Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

South San Francisco City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

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 District 1 · Unopposed

Aysha Dominguez Pamukcu3sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

Sophia CyrisThird-generation South San Franciscan with a background in public service, government, law and public policy.2sourced
Buenaflor NicolasIncumbentDistrict 3 councilmember first elected in 2018, installed as mayor in December 2022. She is also a vice president of drug safety at a precision oncology company.8sourced
Melanie OlsonCity planner and South San Francisco Parks and Recreation commissioner. She has a master's degree in urban planning.3sourced

City Council District 5 · Unopposed

Eddie FloresIncumbentDistrict 5 councilmember and former South San Francisco mayor (2024-2025). He has served on the council since 2021.7sourced

Each district elects its own councilmember; voters in Districts 1, 3 and 5 each vote for one candidate in their district's contest.

3 notes on these statements

The District 1 seat is open: the city says the nomination period was extended because incumbent Mark Addiego did not file nomination papers. City of South San Francisco · Aug 1, 2026

The City Clerk (Rosa Govea Acosta) and City Treasurer (Frank Risso) are also on the November 3, 2026 ballot, each unopposed on the city's nominee list; this guide covers council contests only. City of South San Francisco · Aug 21, 2026

Eddie Flores is the only candidate listed for District 5 on the city's Notice to Voters of Nominees. City of South San Francisco · Aug 21, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

James ColemanDistrict 4 councilmember on the South San Francisco City Council, elected in 2020.6sourced Mark NagalesDistrict 2 councilmember and current vice mayor, first elected to the council in November 2018.6sourced

Start here

Match quiz2 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPUC Site housing, City finances and a possible tax, Housing approvals and affordable housing 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

PUC Site housing

Where it standsThe council amended the PUC Site development agreement in May 2026 and, in April, approved steps toward a new affordable housing partner and a grant application.

What's on the tableWhether to keep supporting the 1051 Mission Road project and its financing as the project continues.

Director Selander also discussed the withdrawal of Bridge Housing, potential assignment to a new affordable housing partner, and related resolutions. South San Francisco City Council minutes, April 22, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Apr 22, 2026
On May 13, 2026 the council adopted the first major amendment to the PUC Site development agreement, 4-1. South San Francisco City Council minutes, May 13, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · May 13, 2026
Resolution No. 42-2026 committed up to $14.6 million from the first market rate residential phase to the affordable housing building. South San Francisco City Council minutes, April 22, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Apr 22, 2026

City finances and a possible tax

Where it standsThe council adopted the 2026-27 budget in June; staff reported a $5.5 million General Fund gap covered by fund balance, and the council aims for a revenue measure in 2028.

What's on the tableHow to keep services funded as state vehicle license fee revenue stays uncertain, and whether to ask voters for a tax.

Finance Director Donnelly reported a $5.5 million General Fund operating gap addressed through the use of available unassigned fund balance. South San Francisco City Council minutes, May 27, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · May 27, 2026
The council reached a consensus to work toward placing a revenue measure on the 2028 ballot. South San Francisco City Council minutes, January 24, 2026 (Special Meeting, workshop) · Jan 24, 2026
The council approved the fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget 5-0 on June 10, 2026. South San Francisco City Council minutes, June 10, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Jun 10, 2026

Housing approvals and affordable housing

Where it standsIn August 2026 the council introduced ordinances on accessory dwelling units and on extending residential entitlements by up to two years.

What's on the tableHow quickly housing projects can move forward and how city housing money is spent.

On August 26, 2026 the council introduced an ordinance to allow residential entitlements to be extended by up to two years, 5-0. South San Francisco City Council minutes, August 26, 2026 (Regular Meeting, draft) · Aug 26, 2026
Staff explained that the amendment would provide additional time to secure financing and obtain building permits without requiring re-entitlement or a development agreement. South San Francisco City Council minutes, August 26, 2026 (Regular Meeting, draft) · Aug 26, 2026
Resolution No. 57-2026 appropriated up to $3,115,000 from the Commercial Linkage Fee Fund to support Synergy Community Development Corporation's acquisition of the Metropolitan Hotel at 220 Linden Avenue to preserve affordable housing. South San Francisco City Council minutes, May 13, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · May 13, 2026

El Camino Real redesign

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council picked a pedestrian-and-bus design as the preferred alternative for El Camino Real.

What's on the tableHow the project moves through Caltrans' project development process and what design is built.

Resolution 94-2026 advanced Alternative 2: Pedestrian & Bus Focus as the Preferred Alternative and Alternative 1: Pedestrian Focus as the Secondary Alternative to the Caltrans Project Development Process. South San Francisco City Council minutes, July 8, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Jul 8, 2026

Project labor agreement for city construction

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council directed staff to analyze and negotiate a possible project labor agreement for city capital projects.

What's on the tableWhether to approve a project labor agreement or a contractor prequalification ordinance for public works.

The Council provided direction to staff to proceed with these actions and return with a proposed agreement for Council consideration. South San Francisco City Council minutes, July 8, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Jul 8, 2026
Options in the staff report included a contractor prequalification ordinance and a Project Labor Agreement for City capital improvement projects. South San Francisco City Council minutes, July 8, 2026 (Regular Meeting) · Jul 8, 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. Should the council keep amending the PUC Site agreement to move its affordable housing forward?
2. How should El Camino Real be redesigned?

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 mailingSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Voter registration deadlineSan Mateo County ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Write-in candidate filing closesCity of South San Francisco · Aug 1, 2026Oct 20, 2026
Election DaySan Mateo County ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): James Coleman, Mark Nagales3 on this ballot

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

South San Francisco has five City Councilmembers, each elected from one of five districts to a four-year term, on a staggered biennial basis. City of South San Francisco · Aug 1, 2026
Three council seats, Districts 1, 3 and 5, are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. City of South San Francisco · Aug 1, 2026
The city consolidates its election with the County of San Mateo. City of South San Francisco · Aug 1, 2026

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