Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

South Gate City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

5 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 At-large · Vote for up to 2

Joshua BarronIncumbentSouth Gate's mayor, elected to the council in 2022, and a vice president at a community bank. Previously served five years on the Parks and Recreation Commission and three years on the Tweedy Mile Advisory Board.4sourced
Alan GarciaLifelong South Gate resident with a healthcare career, now studying nursing. Worked as a patient-transport team lead at Cedars-Sinai and as a data analyst for the LA County Department of Health Services.5sourced
Jimmy OzaetaSouth Gate planning commissioner since 2023 who rose to CEO of a local YMCA association. Served 15 years with YMCAs across California.5sourced
Edgar PelayoReal estate broker with a Pepperdine MBA and South Gate Parks and Recreation commissioner since 2023. Professional background includes business management, finance, operations and leading a nonprofit.4sourced
Al RiosIncumbentSouth Gate vice mayor and councilmember since 2017, and a dean at East Los Angeles College. Served as mayor in 2021.5sourced

All voters citywide choose up to two of five candidates for two at-large seats; the three members elected in November 2024 stay on the council.

2 notes on these statements

Alan Garcia, Joshua Barron, Edgar Pelayo, Jimmy Ozaeta and Al Rios are the five candidates on the City of South Gate's list of qualified candidates for two council seats. City of South Gate · Aug 18, 2026

Jose De La Paz (City Treasurer) and Yodit Glaze (City Clerk) are the candidates for those offices on the list of qualified candidates and are not opposed. City of South Gate · Aug 18, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Maria del Pilar AvalosCouncilmember; re-elected November 2024 to a four-year term5sourced Maria DavilaLongtime South Gate councilmember first elected in 2003 and mayor in 2025.4sourced Gil HurtadoLongtime South Gate councilmember first elected in 2005, mayor in 2024, and a youth sports volunteer.4sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMeasure SG utility users tax, The structural budget gap, Immigration enforcement Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Measure SG utility users tax

Where it standsSouth Gate voters will decide Measure SG, an 8% utility users tax that exempts low-income seniors and is projected to raise about $10.4 million a year.

What's on the tableIf voters approve it, the council will spend the revenue on general city services and carry out the audit and disclosure requirements; if not, it faces the budget gap without it.

The ballot question describes an 8% utility user tax, exempting low income seniors, providing approximately $10,400,000 annually until ended by voters. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Final measures appearing on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (Measure SG) · Aug 20, 2026
The council adopted Resolution No. 2026-35-CC placing the measure on the ballot, with Hurtado, Davila, Rios and Barron voting yes and Avalos voting no. City of South Gate · Jun 23, 2026
The city says a UUT could support services such as 911 emergency response, school crossing guards, recreation facilities and street repair. City of South Gate

The structural budget gap

Where it standsThe city describes an ongoing structural gap of about $9 million between expenditures and revenues, and says federal relief funds and reserves are nearly exhausted.

What's on the tableThe council will decide how to balance the budget through new revenue, spending reductions or both.

The city says the gap is driven by pension obligations, health insurance, workers' compensation and liability insurance costs. City of South Gate
The resolution putting the measure on the ballot says the city had a structural deficit of over $7 million in fiscal year 2025-26 and projects a deficit exceeding $9 million in 2026-27. City of South Gate · Jun 23, 2026
On April 20, 2026 the council approved staff's budget-reduction recommendation 4-1. South Gate City Council minutes, April 20, 2026 (continued from April 14) · Apr 20, 2026

Immigration enforcement

Where it standsThe council has adopted a resolution opposing unlawful immigration enforcement tactics and joined other cities in a court action; candidates differ on whether to go further.

What's on the tableThe council decides what city policy, resources and legal action to take regarding federal immigration enforcement in South Gate.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2025-21-CC opposing unlawful immigration enforcement tactics in July 2025. South Gate City Council minutes, July 8, 2025 · Jul 8, 2025
The City Attorney told the council that South Gate and fourteen other cities agreed to intervene in a lawsuit in which a federal district court had issued an injunction against immigration enforcement officers. South Gate City Council minutes, July 22, 2025 · Jul 22, 2025

Budget oversight and transparency

Where it standsCouncil members and candidates have raised citizens' oversight and public reporting of city spending as part of the fiscal debate.

What's on the tableThe council decides what oversight bodies, audits and public spending reports accompany the city's budget and any new tax.

The ballot question for Measure SG says it requires independent audits and public disclosure of all spending. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Final measures appearing on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (Measure SG) · Aug 20, 2026
At the February 24, 2026 meeting Vice Mayor Rios called for a Citizens Oversight Committee of community members appointed by the council. South Gate City Council minutes, February 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 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. How should you vote on Measure SG, the 8% utility users tax?
2. How should South Gate close its budget gap of about $9 million a year?
3. What should South Gate do about federal immigration enforcement?
4. How often should the city publish its payments?
5. Should South Gate create a citizens' budget oversight committee?

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 begin mailingLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Election DayLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Calendar of events, Nov. 3, 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Maria del Pilar Avalos, Maria Davila, Gil Hurtado2 on this ballot

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

The November 3, 2026 election fills two City Council seats; the City Clerk and City Treasurer offices are also on the ballot. City of South Gate City Clerk
The five council members are elected at-large to staggered four-year terms. City of South Gate
The council selects the mayor; Joshua Barron was selected in December 2025 for a one-year term. City of South Gate

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