Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Davis City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

2 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 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 · Unopposed

Judy EnnisHas served on the Davis Social Services Commission since 2019, including as chair, and founded the Davis Community Action Network, a volunteer group focused on housing and climate. A former teacher and education policy professional who now works in housing and community development.11sourced

City Council District 4 · Unopposed

Gloria PartidaIncumbentVice mayor (2026); council member for District 4, term ends 202613sourced

Voters in District 1 and in District 4 each elect one council member; Districts 2, 3 and 5 have no council race this year.

3 notes on these statements

Both council contests are uncontested: one qualified candidate in District 1 and one in District 4. Write-in candidates can file through Oct. 20. City of Davis

District 1 council member Bapu Vaitla is not running for re-election and has endorsed Judy Ennis. The Davis Enterprise · Aug 17, 2026

Davis voters will also decide Measure W, the Willowgrove housing project. The Davis Enterprise · Aug 17, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Josh ChapmanCouncil member for District 5, term ends 20289sourced Linda DeosCouncil member for District 2, term ends 20289sourced Donna NevilleMayor (2026); council member for District 3, term ends 20289sourced

Start here

What council decidesHousing growth and Measure W, City budget and road repair, Police surveillance technology Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Housing growth and Measure W

Where it standsDavis voters must approve projects that turn farmland into urban uses. Measure W, on the Nov. 3 ballot, asks them to approve Willowgrove, which the council approved 5-0 in May 2026.

What's on the tableIf Measure W passes, the next council handles Willowgrove's annexation and tax-sharing steps. It will also shape the General Plan update, which sets where future housing goes.

Willowgrove would allow 1,250 homes on about 232 acres, including at least 250 deed-restricted affordable units. City Attorney's impartial analysis of Measure W
The Davis Municipal Code requires voter approval to change land from agricultural or open space to urban uses. City Attorney's impartial analysis of Measure W
Voters rejected Measure V, the Village Farms Davis housing project, on June 2, 2026 by 11,690 votes to 11,414. City of Davis Resolution No. 26-113 declaring the June 2, 2026 election results · Jun 16, 2026
In July 2026 the council formed a subcommittee on the General Plan update. Davis City Council minutes · Jul 7, 2026

City budget and road repair

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget 5-0 in June 2026, but a consultant's forecast shows a General Fund gap of about $2.7 million a year through fiscal year 2030.

What's on the tableThe next council will choose among spending cuts, drawing on reserves or trust funds, and new revenue, and decide how to pay for unfunded road and infrastructure needs.

A June 2026 long-range forecast showed a short-term General Fund revenue gap of $2.7 million a year through fiscal year 2030. Davis City Council minutes · Jun 16, 2026
Staff reported an anticipated unmet pavement maintenance need of $6 million a year over the next 10 years. Davis City Council minutes · Jun 2, 2026
In June 2026 the council formed a subcommittee on long-range revenue opportunities, with Bapu Vaitla and Donna Neville. Davis City Council minutes · Jun 2, 2026
Davis voters approved Measure Q, a 1-cent sales tax estimated at about $11 million a year, in November 2024. City of Davis resolution declaring the Nov. 5, 2024 election results · Dec 17, 2024

Police surveillance technology

Where it standsThe council reviews police surveillance technologies each year. In June 2026 it voted 5-0 to keep using license plate readers, drones and other listed tools.

What's on the tableThe next council will hold the next annual review and decide whether to renew, limit or end each technology.

In March 2025 police sought approval for 29 new license plate reader cameras at 9 locations. Davis City Council minutes · Mar 4, 2025
The license plate reader policy bars sharing the data with federal immigration enforcement agencies. The Davis Enterprise · Mar 5, 2025
At the June 2, 2026 hearing, speakers asked the council not to renew license plate readers, drones and military equipment. Davis City Council minutes · Jun 2, 2026
In August 2026, public commenters asked the council to reconsider its license plate reader contract with Motorola. Davis City Council minutes · Aug 18, 2026

Homelessness and the respite center

Where it standsThe council kept the daytime respite center on L Street open through June 2026 while it weighed other sites. In September 2026 it approved reserved shelter beds at Fourth & Hope in Woodland.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether and where to keep a respite center in Davis and how much to rely on regional shelter.

In February 2026 the council decided to keep the respite center at its current site until June 2026. The California Aggie · Feb 18, 2026
In September 2026 the council unanimously approved an agreement with Fourth & Hope that reserves five shelter beds for Davis residents. The California Aggie · Sep 18, 2026
In September 2025, with the Downtown Streets Team ceasing operations, staff asked the council to choose among options for the respite center, including closure. Davis City Council minutes · Sep 16, 2025

Downtown parking and economy

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council voted 4-0 to move toward $1 fees at four downtown parking lots and asked staff to review the fees after nine months.

What's on the tableThe next council will review the parking fees and decide whether to pursue downtown financing tools such as an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District.

Staff proposed converting lots with about 330 spaces, roughly 16% of downtown parking, to paid parking. Davis City Council minutes · Jun 16, 2026
In July 2026 a consultant found an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District the best fit to fund Downtown Plan improvements. Davis City Council minutes · Jul 7, 2026
In March 2026 the council approved a five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan. Davis City Council minutes · Mar 3, 2026

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots mailedYolo County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Ballot drop boxes openYolo County ElectionsOct 6, 2026
Last day to register to voteYolo County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Write-in candidate filing period endsCity of DavisOct 20, 2026
First vote centers openYolo County ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Election DayYolo County ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Josh Chapman, Linda Deos, Donna Neville2 on this ballot

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

Davis City Council members are elected by district to four-year terms. City of Davis
Two seats, Districts 1 and 4, are up in 2026, with one council member elected in each district. City of Davis
The council designates the mayor and vice mayor each year; in December 2025 it designated Donna Neville mayor and Gloria Partida vice mayor for 2026. Davis City Council minutes · Dec 16, 2025
Davis has a council-manager government: the mayor mainly presides over meetings, and the council appoints a city manager who runs city operations. The California Aggie · Jan 10, 2026

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