Santee, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Santee City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

4 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 1 · 1 seat

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Santee elects council members by district; the District 1 and District 2 seats are separate one-seat contests on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Matthew G. Rascon filed no candidate statement with the City Clerk. City of Santee

Eddie Vandiver lists Rob McNelis and Dustin Trotter among his endorsers; Ronn Hall's endorsers include Mayor John Minto. San Diego Union-Tribune · Sep 6, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Laura KovalCouncilmember, District 34sourcedJohn W. MintoMayor of Santee4sourcedDustin TrotterCouncilmember, District 43sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz1 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesSales tax and city finances, Fire stations and fire services, Housing and developmentKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Ballots start going out to registered voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Sales tax and city finances

Where it standsMeasure Y, a one-cent general sales tax for ten years, is on the November 3 ballot after the council voted in June 2026 to place it there.

What's on the tableHow the council pays for roads, storm drains, fire stations and public safety contracts, whether or not Measure Y passes.

  • Measure Y would add $1 of local sales tax to a $100 purchase of taxable items, last 10 years, and require annual independent financial audits and an independent citizens' oversight committee. City of Santee
  • City staff list planned capital improvements totaling $327.7 million, including roads, bridges, storm drains, new fire stations and equipment, and playground and restroom replacements. East County Magazine · Jun 30, 2026
  • Santee has not adopted a local sales tax measure since incorporating in 1980 and receives the standard 1% share of the current 7.75% rate. City of Santee

Fire stations and fire services

Where it standsThe council is studying a fourth fire station in northeast Santee and funded an assessment of a Fire Station 4 remodel in February 2026.

What's on the tableWhether and how to fund new and remodeled fire stations and the fire department budget.

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council approved the Fanita Ranch development in June 2025, adopted an updated Town Center Specific Plan in March 2025, and continues to amend its Essential Housing Program.

What's on the tableHow the city approves and conditions new housing projects and implements its Housing Element.

Public safety and e-bikes

Where it standsThe council adopted e-bike rules for children under 12 and sidewalks in December 2025, and approved an amendment to the Sheriff's Safe Street Santee MOU in May 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city funds and directs Sheriff services and enforces its e-bike rules.

Homelessness

Where it standsThe council funds homeless outreach through grant-funded agreements, and the mayor presented a homeless progress report in early 2026.

What's on the tableWhich outreach and housing partnerships the city funds.

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. How should Santee regulate e-bikes?

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

3 stay (not up this year): Laura Koval, John W. Minto, Dustin Trotter2 on this ballot

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

  • Council members have been elected by district since 2018. City of Santee
  • The District 3 seat, the District 4 seat and the at-large mayor are next on the ballot on November 7, 2028, each for a four-year term. City of Santee
  • The City Council meets on a bi-weekly basis. City of Santee

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