Mayor
July 21, 2026 · Yuma city, Arizona · City · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 21 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 100,139 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(1,642,323 ÷ 100,139) ÷ ln(1,642,323 ÷ 4) = 21.64, comparing cities and towns in AZ (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Mayor is responsible for:
- Serving as the city's top elected leader and its public face
- Setting policy priorities and helping shape the city budget
- Running city government day to day in some cities; in others, a hired city manager runs daily operations
- Signing or vetoing council laws and appointing department heads, such as the police chief, in many cities
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Government Efficiency, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Civil Rights, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Carlos Adams
Nonpartisan · declared
Carlos Adams is a Yuma business owner and 2026 write-in candidate for mayor. He owns Adams Footwear, a boxing-shoe business, and grew up working at his parents' Mexican crafts store in Yuma.
Records: Environment and Public Health 1 for, Government Efficiency 1 for
Douglas Nicholls
Nonpartisan · Incumbent · declared
Douglas J. Nicholls is the incumbent mayor of Yuma, Arizona, first elected in 2014 after serving on the city council in 2009. A civil engineer who founded Core Engineering Group, he serves as president of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and was appointed to the EPA's Local Government Advisory Council. He is seeking a fourth term in 2026.
Records: Government Efficiency 2 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 1 for, Social Programs and Welfare 1 for
Election sources
Source: yumaaz.gov