Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Exeter City Council Election 2026
1 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 2 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
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The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Council members are elected by district. Only the District C seat is contested on this ballot; the District A and District D seats were filled by council appointment in lieu of election.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Housing Element and rezoning3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council approved the 2023-2031 Housing Element 3-2 on July 28, 2026, and adopted a rezoning ordinance and an emergency-shelter ordinance on August 11.
What's on the tableHow the city carries out the Housing Element and whether further rezoning or zoning-text changes come to the council.
- On July 28, 2026 the council approved Resolution No. 2026-28, the 2023-2031 Exeter Housing Element, by a 3-2 vote. Exeter City Council action minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
- On August 11, 2026 the council adopted Ordinance No. 720 re-zoning parcels to RM1.5 High Density Residential and establishing Chapter 17.59, By-Right Approvals, 4-0, with Council Member Riddle recused. Exeter City Council action minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
- On August 11, 2026 the council adopted Ordinance No. 721 allowing emergency shelters as a permitted use in the R-M zoning district, 3-0, with Council Member Lentz and Mayor Pro Tem Wilson recused. Exeter City Council action minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
02Budget and assessments3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council adopted a two-year budget on June 23, 2026 and set landscape and lighting assessments for fiscal year 2026-27 on July 28.
What's on the tableHow the city spends within the adopted budget and what it charges property owners in its assessment districts.
- On June 23, 2026 the council adopted the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 two-year budget, 5-0. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
- On June 23, 2026 the council set the fiscal year 2026/2027 General Fund appropriation limit at $12,311,808, 5-0. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
- On July 28, 2026 the council directed that fiscal year 2026-27 assessments for Districts 05-01, 05-02 and 06-01 be levied at their original formation rates of $67.54, $113.28, and $133.44 per parcel, respectively. Exeter City Council action minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
03Fire and police services3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council extended its county fire agreement and approved a police officers' contract in June 2026.
What's on the tableHow the city continues to fund and contract for fire, police and dispatch services.
- On June 23, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to authorize a five-year extension and updated Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the County of Tulare for fire prevention and suppression services in Exeter. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
- On June 23, 2026 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent calendar, a memorandum of understanding with the Exeter Police Officers Association for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
- On June 23, 2026 the council approved, 5-0 on its consent calendar, a one-year agreement with Tulare County for emergency dispatch and communication services. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
04Parks, downtown and the local economy4 sourced facts
Where it standsRose Garden Park improvements and downtown projects are under way, and the city has decided not to participate in a county economic development group.
What's on the tableWhich park and downtown projects get funded and how the city works with regional economic development groups.
- On June 23, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to accept a $50,000 donation from McWane Plant & Industrial and design Rose Garden Park improvements based on the Exeter Parks Master Plan. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
- On August 11, 2026 the council took up review and approval of proposed Rose Garden Park improvements and authorization to advertise the project for construction bids; the minutes record that it provided direction to staff. Exeter City Council action minutes, August 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
- On July 28, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to award the Downtown ADA Parking Project contract to Advanced Engineering USA for a total project budget of $203,737.39. Exeter City Council action minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
- On June 23, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to notify the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation of its decision not to participate. Exeter City Council action minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
2 notes on these statements
The county lists two qualified candidates for the District C seat: Frankie Alves (incumbent) and Brittney Shull. Tulare County Elections
On August 18, 2026 the council appointed Vicki Riddle to the District D seat and Alexander Workman to the District A seat in lieu of election, each by a 5-0 vote. Exeter City Council special meeting action minutes, August 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026
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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. Should Exeter approve and carry out its state-required Housing Element?
2. How should Exeter approach growth?
3. Should carrying out the Exeter Parks Master Plan be a city priority?
4. How much should the city focus on downtown?
5. Should Exeter take part in the Tulare County Economic Development Corporation?
6. How should Exeter provide fire protection?
Key dates
- First day vote-by-mail ballots are mailedTulare County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
- Early voting begins at the Tulare County Registrar of Voters officeTulare County ElectionsOct 20, 2026
- Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballotTulare County ElectionsOct 27, 2026
- Election Day (polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)Tulare County ElectionsNov 3, 2026
The seat math
4 stay (not up this year): Bobby Lentz, Vicki Riddle, Jeff Wilson, Alexander Workman1 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The City Council has five members, each elected from a district to a staggered four-year term. City of Exeter
- Exeter is a charter city governed under the Council-Administrator form of local government. City of Exeter
- The county's nomination notice listed three council seats (Districts A, C and D) for the November 3, 2026 election. Tulare County Registrar of Voters
- The City Clerk is the elections official for the City of Exeter. City of Exeter
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