Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Vista Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

7 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 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

Joe GreenFormer Councilmember, District 2 (2016–2024)9sourced
Kenneth ZunigaProduction photographer and graphic designer who serves on Vista's Homelessness Commission.6sourced

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

Yolanda Kenniston AlvarezVista resident for over 40 years who has worked with Head Start and LULAC on youth and family programs.5sourced
Corinna ContrerasIncumbentCouncilmember, District 1; current term 2022–202620sourced
Frank NunezVista Irrigation District board member and founder of the nonprofit Future Filmmakers of America. He works in agriculture, connecting local producers with retailers.6sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

All voters pick one candidate for mayor; voters in District 1 or District 4 also pick one candidate for their district's council seat. The most votes wins each race.

4 notes on these statements

Mayor John Franklin is not seeking re-election, so the mayor's seat is open. San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 21, 2026

The San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed Kenneth Zuniga, Corinna Contreras and Dan O'Donnell. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026

The Republican Party of San Diego County endorsed Frank Nunez. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026

Yolanda Kenniston Alvarez qualified without a ballot designation. City of Vista · Aug 12, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jeff FoxCouncilmember, District 2; term 2024–202810sourced Katie MelendezCouncilmember, District 3; term 2024–202813sourced

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 decidesLicense plate readers and surveillance, Immigration enforcement and due process, Sheriff's staffing and street safety Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots start going out

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

License plate readers and surveillance

Where it standsVista has not installed license plate readers. In September 2026 the council asked staff to inventory surveillance technology and draft an ordinance regulating it.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt rules for surveillance technology and whether to allow license plate readers or public cameras.

On Sept. 22, 2026 the council directed staff to inventory surveillance technologies, prepare a draft ordinance and schedule a public workshop. Vista City Council actions, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026
The Sheriff's Vista Station proposed 12 to 18 license plate readers at $3,000 per camera per year. The Coast News · Sep 1, 2025
The Coast News reported that Vista is the last city in San Diego County without license plate readers. The Coast News · Sep 1, 2025

Immigration enforcement and due process

Where it standsIn November 2025 the council adopted a Community Safety and Due Process Resolution on a 3-2 vote.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or add to the city's rules on federal immigration agents and residents' data.

Resolution 2025-192 passed 3-2, with Mayor John Franklin and Councilmember Jeff Fox opposed. Vista City Council actions, Nov. 18, 2025 · Nov 18, 2025
The resolution has the city share Know Your Rights information and restates state law requiring a judicial warrant for non-public city areas. The Coast News · Nov 20, 2025
The resolution bars the city from sharing residents' private data with outside entities except as required by law. The Coast News · Nov 20, 2025
City staff said the resolution would not change current city practices. The Coast News · Nov 20, 2025

Sheriff's staffing and street safety

Where it standsVista contracts with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office for policing. In April 2026 the council added a second gang detective, and in 2025 it scaled back protected bike lanes.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on sheriff's staff, and what to do with protected bike lanes paused on East Vista Way.

The council voted 4-1 to fund a second gang detective, with $434,882 in startup costs and about $357,833 a year after that. The Coast News · May 5, 2026
In June 2025 the council voted 3-2 to remove berms on South Melrose Drive and Sycamore Avenue and pause protected lanes on East Vista Way. Vista City Council actions, June 24, 2025 · Jun 24, 2025
Removing the berms was estimated to cost about $270,000. The Coast News · Jul 3, 2025

Homelessness

Where it standsVista funds the Buena Creek Navigation Center, and in 2024 the council directed enforcement of the city's unauthorized-camping code.

What's on the tableWhether to keep funding the navigation center and how to handle encampments.

In August 2026 the council voted 5-0 to prepare an additional year of funding for the Buena Creek Navigation Center and seek partners to help pay for it. Vista City Council actions, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
In August 2024 the council directed the city to enforce its unauthorized-camping code and keep offering services or shelter. Vista City Council actions, Aug. 13, 2024 · Aug 13, 2024
In August 2026 the council voted 4-1 to fund a senior tenant assistance program run by Interfaith Community Services. Vista City Council actions, Aug. 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026

Wave Waterpark

Where it standsThe city-owned Wave Waterpark runs at a loss. In 2025 the council funded $3.5 million in repairs and declined to seek outside operator proposals.

What's on the tableHow to pay for the Wave's long-term repairs and whether to bring in an outside operator.

The council voted unanimously in August 2025 to spend $3.5 million on Wave maintenance through 2035. San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 13, 2025
A study by Aquatic Design Group found the park will need $14 million to $15 million to stay open past the coming decade. The Coast News · Sep 15, 2025
The city subsidizes the Wave by about $900,000 a year. The Coast News · Sep 15, 2025
In September 2025 a council majority declined to issue a request for proposals from outside operators. The Coast News · Sep 15, 2025

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 Vista allow license plate readers and other public surveillance cameras?
2. Should Vista set its own limits on federal immigration agents' access to city data and offices?
3. Should Vista pay for more sheriff's staff, such as a second gang detective?
4. What should Vista do with physical barriers on its protected bike lanes?
5. Should Vista seek proposals from private operators for the Wave Waterpark?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Ballots start going outSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Conditional voter registration beginsSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 20, 2026
Select vote centers openSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
All vote centers openSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 31, 2026
Election DaySan Diego County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jeff Fox, Katie Melendez3 on this ballot

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

Vista is a charter city governed by a five-member City Council: a mayor elected at large and four members elected by district. City of Vista
The 2026 election is for mayor and the District 1 and District 4 council seats. City of Vista
The mayor and both council seats on the ballot are four-year terms. City of Vista · Jul 10, 2026
The mayor votes on council items like other members; council action records list the mayor in roll-call tallies. Vista City Council actions, Nov. 18, 2025 · Nov 18, 2025

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

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.