FairfaxNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Fairfax Town Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 6 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day; polls close at 8:00 p.m. (Nov 3): the election office's notice

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The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Two Town Council seats are on the November 3 ballot. Six names are on the ballot, but two of those candidates have dropped out, leaving four active candidates.

Election Day; polls close at 8:00 p.m. · Nov 3

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01State housing requirement2 sourced facts

Where it standsFairfax must meet a state quota of 490 housing units by 2031, and the School Street Plaza project is a point of debate in the race.

What's on the tableHow the town meets its state housing requirement and where new homes go.

02Roads and the town budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget on a 3-2 vote, and voters approved Measure J, a Town sales tax increase, on June 2, 2026.

What's on the tableHow much of the budget goes to road repair and how it is paid for.

03Cannabis storefronts3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn-person sales at Fairfax's new dispensary are limited to medical cannabis card holders, and a September 2026 petition to allow recreational sales failed to get past the council.

What's on the tableWhether to change the Town Code to allow recreational storefront sales.

04Hiring a new town manager3 sourced facts

Where it standsTown Manager Heather Abrams left for Yountville, and the council appointed Christine Foster as interim town manager while it searches.

What's on the tableWho the next town manager is, and whether the role becomes a town administrator.

05Chain stores downtown3 sourced facts

Where it standsA moratorium on formula business entitlements is in place until March 3, 2027.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt a permanent ordinance on formula (chain) businesses before the moratorium ends.

06Zero-emission appliance rules1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council adopted a resolution in April 2026 supporting the Bay Area Air District's zero-emission building appliance rules.

What's on the tableHow far the town goes in backing building electrification.

4 notes on these statements

Six candidates filed for two seats: Susan Adams, Larry Bragman, Matt Da Cunha, Aubrey Harmon, Doug Kelly and Cheryl Scorza. Marin County Elections

Aubrey Harmon and Cheryl Scorza have dropped out of the race, although their names still appear on the ballot. Marin Independent Journal · Oct 8, 2026

Both seats are open: Mayor Stephanie Hellman and Councilmember Lisel Blash, both targets of failed recall campaigns, chose not to seek reelection. Marin Independent Journal · Oct 3, 2026

Fairfax voters also choose a Town Clerk and a Town Treasurer and vote on Measure R, a paramedic services special parcel tax. Town of Fairfax

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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. 1. How should Fairfax handle the state requirement to plan for 490 new homes?

  2. 2. How should Fairfax pay for road repair?

  3. 3. Should Fairfax allow recreational cannabis sales at storefronts?

  4. 4. Should Fairfax limit chain (formula) businesses downtown?

  5. 5. Should the town back the Air District's zero-emission appliance rules?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted9 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Barbara Coler, Frank Egger, Michael Ghiringhelli2 on this ballot

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

  • The Fairfax Town Council has five members, elected at large for four-year terms, with three elected in one cycle and two in the next. Town of Fairfax
  • The roles of mayor and vice mayor rotate among council members; each December the council selects a mayor and vice mayor to serve for one year. Town of Fairfax
  • The Town operates under a council-manager form of government; the council appoints the Town Manager and the Town Attorney. Town of Fairfax
  • The terms of Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blash expire in November 2026; Frank Egger, Barbara Coler and Michael Ghiringhelli serve until November 2028. Marin LAFCo

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