Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Chino Hills City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

5 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 1 · Unopposed

Ray MarquezIncumbentVice Mayor and Councilmember, District 16sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Josue EstradaReal estate professional who has lived in Chino Hills for more than 30 years.2sourced
Brian JohszIncumbentMayor and Councilmember, District 48sourced

Voters in Districts 1, 2 and 4 each choose one council member who lives in their district. Districts 3 and 5 are not on the 2026 ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Ray Marquez is the only candidate listed for the District 1 seat. San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Candidate List, Nov. 3, 2026

Measure J, a proposed 1% city sales tax, is also on the Chino Hills ballot. City of Chino Hills

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Art BennettCouncilmember, District 3; term ends November 20284sourced Cynthia MoranCouncilmember, District 5; term ends November 20284sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMeasure J: 1% city sales tax, Animal shelter services, Carbon Canyon trucks and S-turns Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin arriving in mailboxes

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Measure J: 1% city sales tax

Where it standsMeasure J is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot after the council voted 5-0 on July 14, 2026 to place it there.

What's on the tableVoters decide whether to add the tax; the council would then direct how the general-fund revenue is spent.

Measure J would authorize a 1% transactions and use tax in Chino Hills, estimated to raise $11.5 million a year for the city's general fund. San Bernardino County Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (candidate statements and Measure J)
The current sales tax rate in Chino Hills is 7.75%, and the proposed 1% would be added to it. San Bernardino County Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (candidate statements and Measure J)
City Manager Hill told the council the city faces a structural imbalance of approximately $4.3 million for the coming fiscal year, with reserves used to cover the shortfall. Chino Hills City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 (draft, in Aug. 11, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 14, 2026
The council adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget 4-0 on June 9, 2026 and directed staff to return with revenue enhancement options. Chino Hills City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 (draft, in July 14, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 9, 2026

Animal shelter services

Where it standsThe city joined the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire joint powers authority in June 2025; ARC services are set to begin July 1, 2027.

What's on the tableHow the city funds its share of the shelter and is represented on the joint authority's board.

The agreement commits the city to 15 percent of capital improvements, estimated at $8.5 million, and to ongoing operating costs starting in fiscal year 2027-28, estimated at $900,000 a year. Chino Hills City Council minutes, June 24, 2025 (draft, in Aug. 12, 2025 agenda packet) · Jun 24, 2025
The city manager said ARC services would not be in effect until July 1, 2027, and that the city would keep partnering with the Inland Valley Humane Society until then. Chino Hills City Council minutes, June 24, 2025 (draft, in Aug. 12, 2025 agenda packet) · Jun 24, 2025

Carbon Canyon trucks and S-turns

Where it standsResidents told the council on April 28, 2026 they oppose a proposed Caltrans S-turns widening project on Carbon Canyon Road; the city has asked Caltrans for a hearing.

What's on the tableHow the city responds to the Caltrans plans and continues its work on the truck restriction.

Vice Mayor Marquez said the city has been working on the truck restriction ban in Carbon Canyon for approximately seven years. Chino Hills City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 (draft, in May 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 28, 2026
Vice Mayor Marquez said the city has requested a hearing with Caltrans to discuss its potential plans for the S-turns. Chino Hills City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 (draft, in May 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 28, 2026
Police Chief Girard said the Sheriff's Department has an evacuation plan for Carbon Canyon and some areas of Soquel Canyon and Fairfield Ranch Road. Chino Hills City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 (draft, in May 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 28, 2026

Wildfire preparedness

Where it standsThe council adopted subsidized permit fees for voluntary home hardening in April 2026 and approved cattle grazing on city open space.

What's on the tableWhich wildfire prevention programs the city funds and expands.

On April 28, 2026 the council approved a livestock grazing agreement for city-owned open space west of Ridgegate Drive and Mystic Canyon Drive for a $2,500 annual fee. Chino Hills City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 (draft, in May 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 28, 2026

Rules for long-standing businesses

Where it standsThe council adopted Ordinance No. 430 on Feb. 10, 2026, revising rules for nonconforming uses and structures and amortizing certain nonconforming uses.

What's on the tableHow the city applies the new nonconforming-use rules and whether to revisit them.

The council introduced the ordinance 4-1 on January 27, 2026, with Vice Mayor Marquez voting no. Chino Hills City Council minutes, Jan. 27, 2026 (draft, in Feb. 10, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 27, 2026
The council adopted the ordinance at second reading on February 10, 2026. Chino Hills City Council minutes, Feb. 10, 2026 (draft, in Feb. 24, 2026 agenda packet) · Feb 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 Chino Hills voters approve Measure J, the 1% city sales tax?
2. Should Chino Hills be a member of the regional Animal Resource Center?
3. How should the city respond to the proposed widening of the Carbon Canyon Road S-turns?
4. How should the city treat long-standing businesses that do not meet current zoning rules?

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 begin arriving in mailboxesCity of Chino HillsOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCity of Chino HillsOct 19, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm)City of Chino HillsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Art Bennett, Cynthia Moran3 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members elected by district to four-year terms; terms are staggered so three seats are up in one cycle and two in the next. City of Chino Hills
The Mayor is selected from the membership of the City Council, routinely at the second meeting in November each year, effective December 1. City of Chino Hills
There are no term limits for City Council members. City of Chino Hills
The mayor is recorded voting on council items alongside the four other members. Chino Hills City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 (draft, in Aug. 11, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 14, 2026

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