Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Luis Obispo Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 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 · Unopposed

Erica A. StewartIncumbentMayor of San Luis Obispo and a Cal Poly lecturer in communications and organizational behavior.4sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Brett CrossLifelong San Luis Obispo resident who served four years on the city planning commission in the 1990s.2sourced
Emily FrancisIncumbentVice Mayor of San Luis Obispo and a former Arroyo Grande High School government and history teacher.8sourced
Michelle ShoresmanIncumbentSan Luis Obispo council member since 2021 who worked nearly 25 years for the county public health department.8sourced

Voters choose one council candidate and the top two finish win the two open seats; the mayor is elected in a separate contest.

2 notes on these statements

Erica A. Stewart is the only qualified candidate for mayor; Donald Hedrick filed paperwork but did not qualify for the ballot. City of San Luis Obispo

Voters cast a vote for only one council candidate; election officials say a vote for more than one candidate will not count. KSBY · Sep 24, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Michael R. BoswellCouncil Member; term 12/2024 - 12/20284sourced Jan MarxCouncil Member; term 12/2024 - 12/20284sourced

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesRental and mobile home protections, How council members are elected, City budget and priorities Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots mailed (no later than)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Rental and mobile home protections

Where it standsIn February 2026 the council agreed to proceed with a rental registry within the 2027-2029 financial plan. In August 2026 it introduced an ordinance extending mobile home rent limits to some long-term leases.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how and when to fund and set up a rental registry.

In February 2026 the council voted unanimously to move forward with plans for a rental registry as part of the 2027-2029 financial plan. CalCoastNews · Feb 26, 2026
In August 2026 the council voted 5-0 to introduce Ordinance 1759, applying mobile home park space-rent limits on transfer to certain existing long-term leases. San Luis Obispo City Council minutes, August 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026
The expanded mobile home protections take effect October 1, after state law changed in 2025 to cover long-term leases. KSBY

How council members are elected

Where it standsNovember 2026 is the first election under Citywide Single Vote: each voter picks one council candidate and the top two win.

What's on the tableThe city agreed to use the system in 2026 and 2028 and then evaluate how well it works.

The council voted 5-0 in January 2026 to introduce the ordinance establishing Citywide Single Vote. San Luis Obispo City Council minutes, January 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026
The council approved the final adoption of Ordinance 1754 on consent in a 5-0 vote on January 20, 2026. San Luis Obispo City Council minutes, January 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
The city received a notice from the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project alleging that the then-current system dilutes minority votes, particularly Latino votes. KSBY
The city says about 70% of voters in the last election chose just one council candidate even though they could pick two. City of San Luis Obispo

City budget and priorities

Where it standsThe council adopted a balanced 2026-27 budget of about $224.7 million in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee spending under that budget and set priorities for the 2027-2029 financial plan.

The council adopted the FY 2026-27 budget, a balanced spending plan of about $224.7 million. City of San Luis Obispo · Jun 4, 2026
The council agreed in February 2026 to take up the rental registry within the 2027-2029 financial plan. CalCoastNews · Feb 26, 2026

Housing, streets, climate and neighborhoods

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved bond issuance for a 60-unit affordable apartment project. Candidates describe different priorities for housing, streets and neighborhoods.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide on housing projects, street priorities, climate goals and how the city handles neighborhoods near Cal Poly.

In September 2026 the council voted 5-0 on a resolution approving the issuance of up to $15,000,000 in revenue bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority for Sendero Apartments, 60 affordable housing units. San Luis Obispo City Council minutes, September 15, 2026 · Sep 15, 2026
Brett Cross says he would focus on neighborhood livability, including cracking down on disruptive Greek life activity near Cal Poly. KSBY · Sep 24, 2026
Emily Francis lists safer streets, more frequent transit and protected bike infrastructure among her priorities. Emily Francis campaign site
Emily Francis lists keeping the city on track for carbon neutrality by 2035 among her priorities. Emily Francis campaign site

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 San Luis Obispo approach new housing?
2. Should the city limit rent increases in mobile home parks?
3. When should the city create a mandatory rental registry?
4. How should the city handle disruptive behavior in neighborhoods near Cal Poly?
5. What should the city prioritize on its streets?
6. How should the city treat its 2035 carbon neutrality goal?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Ballots mailed (no later than)California Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of San Luis Obispo · Sep 2, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Michael R. Boswell, Jan Marx3 on this ballot

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

San Luis Obispo is a charter city whose five-member City Council consists of a directly elected Mayor and four Council Members. City of San Luis Obispo
The Mayor serves a two-year term and Council Members serve four-year terms. City of San Luis Obispo
Two City Council seats are up for election in 2026, along with the Mayor. City of San Luis Obispo
Mayoral terms are limited to four consecutive terms and council terms to two consecutive terms. City of San Luis Obispo
The November 3, 2026 ballot lists one mayor contest and one council contest in which voters vote for one candidate. City of San Luis Obispo · Sep 2, 2026

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