Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Santa Clarita City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

11 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 District 2 · 1 seat

Brett HaddoakBrett Haddoak is a software engineer whose small business builds software for public schools. He has volunteered at Bridge to Home since 2015 and served on the city's Homelessness Task Force.5sourced
Denise LiteDenise Lite is a family legal advocate and businesswoman who served on the Santa Clarita Planning Commission. She has served on numerous local nonprofit boards.5sourced
Gloria Mercado-FortineGloria Mercado-Fortine is an educator who served 16 years on the Hart School District Governing Board. She worked as a teacher, principal and district administrator for the Los Angeles Unified School District and is a past president of the SCV Sheriff's Foundation.5sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

Only voters who live in District 2, 4 or 5 vote in this council election; each picks one candidate for their own district, and the top vote-getter wins.

2 notes on these statements

Councilmembers Marsha McLean and Bill Miranda are not seeking reelection. SantaClarita.com · Aug 10, 2026

Jason Gibbs is also on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot as a candidate for U.S. Representative, 27th District. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Final list of qualified candidates, Nov. 3, 2026 General Election

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Patsy AyalaMayor Pro Tem; Councilmember, District 18sourced Jason GibbsCouncilmember, District 39sourced

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 decidesLicense plate cameras, Growth and new housing, Homelessness 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

License plate cameras

Where it standsThe city pays for 35 Flock license plate reader cameras used by the Sheriff's Department under a two-year contract approved in November 2024.

What's on the tableWhether to renew, shrink or end the Flock camera contract.

The contract costs $261,250 for two years, with two optional one-year renewals of $125,000 each, up to $511,250. Santa Clarita City Council minutes, Nov. 12, 2024 · Nov 12, 2024
In September 2026 residents urged the council to end the contract; it was not on the agenda and no vote was taken. KHTS · Sep 9, 2026
The Sheriff's station captain said the system had been associated with 103 arrests and 45 stolen-vehicle recoveries since 2025. KHTS · Sep 9, 2026
The 2026-27 budget includes $101,350 for Phase II of the license plate reader program. KHTS · May 6, 2026

Growth and new housing

Where it standsThe Planning Commission is reviewing Belcaro at Sand Canyon, a proposed 341-home age-restricted community, as state housing laws limit some local control.

What's on the tableWhether to approve large projects like Belcaro and how the city applies state housing laws.

Belcaro, proposed by New Urban West, would build 341 age-restricted homes on about 58.7 acres in Sand Canyon. KHTS · Jul 8, 2026
Residents at the July 2026 Planning Commission hearing focused on wildfire evacuation, traffic and emergency access. KHTS · Jul 8, 2026
In August 2026 the council raised the Belcaro environmental impact report contract to up to $423,850. Santa Clarita City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
In April 2026 the council adopted an accessory dwelling unit ordinance and housing law update, 4-1. Santa Clarita City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026

Homelessness

Where it standsThe city uses Los Angeles County Measure A funds for Family Promise rental aid and Bridge to Home's interim housing site.

What's on the tableHow much the city spends on shelter, housing and homeless services, and where services go.

In June 2026 the council approved $531,272 in Measure A funds: $251,726 each to Family Promise and Bridge to Home. Santa Clarita City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
Bridge to Home's share supports its interim housing site and navigation services. Santa Clarita City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026

State courthouse site

Where it standsThe State Judicial Council plans a new courthouse near McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard; the city opposes the site.

What's on the tableHow hard the city keeps pushing for a different courthouse location.

The city cites impacts to surrounding neighborhoods, traffic and public safety. City of Santa Clarita · Jul 9, 2026
The Judicial Council found the city's suggested alternative sites unavailable or not meeting its criteria. City of Santa Clarita · Jul 9, 2026

Budget and reserves

Where it standsThe council unanimously adopted the 2026-27 operating budget and capital program in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow to balance spending, reserves and new projects in future budgets.

The proposed budget totaled about $361.4 million, a 4.9% increase. City of Santa Clarita · May 16, 2026
General Fund revenue was projected at $157.8 million and spending at $157.4 million. City of Santa Clarita · May 16, 2026
The city keeps an emergency reserve equal to 20% of General Fund spending. City of Santa Clarita · May 16, 2026
Public safety is the largest share of General Fund spending, about $36.5 million. KHTS · May 6, 2026

Bouquet Canyon Road closure

Where it standsBouquet Canyon Road is closed from Plum Canyon Road to David Way for about 11 months for a developer-built realignment and flood-channel project.

What's on the tableHow the city helps businesses and residents during long construction closures.

Lennar is the developer of the Bouquet Canyon Project. City of Santa Clarita
In September 2026 the council unanimously approved a $640,000 grant program for affected businesses. KHTS · Sep 9, 2026
Grants are capped at $35,000 per business. KHTS · Sep 9, 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. Santa Clarita leases 35 Flock license plate reader cameras for the Sheriff's Department. Should the city keep them?
2. How should Santa Clarita approach new housing and development?
3. How should the city respond to homelessness?
4. The state plans a new courthouse near McBean Parkway and Valencia Boulevard. What should the city do?
5. Bouquet Canyon Road is closed for about 11 months for a road and flood-channel project. Should the city give grants to businesses hurt by long closures?

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 mailingCounty of Los Angeles · Aug 21, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration after)Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Vote centers openCounty of Los Angeles · Aug 21, 2026Oct 24, 2026
Election DayCounty of Los Angeles · Aug 21, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Patsy Ayala, Jason Gibbs3 on this ballot

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

Districts 2, 4 and 5 each elect one councilmember to a full four-year term on Nov. 3, 2026. City of Santa Clarita · Aug 3, 2026
Santa Clarita moved from at-large to district elections starting in 2024 under a settlement agreement. City of Santa Clarita
Until the November 2026 election, the three councilmembers in these seats remain at-large. City of Santa Clarita
Districts 1 and 3 next appear on the ballot in November 2028. SCVNews.com · Aug 24, 2026
The five-person council designates one of its members as mayor each December; the mayor has the same vote as the other four. City of Santa Clarita

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