Buena Park, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Buena Park City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 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

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Only voters who live in District 2 or District 5 vote in this council election; each picks one candidate for their own district.

3 notes on these statements

The District 1 election was canceled: the council appointed Joyce Ahn, the only candidate to file, to a four-year term in lieu of an election on Aug. 19, 2026. City of Buena Park · Aug 19, 2026

Carlos Franco holds the District 2 seat, which was a short two-year term. City of Buena Park

The League of Women Voters North Orange County candidate forum is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. City of Buena Park

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Joyce AhnCouncilmember, District 1; term expires November 2030 (appointed in lieu of election, Aug. 2026)3sourcedLamiya HoqueVice Mayor; Councilmember, District 4; term expires November 20282sourcedSusan SonneCouncilmember, District 3; term expires November 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesGas-powered lawn equipment, E-bikes on sidewalks, Street vending enforcementKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Gas-powered lawn equipment

Where it standsSince February 2025 city law regulates gas-powered lawn equipment, with a transition to electric equipment by 2028.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the 2028 electric transition, change the timeline, or adjust the rebate program.

E-bikes on sidewalks

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council asked staff to draft language for a 10 mph sidewalk speed limit and pedestrian right of way; a vote on the wording comes later.

What's on the tableWhether to allow e-bikes on city sidewalks, who may ride there, and at what speed.

  • City law currently bans electric mobility devices, including e-bikes, from city sidewalks, though riders under 18 are allowed on sidewalks if they ride safely. Voice of OC · Sep 1, 2026
  • Staff recommended a 10 mph sidewalk speed limit for riders under 18, with pedestrians having the right of way. Voice of OC · Sep 1, 2026
  • A police sergeant said the 10 mph figure is higher than other cities' 5 mph limits because youth can already ride on sidewalks, and it avoids encouraging street use. Voice of OC · Sep 1, 2026

Street vending enforcement

Where it standsA January 2025 ordinance lets city code or law enforcement personnel impound unlawful sidewalk vending facilities.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, loosen or tighten enforcement against unpermitted street vendors.

  • Ordinance No. 1746 amends the sidewalk vending chapter of the municipal code to authorize impounding of unlawful sidewalk vending facilities. City of Buena Park · Jan 28, 2025
  • The city's community and economic development director said a food vendor needs permission from the Orange County Health Agency in addition to a city permit. Voice of OC · Feb 1, 2025

Recreation fees

Where it standsIn November 2025 the council tabled revised recreation facility and program fees until the fourth quarter of 2026.

What's on the tableWhether and when to adopt revised fees for recreation facilities and Community Services programs.

Navigation Center

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council approved the revised 2026 management, operations and public safety plan for the city's Navigation Center.

What's on the tableWhether to continue the Navigation Center under its current plan and what outcome targets to expect.

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. Buena Park requires a transition to electric lawn equipment by 2028, with a rebate program. What should the next council do?

  2. 2. The council approved the 2026 plan for the city's Navigation Center. What should it do next?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Joyce Ahn, Lamiya Hoque, Susan Sonne2 on this ballot

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

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

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