Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Los Banos Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

4 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.

Mayor · Unopposed

Michael S. AmabileIncumbentMayor of Los Banos and owner of Espana's Southwest Bar & Grill. His bio lists 12 years as mayor from 1994 to 2006 and election as mayor in November 2024.7sourced

City Council District 2 · Unopposed

Refugio Morales LlamasIncumbentLos Banos City Council member for District 2, appointed on March 9, 2026 to the seat's unexpired term. He was previously appointed to a council vacancy in 2021.6sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Voters choose the mayor citywide and one councilmember each in District 2 and District 3; District 2 and the mayor each have one candidate on the Merced County list.

2 notes on these statements

Michael S. Amabile (mayor) and Refugio Morales Llamas (District 2) are the only candidates listed for their contests; District 3 has Marcus Chavez and Erasmo Viveros. Merced County Elections

The City Clerk and City Treasurer offices are also on the November 3, 2026 ballot; they have no candidate pages in this guide. Merced County Elections

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Deborah LewisCouncilmember, District 47sourced Mitzy PerezCouncilmember, District 15sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCouncil and mayor pay, Appointed or elected City Treasurer, In-house city attorney staff Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed and drop boxes open

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Council and mayor pay

Where it standsThe council approved an ordinance raising elected officials' monthly pay; council raises take effect after the November 2026 election.

What's on the tableThe next council works under the new pay schedule and could revisit it by ordinance.

City Attorney Lerner said current salaries, set in 1989, are $300 per month for council members and $400 for the mayor, and that state law allows up to $1,275 per month for council members in a city of Los Banos's population. City of Los Banos · Mar 4, 2026
Council members' increase would take effect after the next regular election in November 2026; the mayor's could take effect during the current term. City of Los Banos · Mar 4, 2026
Ordinance No. 1215 raises pay up to $1,275 per month for council members and $1,500 for the mayor; it was approved on the July 1, 2026 consent agenda with Llamas voting no and Perez absent. City of Los Banos · Jul 1, 2026

Appointed or elected City Treasurer

Where it standsA measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot asks whether the City Treasurer should become an appointed position.

What's on the tableIf voters approve, a future council action would be required to set up an appointed treasurer.

The council placed the measure on the ballot on June 17, 2026, at an estimated cost of about $7,500 to be reimbursed to the county. City of Los Banos · Jun 17, 2026
The City Attorney said Los Banos, a general law city, must maintain the office of City Treasurer, which is now elected. City of Los Banos · Jun 17, 2026
The Finance Director said most Treasurer-related work is performed by the Finance Department and that the Treasurer receives a small stipend and benefits. City of Los Banos · Jun 17, 2026

In-house city attorney staff

Where it standsThe council ratified an employment agreement for an Assistant City Attorney in August 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council sets budgets for in-house and outside legal services.

The agreement provides an annual salary of $234,996, effective August 24, 2026. City of Los Banos · Aug 19, 2026
The City Manager said the city had historically spent about $1 million to $1.2 million a year on outside legal services. City of Los Banos · Aug 19, 2026

Growth and development agreements

Where it standsThe council has approved new development approvals and an updated property tax sharing agreement with Merced County tied to the city's 2042 General Plan.

What's on the tableThe next council decides further subdivision approvals, development agreements and growth-related agreements.

The Villages VI project proposes 30 single-family homes on about 8.2 acres within the Stone Creek Area Plan. City of Los Banos · Feb 4, 2026
The amended property tax sharing agreement with Merced County formally recognizes the city's 2042 General Plan, which expanded its sphere of influence. City of Los Banos · Aug 19, 2026

Accessory dwelling unit rules

Where it standsThe council introduced an ordinance restating the city's ADU rules to implement new state law in May 2026.

What's on the tableThe council oversees how the city applies ADU standards and permitting.

Staff estimated about 20 ADU applications per year, with no major increase expected. City of Los Banos · May 20, 2026
Council Member Lewis said accessory units should match the architectural style of the main home; staff said state law limits how much cities can regulate design. City of Los Banos · May 20, 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. What should happen to Los Banos council and mayor pay?
2. Should the City Treasurer be elected or appointed?
3. How should the city get legal services?
4. How should the council handle new subdivision approvals?
5. How should Los Banos regulate accessory dwelling units?

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 mailed and drop boxes openMerced County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (postmark)Merced County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Vote centers open (11-day centers, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)Merced County ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Election DayMerced County ElectionsNov 3, 2026
Last day for mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to arriveMerced County ElectionsNov 10, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Deborah Lewis, Mitzy Perez3 on this ballot

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

The City Council consists of the mayor and four councilmembers. City of Los Banos
The mayor is elected at large for a two-year term; councilmembers are elected by district for four-year terms. City of Los Banos · Jun 3, 2026
The mayor takes part in council roll-call votes. City of Los Banos · Aug 19, 2026

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.