Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Westminster Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

12 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Kimberly HoWestminster business owner for 35 years, with a Doctor of Pharmacy and an Executive MBA.5sourced
Nguyen HungRetired, according to the ballot designation he filed for the Westminster mayor's race.1sourced
Carlos ManzoCouncil Member, District 28sourced
Chi Charlie NguyenIncumbentMayor of Westminster, elected 20228sourced
Charles ShippAccount executive, according to the ballot designation he filed for the Westminster mayor's race.1sourced

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

All Westminster voters pick one candidate for mayor. Voters in District 1 or District 4 also pick one council member for their district. The top vote-getter wins each race.

1 note on these statements

Carlos Manzo holds the District 2 council seat, which is not on this ballot, and is running for mayor. City of Westminster

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Mark NguyenVice Mayor and Council Member, District 3; elected November 20244sourced

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 decidesHotel tax measure on the ballot, Rose Center Theater operator, Citywide zoning and general plan update Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Mail ballots available

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Hotel tax measure on the ballot

Where it standsThe council voted in July 2026 to put a measure on the Nov. 3 ballot that would raise the hotel tax from 8% to 12%.

What's on the tableVoters decide the rate; the council then budgets the added revenue.

A yes vote supports raising the city's transient occupancy tax from 8% to 12%; a no vote opposes it. Ballotpedia
On July 23, 2026 the council adopted the resolution submitting the measure at 12 percent on a 4-0 vote, with one member absent. Westminster City Council minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026
The city manager told the council that any future change to the tax rate will have to be placed on a ballot. Westminster City Council minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026

Rose Center Theater operator

Where it standsThe council extended the current operator's agreement in December 2025 and again in 2026 while the city reviews proposals for a new operating agreement and renovations.

What's on the tableThe new council will oversee the operating agreement and renovation plans for the city-owned theater.

On Dec. 18, 2025 the council approved a six-month extension for Friends of the Rose Center Theater, through June 30, 2026, at $5,000 per month, with an option for three more months. Westminster City Council minutes, Dec. 18, 2025 · Dec 18, 2025
In June 2026 Voice of OC reported that the council was extending the operator's contract until the end of the year while it reviews proposals. Voice of OC · Jun 1, 2026
The city's request for proposals process had closed, and staff was negotiating a new contract, according to the same report. Voice of OC · Jun 1, 2026

Citywide zoning and general plan update

Where it standsThe council took up a citywide general plan and zoning update (Case No. 2026-0010) in April 2026 and continued the vote after one member abstained.

What's on the tableThe council elected in November will carry out the land-use rules adopted in the update, including mixed-use zoning.

The update covers a general plan text amendment, a land use map amendment, a zoning text amendment and a zoning map amendment. Westminster City Council minutes, April 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 2026
The city attorney said a general plan amendment needs three affirmative votes, so with one abstention he recommended continuing the item. Westminster City Council minutes, April 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 2026
Staff said the ordinance would take effect 30 days after second reading and would cover projects with applications under review. Westminster City Council minutes, April 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 2026

Homelessness and the Navigation Center

Where it standsCentral Cities Navigation Center staff updated the council in September 2025, and residents continue to raise homelessness near vacant commercial sites at council meetings.

What's on the tableThe council decides funding, enforcement and its partnership with the Navigation Center.

Central Cities Navigation Center staff gave the council a one-year update on the center in September 2025. Westminster City Council minutes, Sept. 24, 2025 · Sep 24, 2025
At the April 8, 2026 meeting the police chief said one of the sergeants-at-arms is also a Homeless Liaison Officer and would look into residents' concerns near the Big Lots property. Westminster City Council minutes, April 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 2026

Council conduct and non-local resolutions

Where it standsThe council has split on resolutions about state and national issues, and on the Charlie Kirk Way signs.

What's on the tableCouncil members decide whether to take up state and national resolutions and symbolic naming items.

In September 2025 the council passed a resolution opposing California Proposition 50 on a 4-1 vote. Westminster City Council minutes, Sept. 10, 2025 · Sep 10, 2025
In September 2025 the council passed a resolution supporting voter identification on a 3-2 vote. Westminster City Council minutes, Sept. 24, 2025 · Sep 24, 2025
On Nov. 12, 2025 the council voted 4-1 to add Charlie Kirk Way to the All American Way street signs. Orange County Register · Nov 13, 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 the council pass resolutions on state and national political issues, such as Proposition 50 or voter ID?
2. Should All American Way carry a Charlie Kirk Way sign?
3. What should happen to the city-owned Rose Center Theater?
4. How should Westminster respond to homelessness?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Mail ballots availableOC Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration after)OC Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Vote centers openOC Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
Election DayCity of WestminsterNov 3, 2026

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Mark Nguyen3 on this ballot

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

Westminster is a general law city with four council districts and a mayor elected at large. City of Westminster
The Nov. 3, 2026 election fills the mayor's seat and the District 1 and District 4 council seats, each for a four-year term. City of Westminster

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