Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Jacinto City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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 2

Susan AcevedoPolitical strategic advisor and opposition researcher who co-founded Skeleton Attic. She has lived in the Inland Empire since 1993.3sourced
Brian E. HawkinsAuthor, pastor and former San Jacinto councilmember who describes himself as a registered Independent. He lists his profession as business consultant.3sourced
Alonso LedezmaIncumbentSan Jacinto councilmember since 2010, real estate broker and owner of Ledezma's Tacos. He has served three times as mayor.5sourced
Valerie VandeverIncumbentCommunity service advocate active in Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimist and the local chamber of commerce. She has lived in the valley for over 50 years.3sourced

All San Jacinto voters choose up to two of the four candidates for the two open at-large council seats.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Phil AyalaCouncilmember; term 2024-20282sourced Crystal RuizMayor and councilmember; term 2024-20283sourced Clarisa SanchezMayor Pro Tem and councilmember; term 2024-20284sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWater and sewer rates, Housing and development, City budget and leadership Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed to voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Water and sewer rates

Where it standsOn August 4, 2026 the council adopted water rate adjustments for January 2027 through January 2031 on a 4-1 vote. It adopted the matching sewer schedule 3-0, with two members absent.

What's on the tableHow future rate adjustments and utility spending are set for water and sewer customers.

Twelve written protest letters on the water rates were received before the hearing closed. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, August 4, 2026 · Aug 4, 2026
Thirteen written protest letters on the sewer rates were received before the hearing closed. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, August 4, 2026 · Aug 4, 2026
The council adopted a 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan on June 16, 2026. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026

Housing and development

Where it standsOn July 21, 2026 the council approved a general plan amendment, zone change and tract map for a 419-home development at Esplanade and Cawston avenues. An appeal on the Magnet Shopping Center was continued to a future date.

What's on the tableWhether and how large housing and commercial projects are approved, and what conditions they carry.

The Chacon Farms project covers 73.97 net acres and would change the zoning from Residential Rural to Residential Low Density. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026
The Magnet Shopping Center appeal concerns conditions of approval for a grocery store, retail shops, restaurant pads with drive-thru service, a car wash and a gas station with alcohol sales on 14.50 acres. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026
Second reading and adoption of the Chacon Farm change of zone was on the August 4, 2026 consent calendar, approved 5-0. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, August 4, 2026 · Aug 4, 2026

City budget and leadership

Where it standsThe council adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget on June 16, 2026, and has an interim city manager.

What's on the tableHow the city spends its budget and who will lead city staff.

The council adopted Resolution No. 4136 adopting the fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the General Fund and all other funds (4-0, one member absent). San Jacinto City Council action minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 2026
On June 2, 2026 the City Attorney reported that the council appointed Travis Randel as Interim City Manager in closed session. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, June 2, 2026 · Jun 2, 2026
On June 16, 2026 the council approved an interim city manager employment agreement as part of its consent calendar. San Jacinto City Council action minutes, June 16, 2026 · Jun 16, 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. How should the city set water rates for the next several years?
2. How should the city set sewer rates for the next several years?
3. How should the council treat large planned housing developments?
4. Who should pay for the roads, drainage and water needs that new development creates?

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 mailed to votersRiverside 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

3 stay (not up this year): Phil Ayala, Crystal Ruiz, Clarisa Sanchez2 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members chosen at large by the voters, and the council selects the mayor and mayor pro tem from among its members. City of San Jacinto
Council members serve four-year staggered terms, with two or three seats expiring every two years. City of San Jacinto
The city says the mayor and mayor pro tem positions are ceremonial and typically serve a calendar year. City of San Jacinto
San Jacinto is a general law city with a council-manager form of government, in which the council appoints the city manager. City of San Jacinto

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