Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Cypress City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

6 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

David BurkeIncumbentCypress councilmember elected in 2022 who served as mayor in 2025. He is an attorney with a law degree from UCLA School of Law.4sourced
Anne Hertz MallariNon-profit CEO and former Cypress mayor and council member, a 32-year Cypress resident.3sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Voters in Districts 1, 2 and 5 each choose one council member from two candidates; Districts 3 and 4 are next up in November 2028.

2 notes on these statements

Rachel Strong Carnahan was appointed in November 2025 to the seat that ends when the District 5 member elected in November 2026 is sworn in. City of Cypress · Dec 1, 2025

Helen Le and Rachel Strong Carnahan did not submit candidate profiles to Eyes on Cypress CA. Eyes on Cypress CA · Sep 8, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kyle ChangMayor Pro Tem of Cypress and councilmember for District 3.2sourced Leo MedranoMayor of Cypress and councilmember for District 4.2sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesLos Alamitos Race Course redevelopment, State housing requirement and the business park, Taxes and the city budget Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Los Alamitos Race Course redevelopment

Where it standsOn Aug. 25, 2026 the council voted 3-1 (one recusal) to certify the environmental report, approve a tract map and introduce the development agreement ordinance for the Specific Plan 3.0 buildout.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the buildout proceeds, including parks, the Town Center and infrastructure.

The Aug. 25, 2026 vote certified the Final EIR, approved Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 19247 and introduced an ordinance approving the Development Agreement. Cypress City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Measure S in November 2024 asked voters to allow 676 additional housing units at the Los Alamitos Race Course instead of 766 elsewhere in Cypress. Orange County Registrar of Voters
The city attorney clarified the council's continuing review and discretionary authority over the project. Cypress City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026

State housing requirement and the business park

Where it standsCypress's 2021-2029 Housing Element, adopted June 27, 2022, plans for 4,259 new units, primarily along the Lincoln Avenue corridor and at the Town Center and Commons site.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how and where to zone for the remaining required housing.

The state's housing allocation for Cypress is 3,936 units over eight years; the plan adds a 323-unit buffer for a total of 4,259. Orange County Registrar of Voters
If Measure S had failed, the city would have had to allocate an additional 766 units in the Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan area. Orange County Registrar of Voters

Taxes and the city budget

Where it standsCandidates describe the city as financially stable; the council cannot raise taxes without a vote of residents, according to one council member.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt budgets and set fees.

Council Member Burke says the city's unfunded pension liability is over $50 million and that the city is on pace to pay it off by the end of the decade. Eyes on Cypress CA · Sep 8, 2026
Council Member Burke says tax increases would need approval from residents through a ballot measure. Eyes on Cypress CA · Sep 8, 2026

Campaign contribution limits

Where it standsThe council adopted a local campaign contribution limit on Feb. 23, 2026 by a 4-1 vote.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the limit, which is adjusted for inflation every two years starting in 2029.

Ordinance No. 1230 sets a $1,250 contribution limit per election to candidates for City office. City of Cypress · Aug 17, 2026
The ordinance requires independent expenditure advertisements to disclose their top contributors. City of Cypress · Aug 17, 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 the council approve the Los Alamitos Race Course environmental report, tract map and development agreement?
2. Should housing be allowed in the Cypress business park?
3. What should the council do about taxes and fees?
4. Should Cypress set its own limit on campaign contributions to city candidates?
5. How should Cypress meet its state housing requirement?

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 availableOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration after)Orange County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Vote centers openOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
Election DayOrange County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026
Registrar certifies results byOrange County Registrar of VotersDec 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Kyle Chang, Leo Medrano3 on this ballot

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

Cypress is a charter city with a five-member legislative body; each council member is elected by the voters of their district. City of Cypress · Aug 17, 2026
The mayor and mayor pro tem are ceremonial, are not directly elected, and are nominated and voted on by the council each December for a calendar year. City of Cypress · Aug 17, 2026
The November 3, 2026 election is for three council seats (Districts 1, 2 and 5); Districts 3 and 4 will be voted upon in November 2028. City of Cypress · Aug 17, 2026

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