Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Compton Mayor & City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Emma SharifIncumbentMayor of Compton since July 2021 and a former District 4 councilmember and school board trustee. She holds a master's degree in public administration.11sourced
Andre SpicerDistrict 2 member of the Compton City Council, in office since May 2022.6sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Voters citywide elect the mayor, and voters in each of four districts elect one council member; the mayor and the District 2 seat are on the November 3 ballot.

2 notes on these statements

District 2 has no incumbent on the ballot: Andre Spicer, who holds the seat, is running for mayor instead. The Compton Bulletin, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026

Emma Sharif and Andre Spicer advanced from a seven-candidate mayoral primary nominating election with 41.70% and 18.43% of the vote. Los Angeles County RR/CC · Jun 26, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jonathan BowersDistrict 3 councilmember, elected in 2021, with 37 years of service as a firefighter and EMS leader.7sourced Lillie DardenCouncilmember, District 4; elected November 20245sourced Deidre DuhartCouncilmember, District 1; elected November 20245sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesFireworks ban, City manager and legal counsel, General Plan and rezoning Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Fireworks ban

Where it standsThe council suspended fireworks sales and use in April 2025, and on July 7, 2026 it postponed a proposed November ballot measure to ban all fireworks.

What's on the tableWhether to ask voters to ban all fireworks, including Safe & Sane, and how the rules are enforced.

On April 15, 2025 the council voted to suspend fireworks sales and use within city limits, adopting Resolution No. 26,228. Compton staff report on fireworks, June 9, 2026 (in the June 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 9, 2026
A July 7, 2026 staff report said a complete fireworks ban, including Safe & Sane fireworks, requires approval by the electorate under the City Charter. Compton staff report on a November 2026 fireworks ballot measure, July 7, 2026 (in the July 7, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 2026
The June 9, 2026 staff report said no fireworks citations were issued in 2025. Compton staff report on fireworks, June 9, 2026 (in the June 9, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 9, 2026
On July 7, 2026 the council postponed the fireworks ballot-measure item on a 4-0 vote with one member absent. Compton City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 1, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 2026

City manager and legal counsel

Where it standsCompton has an interim city manager while it recruits a permanent one, and the council is weighing how to obtain legal counsel.

What's on the tableWho the permanent city manager is and how the city obtains legal advice.

On July 7, 2026 the council accepted City Manager Willie Hopkins' resignation, appointed Jerome Groomes interim city manager and directed staff to continue recruiting a permanent city manager, each by a vote of 3 yes and 1 abstention. Compton City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 1, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 2026
On March 10, 2026 the council passed, 3-2, a resolution finding law firms qualified to serve as special legal counsel. Compton City Council minutes, March 10, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 8, 2026 agenda packet) · Mar 10, 2026
The Sept. 22, 2026 council agenda lists a closed session on the city manager position and a request for qualifications for City Attorney services. Compton City Council agenda, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026

General Plan and rezoning

Where it standsThe Compton 2045 General Plan and related rezoning were set for a public hearing on September 15, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether the General Plan, housing element and rezoning take final effect, and where new housing is allowed.

The Sept. 15, 2026 agenda lists a public hearing on the Compton 2045 General Plan and related rezoning and zoning code revisions. Compton City Council agenda, Sept. 15, 2026 (Compton 2045 General Plan public hearing) · Sep 15, 2026
On July 7, 2026 city staff told the council the General Plan had not been updated since 1991 and was due for an update in 2012. Compton City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 1, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 2026
On July 7, 2026 the council voted 4-0 to add $137,170 to the General Plan contract for rezoning required by the state housing department. Compton City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 1, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 2026

Street repair

Where it standsThe council has approved multi-million-dollar road repair contracts and has another residential street contract on its September 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableWhich streets are repaired and how street funds are spent.

On Sept. 2, 2025 the council approved a $5,579,200 citywide road repair contract 5-0. Compton City Council minutes, Sept. 2, 2025 (draft, in the June 16, 2026 agenda packet) · Sep 2, 2025
The City Manager said that contract was funded with $3 million from Measure P, $1.5 million from Measure M and $1 million from Measure R. Compton City Council minutes, Sept. 2, 2025 (draft, in the June 16, 2026 agenda packet) · Sep 2, 2025
The Sept. 8, 2026 agenda lists a $3,507,857.10 contract for the annual residential street rehabilitation project, Phase 2D. Compton City Council agenda, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

Public safety

Where it standsOn July 7, 2026 council members said public safety must remain a top priority.

What's on the tableHow the city spends on policing partnerships, cameras and violence prevention.

On Sept. 2, 2025 the council approved 5-0 a $73,160 Justice Assistance Grant budget item, with the City Manager saying the funds were being considered for additional Flock cameras. Compton City Council minutes, Sept. 2, 2025 (draft, in the June 16, 2026 agenda packet) · Sep 2, 2025
On July 7, 2026 Councilmember Duhart said public safety must remain one of the council's highest priorities. Compton City Council minutes, July 7, 2026 (draft, in the Sept. 1, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 7, 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. How should Compton add housing?
2. How should the city get legal counsel?
3. What should come first for public safety?

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 mailingLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Election DayLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Jonathan Bowers, Lillie Darden, Deidre Duhart2 on this ballot

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

The Charter sets a five-member council: four members elected by district and a fifth, the mayor, elected from the city at large; elected officers serve four-year terms. City of Compton Charter, Article V
Terms for Districts 1 and 4 begin in 2024 and every fourth year after; terms for the mayor and Districts 2 and 3 begin in 2026 and every fourth year after. City of Compton Charter, Article V

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