Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hanford 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 A · 1 seat

Sheldon BlackwellCandidate for the District A seat on the Hanford City Council.1sourced
Travis PadenIncumbentHanford District A councilmember who previously served on the Hanford Planning Commission.3sourced

City Council District D · Unopposed

Francisco "Frank" RamirezFormer Hanford mayor who previously represented District D on the City Council.2sourced

City Council District E · 1 seat

Only voters who live in Districts A, D and E vote this year, and each district elects one councilmember; Districts B and C vote in 2028.

4 notes on these statements

Councilmembers Lou Martinez (District D) and Mark Kairis (District E) are not seeking another term, so those two seats are open. San Joaquin Valley Sun · Aug 2, 2026

Travis Paden is the only incumbent running among the three seats on the ballot. San Joaquin Valley Sun · Aug 2, 2026

The District D contest lists two candidates but only one qualified: Francisco "Frank" Ramirez. Austin Minter is shown as withdrawn. Kings County Elections

Victor Chavarin Jr. and Cheyne Strawn, the District E candidates, took part in a Sept. 14 debate hosted by Hanford's 1776 Sons of Liberty. The Hanford Sentinel

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Nancy HowzeCouncilmember, District C, and Vice Mayor; term 2024-20282sourced Kimber ReganCouncilmember, District B; term 2024-20282sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesUtility and refuse rates, Flock license plate cameras, Data centers Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin to be mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Utility and refuse rates

Where it standsThe council raised refuse rates in April 2026 and set a Proposition 218 public hearing on a wastewater rate increase for Sept. 1, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt further wastewater and other utility rate increases, and how to fund water, sewer and refuse services.

The refuse rate increase passed at the April 7 council meeting in a 5-0 vote. The Hanford Sentinel
The refuse rate was $31.19 before the increase, which is scheduled to rise by 10% on July 1, then 10% the next year and 5% a year for three years, reaching $43.69 by 2030. The Hanford Sentinel
Wastewater rates were last adjusted in March 2024 under Resolution 24-03-R. Hanford City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (Wastewater Fee Rate Increase, Resolution 26-61-R) · Sep 1, 2026
Staff recommended that the council hold a public hearing and consider Resolution 26-61-R for a wastewater fee rate increase effective Sept. 2, 2026. Hanford City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (Wastewater Fee Rate Increase, Resolution 26-61-R) · Sep 1, 2026

Flock license plate cameras

Where it standsHanford police use Flock cameras, and the council agreed in July 2026 to schedule a study session on the program.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or add limits on the city's use of Flock license plate readers.

Hanford police said the cameras are used only for investigative and law enforcement purposes by trained and authorized officers. KSEE/KGPE · Jul 20, 2026
Hanford police said the data is kept for one year and then erased unless it is used for an investigation. KSEE/KGPE · Jul 20, 2026
At its July 21, 2026 meeting the council reached consensus to schedule a future study session on the Flock Safety Camera program. Hanford City Council approved minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026

Data centers

Where it standsHanford's General Plan and zoning do not allow data centers, and no specific project has been presented to the council.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the restriction and what land-use rules to apply to any proposed data center.

The City of Hanford opposes data center facilities proposed within or adjacent to the community without meaningful local review, public participation, environmental analysis, and enforceable protections. City of Hanford · Aug 15, 2026
The city said the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance do not allow data centers and that it is not currently considering any change to the restriction. City of Hanford · Aug 15, 2026
At the July 21, 2026 meeting the city attorney addressed public comments on a proposed data center, and the council reached consensus to schedule a future study session on the topic. Hanford City Council approved minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026

Parks projects and a possible ballot measure

Where it standsThe council has considered a potential ballot measure for an estimated $70.7 million of park projects.

What's on the tableWhich park projects to fund first and whether to ask voters for the money.

The measure under consideration would fund an expansion of Hidden Valley Park, a multigenerational community center and a full buildout of Heroes Park. The Hanford Sentinel
When council members anonymously voted on which project to prioritize, the Hidden Valley Park expansion got the most votes and the Heroes Park buildout the fewest. The Hanford Sentinel
The Heroes Park buildout is estimated at $16 million and the community center at $36 million. The Hanford Sentinel

Measure H spending and public safety facilities

Where it standsMeasure H, a 1% sales tax approved in November 2024, funds police, fire, streets and parks.

What's on the tableHow Measure H money is divided among police, fire stations and other services, including a fire station in northwest Hanford.

Measure H was approved by more than 60% of Hanford voters and is expected to generate more than $19 million annually. City of Hanford · Nov 20, 2024
The city said the revenue would be used to hire more police officers and firefighters, build a new public safety building, and maintain parks and streets. City of Hanford · Nov 20, 2024
At the July 21, 2026 meeting the council approved a work order for design of a 10th Avenue road rehabilitation project funded by Measure H. Hanford City Council approved minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 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 the council handle city utility and refuse rate increases?
2. What should Hanford do about Flock license plate cameras?
3. Should Hanford allow data centers?
4. Which park project should Hanford fund first?
5. Should Hanford build a new fire station in northwest Hanford?

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 begin to be mailedKings County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote in the electionKings County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
All vote centers openKings County ElectionsOct 31, 2026
Election DayCity of HanfordNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Nancy Howze, Kimber Regan3 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members elected by district who serve four-year staggered terms. City of Hanford
Each year the council members select a mayor and vice mayor from among themselves. City of Hanford
Districts A, D and E are up for election in 2026. City of Hanford
The next elections for Districts B and C are in 2028. Kings County
Kings County Registrar of Voters conducts the City of Hanford's Nov. 3, 2026 municipal election. City of Hanford

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