Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Diamond Bar City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

5 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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

Ruben TorresDiamond Bar resident running for District 1 on safety, infrastructure and open-space priorities. His campaign site lists six priorities.2sourced
Steve TyeIncumbentDiamond Bar mayor and City Council member since 2005, formerly a Planning Commission chairman. He is the District 1 incumbent.6sourced

City Council District 3 · Unopposed

Andrew ChouIncumbentFinancial planner who founded an advisory firm in Diamond Bar and has served on the City Council since 2018. He is the District 3 incumbent.7sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Each district elects its own council member, so voters in Districts 1, 3 and 4 each choose one candidate for their district. Districts 2 and 5 are not on the 2026 ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Andrew Chou is the only candidate listed for City Council District 3. City of Diamond Bar · Sep 18, 2026

Measure Q, a proposed 1 cent city sales tax, is on the same Nov. 3, 2026 ballot as the council races. City of Diamond Bar · Sep 18, 2026

Steve Tye, Andrew Chou and Chia-Yu Teng are incumbents whose terms expire in November 2026. City of Diamond Bar

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Stan LiuFirst elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in 2020; represents District 5 and served on the Parks and Recreation Commission.4sourced Ruth LowMayor Pro Tem; term ends November 20285sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMeasure Q sales tax, City budget gap, Public safety and Sheriff services Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Mail ballots sent to all registered voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Measure Q sales tax

Where it standsVoters will decide Measure Q, a proposed 1 cent city sales tax that the City Council placed on the November ballot.

What's on the tableThe council elected in 2026 would oversee spending of any Measure Q revenue through its regular budget process, and would face the budget gap if voters say no.

On July 21, 2026, the City Council voted 4-1 to adopt the resolution submitting the sales tax question to voters. Diamond Bar City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 (in Aug. 4 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
The ballot question describes a 1 cent sales tax providing approximately $6,000,000 annually until ended by voters. City of Diamond Bar · Sep 18, 2026
The City Attorney's analysis says the tax would be a general tax whose revenue goes into the City's general fund. Impartial Analysis of Measure Q from Diamond Bar City Attorney
The measure requires annual audits of the revenue and expenditures. Impartial Analysis of Measure Q from Diamond Bar City Attorney

City budget gap

Where it standsThe City says its expenses are growing faster than its revenue and projects a shortfall.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt the city budget and decide how to balance it, whether or not Measure Q passes.

The City's ten-year forecast shows an annual shortfall of about $1 million to more than $9 million, depleting General Fund reserves by 2036. City of Diamond Bar
The City says the deficit will result in a $1.2 million shortfall next year. City of Diamond Bar News Flash · Jul 28, 2026
The City Council directed staff to reduce spending by more than $1 million in each of the past two budget years. City of Diamond Bar

Public safety and Sheriff services

Where it standsDiamond Bar contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement.

What's on the tableThe council sets the budget for the Sheriff contract and other public safety services.

The City says its Sheriff's Department contract accounts for $9.1 million, or about 27% of General Fund spending. City of Diamond Bar News Flash · Jul 28, 2026
The Measure Q ballot question lists emergency response and Sheriff protection among the purposes of the tax. City of Diamond Bar · Sep 18, 2026

Downtown and development

Where it standsThe council reviews housing and mixed-use projects, including one on its Sept. 1, 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableThe next council will rule on development applications and on plans for the Town Center area.

The Sept. 1, 2026 agenda included a public hearing on a State Density Bonus Law application for the Tranquil Garden 36-unit residential condominium project. Diamond Bar City Council agenda, Sept. 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
Councilmember Chia-Yu Teng's campaign site describes the Town Center Specific Plan as transforming approximately 45 acres into a mixed-use downtown area. Re-Elect Dr. Chia-Yu Teng (campaign site)

Federal advocacy consultant

Where it standsThe council did not approve a $48,000 federal advocacy agreement with Prince Global Solutions on Sept. 15, 2026.

What's on the tableThe council decides whether and how the city pays outside consultants to seek state and federal funding.

The proposed agreement was for federal advocacy services through June 30, 2027, with a not-to-exceed amount of $48,000. Diamond Bar City Council agenda packet, Sept. 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
On June 16, 2026, the council voted 5-0 to continue the Prince Global Solutions consultant services agreement so staff could consider reducing the scope of work. Diamond Bar City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 (in July 21 agenda packet) · Jun 16, 2026
On Sept. 15, 2026, the council voted 3-2 not to approve the agreement. Diamond Bar City Council minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 (in Oct. 6 agenda packet) · Sep 15, 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 Diamond Bar do on public safety spending?
2. How should Diamond Bar approach a mixed-use downtown?
3. Should the city pay a consultant to seek federal funding?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Mail ballots sent to all registered votersCity of Diamond BarOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote in the general electionCity of Diamond BarOct 19, 2026
11-day vote centers openCity of Diamond BarOct 24, 2026
Election Day; vote centers open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.City of Diamond BarNov 3, 2026
County completes the official canvassCity of Diamond BarDec 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Stan Liu, Ruth Low3 on this ballot

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

The Diamond Bar City Council has five members elected by district, and terms are four years. City of Diamond Bar
Council elections are held in November of even-numbered years, staggered so that two members are elected at one election and three at the next. City of Diamond Bar
Newly elected council members take their seats in December, after the election is certified. City of Diamond Bar
At that time the council elects one of its members as mayor and another as mayor pro tem, each for a one-year term. City of Diamond Bar
Districts 1, 3 and 4 are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot for full four-year terms. City of Diamond Bar · Aug 5, 2026

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