Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Arcadia City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Burton BrinkRetired Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sergeant and former Arcadia city commissioner. He has lived in Arcadia since 1967.4sourced
Sharon KwanIncumbentCouncilmember, District 2; term expires November 202614sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Three of the five council seats, Districts 2, 3 and 5, are on the ballot; Districts 1 and 4 are not up this year.

3 notes on these statements

The General Municipal Election will elect City Council members for Electoral Districts 2, 3 and 5. City of Arcadia

Eileen Wang, who represented District 3, resigned in May 2026. Arcadia Chamber of Commerce · May 19, 2026

The City Council appointed John Han to the District 3 seat on June 16, 2026 to serve until the next election. City of Arcadia

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Paul P. ChengMayor and Councilmember, District 4; term expires November 202811sourced David FuMayor Pro Tem and Councilmember, District 1; term expires November 202811sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing development, Santa Anita Park oak trees and the 2028 Olympics, Foreign-government engagement and oversight Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Housing development

Where it standsThe council approved the 130-unit North Village project in July 2026 and a 30-unit project at 514 Fairview Avenue in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city applies state housing law and density bonuses to proposed projects.

On July 21, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve North Village at 225 N. 2nd Avenue: 130 condominium units, including 20 low-income units, with ground-floor commercial space. Arcadia City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 (in Aug. 18 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
On June 16, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to approve a 30-unit condominium project at 514 Fairview Avenue on appeal of the Planning Commission's denial. Arcadia City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 (in July 21 agenda packet) · Jun 16, 2026
At that hearing, the Development Services Director said the penalty for not approving the project ranges from $10,000 per unit up to $50,000 per unit if it is determined that the city acted in bad faith. Arcadia City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 (in July 21 agenda packet) · Jun 16, 2026

Santa Anita Park oak trees and the 2028 Olympics

Where it standsSanta Anita Park asked the city to pause review of a proposal to remove 34 protected oaks while it explores options to preserve more of them.

What's on the tableWhether and how a revised application to remove protected oaks for the equestrian cross-country course is reviewed.

Speakers told the council on Aug. 18, 2026 they opposed the proposed removal of 34 protected native oak trees at Santa Anita Park for the LA28 equestrian cross-country course. Arcadia City Council minutes, Aug. 18, 2026 (in Sept. 1 agenda packet) · Aug 18, 2026
On Sept. 15, 2026 the City Manager said Santa Anita Park had asked the city to pause its review while alternative designs are explored, and that he did not know when a revised application would be submitted. Arcadia City Council draft minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 2026
The City Manager said an environmental review could not be conducted without an application on file. Arcadia City Council draft minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 2026

Foreign-government engagement and oversight

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council directed staff to develop a policy on engagement with foreign governments and officials, then tabled the item for further discussion.

What's on the tableWhat rules govern contact with foreign governments and what reviews of city finances go forward.

On July 21, 2026 the council voted 4-0 with one abstention on a motion directing staff to establish a policy requiring council approval for engagement with foreign governments or officials. Arcadia City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 (in Aug. 18 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
The same day the council voted 4-1 to order a third-party legal report on check-signing authority and to request that the State Controller evaluate whether city funds were misused for foreign influence. Arcadia City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 (in Aug. 18 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
A motion by Sharon Kwan to hire an independent forensic auditor failed for lack of a second. Arcadia City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 (in Aug. 18 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
The council appointed John Han to the District 3 seat on June 16, 2026. City of Arcadia

City budget and audit

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget in June 2026 and chose a new auditing firm in September 2026.

What's on the tableThe next budget, capital plan and audit oversight.

On June 16, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget and, separately 4-1, a capital improvement and equipment plan for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2030-31. Arcadia City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 (in July 21 agenda packet) · Jun 16, 2026
The City Manager said the council selected Moss, Levy & Hartzheim LLP on July 21, but the firm then withdrew from the engagement. Arcadia City Council draft minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 2026
On Sept. 15, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve an agreement with Vasquez & Company LLP for financial auditing services. Arcadia City Council draft minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 2026

Public safety and street safety

Where it standsThe council formed ad hoc committees on e-bikes and drones in August and September 2026.

What's on the tableWhat regulations on e-bikes, scooters and drones to adopt and how to fund police and fire services.

On Aug. 18, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to form an ad hoc committee on regulations for electric bicycles, motorized scooters and group cyclists. Arcadia City Council minutes, Aug. 18, 2026 (in Sept. 1 agenda packet) · Aug 18, 2026
On Sept. 1, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to form a subcommittee to evaluate tactical and civilian drone policies. Arcadia City Council minutes, Sept. 1, 2026 (in Sept. 15 agenda packet) · Sep 1, 2026
On Sept. 15, 2026 a request by Sharon Kwan to place a discussion of Flock cameras on a future agenda did not receive sufficient support. Arcadia City Council draft minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should Arcadia treat proposed housing projects that use state density bonuses?
2. What should the city do about removing protected oak trees for the Olympic equestrian course?
3. What rule should govern city officials' contact with foreign governments?
4. Should the city commission an outside forensic audit of its finances?
5. What should be the council's priority for police staffing?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailingCity of ArcadiaOct 5, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; same-day registration at any LA County Vote Center)City of ArcadiaNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Paul P. Cheng, David Fu3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

Arcadia is a charter city governed by a five-member City Council, with each member serving a four-year term. City of Arcadia
The offices of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are filled automatically by rotation among council members, each serving approximately nine and one-half months. City of Arcadia
Paul Cheng was appointed mayor on May 19, 2026 and will serve the remainder of the unexpired term until December 2026. Arcadia Chamber of Commerce · May 19, 2026

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