BALL, La. (UrbanCast: 11/5/2026) — Mayor Gail Wilking will serve another term leading the Town of Ball following her victory in Tuesday’s municipal election.
Wilking defeated challenger Marc Mercer in the November 3 election, receiving 711 votes, or 55.5% of ballots cast. Mercer received 569 votes, representing 44.5%.
The mayor won by 142 votes, securing another term without a runoff.
Voters also elected three alderwomen, while two remaining seats will be decided in the December 12 runoff election.
Mayor Wilking Reflects on Her Reelection
UrbanCast spoke with Mayor Wilking on Thursday, November 5, following her election victory.
During the conversation, Wilking expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving Ball and its residents.
“Serving you as mayor has never been just a position to me. It’s been a calling, a responsibility, and one of the greatest privileges of my life,” Wilking said.
She also spoke about her love for the community and her belief in its future.
“I love this little town. I believe in its people, and I believe God still has wonderful things in store for Ball.”
Wilking pledged to continue dedicating her time and energy to the community.
“My promise is simple. I will give you my heart, my time, my energy, and my very best.”
She acknowledged that additional work remains and expressed optimism about what Ball can accomplish.
“There’s more work to do, more dreams to chase, and so much more we can accomplish,” she said.
Wilking also emphasized her faith, giving God the glory for her victory and asking for continued guidance.
With the mayoral election decided, she encouraged residents to move beyond political differences.
“The election is behind us, now it’s time to come together, put differences aside, and keep moving our town forward.”
Three Alderwomen Win Election
Ball voters also elected three women to the town’s Board of Aldermen.
Seat B: Suzanne Duncan-Furby
Duncan-Furby received 834 votes, representing 68.2% of ballots cast.
Her opponent, Neil Sayer, received 389 votes, or 31.8%.
Duncan-Furby won the seat by 445 votes.
Seat C: Ursula Dewalt
Dewalt secured the Seat C position with 641 votes, representing 50.7%.
Terry Baker finished second with 455 votes, followed by Robin Moody with 94 and Richard Mitchell with 74.
Dewalt received enough votes to win outright.
Seat E: Charlotte Williams-Smith
Williams-Smith won one of the closest contests in Ball’s municipal election.
She received 630 votes, representing 50.7%, while John Cearley received 612 votes, or 49.3%.
Williams-Smith secured the seat by just 18 votes.
The three alderwomen won their respective contests without requiring a December runoff.
Two Ball Alderman Seats Head to December 12 Runoffs
Although the mayoral election and three alderman contests have been decided, Ball voters still have two races to settle.
Neither Seat A nor Seat D produced a candidate with a majority of votes.
Seat A: Carroll Ward and Glenda Bolen
Carroll Ward led the four-candidate contest with 458 votes, representing 37.1%.
Glenda Bolen finished second with 355 votes, or 28.8%.
Bryan Adams followed closely with 341 votes, while Bradley Riccardi received 79.
Bolen finished just 14 votes ahead of Adams to secure the second runoff position.
Ward and Bolen will face each other December 12.
Seat D: Kimberley Krischke and Danny Winn
Kimberley Krischke led the Seat D contest with 540 votes, representing 43.1%.
Danny Winn finished second with 328 votes, or 26.2%.
Tiffany Cardwell received 197 votes, while Nathaniel Majors received 187.
Krischke and Winn will advance to the December runoff.
The winners of both contests will complete Ball’s five-member Board of Aldermen.
Ball Residents Can Still Register for the Runoff
Eligible Ball residents who were not registered for Tuesday’s election still have time to participate in December.
Louisiana provides separate registration deadlines depending on the registration method.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, is the deadline to register in person, by mail, or through the Office of Motor Vehicles.
Saturday, November 21, 2026, is the deadline to register online through Louisiana’s GeauxVote system.
Residents can register online at GeauxVote.com.
Online registration requires a Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana special identification card.
Residents may also register through the Rapides Parish Registrar of Voters Office or submit a paper registration application.
Those already registered do not need to register again. However, voters should verify their registration information and current residential address before the election.
Only eligible voters registered within Ball’s municipal boundaries can participate in the town’s alderman runoffs.
Important December 12 Election Dates
The Louisiana Secretary of State has established the following deadlines for the December 12 election.
November 12, 2026: Deadline to register in person, by mail, or at an Office of Motor Vehicles location.
November 21, 2026: Deadline to register online through GeauxVote.
November 28 – December 5, 2026: Early voting, excluding Sunday, November 29.
Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
December 8, 2026: Deadline to request an absentee ballot by 4:30 p.m.
December 11, 2026: Deadline for registrars to receive completed absentee ballots by 4:30 p.m.
Different absentee voting deadlines apply to military and overseas voters.
Saturday, December 12, 2026: Runoff Election Day.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Residents can verify their registration status, locate their polling place, and review their sample ballot through GeauxVote.com.
Ball Looks Ahead
Wilking’s reelection provides continuity in the mayor’s office as Ball prepares for another election.
Duncan-Furby, Dewalt, and Williams-Smith have secured their seats on the Board of Aldermen.
Meanwhile, voters will return December 12 to decide between Ward and Bolen for Seat A and Krischke and Winn for Seat D.
Wilking’s message following Tuesday’s election focused on unity, continued service, and the town’s future.
Her call to put differences aside comes as Ball prepares to complete its municipal elections and begin another chapter in local government.
Election results are unofficial until certified
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