Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Palo Alto City Council Election 2026

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council seats up

Vote for up to 3

8 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 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 3

Bryna ChangChair of the Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission, where she has served since 2021. She has lectured at Stanford Graduate School of Business and led strategy and operations for Stanford's MBA Program Office.10sourced
Yu "Yudy" DengMember of the Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission since 2024. She has worked in investment relations for a real estate platform and served as PTA president at Ohlone Elementary School.8sourced
Henry EtzkowitzAn academic who studies innovation and entrepreneurship and CEO of the Menlo Park think tank Helix Institute. He ran for City Council in 2024.7sourced
Gary GechlikEmergency medicine physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose. He holds a law degree from Stanford Law School and practiced law in the nonprofit sector. This is his first run for public office.6sourced
Raymond L. GoinsCommunity health worker and community organizer. He spoke at an Aug. 10, 2026 council meeting on behalf of the Coalition for Justice and Accountability. This is his first run for public office.5sourced
Brian HamachekSoftware engineer and chief technical officer of the community-event website Vently. He ran for City Council in 2022.6sourced
Ed LauingIncumbentCouncil member, term ends Dec. 31, 202612sourced
Vicki VeenkerIncumbentMayor (2026); council term ends Dec. 31, 202615sourced

Every Palo Alto voter can vote for up to three candidates citywide; the three with the most votes win.

3 notes on these statements

All eight candidates took part in the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce forum on Sept. 15, 2026. Palo Alto Online (Chamber of Commerce forum, Sept. 15) · Sep 16, 2026

Gary Gechlik and Brian Hamachek filed forms saying they do not expect to raise or spend more than $2,000 in this election. Palo Alto Online · Sep 25, 2026

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party endorsed Yudy Deng and Vicki Veenker for the council. Palo Alto Daily Post · Sep 15, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Pat BurtCouncil member, term ends Dec. 31, 20288sourced George LuCouncil member, term ends Dec. 31, 20285sourced Keith ReckdahlCouncil member, term ends Dec. 31, 20287sourced Greer StoneVice Mayor (2026); council term ends Dec. 31, 20287sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing and SB 79, RVs and oversized vehicles, License plate cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots start going out

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Housing and SB 79

Where it standsPalo Alto has temporary rules for SB 79, the state law allowing taller housing near transit, and is writing permanent rules and a San Antonio Road Area Plan.

What's on the tableThe next council will adopt permanent SB 79 rules and decide where and how much new housing goes, including on San Antonio Road and California Avenue.

In June 2026 the council introduced a temporary ordinance setting development standards for SB 79-eligible parcels at 50 percent of the capacity otherwise allowed under state law. City Council action minutes · Jun 1, 2026
On June 15, 2026 the council directed staff not to adopt an interim urgency ordinance excluding transit-area sites from SB 79 (5-0, two members recused). City Council action minutes · Jun 15, 2026
The city received nine development applications exceeding normal zoning during a two-week window in early July before its other SB 79 restrictions took effect. Palo Alto Online · Aug 4, 2026
Palo Alto's state housing quota is 6,086 new units by 2031. Palo Alto Online (Chamber of Commerce forum, Sept. 15) · Sep 16, 2026

RVs and oversized vehicles

Where it standsThe council approved a 12-month pilot permitting oversized vehicles on parts of Embarcadero Road and Coyote Hill Road, to start by Jan. 1, 2027.

What's on the tableThe next council will run the pilot, decide whether to extend or expand it, and set enforcement on other streets.

On Aug. 24, 2026 the council voted 7-0 for a 12-month oversized-vehicle parking permit pilot on Embarcadero Road and Coyote Hill Road. City Council action minutes · Aug 24, 2026
The city counted 133 RVs on its streets in May 2026. Palo Alto Daily Post · Sep 21, 2026
In January 2026 the council adopted ordinances prohibiting detached trailers on public streets and the rental of vehicles for human habitation (6-1). City Council action minutes · Jan 12, 2026

License plate cameras

Where it standsPalo Alto uses 30 Flock Safety license plate cameras; after reports that out-of-state agencies searched its data, an independent police auditor review is under way.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to keep, change or end the license plate camera program.

Palo Alto has 30 automated license plate readers from Flock Safety. Palo Alto Online (Chamber of Commerce forum, Sept. 15) · Sep 16, 2026
Hundreds if not thousands of out-of-state police agencies were able to search Palo Alto's license plate cameras over about a year without local officers' knowledge or permission, Palo Alto Online reported. Palo Alto Online (Chamber of Commerce forum, Sept. 15) · Sep 16, 2026
Palo Alto's independent police auditor is reviewing the cameras and will present findings to the council later this year. Palo Alto Online (Chamber of Commerce forum, Sept. 15) · Sep 16, 2026
The council held a study session on Flock license plate recognition on June 1, 2026 and took no action. City Council action minutes · Jun 1, 2026

Cubberley and Measure J

Where it standsMeasure J, a 0.5% sales tax increase, is on the Nov. 3 ballot; the city's land purchase at Cubberley depends on it passing.

What's on the tableIf Measure J passes, the next council will oversee buying Cubberley land and a phased redevelopment; if it fails, it must decide what to do with the aging center.

On June 8, 2026 the council voted 7-0 to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. City Council action minutes · Jun 8, 2026
The council adopted the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan on May 18, 2026 (7-0). City Council action minutes · May 18, 2026
Measure J would let the city buy 7 acres of Cubberley land from the school district for $65.5 million. Palo Alto Online · Sep 24, 2026

City Hall performance

Where it standsSeveral candidates have criticized City Manager Ed Shikada's performance; the council evaluates him in closed session.

What's on the tableThe council hires, evaluates and directs the city manager and sets the city's priorities each year.

Ed Shikada has been Palo Alto's city manager for eight years. Palo Alto Daily Post · Sep 29, 2026
The council evaluates Shikada's performance behind closed doors with a facilitator. Palo Alto Daily Post · Sep 29, 2026
The council's 2026 priorities are government efficiency, near-term housing milestones, Cubberley funding and business vibrancy. City Council action minutes · Jan 24, 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. SB 79, a state law in effect since July 1, 2026, allows taller and denser housing near Caltrain stations. How should Palo Alto respond?
2. Should Palo Alto allow more housing in its single-family neighborhoods?
3. In August 2026 the council approved a 12-month pilot letting permitted RVs park on parts of Embarcadero Road and Coyote Hill Road. Which comes closest to your view?
4. Palo Alto has 30 automated license plate reader cameras from Flock Safety. What should the city do?
5. Measure J would raise Palo Alto's sales tax by 0.5%; the city plans to use it to buy and redevelop land at Cubberley Community Center. How would you vote?

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 start going outSanta Clara County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration available after)Santa Clara County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Last day to request a replacement mail ballot by mailSanta Clara County Registrar of VotersOct 27, 2026
Election DaySanta Clara County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Pat Burt, George Lu, Keith Reckdahl, Greer Stone3 on this ballot

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

Council members are elected at-large and serve staggered four-year terms. City of Palo Alto
Every January, the City Council chooses a mayor and vice mayor by majority vote to serve one-year terms. City of Palo Alto
Three full-term council seats are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot: those of Ed Lauing, Julie Lythcott-Haims and Vicki Veenker. City of Palo Alto
Council members may serve two consecutive terms. City of Palo Alto city roster · Sep 25, 2026
Julie Lythcott-Haims is not seeking a second term. Palo Alto Online · Aug 13, 2026

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