CalipatriaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Calipatria City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

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

Voters can choose up to three council members from four candidates; Sylvia R. Chavez and Jesse Rivas are not up this year.

Election Day · Nov 3

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

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

01Data center ban3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted 3-2 in July 2026 to move toward a permanent ban on data centers in city limits, but no final vote had been held as of mid-September.

What's on the tableWhether Calipatria adopts a permanent data center ban, a temporary moratorium, or new zoning rules instead.

02City manager and finance3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council voted to terminate City Manager Laura Gutierrez in April 2026 and reinstated her in May; her contract runs through June 1, 2027.

What's on the tableWho leads city administration after the current contract, and whether the city manager and finance jobs are separated.

  • The council voted 3-1 in an emergency session to rescind its decision to terminate City Manager Laura Gutierrez, reinstating her contract through June 1, 2027. KYMA · May 14, 2026
  • Laura Gutierrez was hired to serve as city manager and finance officer. PublicCEO · Jul 1, 2026
  • Mayor Michael Luellen said the city is considering forming an independent finance department separate from the city manager's office. The Desert Review · Jun 13, 2026
03City payments and budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsA recent 3-2 council vote halted payment of city warrants, and Mayor Michael Luellen said in September 2026 he would not vote to approve warrants until staff act on council directives.

What's on the tableHow the council approves city spending, and whether it adopts a balanced-budget ordinance.

1 note on these statements

Javier Lorenzo Amezcua was absent for the May 12, 2026 vote to advertise a hearing on a data center moratorium, which passed 4-0. Calexico Chronicle · May 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. 1. Should Calipatria permanently ban data centers within city limits?

  2. 2. Should Calipatria separate the city manager and finance officer jobs?

  3. 3. Should council members hold up approval of city payments to press staff on unfinished council directives?

  4. 4. Should Calipatria adopt an ordinance limiting deficit spending?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Sylvia R. Chavez, Jesse Rivas3 on this ballot

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

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