Seaside, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Seaside Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

8 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Every Seaside voter may vote for one mayoral candidate and for up to two council candidates.

3 notes on these statements

Alex Miller holds a council seat that the county lists as next up for election on 11/03/2026. Monterey County Elections

Alex Miller is on the ballot for mayor, not for a council seat. Monterey County Elections

Rita Burks holds a council seat that the county lists as next up for election on 11/03/2026. Monterey County Elections

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Alexis Garcia-ArrazolaCouncilmember; next election November 20286sourcedDavid PachecoSeaside city councilmember who serves as Mayor Pro Tem.6sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesCity budget and fees, Development and housing, Council payKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Ballots mailed by this date; ballot return locations open

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

City budget and fees

Where it standsThe council adopted a FY 2026-27 budget with an operating deficit, and a motion to approve the user fee schedule failed 2-2 in July.

What's on the tableHow the city closes its operating gap, uses reserves, and sets fees for city services.

Development and housing

Where it standsThe council approved a Campus Town plan amendment and an exclusive negotiating agreement for Main Gate in February 2026.

What's on the tableHow large projects such as Campus Town and Main Gate proceed, and how housing rules are set.

Council pay

Where it standsThe council adopted an ordinance in August 2026 raising future pay for the mayor and council members.

What's on the tableNothing further on this ordinance; the increase starts once members begin new terms after the election.

Electronic signs

Where it standsA first reading of an ordinance allowing electronic message signs for places of worship and meeting facilities on local streets passed 4-1 in September.

What's on the tableWhether to finalize the rules for electronic message display signs on local streets.

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 the mayor and council members be paid more?

  2. 2. Should places of worship and meeting facilities on local streets be allowed electronic message signs?

  3. 3. Should Seaside adopt local protections for renters?

  4. 4. How should Seaside build up its downtown?

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

2 stay (not up this year): Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, David Pacheco3 on this ballot

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

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

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