Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Mission Viejo City Council Election 2026

5 of 5

council seats up

5 contests

9 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 · 1 seat

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Saga ConroyCommunity outreach director for Supervisor Don Wagner and a Mission Viejo Community Services commissioner. She says she has years of experience in municipal budgeting and local government operations.3sourced
Peter MolinariSmall business owner serving on Mission Viejo's Planning and Transportation Commission. He has served as the commission's chairman and vice chairman.3sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

City Council District 5 · Unopposed

Steven ThorntonDefense acquisition contractor with U.S. Navy service and experience on the Community Services Commission.3sourced

Mission Viejo elects its council by district: each voter chooses among the candidates in their own district, and the top vote-getter wins each seat.

2 notes on these statements

Steven Thornton is the only candidate for District 5 and is unopposed. Voice of OC · Sep 29, 2026

Brian Goodell (District 2) and Trish Kelley (District 4) will leave their council seats in 2026. Voice of OC · Nov 5, 2025

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesOso Creek golf clubhouse and parking, City budget and event spending, State housing law and shelter zoning Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Oso Creek golf clubhouse and parking

Where it standsOn September 8, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to start a public-private partnership feasibility study for a new golf course clubhouse, event venue and added parking.

What's on the tableWhether to pursue a partnership for the clubhouse, how to pay for it, and the Marguerite Recreation Center parking lot expansion.

The September 2026 resolution directs staff to return within 60 days with a consultant-developed feasibility report, fiscal analysis, procurement strategy and draft partnership term sheet. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
In April 2026 the council awarded design and geotechnical contracts for the Marguerite Recreation Center surface parking lot expansion (3-1, with one member absent). Mission Viejo City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
In August 2026 the council approved plans and specifications and authorized staff to advertise for bids on the Marguerite Aquatics, Tennis and Recreation Center surface parking lot expansion. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026

City budget and event spending

Where it standsThe council adopted a revised fiscal 2026/27 budget on a 3-1 vote in May 2026 and approved a $25.55 million Sheriff's Department contract 5-0 in June.

What's on the tableHow the city spends its budget, including law enforcement, capital projects and support for private events.

The council adopted Resolution 26-24, the revised fiscal 2026/27 budget, with Councilmember Vasquez voting no and Mayor Pro Tem Goodell absent. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
The fiscal 2026-27 law enforcement services agreement with the County of Orange is capped at $25,550,539, plus up to $35,000 for special enforcement overtime. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
In February 2026 the council approved city in-kind funding of up to $15,000 for the Orange County Multisport Festival on a 4-1 vote. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, February 10, 2026 · Feb 10, 2026

State housing law and shelter zoning

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council continued a hearing on zoning overlays for a low barrier navigation center and emergency shelters to September 22, 2026.

What's on the tableHow to carry out the city's housing plan commitments and how to apply state housing laws to development proposals.

The August 25, 2026 hearing covered a General Plan amendment, zone change and development code amendment to implement housing plan programs, including overlay zones for a low barrier navigation center and emergency shelters. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
In March 2026 the city manager and city attorney told the council that state housing laws, including SB 330 and the Density Bonus Law, make it difficult for cities to deny or reduce compliant housing projects. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, March 24, 2026 · Mar 24, 2026

Flock cameras and police transparency

Where it standsResidents raised privacy concerns about Flock license plate reader cameras at the September 8, 2026 meeting, and councilmembers asked for reports.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or add oversight to the city's camera program, and whether to restore a public police blotter.

In July 2026 Mayor Bucknum asked for an update from the Sheriff's Department on Flock cameras and the police blotter. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
In September 2026 Councilmember Ruesch asked for future reports on the Flock camera system covering camera types, capabilities, costs, contract length, data acquisition and effectiveness. Mission Viejo City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

A mostly new council

Where it standsAll five council seats are on the 2026 ballot, and at least three members will be new because incumbents are term-limited out.

What's on the tableWho serves on the new council, and how staggered terms work from 2028.

Districts 1, 3 and 5 will be elected to four-year terms and Districts 2 and 4 to two-year terms to create staggered elections. Voice of OC · Sep 29, 2026
The council voted 3-1 in October 2025 to set the staggered term lengths, with Councilmember Vasquez voting no and Councilmember Goodell absent. Voice of OC · Nov 5, 2025

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. Should the city study a public-private partnership for a new golf clubhouse and event venue at Oso Creek?
2. Should the city expand the surface parking lot at the Marguerite Recreation Center?
3. Should the city give in-kind funding to private groups that stage large events in town?
4. Should the city raise local taxes if needed to maintain services?
5. How should Mission Viejo treat new high-density housing?
6. What should the city do with Flock license plate reader cameras?

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
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration after)Orange County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Vote centers openOrange County Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
Election DayOrange County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

0 stay (not up this year): 5 on this ballot

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

After 2028 all seats return to four-year terms in staggered elections, with three seats on the ballot one cycle and two the next. Voice of OC · Nov 5, 2025
The mayor and mayor pro tem are council members chosen by the council for one-year terms at its annual reorganization. Patch (City of Mission Viejo press release): City Swears In New Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem · Dec 13, 2024

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