Asheville City Council (three seats)
- General election
- November 3, 2026
- On the ballot
- 6 candidates
- You can vote for
- Up to 3
What this office controls
City Council decides local land use through zoning, funds city programs through the budget, and directs the city administration under the council-manager form of government. It does not set state law or state taxes.
Side by side
The same three things for everyone: time in office, their own words, and how they voted when the minutes name who voted no. Motions aren't compared, because a mayor chairs the meeting and a challenger holds no seat.
Drew BallCounty Commissioner- On the County Commission since Jan. 2025
Serves on the Buncombe County Commission, a different body, so those votes aren't compared with this race's.
Jeffrey BurroughsChallenger- Not in elected office now
Not on this body now, so there are no votes to compare. Their own words are below.
S. Antanette MosleyIncumbent- On City Council since Sept. 2020
- Vice Mayor since Dec. 2024
- Term through Dec. 2026
Votes on Council and can make and second motions.
Sheneika SmithIncumbent- On City Council since Dec. 2017
- Term through Dec. 2026
Votes on Council and can make and second motions.
Maggie UllmanIncumbent- On City Council since Dec. 2022
- Term through Dec. 2026
Votes on Council and can make and second motions.
Keith YoungChallenger- Not in elected office now
- Earlier: Asheville City Council, Dec. 2015 to Dec. 2020
Not on this body now, so there are no votes to compare. Their own words are below.
Drew Ball
In their own words
“The most important policy change is increasing the supply of housing that is affordable. That includes missing-middle housing, multi family homes near jobs and transit, and better use of surplus city-held land.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
“My top priority is aligning zoning, incentives, and public land to produce housing that matches local wages. That means expanding middle housing options and prioritizing projects serving deeply affordable and workforce households.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
Vice-Mayor Mosley said that Ella Santos, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville emailed her and requested that she read a part of her email.
Aug 25, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 15 of 36.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
“At the same time, supply alone is not our golden ticket. We have to continue investing in deeply affordable housing, preserving existing units and putting displacement protections in place so legacy residents can remain in their homes.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 11 of 38.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
“At the same time, one of the most important policy changes we can make now is modernizing our zoning code to allow more housing in the right places—especially near jobs, transit, and services. That added flexibility must be paired with strong anti-displacement protections so longtime residents can remain rooted in their neighborhoods as Asheville grows.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 1 of 23.
Keith Young
In their own words
“My top policy change is to legalize more “missing middle” housing citywide by right, garage apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and small four unit buildings, when they meet clear objective standards.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on housing
- Motion to deny the rezoning request for the property located at 3 South Tunnel Road failed
Jul 28, 2026. Failed 2–4.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Budget ordinance with the following adjustments to the form presented by…
Jun 9, 2026. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the resident-led proposed wording amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances, with… (motion 2)
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the resident-led proposed wording amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances, with… (motion 3)
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances, with the following adjustments: (1)…
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances (Ordinance 5128)
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- And 14 more on the full comparison below.
Drew Ball
In their own words
“Homelessness is a housing problem. In Buncombe County, thousands of residents have housing vouchers that could place them in safe, stable homes, yet they remain on waitlists because market pressures and limited housing supply prevent those vouchers from being used.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
“Homelessness requires compassion and structure at the same time. Expanding shelter and beds helps address immediate needs, but it does not solve root causes.”
Feb 5, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
“What is working is when we treat housing as the foundation. Programs that move people directly into stable housing with supportive services, especially for those with mental health and substance use needs, are far more effective than cycling people through crisis response alone.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 1 of 4.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
“Therefore, our North Star is a full system that focuses on prevention, diversion and long-term housing stability.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 4.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
“To me, homelessness is not about people making bad choices — it’s about people trying to survive after being failed by multiple systems over time.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 2.
Keith Young
In their own words
“Homelessness requires housing, health care and accountability together. I will align outreach, shelter and behavioral health so people move into stable housing, tracked by placements and retention.”
Feb 5, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on homelessness
- Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Budget ordinance with the following adjustments to the form presented by…
Jun 9, 2026. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
Drew Ball
In their own words
“Shifting most affordable housing CDBG‑DR funds to single‑family repair was not the only option. We need both, and should use other funding sources and advocate for more state/federal support rather than weaken our affordable housing investment.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
“Both affordable housing construction and home repair are essential to preventing displacement after Hurricane Helene. Repair funding must expand so vulnerable residents can stay in their homes.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
“Key recovery priorities include restoring and hardening infrastructure, helping residents remain housed, and supporting small businesses as they recover.”
Feb 9, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 1 of 2.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
“In addition to restoring major infrastructure, supporting home repairs and helping small businesses recover, a key priority is formalizing a network of Resilience Hubs.”
Feb 19, 2026, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 2.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
“I wouldn’t support shifting over half of our affordable housing funds to single-family repairs. Helping residents fix storm damage and stay housed is essential and should be funded.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 2.
Keith Young
In their own words
“Yes, ONLY if the data shows the fastest way to keep the most families housed is filling documented insurance and FEMA gaps through ReNew NC.”
Undated, read it in contextRecorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on helene recovery
- Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Budget ordinance with the following adjustments to the form presented by…
Jun 9, 2026. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
Drew Ball
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 2.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 2.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 1.
Keith Young
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on water
No split vote on this issue where the minutes show them on different sides.
Drew Ball
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 2 of 18.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 3 of 18.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 16.
Keith Young
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on public safety
- Council amended Section 4 of the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget Ordinance to reflect a property tax rate of 50.78 cents per…
Jul 15, 2026. Carried 4–2.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted the the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Operating and Capital Budget with a one-cent tax increase to pay for…
Jun 11, 2024. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted a resolution to execute a contract with Cole Pro Media for police transparency engagement advising…
Dec 13, 2022. Carried 5–2.
- Mosley: Not among the no votes
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted a budget amendment in the amount of $419,214.47 in the Special Revenue Fund to establish an expenditure…
Aug 23, 2022. Carried 5–2.
- Mosley: Not among the no votes
- Smith: Voted no
Drew Ball
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 6 of 6.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 4 of 6.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 4.
Keith Young
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on streets and transit
- Council authorized the City Manager to execute a four-year contract with RATP Dev in the amount of $54,899,942 for the…
Mar 24, 2026. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the resident-led proposed wording amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances, with… (motion 2)
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the resident-led proposed wording amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances, with… (motion 3)
Mar 11, 2025. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council authorized the City Manager to direct staff to move forward with the College Patton Complete Streets Project…
Oct 10, 2023. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council approved an ordinance granting a franchise agreement to Blue Ridge Rickshaw to operate a pedal bicycle taxi…
Feb 8, 2022. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Council approved the proposed text amendments to Chapter 7 of the Asheville Code of Ordinances with the condition that…
Sep 28, 2021. Carried 4–2.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
Drew Ball
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
None on this issue while serving.
Jeffrey Burroughs
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
S. Antanette Mosley
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 5 of 13.
Sheneika Smith
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 1 of 13.
Maggie Ullman
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Voted no on 0 of 7.
Keith Young
In their own words
No statement on this found yet.
Recorded split votes
Not on a voting body, so none.
Where they differed on budget and taxes
- Council amended Section 4 of the FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget Ordinance to reflect a property tax rate of 50.78 cents per…
Jul 15, 2026. Carried 4–2.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fees and Charges Manual to incorporate changes to Parking…
Jun 9, 2026. Carried 5–2.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Budget ordinance with the following adjustments to the form presented by…
Jun 9, 2026. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted the the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Operating and Capital Budget with a one-cent tax increase to pay for…
Jun 11, 2024. Carried 4–3.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Voted no
- Ullman: Not among the no votes
- Council adopted a budget amendment in the amount of $1,000,000 in the City’s Special Revenue Fund to transfer available…
Feb 22, 2022. Carried 6–1.
- Mosley: Voted no
- Smith: Not among the no votes
"Not among the no votes" means the minutes name who voted no and this person isn't one of them. A unanimous vote names no one, so it isn't counted. Minutes before December 2024 aren't matched to members yet.
Drew Ball
County Commissioner, District 3
- On the County Commission since Jan. 2025
Photo: Buncombe County
Service record
Sitting County Commissioner. 12 covered commission decisions. Moved 1.
In their words
“The most important policy change is increasing the supply of housing that is affordable. That includes missing-middle housing, multi family homes near jobs and transit, and better use of surplus city-held land.”
Questionnaire answer, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context“Shifting most affordable housing CDBG‑DR funds to single‑family repair was not the only option. We need both, and should use other funding sources and advocate for more state/federal support rather than weaken our affordable housing investment.”
Questionnaire answer, Get There Asheville (Asheville on Bikes, MountainTrue, Strong Towns Asheville)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context
Service record
1096 covered council decisions (Dec 13, 2022 to Sep 22, 2026). Moved 73, seconded 51, voted no on 5 and absent for 1.
In their words
“At the same time, one of the most important policy changes we can make now is modernizing our zoning code to allow more housing in the right places—especially near jobs, transit, and services. That added flexibility must be paired with strong anti-displacement protections so longtime residents can remain rooted in their neighborhoods as Asheville grows.”
Questionnaire answer, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context“I wouldn’t support shifting over half of our affordable housing funds to single-family repairs. Helping residents fix storm damage and stay housed is essential and should be funded.”
Questionnaire answer, Get There Asheville (Asheville on Bikes, MountainTrue, Strong Towns Asheville)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context
Service record
Not in this office now, so there are no votes to show here.
In their words
“My top priority is aligning zoning, incentives, and public land to produce housing that matches local wages. That means expanding middle housing options and prioritizing projects serving deeply affordable and workforce households.”
Questionnaire answer, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context“Both affordable housing construction and home repair are essential to preventing displacement after Hurricane Helene. Repair funding must expand so vulnerable residents can stay in their homes.”
Questionnaire answer, Get There Asheville (Asheville on Bikes, MountainTrue, Strong Towns Asheville)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context
S. Antanette Mosley
Incumbent
- On City Council since Sept. 2020
- Vice Mayor since Dec. 2024
- Term through Dec. 2026
Photo: City of Asheville
Service record
1642 covered council decisions (Sep 8, 2020 to Sep 22, 2026). Moved 61, seconded 62, voted no on 39 and recused from 2.
In their words
Vice-Mayor Mosley said that Ella Santos, Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville emailed her and requested that she read a part of her email.
As summarized in the minutes (not a direct quote), Asheville City Council minutesCouncil meetingAug 25, 2026
Read it in contextVice-Mayor Mosley felt that legacy neighborhoods are not always against affordable housing, but they feel they are always the prime targets.
As summarized in the minutes (not a direct quote), Asheville City Council minutesCouncil meetingMay 12, 2026
Read it in context
Sheneika Smith
Incumbent
- On City Council since Dec. 2017
- Term through Dec. 2026
Photo: City of Asheville
Service record
2109 covered council decisions (Oct 23, 2018 to Sep 22, 2026). Moved 21, seconded 55 and voted no on 29.
In their words
“At the same time, supply alone is not our golden ticket. We have to continue investing in deeply affordable housing, preserving existing units and putting displacement protections in place so legacy residents can remain in their homes.”
Questionnaire answer, WLOS News 132026 primary campaignFeb 19, 2026
Read it in context“Therefore, our North Star is a full system that focuses on prevention, diversion and long-term housing stability.”
Questionnaire answer, WLOS News 132026 primary campaignFeb 19, 2026
Read it in context
Keith Young
Challenger
- Not in elected office now
- Earlier: Asheville City Council, Dec. 2015 to Dec. 2020
Photo: Campaign website
Service record
Not in office now. Served on City Council from Dec. 2015 to Dec. 2020. In that time: moved 15, seconded 19 and voted no on 5.
In their words
“My top policy change is to legalize more “missing middle” housing citywide by right, garage apartments, duplexes, triplexes, and small four unit buildings, when they meet clear objective standards.”
Questionnaire answer, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context“Yes, ONLY if the data shows the fastest way to keep the most families housed is filling documented insurance and FEMA gaps through ReNew NC.”
Questionnaire answer, Get There Asheville (Asheville on Bikes, MountainTrue, Strong Towns Asheville)Undated page, retrieved Oct 16, 2026
Read it in context
Photos are official portraits for officeholders and campaign-site photos for challengers, cropped the same way for everyone. Candidate lists come from the State Board of Elections file for the Nov. 3 general election.