Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Riverside City Council Election 2026

2 of 7

council seats up

2 contests

4 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 Ward 2 · 1 seat

Aram AyraA City Commissioner and educator who represents Ward 2 on the city's Budget Engagement Commission; former associate director of development at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Empire and a UC Riverside graduate.7sourced
Gracie TorresA member of the Western Municipal Water District board of directors and a chemist; she describes herself as a lifelong Riverside resident, public servant and businesswoman.8sourced

City Council Ward 4 · 1 seat

Only voters in Wards 2 and 4 vote in this runoff; each ward picks one of its two top primary finishers. The mayor and other wards are not on this ballot.

5 notes on these statements

June 2 primary, Ward 2: Gracie Torres 37.99%, Aram Ayra 35.72%. Ward 4: Chuck Conder 45.63%, Rich Vandenberg 28.34%. Riverside County Registrar of Voters · Jun 26, 2026

Ward 2 is an open seat; Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes is running for state Assembly rather than re-election. The Raincross Gazette · Sep 24, 2026

Mayor Lock Dawson and Councilmembers Falcone, Robillard and Mill are listed as endorsers on Gracie Torres's campaign site. Gracie Torres campaign site

Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes and Luis Hernandez, listed as Board of Ethics vice chair, are listed as endorsers on Aram Ayra's campaign site. Aram Ayra campaign site

Third- and fourth-place Ward 2 primary finishers Mike Vahl and Christen Montero endorsed Aram Ayra for the runoff. The Raincross Gazette · Sep 24, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Patricia Lock DawsonMayor; next mayoral election March 7, 20283sourced Philip FalconeCouncilmember, Ward 1 (sworn in April 2024); not on the 2026 ballot6sourced Steve HemenwayCouncilmember, Ward 7 (re-elected March 2024); not on the 2026 ballot5sourced Luis HernandezCouncilmember, Ward 6 (elected June 2026, sworn in July 7, 2026)3sourced Sean MillCouncilmember, Ward 5 (sworn in April 2024); not on the 2026 ballot6sourced Steven RobillardCouncilmember, Ward 3 (sworn in April 2024); not on the 2026 ballot7sourced

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 decidesBudget gap after Measure Z failed, Homelessness and supportive housing, Warehouses and data centers Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget gap after Measure Z failed

Where it standsThe council adopted a $1.57 billion two-year budget in June 2026 with about $18 million in cuts, after voters rejected a Measure Z sales tax increase.

What's on the tableWhether to close projected general fund deficits with more cuts, other changes, or a new revenue measure for voters.

City finance officials projected general fund deficits of $27.1 million in fiscal 2026-27 and $34 million in fiscal 2027-28. The Raincross Gazette · Jun 25, 2026
The council voted unanimously in March 2026 to put a measure renewing the city sales tax at 1.25% until ended by voters on the June 2, 2026 ballot. Riverside City Council minutes, March 3, 2026 · Mar 3, 2026
Voters rejected Measure Z in June 2026, 58.65% no to 41.35% yes. Riverside County Registrar of Voters · Jun 26, 2026
The council adopted the fiscal 2026-2028 budget 6-1 on June 23, 2026; Councilmember Falcone voted no. Riverside City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026

Homelessness and supportive housing

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council voted 4-3 against University Terrace, a state-funded plan to convert a University Avenue motel into 114 apartments.

What's on the tableWhat the city funds next for homeless housing, shelter and services, and whether to back projects like University Terrace.

The motion to accept up to $20,137,410 in Homekey+ funds failed, with Cervantes, Perry and Hemenway voting yes and Falcone, Robillard, Conder and Mill voting no. Riverside City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
The project would have included 94 permanent supportive housing units and 20 affordable units; the state award returned to the state. The Raincross Gazette · Jan 13, 2026
Riverside's January 2025 point-in-time count found 1,087 homeless residents. The Press-Enterprise · Sep 29, 2026
In May 2025, Mayor Lock Dawson broke a tie to approve applying for the Homekey+ funds, with a return to council before accepting them. Riverside City Council minutes, May 20, 2025 · May 20, 2025

Warehouses and data centers

Where it standsNew citywide limits on warehouse size near homes, schools and parks passed 4-3 in January 2026, with a council review set for one year later.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, tighten or loosen the warehouse rules when they return for review, and how to treat data centers.

Under the rules, warehouses within 200 feet of homes, schools or parks are limited to 10,000 square feet. The Raincross Gazette · Jan 28, 2026
Falcone, Cervantes, Perry and Hemenway voted yes; Conder, Robillard and Mill voted no. Riverside City Council minutes, Jan. 27, 2026 · Jan 27, 2026
The council set up a three-member working group on artificial intelligence strategy in September 2026, due to report within 13 months. Riverside City Council minutes, Sept. 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
The working group request listed data centers among the topics it would examine. Riverside City Council minutes, Sept. 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

Utility rates

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council set a public hearing on a five-year sewer rate plan for all customer classes through July 2031.

What's on the tableWhether to approve the sewer rate increases and future electric, water and fee changes.

The council voted unanimously on Sept. 22, 2026, with Falcone absent, to notice and schedule the sewer rate hearing under Proposition 218. Riverside City Council minutes, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026

Hiring a city manager

Where it standsRiverside has had interim city managers since City Manager Mike Futrell resigned in June 2026; Thomas Hatch became interim city manager on July 31.

What's on the tableThe council appoints the city manager, so the new council will choose the permanent hire.

The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk. City of Riverside
Futrell resigned June 16, 2026, and the council appointed Edward Enriquez interim city manager on July 7. The Raincross Gazette · Jul 10, 2026
The council approved a contract with Thomas R. Hatch as interim city manager starting July 31, 2026. Riverside City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 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. Riverside faces general fund deficits, and voters rejected Measure Z's sales tax increase in June. What should the council do next?
2. Should the council approve permanent supportive housing projects like University Terrace, the 114-unit motel conversion it rejected in January?
3. Should Riverside limit warehouses near homes, schools and parks?
4. Should Riverside allow data centers?
5. Should the council approve new utility rate increases, such as the proposed five-year sewer rate plan?

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 begin mailingRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayRiverside County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Patricia Lock Dawson, Philip Falcone, Steve Hemenway, Luis Hernandez, Sean Mill, Steven Robillard2 on this ballot

7 council seats plus a mayor who doesn't vote on council items. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Seven councilmembers, each elected by ward, serve four-year terms; each must live in the ward they represent. City of Riverside
The mayor presides at council meetings but votes only on board and commission appointments or to break a tie. City of Riverside · Apr 11, 2023
Wards 2 and 4 go to a Nov. 3 runoff because no candidate won a majority in the June 2, 2026 primary; Ward 6 was decided in June. City of Riverside City Clerk
The mayor and Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 are next on the ballot on March 7, 2028. City of Riverside City Clerk
Riverside operates under a council-manager form of government; the council appoints the city manager. City of Riverside

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