Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Desert Hot Springs City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 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

Edward BoumendilEngineer and technology consultant who previously worked at GM's Cruise and Intuit. He lives in District 1.6sourced
Gary GardnerIncumbentDesert Hot Springs councilmember elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, previously on the Planning Commission. He has chaired the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission.6sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Voters in each of two districts, District 1 and District 3, choose one councilmember each; the mayor and the District 2 and 4 seats are not on this ballot.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Scott MatasScott Matas serves on the Desert Hot Springs City Council.4sourced Daniel PittsDaniel Pitts serves on the Desert Hot Springs City Council.3sourced Dirk VossDirk Voss serves on the Desert Hot Springs City Council.3sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesRental registration program, Data centers, Logistics center on Varner Road Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Rental registration program

Where it standsThe council introduced a rental registration ordinance in July 2026 and listed its second reading on the September 1 consent calendar; a fee hearing is set for October 6.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or repeal the rental registration program and what fees it charges.

The September 1, 2026 agenda listed second reading and adoption of an ordinance adding Chapter 5.58 "Rental Registration Program" to the municipal code on the consent calendar. City Council agenda, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
The October 6, 2026 agenda lists a public hearing on rental registration program fees, with a resolution adopting new user fees and the nexus study. City Council agenda, October 6, 2026 · Oct 6, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsA moratorium on data center permits was on the council's June 16, 2026 agenda, and an extension was on its July 7 agenda.

What's on the tableWhether to write permanent rules for data centers or keep blocking them.

The July 7, 2026 staff report recommended extending an urgency interim ordinance on licenses, permits or entitlements for data centers and similar high-intensity computing uses. City Council staff report SR-26-173, July 7, 2026: extension of data center moratorium · Jul 7, 2026
The staff report says the city's General Plan and zoning do not comprehensively regulate data centers, and that the council intends to study possible amendments. City Council staff report SR-26-173, July 7, 2026: extension of data center moratorium · Jul 7, 2026

Logistics center on Varner Road

Where it standsThe council adopted a resolution approving the DHS Varner Road Specific Plan amendment and related approvals for a logistics center on April 21, 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city handles further warehouse and logistics proposals and the approvals that follow.

The April 21, 2026 resolution passed 5-0 on a motion by Councilmember Gardner, seconded by Councilmember Pye. City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 (in the May 5, 2026 packet) · Apr 21, 2026
The minutes record written testimony from Abigail Smith on behalf of the Sierra Club. City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 (in the May 5, 2026 packet) · Apr 21, 2026

Cannabis taxes

Where it standsThe city taxes cannabis cultivation by square footage and its staff has proposed dedicating part of cannabis tax revenue to roads.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or end the city's cannabis-specific taxes and how to use the revenue.

The municipal code sets an annual cultivation tax of $5.75 per square foot for space used to cultivate marijuana. Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code, Chapter 3.33 cultivation tax
The September 1, 2026 agenda recommended using 25% of cannabis tax revenues for road rehabilitation once emergency reserves reach their ceiling. City Council agenda, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

July 4 celebration

Where it standsThe council voted in February 2026 to hold traditional fireworks in 2026 and move to a drone-based show in 2027.

What's on the tableHow the city marks Independence Day in 2027 and later years.

The February 17, 2026 vote on that direction passed 4-1. City Council minutes, February 17, 2026 (in the March 3, 2026 packet) · Feb 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. What should the city do about its rental registration program?
2. What should the city do about its cannabis-specific taxes?
3. How should the city treat data center proposals?
4. What kind of Independence Day show should the city hold?

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 mailed to votersRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayRiverside County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Scott Matas, Daniel Pitts, Dirk Voss2 on this ballot

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

The council has five members including the mayor, all elected by city residents. City of Desert Hot Springs
Council members serve four-year terms; the mayor serves a four-year term with a limit of two terms. City of Desert Hot Springs
Council members are elected by district, a process the city began with the November 8, 2022 election. City of Desert Hot Springs
Each December the Mayor Pro Tem is selected on the mayor's recommendation and ratified by a majority of the council. City of Desert Hot Springs

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