Your Guide to Understanding the May 2, 2026 City of Arlington Election
Local elections shape the decisions that most directly affect our daily lives, including neighborhood services, infrastructure, city growth, accountability, and long-term planning. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Arlington voters will head to the polls to select city leadership.
What Is on the Ballot?
The City of Arlington will hold a General Election to elect the following positions:
Mayor
City Council Single-Member Districts 3, 4, and 5
City Council At-Large District 8
These are unpaid, nonpartisan public service positions. The individuals elected will play a key role in guiding Arlington’s future.
How Arlington’s City Government Works
Arlington operates under a council–manager form of government.
The Mayor and City Council are elected by voters and are responsible for setting policy, approving the city budget, and establishing long-term priorities.
A professional City Manager, hired by the City Council, oversees day-to-day operations and city staff.
This structure is designed to balance democratic leadership with professional management.
Mayor
The Mayor presides over City Council meetings, represents Arlington publicly, and helps guide the city’s vision and priorities. The Mayor is elected citywide every three years.
The Mayor’s seat is on the ballot in May 2026. If re-elected, this would be the Mayor’s final term under current term limits.
City Council Seats Up for Election
Arlington’s City Council includes both single-member district seats and at-large seats. City Council members serve three-year terms. The following seats are on the May 2026 ballot:
Single-Member Districts 3, 4, and 5: Only voters who live within each district vote for that district’s councilmember.
At-Large District 8: This seat is elected by all Arlington voters, regardless of where they live.
Residents can use the city’s district map to identify which districts are up for election and how their neighborhood is represented:
https://www.arlingtontx.gov/files/assets/city/v/3/city-council/documents/city-council-districts-map.pdf
Voter Registration Information
To participate in the May election, voters must be registered. The last day to register to vote is April 2, 2026.
Check your voter registration status:
https://goelect.txelections.civixapps.com/ivis-mvp-ui/#/loginRegister to vote if you are not registered:
https://vrrequest.sos.texas.gov/VoterApplication/ConfirmStatusEN
Checking early helps ensure there is time to resolve any issues before Election Day.
What Dream City PAC Will Do
After the candidate filing period closes on February 13, 2026, Dream City PAC will:
Send questionnaires to all candidates who qualify for the ballot.
Share candidate responses so the community can better understand candidates’ priorities, values, and policy positions.
Provide opportunities for residents to learn more and engage with those seeking to serve all Arlington residents.
Local elections matter, and participation helps ensure Arlington’s leadership reflects the voices of the community it serves.
