Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Banning City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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 4 · 1 seat

Nathaniel RodriguezProject manager and pastor who was born and raised in Banning.3sourced
Richard RoyceIncumbentMayor of Banning, appointed by the council in December 2025; Council Member, District 44sourced
Marco SantanaWorkforce development specialist who helps residents access career training and apprenticeships.3sourced

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Voters in District 4 and District 5 each choose one council member; the other three council seats are not on this ballot, and the council appoints the mayor.

2 notes on these statements

The Sunset Crossroads ordinances (1618, 1619 and 1620) are also on the November 3 ballot after referendum petitions qualified. Record Gazette · Jul 14, 2026

Chris Castorena is listed as an endorser on Marco Santana's campaign website. Santana for Banning

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Cindy BarringtonMayor Pro Tem and Council Member, District 2; term ends December 20283sourced Sheri FlynnCouncil Member, District 3; term ends December 20284sourced Leroy MillerCouncil Member, District 1; term ends December 20283sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesSunset Crossroads referendum, Budget deficit and fiscal emergency, Electric utility finances and rates Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed (deadline for counties)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Sunset Crossroads referendum

Where it standsVoters will decide on the three ordinances approving the Sunset Crossroads project, which are suspended until the vote.

What's on the tableWhether the council carries out the approved project or must deal with its rejection, including related land-use and revenue questions.

The council voted unanimously on July 14, 2026 to place Ordinances 1618, 1619 and 1620 before voters on November 3, after referendum petitions qualified. Record Gazette · Jul 14, 2026
Ordinance 1620 approves a development agreement for a project on approximately 533.8 acres, including industrial and commercial uses. Banning Ordinance No. 1620 (development agreement), first-reading roll call · Mar 10, 2026
The Planning Commission voted 3-2 in November 2025 to recommend that the council deny the project applications. Banning Planning Commission minutes, November 17, 2025 · Nov 17, 2025
At the January 28, 2026 meeting the city clerk's office reported seven letters in support and 416 opposed. Record Gazette · Jan 28, 2026

Budget deficit and fiscal emergency

Where it standsThe council is working toward a transitional budget after the city manager reported a negative general fund balance.

What's on the tableWhich services and positions to keep, and what ongoing revenue to pursue, as one-time money runs out.

The city manager reported a negative $9.7 million general fund balance entering the fiscal year. Record Gazette
The proposed 2026-27 budget would cut general fund staffing from 151.25 budgeted positions to 78. Record Gazette
A resolution declaring a fiscal emergency was on the council's June 23, 2026 agenda. Banning City Council agenda, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
The city manager said a revised plan is a transitional budget and the one-time money will run out. Record Gazette

Electric utility finances and rates

Where it standsThe city's electric utility remains financially distressed, with bonds rated B by S&P Global.

What's on the tableWhether and how to adjust utility rates and finances as part of the city's budget recovery.

Banning Electric Utility last raised rates in 2013, and an emergency 13.9% increase was approved on November 1, 2024. City of Banning
The city manager described the utility's S&P Global bond rating of B as junk status. Record Gazette
The council adopted a fiscal year 2026-27 garbage rate that raises the monthly residential rate from $31.62 to $32.64. Banning City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

Parks and recreation services

Where it standsStaff proposed using one-time money to keep some parks programs, while the aquatic center would not be funded.

What's on the tableWhich recreation services and facilities the budget keeps.

The August 26 proposal would restructure the department under a community services director overseeing recreation and public transit. Record Gazette
The council reprogrammed CDBG funds from the Dysart Park project to the Senior Center roof in May 2026. Banning City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 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. What should the council do about the Sunset Crossroads project?
2. What kind of development should the city prioritize?
3. How should the budget treat parks and recreation?

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 mailed (deadline for counties)California Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election DayCalifornia Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
Last day for mailed ballots to arriveCalifornia Secretary of StateNov 10, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Cindy Barrington, Sheri Flynn, Leroy Miller2 on this ballot

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

Banning is a general law city with a council-manager form of government and five elected council members, elected by district. City of Banning
The council appoints one of its members as mayor every year. City of Banning
Council terms are four years and staggered, with three members elected in one cycle and two in another. City of Banning
Two seats, Districts 4 and 5, are on the November 3, 2026 ballot, each for a full four-year term. Record Gazette

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