Pocomoke City residents will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for the city’s municipal election, with two City Council seats up for election under the city’s staggered-term system.
The deadline to file a certificate of nomination for candidates seeking municipal office is Friday, February 6, 2026, which is sixty days prior to the election, as required by city code.
Seats Up for Election
The 2026 election will include City Council seats in:
- District 1, currently represented by Scott Holland
- District 2, currently represented by Diane Downing
Sources indicate that Holland does not intend to file for a third term on the Council. As of now, no official filings or public announcements have been made confirming candidate intentions in either district.
Filing Requirements
Under § C-34 Nominations of the Pocomoke City Charter, individuals seeking elective office must file a certificate of nomination with the Board of Supervisors of Elections. The filing fee is $25, and the certificate must state:
- The office sought, and
- The candidate’s name
City code also prohibits a person from filing for more than one elective public office or holding more than one municipal elective office at the same time.
Election Structure
Pocomoke City is divided into five legislative districts, each represented by one councilmember elected solely by voters within that district. Council terms are four years, and elections are staggered to ensure continuity on the Council, as outlined in § C-35 Election of Mayor and Councilmembers.
If only one qualified candidate files for a seat and no contest exists, § C-36 Conduct of Elections allows the Board of Supervisors of Elections to cancel the election for that office and certify the candidate as elected after providing proper public notice.
What Voters Should Know
Polls are scheduled to be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day unless extended by the City Council. Ballots list candidates alphabetically by office, with no party designations, consistent with the city’s nonpartisan municipal election structure.
An unofficial map of Districts 1 and 2 accompanies this article to help residents identify which council seat is up for election in their area. Voters are encouraged to verify their district and monitor upcoming candidate filings as the February deadline approaches.
