Huntington Beach, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Huntington Beach City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 4

11 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 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 4

Every voter in the city may vote for up to four of the 11 candidates; the four seats are elected at-large.

6 notes on these statements

Gracey Van Der Mark, whose seat is up, is running for the State Assembly instead of re-election. Daily Pilot · Aug 19, 2026

Only five candidates attended the Sept. 16 Protect Huntington Beach debate: Hanson, Palumbo, Davis, Spivey and Glim. Daily Pilot · Sep 17, 2026

Brian Thienes missed the Sept. 30 Chamber of Commerce forum because of a professional conflict. Daily Pilot · Oct 1, 2026

Brian Burley appears twice on the ballot: for City Council and for the 42nd Congressional District. Orange County Register · Sep 29, 2026

City Attorney Mike Vigliotta is the only candidate for city attorney on the same ballot. City of Huntington Beach · Aug 13, 2026

No Huntington Beach city measure is on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Orange County Registrar of Voters

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Don KennedyCouncilmember; term ends 20288sourcedButch TwiningMayor Pro Tem; term ends 20287sourcedChad WilliamsCouncilmember; term ends 20288sourced

Start here

Match quiz7 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesBudget deficit and police pay, State housing plan, Lawsuits and the election systemKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget deficit and police pay

Where it standsThe city projects a $15 million structural deficit in 2026-27, rising to $47 million by 2030-31. In September the council approved a police contract partly from reserves.

What's on the tableHow to close the gap: spending cuts, new revenue, use of reserves, and the terms of upcoming labor contracts.

State housing plan

Where it standsAfter years in court with the state, the council adopted a Housing Element update in June 2026 under a court order. Measure U, a charter amendment voters approved in November 2024, can only be changed by a vote of the people.

What's on the tableWhether to defend or build on the adopted plan, how Measure U applies to projects, and how to respond to large housing proposals.

Lawsuits and the election system

Where it standsA judge ordered ranked-choice voting and an end to staggered terms in June 2026; the council voted to appeal. The city is also appealing rulings in the library and state housing cases.

What's on the tableWhether to keep pursuing these appeals or settle, and how council elections will work in 2028.

Campaign money and public access

Where it standsThe individual campaign contribution limit is $5,900 through 2026. Challengers have proposed lower limits, town halls and restored commissions.

What's on the tableContribution limits, which advisory commissions exist, and how residents take part in council business.

Downtown and business climate

Where it standsCandidates split on whether the city is business friendly and on closing part of Main Street to cars.

What's on the tableDowntown street use, business incentives and permit rules.

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. In Sept. 2026 the council approved a three-year police union contract with base raises totaling 17%, using $2.7 million from reserves this year. Was that the right call?

  2. 2. The city projects a $15 million deficit this year, growing in later years. Should it consider raising the tax on hotel stays (transient occupancy tax)?

  3. 3. Under a court order, the council adopted a state housing plan (Housing Element) in June 2026. What should the city do?

  4. 4. Huntington Beach has spent years in court, including lawsuits against the state and an appeal over its library rules. Should the city keep pursuing these cases?

  5. 5. In a voting-rights lawsuit, a judge ordered Huntington Beach to switch to ranked-choice voting with all seven seats elected together. Should the city appeal?

  6. 6. Individuals can now give up to $5,900 to a council candidate. Should the city lower that limit?

  7. 7. Should the first three blocks of Main Street downtown be closed to cars permanently?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Don Kennedy, Butch Twining, Chad Williams4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

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