Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Laguna Hills City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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 1 · 1 seat

Harry HugginsLaguna Hills Parks and Recreation Commissioner and president of the Laguna Terrace Beautification Team nonprofit. His statement lists a CSULB degree and past work with Orange County agencies.3sourced
Laura ThiesBusiness administrator and Laguna Hills resident of 28 years with a CSULB mathematics degree. Her statement lists volunteer work with the San Joaquin Elementary PTA board and the Laguna Food Pantry.1sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Council members are elected by district. District 1 has one seat and two candidates; District 4 has one seat and four candidates. District 2 is not on the ballot.

1 note on these statements

Joshua Sweeney was appointed to the District 2 seat for a four-year term beginning in 2027 because he was the only candidate, so District 2 is not on the ballot. Laguna Hills Resolution No. 2026-08-19-3 (District 2 appointment and election cancellation) · Aug 19, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Don CaskeyMayor; term ends December 12, 20286sourced Jared MathisMayor Pro Tempore; term ends December 12, 20287sourced Joshua SweeneyCouncilmember, District 2; appointed to a new four-year term beginning in 20278sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesVillage at Laguna Hills redevelopment, Housing sites and density, Inclusionary housing requirement Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Village at Laguna Hills redevelopment

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council adopted an amended development agreement and a specific plan amendment for the Village at Laguna Hills.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee how the revised project proceeds under the amended agreement.

The council adopted the ordinance approving an amended and restated development agreement with MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC, 3-1 with one member refusing to vote. Laguna Hills City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
The council adopted the Urban Village Specific Plan amendment ordinance 4-1. Laguna Hills City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
The city says it approved entitlements for the project in 2022 and that major modifications require amendments to the development agreement. City of Laguna Hills

Housing sites and density

Where it standsOn Aug. 19, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to create Housing 50 and Housing 80 overlay zones and apply them to listed sites.

What's on the tableThe next council will handle development proposals on the rezoned sites.

The amendments let select Housing Element sites be developed at 30 to 80 dwelling units per acre to comply with the No Net Loss law. Laguna Hills City Council special meeting minutes, Aug. 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026
The council adopted the zoning ordinance on Aug. 25, 2026, 3-2. Laguna Hills City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026

Inclusionary housing requirement

Where it standsThe council adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance 3-2 on Aug. 25, 2026, after a 3-2 vote on Aug. 19.

What's on the tableThe next council will apply the program and its in-lieu fees, including the formal review in three years.

The ordinance creates an inclusionary housing program and an Inclusionary Housing Fund for in-lieu fees. Laguna Hills City Council special meeting minutes, Aug. 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026
The Aug. 19 motion added that a formal review process will occur after three years. Laguna Hills City Council special meeting minutes, Aug. 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026

Residential permit parking

Where it standsOn Aug. 25, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to direct staff to return with a permit parking plan for petitioning streets.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to adopt the plan, including who pays for standard permits.

The direction includes a citywide option for the city to absorb standard resident and guest permit costs and a six-month review. Laguna Hills City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
It also calls for a warning period before citations and an evaluation of overnight parking on Laguna Hills Drive. Laguna Hills City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026

Crossing guard services

Where it standsOn Aug. 19, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to amend the crossing guard contract with the invoice sent to the Saddleback Unified School District.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how the city and school district share school safety costs.

The amendment is to the contract with All City Management Services, Inc. Laguna Hills City Council special meeting minutes, Aug. 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 2026
A council member asked to agendize a discussion of Saddleback Unified School District financial responsibilities. Laguna Hills City Council special meeting minutes, Aug. 19, 2026 · Aug 19, 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. The council approved changes to the Village at Laguna Hills redevelopment of the former mall site. What should the next council do?
2. State law requires the city to keep room for planned housing. How dense should selected housing sites be allowed to get?
3. Should new residential projects have to include affordable homes or pay an in-lieu fee?
4. Who should pay for school crossing guards?

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 availableOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Close of voter registration (conditional registration after)Orange County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Vote centers openOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
Additional vote centers openOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 31, 2026
Election DayOrange County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Don Caskey, Jared Mathis, Joshua Sweeney2 on this ballot

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

City Council members are elected by district to four-year terms, with staggered terms so two or three seats are up every two years. City of Laguna Hills
Districts 1, 2 and 4 are up in 2026, and districts 3 and 5 are on the ballot in 2028. Voice of OC · Nov 18, 2025
Council members are limited to two consecutive terms. City of Laguna Hills

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