Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

East Palo Alto City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

7 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 · Vote for up to 2

Ruben AbricaIncumbentEast Palo Alto councilmember and vice mayor who served on its first City Council and as mayor in 2006.7sourced
Ofelia BelloExecutive director of Pahali Community Land Trust and former East Palo Alto planning commissioner.2sourced
Gail Wilk DixonBusinesswoman who has owned and operated restaurants and run a tax practice.3sourced
Sam JimenezPlumbing business owner and decorated Green Beret veteran who grew up in East Palo Alto.2sourced
Deborah Lewis-VirgesLead pastor of Saint Mark Church and chair of the East Palo Alto Sanitary District.3sourced
Michael MashackEast Palo Alto planning commissioner and founder of Bay Area Urban Eagles, a youth workforce nonprofit in aviation.3sourced
Holifa WindomEast Palo Alto native and wartime veteran with degrees in Political Science and Business Management.2sourced

Voters choose up to two of seven candidates for two open City Council seats.

2 notes on these statements

Councilmember Martha Barragan was elected in 2022 and is not running for a new term, leaving her seat open. Palo Alto Online · Aug 20, 2026

The East Palo Alto City Council placed Measure O on the ballot to authorize up to $125 million in general obligation bonds for public improvements. City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure O · Aug 18, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Mark DinanCouncilmember; term ends November 20284sourced Webster LincolnCouncilmember; term ends November 20285sourced Carlos RomeroCouncilmember; term ends November 20286sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesInclusionary housing rules, Measure O civic center and water bond, Council term limits (Measure CC)Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed; early Vote Centers open in San Mateo, Redwood City and South San Francisco

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Inclusionary housing rules

Where it standsThe council approved a temporary exemption for projects of 20 units or fewer in July 2026 and then rejected it on July 21.

What's on the tableWhether to change the 1994 inclusionary housing ordinance, including after a county-wide housing policy study.

On July 7 the council approved the Temporary Housing Development Incentive Program, which would let projects with 20 units or fewer omit low-income units. Palo Alto Online · Jul 8, 2026
The Planning Commission voted 5-2 to reject the program as out of line with the Housing Element and general plan. Palo Alto Online · Jul 14, 2026
On July 21 council members Romero, Abrica and Barragan voted to reject the program, which city staff said would have affected 128 of 3,966 units in the pipeline. Palo Alto Online · Jul 22, 2026
The city had planned to update the ordinance permanently in December 2027 after a county-wide study. Palo Alto Online · Jul 8, 2026

Measure O civic center and water bond

Where it standsThe council placed a $125 million general obligation bond on the November 3 ballot; it needs two-thirds approval.

What's on the tableHow to spend bond proceeds, if approved, across a civic center, water and stormwater work, and a park.

Measure O would authorize up to $125 million in bonds; the city estimates an average $105.26 per $100,000 of assessed value each year. City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure O · Aug 18, 2026
Of the total, $35 million would go to drinking water and storm drain improvements. Palo Alto Online · Jul 8, 2026
The new civic center would include a library, City Hall and a police department; San Mateo County owns the city's City Hall building and library today. Palo Alto Online · Jul 8, 2026

Council term limits (Measure CC)

Where it standsVoters will decide on November 3 whether to limit council members to three consecutive four-year terms.

What's on the tableWhether council members face a 12-year consecutive limit, with prior terms not counted.

Measure CC would limit individuals to three consecutive four-year terms, or twelve years, and requires a majority vote to pass. City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure CC (term limits) · Aug 18, 2026
The council advanced the measure 4-1 in May 2026, with Carlos Romero dissenting. Palo Alto Online · May 12, 2026

Flock license plate readers

Where it standsThe city is under a three-year Flock contract signed in December 2025 after the council could not agree on a shorter one in April 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, shorten or cancel the license plate reader program and how to protect its data.

Flock withdrew the option to cancel without penalty, and the technology costs approximately $90,000 annually. Palo Alto Online · Apr 22, 2026
City staff and police recommended a one-year contract; the council did not adopt that recommendation. Palo Alto Online · Apr 22, 2026

Mayor's authority over council agendas

Where it standsA mayoral proposal for final agenda-setting authority failed 2-2 in April 2026.

What's on the tableHow much control the mayor and council members have over what reaches the council agenda.

Existing rules grant the mayor and vice mayor authority to lead agenda-setting and meeting organization. Palo Alto Online · Apr 22, 2026
The motion failed 2-2 after Vice Mayor Ruben Abrica and Carlos Romero rejected it and Martha Barragan abstained. Palo Alto Online · Apr 22, 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. How should East Palo Alto treat its inclusionary housing requirements for small projects?
2. Should East Palo Alto limit how long council members can serve?
3. What should East Palo Alto do about its Flock license plate readers?
4. Who should control what goes on the council agenda?

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; early Vote Centers open in San Mateo, Redwood City and South San FranciscoSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
County sample ballot and voter information pamphlet mailedSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 13, 2026
Voter registration deadlineSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
11-day Vote Centers open (through Oct. 30)San Mateo County ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Deadline to request replacement vote-by-mail ballotsSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 27, 2026
4-day Vote Centers open (Oct. 31 to Election Day)San Mateo County ElectionsOct 31, 2026
Election Day: Vote Centers open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.San Mateo County ElectionsNov 3, 2026
Deadline for mailed ballots postmarked by Election Day to arriveSan Mateo County ElectionsNov 10, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Mark Dinan, Webster Lincoln, Carlos Romero2 on this ballot

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

The City of East Palo Alto is governed by a five-member city council elected to four-year terms. San Mateo LAFCo
The mayor and vice mayor are chosen by their council colleagues rather than by voters, and a council member holds the position for a year. Palo Alto Online · Apr 22, 2026

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