Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ontario Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7 council seats are on the ballot, with 9 candidates running. Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

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Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 12 days left

Find where to vote Check your registration

Election Day; ballots due by 8 p.m. (Nov 3): 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.

Mayor

1 seat

City Council

Vote for up to 3

Voters choose one Mayor, and up to three of the six City Council candidates in a single citywide contest; the three with the most votes win.

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.

Governor
- Brett Smith · Pacific Green
- Tina Kotek · Democrat, Working Families
- Christine Drazan · Republican, Libertarian
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
- David Brock Smith · Republican
- Jeff Merkley · Democrat, Working Families
- Gary Lyndon Dye · Libertarian
- Chris Henry · Progressive, Pacific Green
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. HouseDistrict 2
State House of RepresentativesDistrict 60

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (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

01Water rates and system upgrades3 sourced facts

Where it standsThe council approved 19% water rate increases in each of three fiscal years on a 4-3 vote on September 22, 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the water capacity projects the increases are meant to fund and any later rate decisions.

The increases add up to about 68.5%, and rates stay unchanged for fiscal years 2030 and 2031. Argus Observer
City staff said that if the council did not raise rates as recommended, the city would need to pay back a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. Ontario City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Water rates were last increased by 1.9% in June 2019, according to the city's finance director. Ontario City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

02Cannabis tax revenue2 sourced facts

Where it standsThe city has used local marijuana tax revenue to pay down its PERS retirement debt and for one-time projects, according to a departing councilor.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to spend local cannabis tax revenue.

Councilor Ken Hart said at the August 25, 2026 meeting that the city received about $3 million from the 3% local tax and used the money to pay down debt and for one-time expenditures. Ontario City Council minutes, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Hart told the Argus Observer that debt payments have reduced the city's annual retirement-related costs by more than $500,000. Argus Observer

03Housing and homelessness2 sourced facts

Where it standsCandidates for mayor and council have proposed grants, a task force and regulatory review in response to housing and homelessness.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether and how to pursue housing development, shelter options and related city rules.

Annah Tubbs said she wants the city to pursue grant funding for housing development and to explore safe sleeping options. Argus Observer
Mayoral candidate Jackie Koehler proposed a Housing and Homelessness Task Force. Argus Observer

04Public safety staffing and equipment2 sourced facts

Where it standsIncumbents point to recent city investments in fire equipment, police hiring and code enforcement.

What's on the tableThe next council will set police, fire and code enforcement budgets and staffing.

Penny Bakefelt pointed to city investments in a ladder truck, firefighting gear and additional personnel, and said the city hired police officers and added a code enforcement position. Argus Observer
Mayor Folden said she wants police and fire departments to have the staffing and equipment needed to operate safely. Argus Observer

05How councilors are elected2 sourced facts

Where it standsAll six councilors are elected at large; one candidate proposes geographic districts.

What's on the tableThe council could consider changes to how council seats are elected.

Ontario's city council seats are elected at large, so candidates may live anywhere in the city limits. City of Ontario
Eddie Melendrez proposed districts: two councilors from western Ontario and at least one from eastern Ontario. Argus Observer

2 notes on these statements

Councilors John Kirby, Michael Braden and Adrianna Contreras have terms ending in 2028 and will serve with the winners. City of Ontario

Penny Bakefelt, Ontario's council president, is the only incumbent among the six City Council candidates. Argus Observer

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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. How should Ontario handle water rates to pay for system upgrades?
2. How should the city use local cannabis tax revenue?
3. What should be the city's first step on housing and homelessness?
4. How should the city treat police and fire staffing and equipment?
5. How should council members be elected?

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 voted2 council decisions, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.New · How Ontario is runWho runs Ontario, and what it costsWho the city manager is, council pay, whether the city is in the red, and where your property tax goes.

Key dates

Local ballots mailedMalheur County ClerkOct 14, 2026
Voter registration deadlineMalheur County ClerkOct 13, 2026
Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, 6 p.m., TVCC Weese Room 110Argus ObserverOct 14, 2026
Election Day; ballots due by 8 p.m.Malheur County ClerkNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Michael Braden, Adrianna Contreras, John Kirby4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The City Council is composed of a Mayor and six Councilors, elected at large, each for a four-year term. City of Ontario
City Council candidates run citywide rather than for a specific seat; the Mayor is elected separately. City of Ontario
The Mayor is recorded with a yes or no vote alongside the six councilors on council roll-call votes. Ontario City Council minutes, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

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