Santa Rosa, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Santa Rosa City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

4 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 · Unopposed

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

City Council District 6 · Unopposed

Only voters in Districts 2, 4 and 6 vote in this race; each district elects one councilmember. District 4 is the only contested seat.

4 notes on these statements

Mark Stapp (District 2) and Jeff Okrepkie (District 6) are the only candidates on the ballot in their districts. Sonoma County Registrar of Voters

The city extended the District 4 nomination deadline to Aug. 12, 2026 because the incumbent did not return nomination papers by Aug. 7. City of Santa Rosa news · Aug 7, 2026

A candidate forum for the District 4 race is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 7 on Zoom. The Press Democrat · Sep 29, 2026

Measure L, the city sales tax measure, is also on the ballot; no argument against it was submitted. Sonoma County voter guide

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Eddie AlvarezCouncilmember, District 1; term expires December 20287sourcedCaroline BañuelosCouncilmember, District 5; term expires December 20288sourcedDianna MacDonaldCouncilmember, District 3; term expires December 20287sourcedNatalie RogersCouncilmember, District 7; term expires December 20288sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesBudget and Measure L, Housing and zoning, New City HallKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Voting by mail opens

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget and Measure L

Where it standsThe city has cut about $25 million in ongoing expenses to address a structural deficit, and Measure L, a sales tax measure, is on the Nov. 3 ballot.

What's on the tableThe new council will adopt the next budget and decide what to fund or cut depending on whether Measure L passes.

Housing and zoning

Where it standsIn November 2025 the council rezoned 1,843 properties to add a Missing Middle Housing combining district.

What's on the tableThe council will rule on housing projects and decide what programs the city offers to make housing more affordable.

New City Hall

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council approved trading the City Hall campus for the property at 520 3rd Street.

What's on the tableThe council will oversee the move and the redevelopment of the old City Hall campus downtown.

Immigration enforcement

Where it standsA 2026 ordinance states that civil immigration enforcement is not a city purpose and limits uses of city property that disrupt city operations.

What's on the tableThe council will decide whether to keep, change or add to these rules.

Homelessness

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council extended the Keep People Housed - Sonoma prevention program through June 30, 2027 with $250,000 more.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how much to spend on homelessness prevention, shelter and services.

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. 1. Should Santa Rosa voters approve Measure L, raising the city sales tax to 1% with no end date?

  2. 2. Should more neighborhoods allow 'missing middle' housing such as duplexes and small apartment buildings?

  3. 3. Should the city create a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers?

  4. 4. Do you support trading the current City Hall campus for the building at 520 3rd Street?

  5. 5. Should Santa Rosa keep its local limits on civil immigration enforcement using city property?

  6. 6. Should the city keep funding homelessness prevention programs like Keep People Housed?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Eddie Alvarez, Caroline Bañuelos, Dianna MacDonald, Natalie Rogers3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

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