Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Beaumont City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

6 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 · Vote for up to 3

Carlos CuevaBeaumont Planning Commissioner with a background in commercial and residential development and bond financing.3sourced
Mike LaraIncumbentBeaumont councilmember for 12 years who worked 35 years in public service with the County of Riverside.5sourced
Joe MathewsU.S. Navy veteran, Riverside County Youth Commission Coordinator and Chair of the Beaumont Economic Development Committee.3sourced
Jim MercadoBeaumont resident and community leader running on a Smart Growth platform.4sourced
Jessica VoigtIncumbentMayor of Beaumont and a registered nurse.5sourced
Lloyd WhiteIncumbentBeaumont councilmember and its representative on the Riverside County Transportation Commission for over a decade.5sourced

Voters citywide choose three of the five council seats. Councilmembers Julio Martinez and David Fenn are not on this ballot, and the council picks the mayor.

1 note on these statements

Carlos Cueva serves as Vice Chair of the Beaumont Planning Commission, with a term that expires December 2028. Beaumont 2026 Council, Board, Commission & Committees list

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

David FennCouncilmember; term ends November 20284sourced Julio MartinezCouncilmember; term ends November 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget and a future police station, Growth and development review, Public safety and homelessness Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget and a future police station

Where it standsThe council adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget on June 16, 2026. Earlier budget workshops reviewed forecast scenarios that included a proposed sales tax initiative and debt financing for a future police station.

What's on the tableHow to pay for public safety facilities and services, including whether to pursue new revenue.

Staff reported that public safety accounts for 47% of General Fund expenditures in the 2026-27 budget. Beaumont staff report · Jun 16, 2026
At an April 28, 2026 workshop the council was given long-term forecast scenarios for a proposed sales tax initiative and debt financing for a future police station. Beaumont staff report · Jun 16, 2026

Growth and development review

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council considered hiring a consultant to build a city-owned fiscal impact model for proposed development projects. In September 2026 it approved a housing agreement for a 66-unit affordable development.

What's on the tableHow closely the council reviews the costs, benefits and public input on new subdivisions and development agreements.

In February 2026 the council considered an agreement of up to $40,000 with Spicer Consulting Group to develop a city-owned Fiscal Impact Model to strengthen fiscal oversight of proposed development projects. Beaumont City Council minutes, February 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
A January 20, 2026 public hearing on a 49-lot single-family tract map on Norman Road ended with direction to staff to work with the developer on a redesign. Beaumont City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
In September 2026 the council approved a density bonus housing agreement for a 66-unit affordable rental development with 16 supportive housing units. Beaumont City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026

Public safety and homelessness

Where it standsThe council added a second homeless enforcement officer position in February 2026 and approved a new fire services agreement with Riverside County in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on police, fire and homeless response, and what mix of enforcement and services to fund.

In February 2026 the police department asked the council to create a second Homeless Liaison Officer position, so that homeless enforcement services run seven days a week. Beaumont City Council minutes, February 17, 2026 · Feb 17, 2026
The 2026-27 fire services agreement with the Riverside County Fire Department is not to exceed $10,053,935 for an initial one-year term. Beaumont City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026
In July 2026 the council approved a three-year agreement with Beaumont Unified School District for three school resource officers at a total cost of $2,390,670. Beaumont City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026

Streets and traffic

Where it standsThe council awarded a $3.43 million street rehabilitation contract in July 2026 and a signal project at Oak Valley Parkway and Palm Avenue in September 2026.

What's on the tableWhich road, signal and interchange projects the city funds and in what order.

The July 2026 street contract with Matich Corporation is for $3,428,547 for the fiscal year 2025-26 citywide street rehabilitation and maintenance project. Beaumont City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026
The September 2026 contract with Calpromax Engineering for traffic signals at Oak Valley Parkway and Palm Avenue totals $931,800 with contingency. Beaumont City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
In January 2026 the council approved a second amendment to the cooperative agreement for the I-10/Highland Springs Avenue interchange project. Beaumont City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026

Downtown and economic development

Where it standsThe council adopted a 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategic Plan in August 2026 and approved a downtown business grant in September 2026.

What's on the tableHow fast to move on downtown revitalization and which economic development tools to fund.

The council voted unanimously in September 2024 to approve the city's Downtown Revitalization Plan. Record Gazette
In January 2026 the council gave staff direction to develop short-term goals toward the larger downtown revitalization plan and on the timing of its funding. Beaumont City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
The 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategic Plan sets six initiatives, including stronger retail corridors and enhanced quality of place. City of Beaumont Economic Development · Aug 18, 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. Should major development agreements require written community benefits?
2. How should Beaumont respond to homelessness?
3. How quickly should the city carry out its downtown revitalization plan?

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 to votersRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayRiverside County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): David Fenn, Julio Martinez3 on this ballot

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

Beaumont is a general law city whose council seats are at-large, so every voter in the city votes on every seat. Record Gazette
Three council seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot, along with the offices of city clerk and city treasurer. Beaumont staff report · Jun 16, 2026
The council selected Jessica Voigt as mayor and Lloyd White as mayor pro tem for one-year terms at a special meeting on December 2, 2025. City of Beaumont · Dec 3, 2025
The five council members are Jessica Voigt, Lloyd White, Julio Martinez, David Fenn and Mike Lara; the terms of Voigt, White and Lara expire in November 2026 and those of Martinez and Fenn in November 2028. Beaumont 2026 Council, Board, Commission & Committees list

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