Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Santa Paula City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

7 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.

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Jenny CrosswhiteVice-Mayor and Councilmember; council term expires December 20269sourced
Jenny YarbroughSelf-employed website and graphic designer and small business owner. She has a BA in studio art from Westmont College.3sourced

City Council District 3 · Unopposed

Pedro A. ChavezCouncilmember; council term expires December 202610sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Voters in Districts 2, 3 and 4 each choose one council member who lives in their district. Districts 1 and 5 are not on the 2026 ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Pedro A. Chavez is the only candidate listed for City Council, District 3. City of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026

Carlos Juarez's council term expires in December 2026. City of Santa Paula

Carlos Juarez is not among the qualified candidates the city lists for Districts 2, 3 and 4. City of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Leslie CornejoOwner of Santa Paula Travel Service since 1988 and a director of the Ventura County Fairgrounds since 2008. She was Mayor in 2024.8sourced Gabby OrnelasSanta Paula City Councilmember for District 1.8sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCommercial cannabis retail, Mobile home rent increases, Housing and infill development Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed (no later than)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Commercial cannabis retail

Where it standsThe council voted 1-4 in April 2026 against placing a cannabis measure on the November 2026 ballot.

What's on the tableWhether and when to bring a cannabis regulation or ballot measure back to council or voters.

The council voted 1-4 on a motion directing placement of a cannabis measure on the November ballot; it failed. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Apr. 6, 2026 (special meeting) · Apr 6, 2026
The city adopted a cannabis tax into its Municipal Code in 2018, but no framework is in place to permit cannabis business operations in the city aside from deliveries originating outside it. City of Santa Paula news release, Apr. 13, 2026 · Apr 13, 2026

Mobile home rent increases

Where it standsThe council adopted an urgency ordinance in March 2026 and introduced a follow-up ordinance on successive rent increase applications.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, amend or expand the city's mobile home rent rules.

The council approved an urgency ordinance on successive rent increase applications 5-0 on March 4, 2026. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Mar. 4, 2026 · Mar 4, 2026
The council introduced the related non-urgency Ordinance No. 1353 on April 1, 2026, 4-0. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Apr. 1, 2026 · Apr 1, 2026

Housing and infill development

Where it standsThe council approved a 213-condominium project in 2025 and picked a 138-unit concept for an infill site in 2026.

What's on the tableWhich housing projects, densities and parking requirements the city approves on remaining sites.

The council approved a conditional use permit for 213 attached condominiums at 895 Faulkner Road 5-0 in September 2025. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Sept. 17, 2025 · Sep 17, 2025
The council approved Concept 1 for the 1397 E. Harvard Blvd. infill site, about 138 units with 8,250 square feet of commercial space, 4-0 in June 2026. Santa Paula City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
The council approved $100,000 per year for Housing Trust Fund Ventura County for FY 2025-26 and 2026-27, 4-0. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Sept. 3, 2025 · Sep 3, 2025

City budget and user fees

Where it standsThe council adopted a two-year budget in June 2025 and a new user-fee schedule effective January 2026.

What's on the tableThe next budget, fee adjustments and how to fund city services.

The council adopted the FY 2025/26 and FY 2026/27 operating and capital budgets 5-0 on June 30, 2025. Santa Paula City Council minutes, June 30, 2025 · Jun 30, 2025
The council approved the Willdan user-fee cost analysis 4-1 on Oct. 15, 2025, with fees adjusted by CPI every other July. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Oct. 15, 2025 · Oct 15, 2025

Immigration enforcement response

Where it standsThe council formed an ad hoc committee in September 2025 and adopted a resolution in May 2026.

What's on the tableWhat further local actions the city takes on immigration enforcement and related services.

The council established an Ad Hoc Committee on Immigration, 4-0, in September 2025. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Sept. 3, 2025 · Sep 3, 2025
The council adopted Resolution No. 7612 condemning unjust and discriminatory immigration enforcement practices 4-0 on May 5, 2026. Santa Paula City Council minutes, May 5, 2026 · May 5, 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. Should Santa Paula allow commercial cannabis retail stores?
2. Should the city limit successive mobile home rent increase applications?
3. How should the council treat proposals for higher-density housing?
4. How should the city set fees for services such as permits?
5. Should the council take a formal stand on immigration enforcement?

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 mailed (no later than)City of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Ballot drop boxes openCity of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Oct 6, 2026
Voter registration deadlineCity of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Oct 19, 2026
Conditional (same-day) voter registration beginsCity of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Oct 20, 2026
Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.City of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Nov 3, 2026
Mailed ballots must be received byCity of Santa Paula · Oct 5, 2026Nov 10, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Leslie Cornejo, Gabby Ornelas3 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members who serve staggered four-year terms. City of Santa Paula
Ordinance No. 1327 (March 2023) moved the city to by-district elections for five councilmembers. Districts 2, 3 and 4 are up in 2026. City of Santa Paula
Each December the council selects a Mayor and Vice-Mayor from among its members for one-year terms. City of Santa Paula
The mayor is recorded voting on council items; Mayor Chavez moved and voted on items at the Sept. 17, 2025 meeting. Santa Paula City Council minutes, Sept. 17, 2025 · Sep 17, 2025

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