Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Cloverdale City Council Election 2026
3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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How to vote · 11 days left
Vote centers open in Voter's Choice Act counties (Oct 24): the election office's noticeThese 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.
City Council
Vote for up to 3- Will CarterCloverdale business owner and IT service provider who serves as president of the Cloverdale Kiwanis Club.5sourced
- Steve KawaOwner of Steve Kawa Strategic Advising who served as chief of staff to two San Francisco mayors.4sourced
- Kimberly KernSuperintendent of Pope Valley Union Elementary School District and former deputy county superintendent. She previously served at the Mendocino County Office of Education.5sourced
- Andrés MarquezIncumbentBusiness owner appointed to the Cloverdale City Council in February 2025.10sourced
- Marjorie A MorgensternIncumbentCloverdale City Councilmember elected in November 2022.8sourced
- Jenn NeylonChief operations officer and chief business officer for a Sonoma County school.3sourced
- Chris ParkerRetired Cloverdale police chief with more than 28 years in law enforcement. He has coached Cloverdale youth football for more than a decade.5sourced
- Colleen ShieldsBookkeeper and massage therapist who is a former board member of Santa Rosa Community Market.4sourced
- Kelly SpagnolaListed on the ballot with the designation Community Volunteer.1sourced
Every Cloverdale voter can vote for up to three candidates; the three with the most votes win.
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.
- Governor
- Xavier Becerra · Democratic
- Steve Hilton · Republican
- Also statewideLieutenant Governor · Secretary of State · Controller · Treasurer · Attorney General · Insurance Commissioner · Superintendent of Public Instruction · Board of Equalization Member
- Statewide measures14 on the ballot: the state's official explanations
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.
What the next council decides
01Esmeralda development4 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council gave the Esmeralda project's overall plan a preliminary 3-2 approval in October 2026, with final approval still ahead.
What's on the tableWhether to give final approval to Esmeralda's zoning, specific plan and development agreement, and how to oversee it.
- The Esmeralda proposal includes up to 605 residential units and 160 hotel rooms on a largely vacant, formerly industrial property. City of Cloverdale agenda report · Oct 7, 2026
- The Cloverdale City Council voted 3-2 to approve the project's overall plan, with Andrés Marquez and Marjorie Morgenstern voting against it. KQED · Oct 15, 2026
- The Cloverdale Planning Commission approved the Esmeralda Specific Plan and related entitlement package in a 4-1 vote. The Press Democrat · Oct 8, 2026
- In December 2025 the council adopted the water supply assessment for the proposed Esmeralda project on a 4-1 vote. Cloverdale City Council minutes, December 10, 2025 · Dec 10, 2025
02City budget3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a two-year budget in June 2026 on a 3-2 vote.
What's on the tableHow the next council balances spending and revenue in the second year of the budget and beyond.
- The draft biennial budget is about $28.7 million a year. City of Cloverdale agenda report · Jun 10, 2026
- The budgeted ending general fund balance on June 30, 2028 is expected to be $6,886,499. City of Cloverdale agenda report · Jun 10, 2026
- The council adopted the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 biennial budget 3-2, with Andrés Marquez and Marjorie Morgenstern voting no. Cloverdale City Council draft minutes, June 10, 2026 · Jun 10, 2026
03Water supply and rates3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city adopted a 2025 Urban Water Management Plan in June 2026 and held a hearing in August 2026 on five years of water and wastewater rate increases.
What's on the tableHow to fund aging water infrastructure and what role Cloverdale plays in regional water planning.
- The proposed rate schedules provide for 7% annual water rate revenue increases and 4% annual wastewater rate revenue increases over five years. City of Cloverdale agenda report · Aug 26, 2026
- The rate study found future revenue shortfalls in both utilities, mainly from operating cost inflation and aging infrastructure. City of Cloverdale agenda report · Aug 26, 2026
- In June 2026 the council authorized Councilmember Marquez to meet with regional entities about the proposed Alexander Valley Water District. Cloverdale City Council minutes, June 24, 2026 · Jun 24, 2026
04District elections3 sourced facts
Where it standsAll five councilmembers are elected at-large, and the city has begun moving to district-based elections.
What's on the tableHow the switch to districts and a directly elected mayor is carried out in coming elections.
- The city is making the transition in response to the threat of expensive litigation alleging violations of the California Voting Rights Act. City of Cloverdale
- The October 14, 2026 agenda included an ordinance to establish a by-district system for four councilmembers and an at-large elected mayor. Cloverdale City Council agenda, October 14, 2026 · Oct 14, 2026
- The council voted 5-0 in June 2026 to declare its intent to move to district-based elections. Cloverdale City Council draft minutes, June 10, 2026 · Jun 10, 2026
3 notes on these statements
Mayor Brian Wheeler did not seek reelection; his seat and those of Andrés Marquez and Marjorie A Morgenstern are on the ballot. The Press Democrat · Aug 11, 2026
The Press Democrat editorial board recommended Andrés Marquez, Chris Parker and Will Carter. The Press Democrat · Oct 5, 2026
No candidates filed for Cloverdale City Treasurer, which is also on the ballot. Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
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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. Should Cloverdale approve the Esmeralda housing and resort development?
2. How fast should Cloverdale grow?
3. What is the best way to fix Cloverdale's budget?
4. How should Cloverdale secure its water future?
5. Should Cloverdale elect its council by district?
Key dates
- Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing; early voting sites openCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
- Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
- Same-day conditional registration availableCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 20, 2026
- Vote centers open in Voter's Choice Act countiesCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 24, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)California Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
The seat math
2 stay (not up this year): Todd Lands, Mark Laskey3 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The City Council is comprised of five members each elected at-large for a four-year term. City of Cloverdale
- The Mayor is elected annually by a majority vote of the City Council. City of Cloverdale
- The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of commissions and subcommittees. City of Cloverdale
- This election is the last before the city switches to district-based contests for council in 2028. The Press Democrat · Aug 11, 2026
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