Dent County saw a notable decline in voter turnout during the General Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, with just 10.29% of registered voters casting ballots. Out of 8,760 registered voters, only 901 ballots were cast.
The drop in turnout comes despite a significant increase in registered voters compared to the previous year. In the April 8, 2025 election, Dent County had 6,470 registered voters and 991 ballots cast, for a turnout of 15.32%. One year later, the number of registered voters increased by 2,290 to 8,760, while the total number of ballots cast declined by 90 to 901, lowering turnout by approximately five percentage points.
In the City of Salem mayoral race, Greg Parker ran unopposed and received 304 votes.
The Salem West Ward Alderman race was closely contested, with Catherine Dent defeating Kyle Williams by eight votes. Dent received 112 votes, or 51.85%, while Williams garnered 104 votes, or 48.15%.
In the Salem East Ward Alderman race, Nathan Kinsey won a three-way contest with 76 votes, or 38.97%. Dylan McGinnis received 61 votes, or 31.28%, and Lana Grove followed with 58 votes, or 29.74%.
For the Salem R-80 School Board Director three-year term, voters selected three candidates. Luke Heithold led with 352 votes, or 31.18%, followed by Andrew Wynn with 335 votes, or 29.67%, and Drusilla Howard with 310 votes, or 27.46%. Kris Bieker received 132 votes, or 11.69%.
In the race for the one-year term on the Salem R-80 School Board, Brady Adams defeated Larry Lundy with 314 votes, or 64.48%, to Lundy’s 173 votes, or 35.52%.
In the Dent-Phelps R-III district, voters selected three board members in a tightly contested race. Bill Manthey received 80 votes, or 25.64%, while Joshua Summers and Caleb Gidcumb each received 78 votes, or 25.00%. Nick Gover followed with 76 votes, or 24.36%.
For the North Wood R-IV board, Aaron Brooks led with 48 votes, or 28.74%, followed by David Massengale with 44 votes, or 26.35%, Jenna Dunn with 41 votes, or 24.55%, and Noah Sapp with 34 votes, or 20.36%.
Propositions and Rural Districts
Voters in the Oak Hill Reorganized R-I district rejected Proposition Raiders, with 100 “NO” votes, or 68.97%, and 45 “YES” votes, or 31.03%.
For the Oak Hill Reorganized R-I School Board, Daniel England received 110 votes, Thomas England received 109 votes, and John Hoodenpyle received 108 votes.
The Quad County Fire Board Director race ended in a tie, with Robert Hicks and Bradly Hubbs each receiving 12 votes.
