Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Lake Elsinore City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

3 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 1 · Unopposed

Brian TisdaleIncumbentHolds a master's degree in emergency services administration and served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. His statement lists 20 years in local government.7sourced

City Council District 3 · Unopposed

Tim SheridanIncumbentLake Elsinore's 2026 Mayor Pro Tem, on the City Council since his election in 2018. He also serves on the Riverside Transit Agency Board.6sourced

City Council District 4 · Unopposed

Michael CarrollIncumbentLake Elsinore councilmember and small business owner who previously served on the Planning Commission. His statement says three generations of his family live in the city.7sourced

Only voters in each district vote for that district's seat, and each seat elects one councilmember. Districts 2 and 5 are not on this ballot.

5 notes on these statements

Measure T on the same ballot asks "Shall the office of City Treasurer be appointive?" It is not a council seat. City of Lake Elsinore

Adela Gonzales (District 1) and Adelina Vega-Velasquez (District 4) filed nomination papers but did not qualify for the ballot, per the City Clerk. City of Lake Elsinore

Tim Sheridan is the only candidate for District 3, and Brian Tisdale is the only qualified candidate for District 1; Michael Carroll is the only qualified candidate for District 4. City of Lake Elsinore · Aug 31, 2026

Diego Cardenas was issued write-in filing materials for District 4; write-in candidates do not appear on the printed ballot. City of Lake Elsinore

Michael Carroll was appointed to District 4 in October 2025 on a 2-1 vote with one abstention after Natasha Johnson was elected to the state Assembly. Patch · Oct 30, 2025

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Bob MageeMayor of Lake Elsinore for 2026, first elected to the City Council in 2003. The city's release says he has served seven previous terms as Mayor.4sourced Steve ManosCouncilmember, District 23sourced

Start here

What council decidesData centers, Industrial growth, License plate cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

County elections officials begin mailing ballots (by this date)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Data centers

Where it standsThe council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on new data center applications on August 25, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to extend, replace or lift the pause on data center applications and how to treat any that follow.

The August 25, 2026 agenda item was an urgency ordinance establishing a 45-day moratorium on accepting and processing new entitlement applications related to data centers. Lake Elsinore City Council agenda, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Elsinore 247 reported the council approved the moratorium unanimously. Elsinore 247 · Aug 28, 2026
An applicant representative said a data center is only one of the options being studied for the Elsinore Heights Industrial Project. Elsinore 247 · Jul 30, 2026

Industrial growth

Where it standsThe city is preparing an environmental impact report for the proposed Elsinore Heights Industrial Project, which is still in early review.

What's on the tableWhether to approve, change or deny the Elsinore Heights project once the environmental review is complete.

The city is the lead agency and will prepare an Environmental Impact Report for the Elsinore Heights Industrial Project. City of Lake Elsinore
The proposal would redevelop about 61.02 acres near Camino Del Norte and Second Street. Elsinore 247 · Jul 30, 2026

License plate cameras

Where it standsThe council voted 5-0 in January 2026 to lease 25 more Flock license plate reader cameras.

What's on the tableWhether to keep or expand the camera program when contracts and funding come up again.

The item authorized leasing 25 additional cameras for up to $87,500 annually for two years. Lake Elsinore City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
City documents say the Riverside County Sheriff's Department keeps direct access to the camera data, as reported by Patch. Patch · Jan 15, 2026

E-bike rules

Where it standsThe council voted 5-0 on May 12, 2026 to introduce an ordinance regulating e-bikes and other electric transportation devices.

What's on the tableHow the city writes and enforces rules for e-bike riders.

The introduced ordinance adds Chapter 10.54 to the Municipal Code, and the motion added a ban on children under 16 riding after dark. Lake Elsinore City Council minutes, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026

City Center parking and eminent domain

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council adopted resolutions of necessity to acquire two properties by eminent domain for the City Center Parking Project.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city completes the property acquisitions for the City Center Parking Project.

One resolution passed 4-1 and the other passed 5-0 on February 10, 2026. Lake Elsinore City Council minutes, Feb. 10, 2026 · Feb 10, 2026

Key dates

Write-in candidate filing period opensCity of Lake ElsinoreSep 7, 2026
Write-in candidate filing deadlineCity of Lake ElsinoreOct 20, 2026
County elections officials begin mailing ballots (by this date)California Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote onlineCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Bob Magee, Steve Manos3 on this ballot

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

Since 2018, councilmembers have been elected by district rather than at large; only registered voters in a district vote for its seat. City of Lake Elsinore
The council picks the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem each December; in December 2025 it chose Bob Magee as Mayor and Tim Sheridan as Mayor Pro Tem for 2026. City of Lake Elsinore press release · Dec 12, 2025
The Mayor votes on council items; for example, Mayor Magee voted yes on the June 9, 2026 budget adoption (passed 5-0). Lake Elsinore City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
Districts 2, 4 and 5 are next scheduled for regular elections on November 7, 2028; the 2026 District 4 contest fills only the remainder of the current term. City of Lake Elsinore

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