Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Artesia City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 5 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 3Three of the council's five at-large seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot in one contest; two members with terms through 2028 continue to serve.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Downtown paid parking4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council has adopted new paid-parking rates and residential permit rules in 2026, and staff is rolling out the program.
What's on the tableWhether to keep, adjust or end downtown paid parking and the residential permit limits as the program is enforced.
- On April 13, 2026 the council approved directing staff to set downtown paid parking at $2.00 per hour on and off the street and to remove the first free hour. Artesia City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 (June 8 agenda packet) · Apr 13, 2026
- The same action cut residential parking permits to three per household and changed visitor passes from annual to as-needed 24-hour permits. Artesia City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 (June 8 agenda packet) · Apr 13, 2026
- On June 8, 2026 the council approved new fees for residential parking permits and new rates in the paid parking zones. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
- On July 8, 2026 the council adopted an ordinance amending the paid parking section of the Municipal Code. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, July 8, 2026 · Jul 8, 2026
02Public safety technology4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council discussed a proposed ShotSpotter contract on September 14, 2026 and continued it to October.
What's on the tableWhether to buy gunshot detection and how far to expand cameras used for crime and code enforcement.
- The council discussed the ShotSpotter program on September 14, 2026 and continued the item for further discussion in October. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, September 14, 2026 · Sep 14, 2026
- Staff proposed a three-year SoundThinking agreement costing $40,000 in year one and $49,500 a year after, for no more than $139,000 in total. Artesia City Council agenda report · Sep 14, 2026
- On April 13, 2026 the council approved leasing a mobile surveillance camera as a pilot for code violations, amended to two cameras. Artesia City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 (June 8 agenda packet) · Apr 13, 2026
- The staff report says the city has installed 15 automated license plate reader cameras since 2025. Artesia City Council agenda report · Sep 14, 2026
03New development and housing4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council is adding new developments to a special-tax financing district and updating zoning to meet its Housing Element.
What's on the tableHow new housing is approved and whether new residential projects must help fund city services through special taxes.
- On April 13, 2026 the council introduced an ordinance requiring new residential developments to be annexed into the city's Community Facilities District. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, April 13, 2026 · Apr 13, 2026
- On May 11, 2026 the council adopted an ordinance annexing the Pioneer Place development into the district. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, May 11, 2026 · May 11, 2026
- On July 8, 2026 the council introduced two ordinances updating zoning and housing rules to comply with the Housing Element. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, July 8, 2026 · Jul 8, 2026
- The council adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element update at its February 9, 2026 meeting. Artesia City Council minutes, February 9, 2026 (April 13 agenda packet) · Feb 9, 2026
04Downtown and Little India3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council voted to designate part of Pioneer Boulevard as Little India, contingent on forming a business improvement district.
What's on the tableHow the downtown corridor is branded, funded and managed as rail construction and new projects arrive.
- On April 13, 2026 the council adopted a resolution designating Pioneer Boulevard from 183rd to 188th Street as Little India, contingent on forming a Business Improvement District. Artesia City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 (June 8 agenda packet) · Apr 13, 2026
- On June 8, 2026 the council approved a financing district plan to use part of future property tax increases for infrastructure projects. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, June 8, 2026 · Jun 8, 2026
- On August 10, 2026 the council received an update on the Artesia Botanical Garden project. Artesia Council Meeting Summary, August 10, 2026 · Aug 10, 2026
1 note on these statements
Council votes shown for Melissa Ramoso, Ali Taj, Rene J. Trevino, Monica Manalo and Zeel Ahir come from the city's minutes; the minutes name who moved and seconded each motion and give the tally. Artesia City Council minutes, April 13, 2026 (June 8 agenda packet) · Apr 13, 2026
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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. What should Artesia do about downtown paid parking?
2. Should downtown Pioneer Boulevard be designated Little India?
Key dates
- Vote-by-mail ballots begin to be mailedCity of ArtesiaOct 5, 2026
- Vote centers open for early in-person votingCity of ArtesiaOct 24, 2026
- Election Day (vote centers open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)City of ArtesiaNov 3, 2026
- County tentatively certifies resultsCity of ArtesiaNov 27, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Zeel Ahir, Monica Manalo3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The Artesia City Council has five members elected at large, with terms staggered every four years. City of Artesia
- The positions of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem rotate annually in December, following a vote by the council. City of Artesia
- The November 3, 2026 election is for three council members for a full four-year term. City of Artesia
- The council meets in regular session on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. City of Artesia
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