Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Rafael City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

3 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 District 2 · Unopposed

Eli HillIncumbentSenior director at a management consulting firm who has served on San Rafael's Planning and Fire Commissions. He holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.4sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Four councilmembers are each elected by one district, and the mayor is elected citywide; only Districts 2 and 3 are on the ballot this year.

2 notes on these statements

Eli Hill is the only candidate on the District 2 ballot. Marin County

Maribeth Bushey, the District 3 incumbent, is not seeking reelection. Marin Independent Journal · Oct 4, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kate ColinElected to the City Council in 2013 after eight years on the Planning Commission.5sourced Maika Llorens GulatiCouncilmember, District 1; re-elected in December 20244sourced Rachel KertzCouncilmember, District 44sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMeasure W transfer tax, Large downtown housing projects, Homelessness response Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Elections Department opens for in-person voting

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Measure W transfer tax

Where it standsMeasure W would raise the city's real property transfer tax from 0.2% to 1% and needs a simple majority on the November 3 ballot.

What's on the tableHow the council spends the new general fund revenue and what expenditure plan it adopts for it.

The existing rate is $2 per $1,000 of property value, and Measure W would raise it to 1%, for an estimated $6 million more a year. Marin Independent Journal · Sep 20, 2026
Measure W is a general-purpose tax with no sunset date, and its revenue would go to the general fund. Marin Independent Journal · Sep 20, 2026
The council voted 4-0 on July 20, 2026 to call the election on the measure; Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati was absent. City of San Rafael · Jul 20, 2026

Large downtown housing projects

Where it standsThe council upheld the Planning Commission's approval of a 200-apartment building at 700 Irwin Street after three appeals.

What's on the tableHow the council handles appeals and approvals of large housing projects that use state density-bonus rules.

On February 17, 2026 the council denied three appeals and upheld the approval of the 200-unit building at 700 Irwin Street, 3-2 on the final resolution. City of San Rafael · Feb 17, 2026
The developer pledged 15 apartments for very-low-income renters and 15 for moderate-income renters, which qualifies the project for density-bonus treatment. Marin Independent Journal · Feb 21, 2026
Mayor Kate Colin and Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati raised concerns about the project being in the floodplain and projected sea-level rise. Marin Independent Journal · Feb 21, 2026

Homelessness response

Where it standsThe council approved site preparation work for an interim shelter at 350 Merrydale Road in July 2026.

What's on the tableHow to fund and run shelter and outreach programs and how to pair them with long-term housing.

The July 20, 2026 consent calendar included a contract of $989,825 with Ghilotti Brothers for site preparation at 350 Merrydale. City of San Rafael · Jul 20, 2026
City officials say Measure W revenue would support services including homelessness response. Marin Independent Journal · Sep 20, 2026

City budget deficit

Where it standsThe council adopted a fiscal year 2026-27 budget of about $208 million, and city projections show deficits ahead.

What's on the tableHow to close projected deficits through new revenue, spending changes or both.

On June 15, 2026 the council adopted a citywide budget of $208,222,108 for fiscal year 2026-27. City of San Rafael · Jun 15, 2026
City projections show a $1.1 million deficit next year that is expected to grow to $2 million to $3 million in the years after. Marin Independent Journal · Sep 20, 2026
San Rafael keeps 12.2% of property taxes, compared with an average of 16.2% among Marin cities. Marin Independent Journal · Sep 20, 2026

Sea-level rise and flooding

Where it standsThe council received a sea level rise feasibility study in June 2026 and accepted a grant for a levee adaptation project in July.

What's on the tableWhat flood and sea-level-rise projects the city funds and how that shapes where it permits new building.

On June 1, 2026 the council received a presentation on the Sea Level Rise Feasibility Study. City of San Rafael · Jun 1, 2026
On July 20, 2026 the council accepted a $250,000 Marin Community Foundation grant for the Bayfront Levee Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project. City of San Rafael · Jul 20, 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 would you vote on Measure W, raising the city's property transfer tax from 0.2% to 1%?
2. What should the council do with the approved 200-apartment building at 700 Irwin Street?
3. Which approach should the city lead with on homelessness?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Official drop boxes openMarin CountyOct 4, 2026
Elections Department opens for in-person votingMarin CountyOct 5, 2026
Four vote centers open through Election DayMarin CountyOct 24, 2026
Election Day (vote centers open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)Marin CountyNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Kate Colin, Maika Llorens Gulati, Rachel Kertz2 on this ballot

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

The council has four by-district councilmembers and one elected mayor, elected at-large, each for four-year terms. City of San Rafael
The terms of the District 2 and District 3 seats end in November 2026. City of San Rafael

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