Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Rancho Santa Margarita City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

6 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.

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

Josh BastianPlanning Commissioner and former Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce president. He has lived in the city since 2004.1sourced
Nicholas ReeseFinancial Operations Manager on the November 2026 ballot in District 1.1sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · Unopposed

Brad McGirrCouncilmember, City of Rancho Santa Margarita4sourced

Voters elect one council member in each of Districts 1, 2 and 4, and only residents of that district vote in that race.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Keri Lynn BaertCouncilmember, District 3, sworn in December 20243sourced L. Anthony BeallMayor, sworn in December 20243sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesAntonio Parkway gateway project, After-school care at the Bell Tower, Law enforcement contract Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Antonio Parkway gateway project

Where it standsThe council awarded the main construction contract in December 2024 and the Phase II parkway contract in December 2025.

What's on the tableHow much the city spends on entry monuments, fencing and landscaping, and on their upkeep, in future capital budgets.

In December 2024 the council awarded a $2,767,430.30 construction contract for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements Project to C.S. Legacy Construction, Inc. (passed 4-1). RSM City Council minutes, Dec. 11, 2024 · Dec 11, 2024
In August 2025 staff proposed design changes to the parkway phase that it estimated would save $460,000. City staff report, Aug. 13, 2025 · Aug 13, 2025
In December 2025 the council awarded an $853,444.15 Phase II contract to Marina Landscape, Inc. (passed 3-2). RSM City Council minutes, Dec. 10, 2025 · Dec 10, 2025

After-school care at the Bell Tower

Where it standsThe Boys & Girls Club's city agreement was set to expire in August 2025 without renewal after talks with the city did not produce a new one.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city funds youth after-school programming at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center.

In January 2025 the council voted 4-1 to direct staff to negotiate a new agreement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. RSM City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2025 · Jan 8, 2025
The club rejected the city's initial two-year offer and said it would end service at the Bell Tower when the current agreement expired. City staff report, Mar. 12, 2025 · Mar 12, 2025
The agreement was set to expire on Aug. 8, 2025, and the club was to vacate the Bell Tower by Aug. 13. Voice of OC, March 2025 · Mar 1, 2025

Law enforcement contract

Where it standsA contract between the county and the city for law enforcement services was on the Orange County Board of Supervisors' June 23, 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableHow much of the city budget goes to the Sheriff's contract and what service level it buys.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors' June 23, 2026 agenda lists a contract with Rancho Santa Margarita for law enforcement services of $12,512,782. OC Board of Supervisors agenda items, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026

How the council is chosen

Where it standsDistricts 1, 2 and 4 are on the November 2026 ballot.

What's on the tableWho fills the District 1, 2 and 4 seats for four-year terms.

Districts 1, 2 and 4 are elected in 2026, after the mayor and District 3 in 2024. City staff report, Nov. 13, 2024 (Council Policy 1.3) · Nov 13, 2024

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. How should the city treat the Antonio Parkway gateway project?
2. What should the city do about after-school care at the Bell Tower?
3. How should the city treat the Sheriff's contract in the budget?
4. Should the city limit how long council members can serve?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Election DayCity of Rancho Santa Margarita notice of nominees, Nov. 3, 2026 · Aug 28, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Keri Lynn Baert, L. Anthony Beall3 on this ballot

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

The council has five members: a mayor elected at large for a four-year term and four council members elected by district for four-year terms. City staff report, Nov. 13, 2024 (Council Policy 1.3) · Nov 13, 2024
The mayor and District 3 were elected in 2024, and Districts 1, 2 and 4 are elected in 2026. City staff report, Nov. 13, 2024 (Council Policy 1.3) · Nov 13, 2024
The council selects one of its members as mayor pro tempore after each general municipal election. City staff report, Nov. 13, 2024 (Council Policy 1.3) · Nov 13, 2024
The city moved from at-large to by-district council elections under Ordinance No. 23-02, adopted in 2023. City staff report, Nov. 13, 2024 (Council Policy 1.3) · Nov 13, 2024

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