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Town attorney outlines 2026 election timeline, resignation rules for incumbents
Summary
The town attorney told the council three council seats and the mayoral office are on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot and explained that incumbents whose terms do not expire must resign before running; ARS §16-120, §16-134 and §16-542(C) were cited.
Town Attorney Thomas Benavidez briefed the council on the 2026 election schedule and the effect on incumbents.
Benavidez said three council seats (incumbents Cynthia Butterworth, Debra Trate and Geovona Thompson) and the mayor’s office (incumbent Johann Wallace) will be decided at the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. He cited Arizona Revised Statutes, including §16-120, §16-134 and §16-542(C), and explained that if an incumbent’s term does not expire this year they must resign before running; if the term expires this year they may run without resigning. Voter registration and early voting dates were also noted.
Council discussion followed and Mayor Wallace asked that advertising for the election begin now. No formal council action to change election procedures was taken at the meeting.
