Oroville, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Oroville Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

4 contests

8 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 · 1 seat

City Council District A · 1 seat

City Council District B · Unopposed

City Council District F · 1 seat

Voters citywide elect the mayor and each council member is elected by district; this year the mayor and Districts A, B and F are on the ballot.

4 notes on these statements

Eric Smith is the only candidate on the ballot for District B. Butte County

Shawn Webber is the District F councilmember, and his term expires in 2026. City of Oroville

The District A council seat is vacant: Councilmember Tracy Johnstone resigned effective August 21, 2026, and the council directed staff to begin the appointment process. Oroville City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

The council voted 7-0 on June 16, 2026 to adopt Resolution No. 9465 formalizing the measures it would like to place on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Oroville City Council minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Janet GoodsonCouncilmember, District E; term expires 20285sourcedScott ThomsonCouncilmember, District D; term expires 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesBudget deficit and city finances, Gateway Project, Oroville Hospital bankruptcyKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

County elections officials begin mailing ballots (by)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget deficit and city finances

Where it standsThe city covered a $2.5 million deficit this year by leaving positions vacant and drawing on the pension fund; the council adopted the 2026/27 budget in July.

What's on the tableHow the council balances future budgets: which costs to hold down and how to raise revenue.

Gateway Project

Where it standsThe council agreed in 2022 to a development agreement for the nearly 13-acre Gateway property; the 2026 Butte County Grand Jury criticized how it was approved, and the city is in discussions over the agreement.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city enforces or changes the Gateway agreement and what guardrails apply to future deals.

  • The Gateway Project is a nearly 13-acre property at Montgomery Street and Feather River Boulevard. Action News Now
  • Action News Now reported the council unanimously approved a development agreement in June 2022 that sold the property for $1. Action News Now
  • The 2026 Butte County Grand Jury found the council approved the project without a key milestone schedule or performance guarantees, according to Action News Now. Action News Now
  • On May 17, 2022 the council voted 7-0 to reassign the Gateway development agreement to CMG Project 1200, LLC. Oroville City Council minutes, May 17, 2022 · May 17, 2022

Oroville Hospital bankruptcy

Where it standsOroville Hospital is in the process of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the council approved a letter to the bankruptcy judge in September.

What's on the tableWhat role the city plays in the hospital's future, including how actively it engages in the bankruptcy case.

  • Action News Now reported Oroville Hospital is in the process of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Action News Now
  • Action News Now reported the council approved sending a letter to the bankruptcy judge at its September 15 meeting. Action News Now

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsThe police department uses Flock license plate reader cameras; the council expanded the network in June 2025 and renewed the contract in August 2025.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, expand or limit the cameras, and what policies govern their use.

Local business climate

Where it standsThe council adopted a fee incentive program for new businesses that reuse vacant commercial spaces in August 2026.

What's on the tableWhat fees, rules and incentives the city uses to attract and keep businesses.

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. 1. How should Oroville close its budget gap?

  2. 2. What should the city do about the Gateway development agreement?

  3. 3. What role should the city play in Oroville Hospital's bankruptcy?

  4. 4. Should Oroville use Flock license plate cameras?

  5. 5. How should the city treat rules and fees for new businesses?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Janet Goodson, Scott Thomson4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

  • The Oroville City Council is composed of seven members, including the Mayor. City of Oroville
  • The Mayor is elected at-large and the council members are elected by district, each serving four-year terms. City of Oroville
  • Municipal elections are held in November every two years in even-numbered years. City of Oroville
  • The City Council appoints the City Administrator, department heads and the City Attorney. City of Oroville
  • The council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, with closed session at 4 pm and open session at 4:30 pm. City of Oroville

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