Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ceres City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

5 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 1 · 1 seat

Gary M. ConditAnalyst at the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office and chairman of the Ceres Planning Commission. He has worked at the Sheriff's Office for five years and chaired the commission for three.2sourced
Dorie PerezFormer Modesto teacher and UC Merced instructor, appointed to the Ceres Planning Commission in 2025.2sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Two council seats are on the ballot, one in District 1 and one in District 2, each elected by that district; voters in each district choose one candidate.

2 notes on these statements

Jim Casey holds the District 1 seat and is not seeking re-election. Ceres Courier, Candidates begin to emerge for City Council election · Jul 8, 2026

Galen Guzman could not be reached by the Modesto Bee and has no campaign social media, so no statements are listed for him. Modesto Bee, Ceres candidates outline priorities for city council · Sep 16, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Javier LopezMayor4sourced Daniel MartinezVice Mayor4sourced Cerina OteroCouncilmember5sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity budget and Measure P, Council pay and benefits, Housing plan Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

City budget and Measure P

Where it standsMeasure P, a 1% city sales tax increase, is on the November ballot.

What's on the tableThe next council will carry out the budget and decide how any Measure P revenue is spent.

The City Council voted in June to place Measure P on the ballot, with Councilmember James Casey casting the lone opposing vote. Modesto Bee, Ceres Measure P sales tax measure
Measure P would raise Ceres' sales tax by 1% and bring in around $9.4 million in new revenue for the general fund. Modesto Bee, Ceres Measure P sales tax measure
The council provided consensus on a referral to create a Citizens Financial Oversight and Audit Committee. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-13 · Jul 13, 2026

Council pay and benefits

Where it standsA referral to end council healthcare benefits and cut the stipend 50% did not get council consensus in July 2026.

What's on the tableThe council decides whether to amend the Municipal Code on council compensation and benefits.

The council did not provide consensus on amending the Municipal Code to eliminate council healthcare benefits and reduce the council stipend by 50%. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-13 · Jul 13, 2026

Housing plan

Where it standsThe council approved Municipal Code amendments to implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element on a 3-2 vote in July 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the Housing Element code changes and the water and sewer priority policy for lower-income affordable housing are applied.

The council approved the Housing Element ordinance 3-2 on July 27, 2026. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-27 · Jul 27, 2026
The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-94 on water and sewer service priority for lower-income affordable housing, 4-1. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-27 · Jul 27, 2026

Landscaping and special tax levies

Where it standsThe council approved 2026-27 levies for community facilities districts and the Landscaping and Lighting District in July and August 2026.

What's on the tableEach year the council decides whether to levy these special taxes and assessments, which fund services such as landscaping and lighting.

The council approved the community facilities district levies 3-2 on July 27, 2026. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-27 · Jul 27, 2026
The council approved the 1987 Landscaping and Lighting District assessment levy 3-1, with one member absent, on August 10, 2026. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-08-10 · Aug 10, 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 council members keep city-paid health insurance?
2. Should the city commission a forensic audit of its finances?
3. Should the council adopt code changes implementing the state-required Housing Element?
4. Should the council order the annual special tax and assessment levies for landscaping and public services?
5. Should Ceres restore youth and recreation programs it has cut?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Nomination period closedCity of Ceres, 2026 General Municipal Election sign-up listAug 7, 2026
Ballots begin mailingStanislaus County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to re-register onlineStanislaus County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of Ceres, ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Javier Lopez, Daniel Martinez, Cerina Otero2 on this ballot

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

The July 27, 2026 roll call lists five voting members: Mayor Lopez, Vice Mayor Martinez and Councilmembers Casey, Vierra and Otero. Ceres City Council minutes, 2026-07-27 · Jul 27, 2026
The District 1 and District 2 council seats are elected by district. City of Ceres, 2026 General Municipal Election sign-up list
Candidates for council must live in the district they run in and be registered voters there. Ceres Courier, Candidates begin to emerge for City Council election · Jul 8, 2026

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