Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Danville Town Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

3 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.

Town Council · Vote for up to 2

Denton CarlsonRetired San Ramon police chief with 27 years in Contra Costa County law enforcement. He is public safety ambassador for Longeye, an AI company.5sourced
Pratima SonavneDanville childcare business owner with more than 20 years of human resources and operations experience. She lost the 2026 county clerk-recorder primary.7sourced
Robert StorerIncumbentVice Mayor; term expires November 20267sourced

All Danville voters pick up to two candidates for the two open at-large Town Council seats; the top two vote-getters win.

1 note on these statements

Robert Storer, Denton Carlson and Pratima Sonavne all took part in the September 14, 2026 candidate forum. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Newell ArnerichMayor; term expires November 20282sourced Mark BelotzCouncilmember; term expires November 20282sourced Renee MorganCouncilmember; term expires November 20282sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPublic safety and license plate readers, Housing and state mandates, Town budget Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Public safety and license plate readers

Where it standsDanville uses automated license plate readers, and candidates at the September forum differed on how much oversight they need.

What's on the tableWhether and how the town adds oversight to its license plate reader technology, and how it responds to recent downtown burglaries.

Reporters wrote that license plate readers have drawn little controversy in Danville. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026
The town's police services are contracted from the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026
A string of overnight burglaries hit downtown Danville businesses in September 2026. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026

Housing and state mandates

Where it standsState law requires housing sites each cycle, and the council has approved projects while voicing frustration at limits on its discretion.

What's on the tableHow the town handles housing projects and appeals under state requirements.

In July 2026 the council voted 3-1 to deny an appeal and uphold approval of a housing project at 222 West El Pintado Road, adding conditions. Town Council summary of actions, July 21, 2026 (draft) · Jul 21, 2026
The project combines a church expansion with 49 townhouses and 19 accessory dwelling units. DanvilleSanRamon · Aug 12, 2026
The three candidates agreed that balancing Danville's size with state housing requirements is difficult. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026

Town budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026/27 budget on June 3, 2026.

What's on the tableHow to manage town spending and revenue in the coming budgets.

The council voted 5-0 on June 3, 2026 to approve the 2026/27 operating budget. Town Council summary of actions, June 3, 2026 (draft) · Jun 3, 2026
The town forecasts total revenues of $47.4 million and expenditures of $43.8 million for 2026/27. Town of Danville
The town manager's staff report cited sales tax revenue that has declined and plateaued since record highs in 2021 to 2023. DanvilleSanRamon · Jun 2, 2026

Regional transit measure

Where it standsA public transit revenue measure is on the regional ballot in November 2026.

What's on the tableHow Danville's representatives on regional transit bodies respond to the outcome.

Storer supported the regional transit measure at the September 14 forum, while Carlson and Sonavne opposed it. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026
Town Council members serve on regional bodies including County Connection and the Contra Costa Transportation Commission. Town of Danville

Council term limits

Where it standsCandidates were asked about term limits at the September forum and Sonavne supports them.

What's on the tableVoters are choosing between candidates with different views on long council tenure.

Sonavne was the only candidate at the forum to support term limits. DanvilleSanRamon candidate forum report (Danville Area Chamber reprint) · Sep 17, 2026
Storer is seeking a fifth term on the council. DanvilleSanRamon · Jul 31, 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. Danville police use automated license plate readers. How should the town oversee them?
2. A regional public transit revenue measure is on the November ballot. Where do you stand?
3. Danville's Town Council has no term limits. Should it?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter information guide mailedTown of DanvilleSep 24, 2026
Vote-by-mail ballots mailedTown of DanvilleOct 5, 2026
Registration deadlineTown of DanvilleOct 19, 2026
Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballotTown of DanvilleOct 27, 2026
Election DayTown of DanvilleNov 3, 2026
Election certification deadlineTown of DanvilleDec 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Newell Arnerich, Mark Belotz, Renee Morgan2 on this ballot

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

The Town Council has five members, all elected at-large to four-year terms. Town of Danville
The mayor and vice mayor are appointed by, and rotated among, the council members each year, starting the first Tuesday in December. Town of Danville
Two seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot; the terms of Robert Storer and Karen Stepper expire in November 2026. Town of Danville

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