AvenalNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Avenal City Council Election 2026

4 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 13 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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22days to Nov 3

The candidates

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

Voters elect four council members at large on Nov. 3, 2026: two seats with four-year terms ending in 2030 and two with two-year terms ending in 2028.

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Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Fire service4 sourced facts

Where it standsAvenal is building its own fire department after Kings County raised its fee; Kings County Fire resumed service out of Station 12 in April 2026.

What's on the tableWhether the city keeps its own fire department, renegotiates a Kings County contract, or reviews costs first.

02City finances and audits2 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates at the Sept. 15 forum said Avenal lacks a public, up-to-date audit.

What's on the tableHow the new council gets the city's books audited and what the budget can support.

03City manager2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved an amended employment agreement for City Manager Antony Lopez in January 2026 on a 3-2 vote.

What's on the tableWhether the new council keeps City Manager Antony Lopez or hires new city management.

04Who sits on the council3 sourced facts

Where it standsVoters recalled four council members in 2026, and a court has ruled they cannot continue to hold those offices; all four seats are on the Nov. 3 ballot.

What's on the tableThe four members elected on Nov. 3 will serve alongside Councilmember Ricardo Verdugo.

  • More than 75% of voters in an April 2026 special election voted to oust Mayor Alvaro Preciado and Councilmembers Leticia Gamez, David Reynosa and Pablo Hernandez. KVPR · May 29, 2026
  • On Aug. 24, a court ruling held that the recalled officials ceased to hold their offices when results were certified on May 28, 2026. Hanford Sentinel · Aug 25, 2026
  • The Kings County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 10 to place the four seats on the November ballot. ABC30 · Jul 10, 2026
2 notes on these statements

Eight of the thirteen candidates attended the Sept. 15 candidate forum; Martin Leonardo Maldonado II, Lou Gravelle Jr., Francisco "Frank" Lopez, Jose Manuel Santillana and Alex Ramirez did not, and Frank Lopez submitted a statement to be read. Hanford Sentinel · Sep 30, 2026

Two of the four seats have four-year terms ending in 2030 and two have two-year terms ending in 2028. Hanford Sentinel · Jul 11, 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. 1. How should Avenal provide fire service?

  2. 2. What should the city do first about its finances?

  3. 3. What should the council do about City Manager Antony Lopez?

  4. 4. How should the city approach community events?

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

Key dates

    The seat math

    1 stay (not up this year): Ricardo Verdugo4 on this ballot

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

    • The council has five members elected at large to four-year staggered terms. City of Avenal
    • The council elects the mayor every two years; the mayor is the ceremonial head of the council with no extra authority over the other four members. City of Avenal
    • Council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 5:15 PM at the Avenal Theater, 233 E Kings Street. City of Avenal

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