Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Canyon Lake City Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
No sign-in needed. Your answers stay on your phone.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 2- Paul KakisCanyon Lake resident since 1997 with three decades of leadership experience in business and healthcare. Chaired the board of the Lake Elsinore nonprofit Help Us Help Kids from 2013 to 2024.3sourced
- Monica LyonsCanyon Lake business owner. Her ballot statement lists public safety, responsive city services, a balanced budget and transparency as her focus.3sourced
- Jeremy SmithIncumbentMayor and Council Member; term ends December 20268sourced
Two City Council seats are on the ballot, and the three candidates appear on one citywide list; the council selects the mayor each year.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
- Josh SteeberCouncil Member; term ends December 20284sourced
- Mark TerryCouncil Member; term ends December 20285sourced
Dale WeltyCouncil Member; term ends December 20285sourced
Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.
What the next council decides
01Measure E public safety sales tax3 sourced facts
Where it standsMeasure E, a citizen-backed 1% sales tax for public safety, is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot after the council certified the petition.
What's on the tableHow the council funds police, fire and emergency response, with tax revenue restricted to those uses if voters approve it.
- Measure E would establish a 1% local sales tax estimated to raise about $1.14 million a year, restricted to public safety and emergency response. City of Canyon Lake
- The council voted 5-0 on Aug. 5, 2026 to certify the initiative petition and call the election. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
- The Press-Enterprise describes Measure E as a 1-cent sales tax increase to raise $1.14 million a year for public safety services. Press-Enterprise · Sep 8, 2026
02Local rules on e-bikes, kratom and nitrous oxide3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted ordinances on nitrous oxide, kratom, drug paraphernalia and electric bicycles in August 2026.
What's on the tableHow the new rules are enforced and whether to change them.
- The council adopted Ordinances No. 278 to 281 on Aug. 5, 2026 as part of its consent calendar, which carried 5-0. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
- Ordinance No. 281 adds Chapter 14.03 to the municipal code regulating electric bicycles, electric motorcycles and other regulated mobility devices. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
- At the Aug. 5 meeting, one speaker asked the council to consider a complete kratom ban in place of the proposed ordinance. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
03Accessory dwelling unit rules2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a replacement ADU ordinance in August 2026 to comply with state law.
What's on the tableHow the city responds to state housing review of its ADU rules.
- The council introduced Ordinance No. 282 on June 10, 2026 and directed staff to submit the adopted ordinance to the state housing department in response to a May 11, 2026 Technical Assistance Letter. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, June 10, 2026 (in the Aug. 5, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 10, 2026
- The council adopted Ordinance No. 282, repealing and replacing Chapter 9.32, on Aug. 5, 2026. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
04Police and fire departments3 sourced facts
Where it standsCanyon Lake runs its own police and fire departments and committed to a new fire engine in August 2026.
What's on the tableStaffing, equipment and funding for city police and fire services.
- On Aug. 5, 2026 the council adopted a resolution authorizing a lease/purchase agreement for a new Type I fire engine in the amount of $1,136,301.95. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
- On May 13, 2026 the council approved a 10-year agreement with AXON Enterprises for Police Department equipment. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, May 13, 2026 (in the June 10, 2026 agenda packet) · May 13, 2026
- At the Aug. 5 meeting, a Cal Fire representative commented on the Fire Department's staffing, retention, compensation and response capabilities. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
05Economic development1 sourced fact
Where it standsThe City Manager reported a restaurant investment in city-owned units in August 2026.
What's on the tableWhich businesses and projects the city supports.
- On Aug. 5, 2026 the City Manager reported that a restaurant will make a significant investment in City-owned units, consistent with the Council's economic development vision. Canyon Lake City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (in the Sept. 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 5, 2026
2 notes on these statements
The county lists Kasey A. Castillo and Jeremy Smith (as Jeremy A. Smith) as the incumbents for the two seats; Castillo is not among the three qualified candidates. Riverside County Registrar of Voters · Sep 11, 2026
Paul Kakis was scheduled to appear remotely at the Sept. 21, 2026 Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. Canyon Lake Insider
No sign-in · answers stay on your phone
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 city do about electric bicycles?
2. How should the city handle accessory dwelling units?
3. How much should the city push economic development?
4. Who should provide police and fire services?
Key dates
- County begins mailing ballotsCity of Canyon LakeOct 5, 2026
- Last day to register to vote onlineCity of Canyon LakeOct 19, 2026
- Election DayCity of Canyon LakeNov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Josh Steeber, Mark Terry, Dale Welty2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- Canyon Lake is governed by a five-member City Council elected by the community. City of Canyon Lake
- Each year the council selects one member as Mayor and another as Mayor Pro Tem for a one-year term. City of Canyon Lake
- The two seats on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot are for full four-year terms. City of Canyon Lake
- Regular council meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. City of Canyon Lake
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.