Ridgecrest, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ridgecrest Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 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 · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose the mayor in one contest (vote for 1) and two council members in another at-large contest (vote for 2).

2 notes on these statements

The Kern County list shows Travis Wayne Endicott as the Mayor incumbent, but only Jeremy "JV" Vaughan and Megan Washington qualified for the mayor ballot. Kern County Elections Division, Candidate List, Nov. 3, 2026 General Election

The council contest lists John Patrick Gorman and Loren Scott Hayman as incumbents; seven candidates filed and six qualified, among them John P. "Skip" Gorman. Kern County Elections Division, Candidate List, Nov. 3, 2026 General Election

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kyle Blades3sourcedSolomon Rajaratnam1sourced

Start here

Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesWater supply and groundwater, Military overlay and outdoor lighting rules, City budgetKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Ballots begin mailing to registered voters (no later than)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Water supply and groundwater

Where it standsThe city's water comes from the Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin, and the Groundwater Authority is pursuing an imported-water pipeline while the city is in groundwater mediation.

What's on the tableHow the city's representatives act on the pipeline, groundwater adjudication and mediation.

Military overlay and outdoor lighting rules

Where it standsThe council adopted a Military Influence Area Overlay Zone and outdoor lighting rules in April 2026.

What's on the tableHow the new overlay and lighting rules are applied and whether they change.

City budget

Where it standsThe council adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget in June 2026.

What's on the tableMid-year budget changes and the next annual budget.

Council terms and the mayor's office

Where it standsA June 2026 measure on council term limits was defeated; the Nov. 3 mayor contest is for a 2-year term.

What's on the tableWhether to propose further changes to term limits or the mayor's term.

Who matches you?

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    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): Kyle Blades, Solomon Rajaratnam3 on this ballot

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

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