Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Union City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

8 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 2 · 1 seat

Jaime PatinoIncumbentVice Mayor and Councilmember, District 2 (seat on this ballot)5sourced
Victor Lopez PulidoLegal advocate and translator who chaired the Union City Human Relations Commission. He is finishing a law degree at USF.3sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Districts 2, 3 and 4 each elect one council member. Voters choose one candidate in the race for the district where they live; each seat is for a four-year term.

2 notes on these statements

The District 4 incumbent did not file nomination papers, so the city extended the District 4 nomination period to August 12, 2026. Union City news · Aug 7, 2026

Measure II, a proposed nine-year extension of the utility users tax, is also on the November 3 ballot. City of Union City

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Lance NishihiraDistrict 1 councilmember in his first term and a New Haven Unified School District board member from 2016 to 2024.5sourced Gary SinghMayor of Union City, a small business owner first elected to the council in 2016.5sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesBudget and the utility users tax, Immigration enforcement on city property, Homelessness response Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed; early voting begins

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Budget and the utility users tax

Where it standsVoters will decide Measure II, which would extend the existing 5% utility users tax for nine years at the current rate; the tax expires December 31, 2028 if it is not extended.

What's on the tableThe next council will carry out the city budget, and would revisit it if Measure II does not pass.

The utility users tax brings in about $7 million a year, which the city says is 8.5% of its general fund revenue. Union City staff report, Utility Users Tax ballot measure, Jul 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
The council voted 5-0 on July 14, 2026 to place the extension on the November 3 ballot. Union City news · Jul 15, 2026
If the measure is not approved, the tax will expire on December 31, 2028. Union City news · Jul 15, 2026
A June 2026 city presentation lists Union City at $683 per resident in combined taxes, the lowest among the cities it compares. Union City

Immigration enforcement on city property

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council rejected a proposed ordinance on ICE activities in city-owned buildings and kept its Compassionate City resolution, which it later updated.

What's on the tableWhether to return to an enforceable ordinance or keep relying on the resolution.

On May 12, 2026, a majority of the council rejected a proposed ordinance that would prohibit ICE activities in city-owned buildings. Tri-City Voice · May 19, 2026
The rejected ordinance would have given the city attorney the ability to sue ICE in civil court. Tri-City Voice · May 19, 2026
The updated Compassionate City resolution states that civil immigration enforcement on city property is prohibited. Tri-City Voice · Jun 16, 2026

Homelessness response

Where it standsUnion City's 2026 Point-In-Time Count showed homelessness down 26% in the past year, and the city runs a safe parking program.

What's on the tableHow the city funds and runs its homelessness programs alongside county efforts.

Homelessness in Union City declined by 26% in the last year, according to initial results of the 2026 Point-In-Time Count. Tri-City Voice · Aug 4, 2026
The CAREavan program offers people experiencing homelessness a safe place to park their vehicle every night and is marking its 10-year anniversary. Tri-City Voice · Aug 4, 2026
The city will keep receiving quarterly updates on its homelessness response. Tri-City Voice · Aug 4, 2026

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council has approved changes to the Station East residential and mixed-use project and to zoning rules for several districts.

What's on the tableWhich housing and development proposals to approve, and how.

On August 13, 2024 the council adopted an ordinance amending the Station East development agreement. Union City Ordinance No. 924-24 (Station East development agreement amendment) · Aug 13, 2024
The Station East project site covers 26.5 acres between Decoto Road, 7th Street and Bradford Way. Union City Ordinance No. 924-24 (Station East development agreement amendment) · Aug 13, 2024
On January 27, 2026 the council adopted zoning text amendments the city says are intended to reduce regulatory barriers and support local business operations. Union City notice of adoption, Ordinance No. 2026-002 · Jan 28, 2026

Public safety and police

Where it standsPolice services are the largest share of the city's general fund spending.

What's on the tableHow much to fund police staffing and equipment policies in the budget.

In fiscal year 2025-26, police services are 44% of general fund expenses, according to a city presentation. Union City
Mayor Gary Singh said the city cut police overtime pay, saving almost $400,000, and that crime fell 42% after the department hired eight officers. Tri-City Voice · Nov 18, 2025
The council approved the Military Equipment Use ordinance again at its June 9, 2026 meeting. Tri-City Voice · Jun 16, 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 Union City extend its existing 5% utility users tax?
2. How should Union City handle civil immigration enforcement on city property?
3. How should Union City respond to homelessness?
4. How should Union City make housing more affordable?

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 mailed; early voting beginsCity of Union CityOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (regular registration)City of Union CityOct 19, 2026
League of Women Voters forum for Union City Council, Districts 2, 3 and 4Tri-City Voice · Sep 29, 2026Oct 22, 2026
11-day vote centers openCity of Union CityOct 24, 2026
Last day to request a ballot by mailCity of Union CityOct 27, 2026
Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.City of Union CityNov 3, 2026
New council terms beginCity of Union CityDec 8, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Lance Nishihira, Gary Singh3 on this ballot

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

Union City is a general law city with a council-manager form of government; voters elect a mayor at large and four council members by district. City of Union City
The mayor and council members serve four-year terms and are limited to three consecutive full terms. City of Union City
The council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney. City of Union City
The mayor votes on council items; Mayor Singh is recorded among the ayes in council minutes. Union City City Council minutes, Jun 10, 2025 · Jun 10, 2025
The District 2, 3 and 4 terms on this ballot begin December 8, 2026 and end December 10, 2030. City of Union City

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