Tempe City Council Runoff Election Ballots Mailed Next Week

Voters to decide final two seats on city council in closely watched race.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:25pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a lone ballot box or voting booth set against a backdrop of warm, golden sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the quiet importance of the local electoral process.The upcoming Tempe City Council runoff election will be a pivotal moment for the community, as voters determine the final makeup of the city's governing body.Tempe Today

Ballots for the runoff election to decide the final two seats on the Tempe City Council will be mailed to voters next week. The election follows a January forum hosted by The Arizona Republic where the four remaining candidates discussed what they love about the city.

Why it matters

The Tempe City Council election has drawn significant local interest, as the council plays a key role in shaping policies that impact the city's residents and businesses. The runoff will determine the final makeup of the council for the next term.

The details

The runoff election will decide the final two seats on the Tempe City Council after no candidate received a majority of votes in the initial election. Four candidates remain in the race, all of whom participated in a January forum hosted by The Arizona Republic to discuss their visions for the city.

  • Ballots will be mailed to voters next week.
  • The runoff election forum was held on January 14, 2026.

The players

Tempe City Council

The governing body of the city of Tempe, Arizona, responsible for enacting laws and policies that impact the local community.

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The takeaway

The Tempe City Council runoff election is a crucial local race that will determine the final composition of the city's governing body for the next term. Voters will play a key role in shaping the future direction of Tempe through their choices in this election.