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Town attorney outlines rules for 2026 council and mayoral elections, warns incumbents may need to resign
Summary
Town Attorney Thomas Benavidez explained which council seats and the mayoral seat are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, stated voter-registration and early-voting deadlines, and advised incumbents whose terms do not expire this year must resign before running.
Town Attorney Thomas Benavidez informed the council that three council seats and the mayor's office will be on the Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot and reminded the body that these are nonpartisan offices. He cited voter-registration closing on Oct. 5, 2026 at midnight and noted when early voting begins in statute.
Benavidez addressed a common candidate question: whether an incumbent must resign to run for another seat. He explained that if an incumbent's term expires this year they may run without resigning; if their term does not expire this year, they must resign prior to running. The attorney cited Arizona Revised Statutes sections referenced on the agenda (ARS §16-120, §16-134 and ARS §16-542(C)).
