WaterfordNot a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Waterford City Council Election 2026

2 of 5 council seats are on the ballot, with 4 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

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First vote centers open (Oct 24): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

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

Voters choose up to two of four candidates; the two with the most votes citywide win four-year terms.

First vote centers open · Oct 24

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Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Official voter lookupState voter guideVote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

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

What the next council decides

01District elections (Measure O)5 sourced facts

Where it standsMeasure O on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot asks whether Waterford should elect council members from four districts, with the mayor elected at-large.

What's on the tableHow to carry out the move to district elections if Measure O passes, or how to proceed with at-large elections if it fails.

02Water rates3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council adopted new water rates in February 2026, starting with an average 40% increase on March 1, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the scheduled increases and how to pay for water system repairs.

03Housing growth3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council approved a 412-lot single-family subdivision on 73.70 acres.

What's on the tableHow to handle further subdivision requests and the traffic, water and sewer demands that come with them.

04City budget4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026-27 budget spends $295,677 more than general fund revenue and is expected to leave reserves at 58% of annual spending.

What's on the tableHow to cover rising insurance and sheriff contract costs while keeping reserves at the 50% council policy level.

05Parks and recreation2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026-27 budget includes $250,000 in one-time park improvements.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on park upkeep and how community groups may use city park property.

2 notes on these statements

Christine R. Harris is the only incumbent among the four council candidates. Stanislaus County Registrar of Voters

Measure O, also on this ballot, would switch Waterford to council districts while the mayor continues to be elected at-large. The Modesto Focus

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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. How much priority should parks, trails and river access get in the city budget?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted8 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Charlie Goeken, Guadalupe Gutierrez, Jamie Hilton2 on this ballot

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

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