential casino and have talked with a possible operator. WDBJ7 · Dec 9, 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 Roanoke put more city tax money into its public schools?
2. Should Roanoke use Flock surveillance devices such as license plate readers and gunshot detectors?
3. Should Roanoke keep the 2024 zoning rules that allow townhomes, cottage courts and small apartments in single-family neighborhoods?
4. Should data centers be built in Roanoke and the surrounding valley?
5. Should Roanoke pursue a casino at the Berglund Center?

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 RoanokeSep 18, 2026
Voter registration and mail ballot request deadlineCity of RoanokeOct 23, 2026
Last day of early in-person votingCity of RoanokeOct 31, 2026
Election DayCity of RoanokeNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Joseph L. Cobb, Nicolas S. Hagen, S. Terry McGuire, Phazhon T. Nash3 on this ballot

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

The Virginia Department of Elections lists seven qualified candidates for three Roanoke City Council seats with four-year terms: three Democrats, one Republican and three Independents. Virginia Department of Elections
On the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, voters choose up to three candidates for Member, City Council, and the council contest shows no party labels. City of Roanoke Office of Voter Registration and Elections: Sample ballot, November 3, 2026 · Nov 3, 2026
Roanoke voters elect the mayor directly; Joseph L. Cobb won the 2024 mayoral election. Virginia Department of Elections, Elections Database: 2024 General Election, Mayor, Roanoke City · Nov 5, 2024

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