Yucca Valley, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Yucca Valley Town Council Election 2026

1 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

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

Town Council District 5 · 1 seat

Only District 5 has an election on November 3. Districts 1 and 3 were not put on the ballot because each had one nominee, and the Council appointed them.

2 notes on these statements

The Council voted 5-0 on August 18, 2026 to cancel the elections in Districts 1 and 3. Jim Schooler and Merl Abel were each the sole nominee and were appointed instead. Yucca Valley Town Council minutes, August 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026

Dion Antic is challenging Rick Denison, the only contested Town Council race this year. Hi-Desert Star

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Merl AbelMayor and Councilmember, District 3; reappointed to a new term after the Town canceled the District 3 election6sourcedJeff DrozdYucca Valley District 2 councilmember and a Copper Mountain College educator and career coordinator.6sourcedRobert LombardoYucca Valley District 4 councilmember who has run a family dentistry practice in town for 35 years.6sourcedJim SchoolerMayor Pro Tem and Councilmember, District 1; reappointed to a new term after the Town canceled the District 1 election5sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesDistrict elections, Walmart fuel station, Old Town and permittingKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

County may begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

District elections

Where it standsThe Council canceled the District 1 and 3 elections on August 18, 2026, and members asked for a future report on town-wide elections.

What's on the tableThe Council will decide whether to study or return to town-wide elections before 2028.

Walmart fuel station

Where it standsThe Council approved a six-pump fuel station at the Walmart site in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next Council may see follow-on permits, enforcement and complaints about lighting at the approved project.

Old Town and permitting

Where it standsCandidate Dion Antic proposes an Old Town arts district and a permitting concierge program.

What's on the tableThe Council sets planning rules and permit processes that affect empty buildings and small businesses.

Budget and public safety

Where it standsThe Council adopted the FY2026-28 budget on June 2, 2026, and approved the FY 2026-27 Sheriff contract amendment.

What's on the tableThe next Council oversees spending, reserves and the Sheriff's Department contract.

Aquatic and Recreation Center

Where it standsThe Council approved added monthly consultant fees for the Aquatic and Recreation Center project in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe Council will oversee the project's completion and the revenue and staffing it brings.

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. Should the Town cancel elections in districts with only one candidate?

  2. 2. Should the Town allow a fuel station at the Walmart site?

  3. 3. Should the Town promote an arts district in Old Town?

  4. 4. How should the Town change its planning and permit process?

  5. 5. How should the Town handle its Sheriff's Department contract?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Merl Abel, Jeff Drozd, Robert Lombardo, Jim Schooler1 on this ballot

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

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

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