ShafterNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Shafter City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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22days to Nov 3

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

One at-large contest for two council seats; each voter may vote for up to two of the seven candidates.

Last day to register to vote at a poll site · Oct 19

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Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Paying for city services4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council put a 1% city sales tax, Measure Q, on the November 3 ballot. City reports describe a sharp decline in sales tax revenue this year.

What's on the tableWhether and how to spend Measure Q revenue if voters approve it, and how to balance the budget if they do not.

  • Measure Q would enact a 1% sales tax expected to raise about $4,000,000 a year until ended by voters, with revenue staying in Shafter. City of Shafter
  • The City Attorney's analysis says the council voted unanimously on July 7, 2026 to place Measure Q on the ballot, and that the tax would take effect April 1, 2027 if approved. City of Shafter
  • The June 2026 Treasurer's Report says the city is experiencing a sharp decline in sales tax revenue and projects a surplus for the fiscal year. City of Shafter · Aug 4, 2026
  • On May 5, 2026 the council adopted the city's five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan (4-0). City of Shafter · May 5, 2026
02Housing growth3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a 1,289-lot subdivision in May 2026, and a Mission Lakes development agreement hearing was continued to a date not set.

What's on the tableWhich new subdivisions, rezonings and development agreements the council approves, and on what conditions.

03City money for community events2 sourced facts

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council approved in-kind city help for the Lions Club fireworks show but a $25,000 cash sponsorship failed on a 2-2 vote.

What's on the tableWhether the city gives cash or in-kind support to nonprofit and community events.

04Aquatic Center operations1 sourced fact

Where it standsThe council approved a management contract for the city's Aquatic Center in May 2026.

What's on the tableOversight of the contract, its cost and whether to use the two optional extension years.

05Police and public safety projects2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved a first-responder drone program in June 2026 and a law enforcement training facility feasibility study in May 2026.

What's on the tableFunding and oversight for police technology and for any regional training facility in Shafter.

  • On June 2, 2026 the council approved implementing a first-responder drone program using Flock Safety technology, 4-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Olvera absent. City of Shafter · Jun 2, 2026
  • On May 19, 2026 the council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Kern Community College District to explore a regional law enforcement training facility, 5-0. City of Shafter · May 19, 2026
2 notes on these statements

Shafter voters also decide Measure Q, a proposed 1% city sales tax. City of Shafter

The county's compiled candidate statements include City of Shafter council statements from Cathy Prout and Dusti McDaris. Kern County Elections

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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. What should be the council's main way to keep city services funded?

  2. 2. Should the city give cash sponsorships to community events?

  3. 3. How should the city run its Aquatic Center?

  4. 4. Should the police department use drones as first responders?

Seat the councilSeat 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): Gilbert T. Alvarado, Pete Espinoza, Chad Givens2 on this ballot

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

  • Shafter is a charter city with a City Council-City Manager form of government. City of Shafter
  • The council has five members. The mayor and mayor pro tem are appointed by the council to two-year terms (Givens and Olvera were appointed in December 2024). City of Shafter
  • The Kern County candidate list shows two seats to vote for in the City of Shafter council contest, with seven candidates on the ballot. Kern County Elections

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