Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026Key datesVoter guide

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Voter Guide · Salinas 2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3
Cheat sheet

Your 2026 election,
on one page.

Four City Council seats are on the ballot. Here’s who’s running, how much they’ve raised, who’s writing the biggest checks, and what to remember before you fill out yours.

2026 campaign statements

Data as of 2026-10-17Monetary contributions as each candidate’s committee reported them. Coverage differs by committee, and every other measure is reported separately.

Mayor

Monetary contributions

Bar lengths use one scale for this list.

District 2

Monetary contributions

  • Tony BarreraPaper-filed $8,488Read from the committee's paper-filed Form 460 statements (filing 217038488, received 2026-07-08; filing 217534118, received 2026-09-28), not from the City's e-filed data.
  • Jose GuerraUnavailable not zeroNo matched committee

District 3

Monetary contributions

Bar lengths use one scale for this list.

District 5

Monetary contributions

Bar lengths use one scale for this list.

Candidates appear in the order of the source table. Each figure is one measure, reported separately and never added to another; loans, in-kind support and later receipts are not included in these figures. “Unavailable” means no committee in the City’s e-filed exports used here was matched to that candidate; it is not zero.

All 2026 measures, by candidate →2026 Money →

Data as of 2026-10-17. The 2026 figures come from campaign statements committees filed with the City. Figures labeled 2024–25 come from earlier filings and are a separate dataset. 2026 Money →

transparentsalinas.org/cheat-sheet · Source: FPPC Form 460 · City of Salinas NetFile portal · Independent; not affiliated with the City, FPPC, candidates, or committees

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01

Dates to remember

Mark them now — some of these are sooner than you think.

Mail ballots sent Mon, Oct 5 Every active registered voter in Monterey County is mailed a ballot.
Early voting opens Mon, Oct 5 In-person voting starts at the Monterey County Elections Office in Salinas; more early-voting sites open later in October. Locations on the Monterey County Elections site.
Voter registration deadline Mon, Oct 19 Missed it? From Oct 20 through Election Day you can register and vote the same day (conditional voter registration) at the county elections office, an early-voting site, or your polling place.
Election Day Tue, Nov 3 Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drop boxes close at 8 p.m.

Dates reflect the published 2026 California General Election calendar. Confirm at montereycountyelections.us.

02

What’s on your ballot

Four Salinas City Council seats are up, plus a U.S. House seat: Salinas is in CA-18 (Zoe Lofgren, D, vs. Shane Lewis, R). Check your sample ballot for your district. Three council seats — D1, D4, D6 — are mid-term and not on the 2026 ballot.

Open the City of Salinas council district map ↗
The City’s searchable council district map opens in a new tab. You can also look up your address below.
  1. D1 Jose Luis Barajas Mid-term · 2028
  2. D2 Tony Barrera On 2026 ballot
  3. D3 Margaret D’Arrigo On 2026 ballot
  4. D4 Gloria De La Rosa Mid-term · 2028
  5. D5 Andrew Sandoval On 2026 ballot
  6. D6 Aurelio Salazar Mid-term · 2028

Not sure which district you’re in? Look up by address →

03

Local ballot measures

This guide covers two City of Salinas measures on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot. Monterey County Elections’ list of local measures, checked , lists the sales-tax extension as Measure G and the rent referendum as Measure H. This guide has not verified the final ballot wording; confirm the letters and the wording on your official sample ballot, in the county voter information guide, or on the Salinas City Clerk election page.

Local · City of Salinas · Sales tax

Measure G — Sales tax extension

Extends an existing 1¢ tax

A vote on whether to extend the existing 1¢ local sales tax that Salinas voters approved in 2014. The tax is currently set to expire on April 1, 2030. This measure would keep it in place at the same rate — not raise it.

A YES vote

Keeps the 1¢ sales tax going past its April 1, 2030 sunset — same rate, not an increase. The ballot question describes the tax as raising about $30 million a year.

A NO vote

Lets the tax expire on April 1, 2030. The City projects a roughly $47 million shortfall (about 21% of the budget) starting FY 2030–31, with cuts to services and staff.

What we know

  • The ballot question describes the tax as raising about $30 million a year (the City budgeted $34.5M for FY 2025–26); see the audited yearly totals on the Measure G page.
  • It’s a general-fund tax: police, fire/911, homelessness response, streets and sidewalks, parks, youth and senior programs, affordable-housing support.
  • Has an independent citizen oversight committee and annual audits.
  • City Council voted 7–0 on March 24, 2026 to advance it to the November ballot.
  • It’s an extension, not a new tax — the rate stays the same as today.
  • Local polling reported by Monterey County NOW (n=400) showed about 58% support; a general tax needs 50%+1 to pass.
  • Monterey County Elections’ list of local measures, checked , lists this item as Measure G; confirm the letter on your official sample ballot.

What we don’t know yet

  • The final certified ballot title and 75-word summary.
  • The full impartial analysis and arguments for / against from the Voter Information Pamphlet.
  • Whether any organized opposition committee files an FPPC committee.

Read this as a starting point. The official Voter Information Pamphlet is the source of truth on what’s actually on your ballot.

See where Measure G spends its money → Sources: Monterey County NOW · KCBX · City staff reports
Local · City of Salinas · Referendum

Measure H — Rent reform referendum

Referendum on rent stabilization repeal

The City describes this as a vote on Ordinance No. 2687, the council’s June 2025 ordinance repealing four rent-related ordinances. The petition qualified and the council placed the repeal ordinance on the November 2026 ballot. The guide below is provisional until Transparent Salinas verifies the final certified ballot title and official voter materials.

Expected YES effect

Adopt Ordinance No. 2687, the repeal ordinance. On the current official record, that would repeal the four rent-related ordinances. Verify the certified ballot language before voting.

Expected NO effect

Vote against Ordinance No. 2687. On the current official record, the four rent-related ordinances would remain in effect, subject to later lawful changes. Verify the certified ballot language before voting.

What we know

  • The four ordinances cover rental registration, rent stabilization, just-cause eviction and tenant protection, and tenant anti-harassment. The City says they remain in effect while voters decide on the repeal.
  • The City Council adopted repeal Ordinance No. 2687 on June 3, 2025.
  • The City says a referendum petition was submitted July 3, 2025 and the County certified sufficient signatures on August 15, 2025.
  • The City says the repeal ordinance is scheduled for the Nov. 3, 2026 general-election ballot.
  • Committees tied to this measure have contribution records in the City’s NetFile portal. For the two in the 2024–2025 history below, the project labels positions for comparison and does not endorse any committee.
  • Monterey County Elections’ list of local measures, checked , lists this referendum as Measure H; confirm the letter on your official sample ballot. The filings of committees tied to this measure use names including “Protect Salinas Renters 2026 to Support Referendum of an Ordinance Repealing Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections,” “Protect Salinas Residents 2026- Yes on Measure H” and “Vote to Protect Salinas Renters 2026.”

What we don’t know yet

  • The final certified ballot text, which this project has not verified.
  • The final official impartial analysis and arguments that will appear in voter materials.
  • Any implementation timing or later legal changes beyond the expected effect described above.
  • The final public positions of organizations and officeholders; committee labels on this page should not be read as a complete endorsement list.

Data as of 2026-10-172026 filings

Rent referendum committees

Committees in the City’s filing data that are tied to the rent referendum (Measure H). Each is shown with the same measures, in committee ID order.

Measure H committees, side by sideData as of 2026-10-17, in committee ID order. Each figure stands alone and is never added to another.
Committee and stated positionMonetary contributionsPayments
Protect Salinas Renters 2026 to Support Referendum of an Ordinance Repealing Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections ID 1481533 Filed name refers to supporting a referendum petition; the filings reviewed state no position on the Measure H voteUnavailable (not zero)Unavailable (not zero)
Protect Salinas Residents 2026- Yes on Measure H ID 1484184 Position as filed: support of Measure H$602,178$519,606
Vote to Protect Salinas Renters 2026 ID 1485691 Position as listed by the City’s filing portal: oppose Measure H$51,965$40,259
POSTTV No on H Listed by the City’s filing portalA committee named “POSTTV No on H” is also registered on the City’s filing portal and listed there as opposing Measure H; as of 2026-09-30 it had filed only a statement of organization (Form 410), so no figures are shown.
Each committee in detailEvery 2026 measure, with a link to each committee’s page

  • Filed name refers to supporting a referendum petition; the filings reviewed state no position on the Measure H vote

    Protect Salinas Renters 2026 to Support Referendum of an Ordinance Repealing Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections

    Committee ID 1481533 · No 2026 full statement

    Basis: its filed name, which refers to supporting a referendum of the repeal ordinance. The filings reviewed name no ballot measure letter.

    Monetary contributions
    Unavailable (not zero)
    Later reported receipts
    Unavailable (not zero)
    Payments
    Unavailable (not zero)

    No 2026 full statement for this committee appears in the City’s filing data used here, so its 2026 figures are unavailable, not zero.

    Full committee page → Protect Salinas Renters 2026 to Support Referendum of an Ordinance Repealing Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections

  • Position as filed: support of Measure H

    Protect Salinas Residents 2026- Yes on Measure H

    Committee ID 1484184 · Statement coverage: 2026-01-01 to 2026-10-17

    Basis: the committee’s filed name and the support code on its 2026 spending reports.

    Monetary contributions
    $602,178
    Later reported receipts
    $0
    Payments
    $519,606
    Ending cash
    $121,659
    New loans received (gross)
    $0
    In-kind
    $52,450
    Itemized unpaid bills
    $0
    Outstanding debt
    $0

    The National Apartment Association’s late contribution is counted once, in the in-kind figure: this committee reported it as an in-kind contribution (Schedule C), and the sending committee on a late-contribution report (Form 497).

    Full committee page → Protect Salinas Residents 2026- Yes on Measure H

  • Position as listed by the City’s filing portal: oppose Measure H

    Vote to Protect Salinas Renters 2026

    Committee ID 1485691 · Statement coverage: 2026-01-01 to 2026-10-17

    Basis: the City’s filing portal lists this committee among those opposing Measure H. Its filed name does not state a position. The committee’s own 2026 spending reports in the City’s export name no measure.

    Monetary contributions
    $51,965
    Later reported receipts
    $2,000
    Payments
    $40,259
    Ending cash
    $16,160
    New loans received (gross)
    $4,000
    In-kind
    $100
    Itemized unpaid bills
    $0
    Outstanding debt
    $4,000
    Full committee page → Vote to Protect Salinas Renters 2026

Each measure is reported separately and never added to another. Ending cash, unpaid bills and outstanding debt are balances at the end of the coverage period; later receipts were reported after the committee’s latest full statement.

One late contribution to committee 1484184 was reported by the sending committee on a late-contribution report (Form 497) and by committee 1484184 as an in-kind contribution (Schedule C); it is counted once, in that committee’s in-kind figure.

Positions are stated only as each committee’s filings, or the City’s filing portal, state them; they are not endorsements by Transparent Salinas.

Compare them side by side, with contributor and payee tables →

2024–2025 history

Committee records from this site’s earlier snapshot, through May 17, 2026. A separate dataset from the 2026 filings above. The labels on these two cards are this project’s editorial grouping for 2024–2025, not positions stated in the committees’ filings.

04

How to actually vote

Three ways to cast a ballot in Monterey County.

Method 01

Mail your ballot

Your ballot arrives by mail in early October. Fill it out, sign the back of the envelope, and return it — postage is prepaid.

Postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 10 (mail by Oct 27 to be safe), or in a drop box by 8 p.m. Nov 3.

Method 02

Use a drop box

Drop boxes around Salinas are listed on the county elections site. Seal and sign your return envelope first — no postage, no line.

Open until 8 p.m. on Nov 3.

Method 03

Vote in person

Vote early at the Monterey County Elections Office in Salinas (weekdays from Oct 5, plus Oct 24, Oct 31 and Nov 1) or at other early-voting sites the county lists. On Election Day, vote at your assigned polling place (shown on your sample ballot) or the Elections Office. Bring your mailed ballot to surrender, or register and vote the same day.

Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov 3.

Tool Check your registration → voterstatus.sos.ca.gov Official Monterey County Elections → montereycountyelections.us Register Register to vote → registertovote.ca.gov Track Where’s My Ballot? → california.ballottrax.net

2024–2025 history Earlier filings; data through .

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05

How we made this

Public FPPC Form 460 filing records transformed by this project. Readers can verify the included fields and totals against the original NetFile records.

Local candidate-card contribution figures in the campaign-finance sections are derived from the included FPPC Form 460 Schedule A records published through the City’s NetFile portal. Election, budget, and federal-race facts use the separately linked sources. Local filing period shown: calendar years 2024–2025. Data through: .

2026 statements: The 2026 figures in the race lists at the start of this page come from the campaign statements committees filed with the City of Salinas, with data as of 2026-10-17. They are a separate dataset from the 2024–2025 figures, and each measure is shown on its own. Sources and method for the 2026 figures →

Committee cards count exact normalized filing names within that committee. The cross-campaign directory uses the stricter combination of normalized filing name, entity type, and city. Neither method verifies a unique person or organization. The per-source, per-election limit for Salinas City Council candidate committees is $5,900 for the 2026 election ($5,500 in 2024); different rules can apply to PACs and ballot-measure committees.

Plain-English glossary
FPPC
California’s Fair Political Practices Commission — the agency that enforces campaign-finance disclosure law.
Form 460
The standard report a campaign committee files. It lists money raised, money spent, and who gave.
Schedule A
The part of Form 460 used to report monetary contributions. Itemized donor details generally appear when contributions reach the applicable cumulative disclosure threshold, but a filing can also contain smaller installments, adjustments, refunds, or additional disclosed entries.
PAC (Political Action Committee)
A committee that raises and spends money to influence elections. It is not a candidate’s own committee.
Independent expenditure
Money spent to support or oppose a candidate without coordinating with that campaign. Contribution limits do not apply.
Contribution limit
The maximum a single source can give one candidate per election. In Salinas City Council races, it is $5,900 for the 2026 election ($5,500 in 2024).
Late contribution (Form 497)
A contribution of $1,000 or more received in the 90 days before an election. Must be disclosed within 24 hours.

Found something off? Email tips@transparentsalinas.org with a screenshot.

Full methodology → Source data ↗