San Juan BautistaNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Juan Bautista City Council Election 2026

3 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 21, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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Election Day: polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Nov 3): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Voters pick up to three of the four candidates for three at-large seats on the five-member City Council.

Election Day: polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. · Nov 3

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

What the next council decides

01Budget and General Fund deficits3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council adopted the 2026-27 budget after closing a projected gap of about $775,000 partly with one-time funds.

What's on the tableHow to close future General Fund gaps: spending cuts, new revenue, or both.

  • The draft budget originally projected a combined general fund and community development funding gap of about $775,000. BenitoLink · Jun 24, 2026
  • The gap was partly closed with $220,000 from library impact fees, $300,000 from risk-sharing authority funds and a $255,000 loan repayment from the water and sewer funds. BenitoLink · Jun 24, 2026
  • City staff did not receive a cost-of-living adjustment for the second consecutive year. BenitoLink · Jun 24, 2026
02City fee schedule3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a new fee schedule in June 2026 after delaying the vote in May for more public review.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, raise or lower fees for permits and city services.

03Vacant downtown buildings and chain businesses3 sourced facts

Where it standsA property vacancy ordinance passed in December 2024, and the council has opened discussion of allowing chain businesses.

What's on the tableWhether to change the vacancy fee and the rules for formula (chain) businesses.

04Fire services3 sourced facts

Where it standsSan Juan Bautista gets fire services from the city of Hollister and is studying a fire district with Hollister and San Benito County.

What's on the tableWhether to join a new fire protection district and how to pay for fire services.

05Food trucks2 sourced facts

Where it standsA food truck ordinance with three designated sites was sent back for more discussion in June 2026.

What's on the tableWhere and for how long food trucks may operate in the city.

  • The draft ordinance would allow vendors to operate for up to four hours in designated areas or on private property in mixed use or commercial districts. BenitoLink · Jun 24, 2026
  • The proposed sites were on the Alameda by the soccer field, near Highway 156 and Muckelemi Street, and on 4th Street next to Abbe Park. BenitoLink · Jun 24, 2026
1 note on these statements

The Hollister Free Lance asked all four candidates for statements; Jackie Morris-Lopez did not respond. Hollister Free Lance · Oct 15, 2026

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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. 1. How should San Juan Bautista close its General Fund gap?

  2. 2. Should city fees cover the full cost of city services?

  3. 3. Should the city charge owners of vacant buildings a fee?

  4. 4. Should San Juan Bautista allow more chain businesses?

  5. 5. How should San Juan Bautista get fire services?

  6. 6. Where should food trucks be allowed to operate?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted5 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jose Aranda, Scott Freels3 on this ballot

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

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