Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Norwalk City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

6 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 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 · Vote for up to 2

Tony AyalaIncumbentNorwalk councilmember first elected in 2017 who served as mayor in 2024-25. He previously worked for the city as Social Services Center Coordinator, Senior Center Manager and Public Information Officer.11sourced
Rachell JaimesNorwalk City Council candidate listed on the ballot as a student.1sourced
Richard LeGaspiChair of Norwalk's Public Safety Commission and a Norwalk-La Mirada school board member from 1999 to 2008. He is a past President of the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and serves on the SELACO Workforce Development Board.6sourced
Daniel MorenoEnvironmental advocate and lifelong Norwalk resident with a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. He volunteers with the nonprofit Norwalk Unides, co-leading its environmental work.2sourced
Leonard ShryockRetired Norwalk-La Mirada USD high school educator who served on the Norwalk City Council from 2011 to 2020. He was also a Norwalk-La Mirada school board member from 1995 to 2004.2sourced
Nikolas WoodsTeacher at Lakeside Middle School and a Norwalk resident for over 20 years. He holds degrees from CSU Dominguez Hills and San Jose State University.5sourced

Every Norwalk voter can vote for up to two candidates; the two with the most votes win four-year terms.

1 note on these statements

The two seats on this ballot were won in 2022 by Jennifer Perez and Tony Ayala. Los Angeles County election results · Nov 8, 2022

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Rick RamirezCouncilmember; term ends November 20285sourced Margarita L. RiosVice Mayor; council term ends November 20288sourced Ana ValenciaCouncilmember; term ends November 20288sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity budget, Homeless shelters and supportive housing, New housing and development plans Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to receive a ballot by mail

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget in June 2026 while the city reviews programs, citing slower revenue growth, higher costs and federal pandemic funds ending in December 2026.

What's on the tableWhich programs, contracts and services to keep as federal pandemic funds run out, and how to balance future budgets.

The city said it was reviewing budget adjustments because of lower-than-anticipated revenue growth, increased costs and federal pandemic recovery funds ending in December 2026. City of Norwalk
The council adopted the fiscal year 2026/27 budget on June 16, 2026, by a 4-0 vote, with Councilmember Rick Ramirez absent. Norwalk City Council synopsis, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026
In March 2020, Norwalk voters approved Measure P, a 3/4-cent sales tax, with 56.99% voting yes. Los Angeles County election results · Mar 3, 2020

Homeless shelters and supportive housing

Where it standsThe city's 2024 moratorium on new shelters and supportive housing led to a state lawsuit; the city settled in 2025, and in December 2025 adopted zoning rules covering emergency shelters.

What's on the tableHow city zoning treats emergency shelters, supportive housing and navigation centers under state law.

On August 6, 2024, the council adopted an urgency moratorium covering emergency shelters, single-room occupancy, supportive and transitional housing and several business types by a 5-0 vote. Norwalk City Council synopsis, August 6, 2024 · Aug 6, 2024
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the city; under the settlement Norwalk agreed to reverse its shelter ban and put $250,000 toward new affordable housing. CalMatters · Sep 5, 2025
On August 5, 2025, the council removed emergency shelters, single-room occupancy, supportive and transitional housing from the moratorium. Norwalk City Council synopsis, August 5, 2025 · Aug 5, 2025
On December 16, 2025, the council adopted zoning amendments that include rules on emergency shelters and low-barrier navigation centers. Norwalk City Council synopsis, December 16, 2025 · Dec 16, 2025

New housing and development plans

Where it standsThe council has adopted the Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan, allowing up to 770 homes on Bloomfield Avenue, and the Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan.

What's on the tableHow these plan areas are built out, and how much of the new housing is affordable to Norwalk families.

The Norwalk Transit Village Specific Plan allows up to 770 housing units, a 150-key hotel and park space at 13200 Bloomfield Avenue, and was adopted on January 21, 2025. City of Norwalk · Mar 11, 2025
On April 15, 2025, the council voted 5-0 to introduce a development agreement with Lewis Land Developers for the Transit Village. Norwalk City Council synopsis, April 15, 2025 · Apr 15, 2025
The Heart of Norwalk Specific Plan covers San Antonio Village and the Firestone Corridor and was adopted by the council in December 2025. City of Norwalk

Limits on liquor stores, discount stores and payday lenders

Where it standsSince August 2024 the city has paused new liquor stores, discount stores, laundromats, car washes and payday lenders; in August 2025 the council extended the pause for one year.

What's on the tableWhether to keep limiting these businesses, write permanent zoning rules for them, or let new ones open.

The August 2024 urgency moratorium covered convenience (liquor) stores, discount stores, laundromats, car washes and payday loan establishments. Norwalk City Council synopsis, August 6, 2024 · Aug 6, 2024
On August 5, 2025, the council voted 4-0 to extend the business moratorium for one additional year. Norwalk City Council synopsis, August 5, 2025 · Aug 5, 2025

Industrial development

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council upheld the Planning Commission's approval of a development plan at 14830 Carmenita Road by a 4-1 vote, over an appeal.

What's on the tableHow the council handles future industrial projects and appeals of Planning Commission approvals.

The council adopted Resolution No. 25-63 upholding the Planning Commission's approval of Precise Development Plan No. 2023-06 at 14830 Carmenita Road; Councilmember Rick Ramirez voted no. Norwalk City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 (draft in the February 3, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 20, 2026
The appeal was filed on behalf of CREED LA; for the applicant, Luis Gomez of Rexford Industrial Realty spoke against the appeal. Norwalk City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 (draft in the February 3, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 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. In 2024 Norwalk paused new homeless shelters and supportive housing. Should the city pause them?
2. Should Norwalk keep blocking new liquor stores, discount stores, laundromats, car washes and payday lenders?
3. Should Norwalk approve large new housing developments like the Transit Village?
4. Should new housing developments have to set aside below-market-rate homes?
5. Should Norwalk approve new industrial projects like the one at 14830 Carmenita Road?
6. Federal pandemic funds end in December 2026. How should Norwalk balance its budget?

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 begin mailingLos Angeles County · Oct 1, 2026Oct 1, 2026
Last day to register to receive a ballot by mailLos Angeles County · Oct 1, 2026Oct 19, 2026
Vote centers openLos Angeles County · Oct 1, 2026Oct 24, 2026
Election DayLos Angeles County · Oct 1, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Rick Ramirez, Margarita L. Rios, Ana Valencia2 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members, each serving a four-year term; the November 3, 2026 election fills two seats. City of Norwalk City Clerk
Each year the council selects one of its members to serve as mayor and one as vice mayor. City of Norwalk
The City Council appoints the city manager, who implements policy and manages day-to-day operations. City of Norwalk

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