JacksonNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Jackson City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 3 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 3 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

Find your match: 3-question quizSee who is on your ballot

No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.

Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to voteCheck your registration
First vote center opens; open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 2 (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

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

Voters citywide choose up to two of the three candidates on the ballot for two City Council seats on Nov. 3, 2026.

First vote center opens; open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Nov. 2 · Oct 24

Take your ballot with you

Candidates, positions and key dates in one email, sent now.

Your cheat-sheet comes right away. You'll also get a reminder before Election Day, the results, then what your council decides next. Unsubscribe anytime. No ads, never sold.

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.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01City budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget in August 2026 while the city manager projected a General Fund deficit approaching $400,000.

What's on the tableWhether to raise revenue, cut spending, or both to close the projected General Fund gap.

02Water rates4 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council adopted new water service charges based on a five-year rate study.

What's on the tableHow water rates and reserves cover rising costs and aging pipes and reservoirs.

03Homelessness4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has a homeless outreach coordinator and has applied for state encampment grant money for a possible shelter or regional response.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city pursues a shelter or other response to homelessness, and how it pays for it.

04Downtown and hotel-tax grants3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council awards façade improvement grants and Measure E/TOT grants, and is updating the city's hotel tax ordinance.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on downtown business grants and events, and how hotel-tax money is used.

05Argonaut High School2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe school district is weighing high school consolidation, and the council passed a resolution in September 2026 backing Argonaut as the countywide high school.

What's on the tableHow the city advocates on school consolidation and plans for traffic near Argonaut High School.

06Council pay and benefits1 sourced fact

Where it standsCouncilmember Sierra McLean asked in April 2026 that council compensation be placed on a council agenda for reconsideration.

What's on the tableWhat pay and health benefits council members receive starting with the next council term.

2 notes on these statements

Steve Oneto is the lone challenger; Connie Gonsalves is seeking reelection and appointed incumbent Sierra McLean is seeking to keep her seat. Ledger Dispatch · Aug 26, 2026

Connie Gonsalves did not submit responses to the Ledger Dispatch candidate Q&A; Sierra McLean and Steve Oneto did. Ledger Dispatch · Oct 1, 2026

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

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 Jackson set its water rates?

  2. 2. If the school district consolidates high schools, what should happen to Argonaut High School?

  3. 3. Should Jackson end city-paid health benefits for council members?

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 voted6 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): Max Godde, Steve McLean, Chad Simmons2 on this ballot

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

  • The Jackson City Council consists of five members, who are elected at large. City of Jackson
  • Council members select a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from their membership on an annual basis. City of Jackson
  • Three qualified candidates are on the ballot for City of Jackson Councilmember, and voters may vote for two. Amador County Elections · Aug 27, 2026
  • Council members Connie Gonsalves and Sierra McLean have terms expiring in December 2026; the other three members' terms expire in December 2028. City of Jackson

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.