local elections

As the deadline for filing in the local May 2 elections arrived on Friday, February 13, a handful of candidates signed up, resulting in contested races for seats on the city council, and school and water district boards. 

By the end of the day, four candidates had filed for three open seats on the Canadian City Council. All four candidates—incumbents Gary Prater, Wendie Cook and Ashlee Talley, and newcomer Jennifer Ford—signed up as the deadline approached, setting up a contested council race in May. 

The local political season kicked off last month with the January 14 start of candidate filing for seats on the City Council and school, water district and hospital boards. As the final week of filing opened, only six candidates had filed for the ten open seats which will be decided in May 2, 2026 elections. 

The deadline to file for a place on the General Election Ballot is this Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5 pm. 

Canadian City Council