Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
Malibu City Council Election 2026
2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check
No sign-in needed. Your answers stay on your phone.
The candidates
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
City Council
Vote for up to 2- A. Sam DibaeiCandidate who lists professional experience as general counsel and trial attorney and in talent acquisition and management.6sourced
Marianne RigginsIncumbentCouncilmember; term ends November 20268sourced
Danny SmithRebuild zone captain for the La Costa and Carbon Beach neighborhoods in Malibu.6sourced
Doug StewartIncumbentCouncilmember; term ends November 20266sourced
Two at-large City Council seats are on the ballot, and four candidates are running for them.
Already on the council, not on the ballot
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
What the next council decides
01Palisades Fire rebuild2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city issued its 100th rebuild permit and first certificate of occupancy for Palisades Fire homes on September 14, 2026.
What's on the tableThe council sets permitting policy and priorities for how quickly fire-damaged properties can be rebuilt.
- The City of Malibu has issued its 100th permit allowing a property owner to begin reconstruction after the January 2025 Palisades Fire. City of Malibu · Sep 14, 2026
- The city's rebuild program includes the Malibu Rebuild Center, pre-submittal consultations and online project tracking. City of Malibu · Sep 14, 2026
02PCH speed cameras3 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city delayed the warning period for its speed camera program from late September to November 2026.
What's on the tableThe council oversees the speed camera program and other traffic safety measures on Pacific Coast Highway.
- Under state law, the city may operate up to five automated speed enforcement camera systems with 10 cameras within city limits. City of Malibu · Oct 1, 2026
- Preliminary testing from September 16 through 24, 2026 recorded approximately 100,000 speeding violations across four camera locations. City of Malibu · Oct 1, 2026
- Program revenue is to recover implementation costs first, then fund additional traffic safety measures on PCH with Caltrans. City of Malibu · Oct 1, 2026
03Coastal erosion and El Nino2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe city held a September 29, 2026 workshop on the El Nino forecast and its potential effects on Malibu's coasts and hillsides.
What's on the tableThe council directs city preparation for storms and coastal erosion along PCH.
- The workshop panel included representatives from the city's Community Development, Public Works and Public Safety departments and Caltrans. City of Malibu · Oct 1, 2026
- Doug Stewart said the city is putting together an erosion control flood management plan. Malibu Times · Sep 27, 2026
04Short-term rentals and variances2 sourced facts
Where it standsCandidates discussed short-term rental limits and the city's use of variances at a September 18, 2026 forum.
What's on the tableThe council sets rules on short-term rentals and decides appeals that involve variances.
- Doug Stewart said there are about 800 short-term rentals in Malibu and that 73 burned in the fire. Malibu Times · Sep 27, 2026
- Marianne Riggins said many residents used short-term rentals after the fires. Malibu Times · Sep 27, 2026
05Separate Malibu school district2 sourced facts
Where it standsThe council approved the full separation package with the Santa Monica-Malibu school district on December 8, 2025.
What's on the tableThe council and school district next pursue special state legislation to create two independent districts.
- The city says the Council approved the separation package unanimously at its December 8, 2025 meeting. City of Malibu · Dec 8, 2025
- The package includes a property tax revenue sharing agreement, an operational transfer agreement and a joint powers agreement. City of Malibu · Dec 8, 2025
2 notes on these statements
A. Sam Dibaei, Danny Smith, Doug Stewart and Marianne Riggins all took part in the Malibu Township Council candidate forum on Sept. 18, 2026. Malibu Times · Sep 27, 2026
Doug Stewart and Marianne Riggins are the two incumbents on the ballot; their terms end in November 2026. City of Malibu
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. How should Malibu regulate short-term rentals?
2. How often should the city grant variances to its building and design standards?
3. What should Malibu do about speeds on Pacific Coast Highway?
4. Who should pay to protect Pacific Coast Highway from coastal erosion?
5. How should Malibu speed up fire rebuilds?
Key dates
- 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
- Election Day (polls open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)California Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026
The seat math
3 stay (not up this year): Haylynn Conrad, Bruce Silverstein, Steve Uhring2 on this ballot
5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.
- The five-member City Council is elected at-large to serve four-year terms. City of Malibu · Feb 9, 2026
- The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are elected every 9.5 months by the City Councilmembers. City of Malibu · Feb 9, 2026
- City Council elections are held in November of even-numbered years, and no person may be elected to more than two four-year terms. City of Malibu
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.