Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Oakdale Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

7 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

Cherilyn BairosIncumbentMayor; current term expires 20266sourced

City Council Member · Vote for up to 2

Benjamin AmaralBenjamin Amaral is listed on the county candidate list as a security officer.1sourced
Mary BuchananMary Buchanan is listed on the county candidate list as a retired sales executive.1sourced
Christopher ChavezChristopher Chavez is listed on the county candidate list as a business owner.1sourced
Kayleigh GilbertIncumbentMayor Pro Tem and Councilmember; current term expires 20263sourced
Sal HernandezSal Hernandez is listed on the county candidate list as a correctional officer.1sourced
Fred SmithFred Smith previously served on the Oakdale City Council, according to the Oakdale Leader.1sourced

All Oakdale voters choose the mayor and two council members citywide; the top two council vote-getters win.

2 notes on these statements

Cherilyn Bairos is the only candidate for mayor and is unopposed on the November 3 ballot. Oakdale Leader · Aug 19, 2026

The council's September 2026 vote to move to district elections does not affect the November 3 election. Modesto Bee · Oct 1, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jeff KetteringCouncilmember; term expires 20285sourced Jarod PitassiCouncilmember; term expires 20289sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWater and wastewater rates, Moving to district elections, Growth and housing annexations Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

County voter information postcard mailed

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Water and wastewater rates

Where it standsThe council approved water rate increases in June 2026; a wastewater rate proposal was postponed.

What's on the tableWhether and when to bring back a wastewater rate proposal, and how to fund water system upkeep.

Water rates are set to rise about 4.4% a year over five years. Oakdale Leader · Jun 10, 2026
A wastewater rate proposal in the rate study was postponed and will return through a separate Proposition 218 process. Oakdale Leader · Jun 10, 2026
The rate study was prepared by Tuckfield & Associates for the city. Tuckfield & Associates · Apr 3, 2026

Moving to district elections

Where it standsThe council voted 3-1 on September 21, 2026 to begin moving from citywide to district council elections; this does not affect the November 3 election.

What's on the tableFinal district maps, the sequence of elections and a final ordinance, with a target of completing the process in December 2026.

The step followed a written notice alleging the at-large system violates the California Voting Rights Act. Oakdale Leader · Sep 23, 2026
Oakdale would have four districts, with the mayor still elected citywide. Oakdale Leader · Sep 23, 2026
The city manager estimated the process could cost in the mid-five to low six figures. Modesto Bee · Oct 1, 2026

Growth and housing annexations

Where it standsThe council approved the Sierra Pointe plan amendments and annexation of about 297 acres in March 2025; the annexation then moves to the county's LAFCO.

What's on the tableFurther studies, permits and school agreements for the Sierra Pointe area and how future growth is phased.

The March 2025 vote was 4-1. Oakdale Leader · Mar 5, 2025
Residents raised concerns about schools, water, traffic and emergency response times. Oakdale Leader · Mar 5, 2025
CBS reported plans for over 800 new homes on the annexed land. CBS News Sacramento

Water conservation rules

Where it standsThe council adopted Ordinance 1303 on September 8, 2026, setting permanent water use efficiency standards.

What's on the tableHow the Public Services Director's added irrigation limits are used and enforced.

The update reduces permitted watering days and defines water waste. Oakdale Leader · Aug 25, 2026
The ordinance gives the Public Services Director authority to set additional outdoor irrigation limits. Oakdale Leader · Aug 25, 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. The city's water rates had not risen since 2021. What should the council do on rates?
2. What should Oakdale's water conservation rules look like?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Ballot drop boxes openStanislaus County Registrar of VotersOct 2, 2026
County voter information postcard mailedStanislaus County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Election DayCity of OakdaleNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jeff Kettering, Jarod Pitassi3 on this ballot

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

The mayor and four council members are elected at large to four-year terms. City of Oakdale
Oakdale is a general law city using the council-manager form of government. City of Oakdale
Terms are staggered: the mayor and two council members are elected at one election, three council members and the City Clerk and Treasurer at the next. City of Oakdale

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.