Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Redwood City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

3 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 District 2 · Unopposed

Chris SturkenIncumbentDistrict 2 councilmember, first elected in 2022. He has worked in the nonprofit industry for nearly 10 years and holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from San Francisco State University.9sourced

City Council District 5 · Unopposed

Kaia EakinIncumbentVice Mayor and District 5 councilmember, first elected in 2022. Before the council she raised funds for nonprofits, including the San Mateo County History Museum, and served on the Historic Resources Advisory Committee for six years.9sourced

City Council District 6 · Unopposed

Diane HowardIncumbentDistrict 6 councilmember and nurse. First elected to the City Council in 1994, she has served every year since except 2009-2013 and was appointed mayor in 1997 and 2019.7sourced

Three of the seven district seats are on this ballot. Voters in Districts 2, 5 and 6 each elect one councilmember; each contest has one candidate, the incumbent.

4 notes on these statements

Each of the three council contests has one qualified candidate, the incumbent; all three still appear on the ballot. Redwood City Pulse · Aug 13, 2026

Write-in candidates can file from September 7 to October 20, 2026. San Mateo County Elections

Measure E, the rent control and eviction limits initiative, is the only Redwood City measure on the November ballot. Redwood City Pulse · Aug 17, 2026

Mayor Martínez Saballos and Councilmember Padilla are listed among Chris Sturken's endorsers. Chris Sturken campaign site

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Isabella ChuCouncilmember, District 3; term ends December 20287sourced Jeff GeeCouncilmember, District 1; term ends December 20286sourced Marcella PadillaCouncilmember, District 7; term ends December 20286sourced Elmer Martínez SaballosMayor, District 4; council term ends December 20287sourced

Start here

What council decidesRent control and tenant protections, Homeless encampments, City budget and deficits Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing; early vote centers open

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Rent control and tenant protections

Where it standsMeasure E, a citizen initiative adding rent control and stricter eviction limits, is on the November ballot; the council voted to oppose it. The city's own Tenant Protection Ordinance took effect January 1, 2026.

What's on the tableIf Measure E passes, the council must carry it out, including annual rent increases, petitions and a landlord fee; if it fails, whether to change the city's existing tenant rules.

Measure E would cap annual rent increases at 60% of local inflation and no more than 5% for covered units built before February 1, 1995. City Attorney's impartial analysis of Measure E · Aug 1, 2026
For no-fault evictions, Measure E would require relocation assistance of four times HUD fair market rent or $12,000, whichever is greater. City Attorney's impartial analysis of Measure E · Aug 1, 2026
The council voted 6-0-1 to take an oppose position on the rent control and just cause eviction limits ballot measure, with Councilmember Sturken abstaining. City Council minutes, July 27, 2026 · Jul 27, 2026
A city consultant estimated the program would cost the city $4 million to $10.1 million a year beyond the fees in the measure. Redwood City Pulse · Jul 14, 2026

Homeless encampments

Where it standsThe Hopeful Horizons ordinance, adopted 6-1 in September 2025, bars camping on public property when shelter is available and offered.

What's on the tableHow the ordinance is enforced and funded, and what to change when staff return with a review of its results within two years.

The council adopted the anti-camping ordinance 6-1 on September 8, 2025, with Councilmember Sturken opposed. City Council minutes, September 8, 2025 · Sep 8, 2025
People who refuse shelter after two warnings may face misdemeanor charges, though officials say diversion programs will be prioritized. Redwood City Pulse · Sep 8, 2025
In February 2026 the council approved a two-year, $1,215,000 agreement with LifeMoves for outreach and case management for people living in encampments (5-1-1). City Council minutes, February 9, 2026 · Feb 9, 2026

City budget and deficits

Where it standsThe council adopted a $410.6 million citywide budget for 2026-27 in June, using some one-time funds; the General Fund is forecast to run annual deficits of $22 million to $29 million starting in 2027-28.

What's on the tableHow to close the projected deficits: spending cuts, new revenue, reserves, or a mix.

The 2026-27 budget includes $423.7 million in revenue and $410.6 million in expenditures; the General Fund expenditure budget is $206.1 million. City of Redwood City news release · Jun 23, 2026
The General Fund is forecast to face annual deficits of $22 million to $29 million beginning in fiscal year 2027-28. City of Redwood City news release · Jun 23, 2026
The budget closed a $12.9 million gap partly by using an $8.7 million one-time fund balance and about $4 million from the city's pension trust. Redwood City Pulse · Jun 9, 2026

Downtown plan and Broadway

Where it standsThe city is writing a Greater Downtown Area Plan; in July 2026 the council voted 4-3 to expand its boundary and to redesign Broadway as a slow, person-centered street.

What's on the tableWhether to approve the expanded plan's scope and budget, choose a preferred plan alternative, and later adopt the plan itself.

The July 13, 2026 motion to expand the plan area and emphasize Broadway as a person-centered street passed 4-3, with Vice Mayor Eakin and Councilmembers Gee and Howard opposed. City Council minutes, July 13, 2026 · Jul 13, 2026
City Council approval of the preferred plan alternative was estimated for fall 2026, with council action on the final plan in late 2027. Greater Downtown Area Plan

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing; early vote centers openSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Write-in candidate filing closesSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 20, 2026
11-day vote centers openSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 24, 2026
Election DaySan Mateo County ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Isabella Chu, Jeff Gee, Marcella Padilla, Elmer Martínez Saballos3 on this ballot

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

The City Council has seven members, and as of 2024 all are elected by district. City of Redwood City
Voters in Districts 2, 5 and 6 elect a councilmember from their district on November 3, 2026. City of Redwood City
The council appoints one of its members as mayor for a two-year term on a rolling basis. City of Redwood City

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