Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Culver City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

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 · Vote for up to 2

Franklin CarvajalCulver City psychologist and business owner with two PhDs from UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech.1sourced
Kimberley GriffinLongtime Culver City resident and public safety professional with 20+ years of community experience.3sourced
Freddy PuzaIncumbentMayor5sourced
Thomas Aujero Small2sourced
Jeannine Wisnosky StehlinSmall business owner and nonprofit director; Cultural Affairs Commissioner 2016-2024. She has a BS from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology.2sourced

Voters citywide choose two council members from five candidates; the council selects the mayor from among its members.

3 notes on these statements

The seat held by Dan O'Brien, who is not on the ballot, is open, according to the Culver City Democratic Club's endorsement announcement. Culver City Observer · Sep 2, 2026

The Culver City Democratic Club endorsed Freddy Puza and Thomas Aujero Small for City Council. Culver City Observer · Sep 2, 2026

The Culver City Chamber of Commerce endorsed Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin and Kimberley Griffin for City Council. Culver City Observer · Oct 1, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Bubba FishCulver City Council Member, elected in November 2024.2sourced Yasmine-Imani McMorrinCulver City Council Member, re-elected in November 2024.3sourced Albert VeraCulver City Council Member, re-elected in November 2024.2sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHotel tax increase (Measure T), Voting age of 16 (Measure YV), Homelessness programs Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Election Day, General Municipal Election

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Hotel tax increase (Measure T)

Where it standsThe council placed Measure T on the November ballot to raise the hotel tax from 14% to 16% in two steps.

What's on the tableIf voters approve it, the council will budget the added General Fund revenue; if not, the rate stays at 14%.

Measure T would increase the Transient Occupancy Tax from 14% to 15% on March 1, 2027, and to 16% on March 1, 2028. Culver City · Aug 14, 2026
The City anticipates up to approximately $2,000,000 per year in added General Fund revenue after the first year. Culver City · Aug 14, 2026

Voting age of 16 (Measure YV)

Where it standsThe council voted 3-2 in February 2026 to put a charter amendment on the ballot lowering the municipal voting age to 16.

What's on the tableIf voters approve, the council and school board must each decide the listed conditions are met before 16- and 17-year-olds vote.

Measure YV would let residents aged 16 and 17 vote in City Council and school board elections once certain conditions are met. Culver City · Aug 14, 2026
Placing the measure on the ballot is estimated to cost an additional $20,000. Culver City Observer · Feb 19, 2026

Homelessness programs

Where it standsThe June 22, 2026 council agenda included contract amendments for the city's homelessness and supportive housing programs for fiscal year 2026-27.

What's on the tableThe council approves provider contracts and funding for these programs each year.

A consent item proposed an amendment with Urban Alchemy of up to $2,583,431 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to remain lead operator and service provider for Wellness Village. Culver City Council agenda, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026
A consent item proposed an amendment with Exodus Recovery Inc. of up to $4,180,500 for fiscal year 26/27 for the Project Homekey supportive housing program. Culver City Council agenda, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026

City budget

Where it standsThe city is moving toward priority-driven budgeting for its fiscal year 2026-2027 budget.

What's on the tableThe council adopts the annual budget and sets spending priorities.

The City will begin to incorporate priority-driven budget practices into the development of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. Culver City Observer · Feb 19, 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 Culver City lower the voting age to 16 for city and school board elections?
2. Should the city raise its hotel tax from 14% to 16%?
3. How should the city approach homelessness?
4. How should the city pay for affordable housing?
5. How should the city respond to mental health emergencies?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Election Day, General Municipal ElectionCulver City · Aug 14, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Bubba Fish, Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, Albert Vera2 on this ballot

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

The five-member elected City Council is the city's legislative body. Culver City
The City Council selects from among its members a Mayor and Vice Mayor, who serve for one year. Culver City
The November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election is to elect two council members to the City Council. Culver City Council agenda, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026

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