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Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026
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council seats up
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2 candidates
Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →
Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.
Mayor · 1 seat
Voters citywide choose the mayor in a runoff between the top two finishers from the June 2 primary.
Incumbent Mayor Fred Keeley is not on the November ballot; his term expires December 2026. City of Santa Cruz
Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.
Next date
Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tue, Nov 3, 2026
Where it standsThe council voted 6-1 in January 2026 to end its Flock Safety contract, leaving open a possible replacement.
What's on the tableWhether the city reinstates or replaces automatic license plate readers.
Where it standsBoth runoff candidates say the city has limited power over large projects with community opposition, such as a proposed six-story building in Seabright.
What's on the tableHow the city responds to large housing projects that residents oppose.
Where it standsThe candidates differ on emergency housing, camping rules and treatment mandates.
What's on the tableWhat shelter, services and camping policies the city adopts.
Where it standsThe candidates differ on whether to consider new hotel or business taxes.
What's on the tableWhether the council proposes new taxes or relies on existing revenue.
Where it standsThe candidates describe different approaches to tenant protections and rental assistance.
What's on the tableHow the city uses Measure C funds and protects tenants.
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. Should Santa Cruz bring back automatic license plate readers?
2. How should the city respond to large projects residents oppose?
3. Should the city consider new local taxes?
4. What should be the city's main response to homeless encampments?
5. What should the city do first for renters?
Seat the Council →
Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.
4 stay (not up this year): Sonja Brunner, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Susie O’Hara, Gabriela Trigueiro1 on this ballot
7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.
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