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Anaheim city council election 2026: Which seats are on the Nov. 3 ballot

By Anaheim Life Editorial6 min read
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Illustration of an entryway table in morning light with a partly filled-in ballot sheet, an open return envelope and an uncapped pen, beside a bowl of oranges, a dusty blue mug and a set of keys.

The Anaheim city council election 2026 is on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with four city seats on the ballot: mayor (at-large) and City Council Districts 2, 3 and 6, each for a four-year term. The City lists competing candidates only in the mayor's race and District 3. Districts 1, 4 and 5 wait until 2028.

That means your ballot may look different from a neighbor's across town. Here is who is on the City's list, what you will see based on where you live, and where to read the official records.

Who is running, in ballot order

The City Clerk's 2026 Candidate List is described on that page as the "Official List" of qualified candidates for the Nov. 3 ballot. Names below follow that list, with the ballot designations the City shows.

Mayor (at-large)

  • Ashleigh Aitken, incumbent (Mayor, City of Anaheim)

  • Imran Sharief (Doctor/Businessman)

  • Alfredo Rodriguez (General Manager)

City Council District 2

  • Carlos A. Leon, incumbent (Anaheim City Councilmember)

City Council District 3

  • Elia Renteria-Garcia (Nonprofit Development Director)

  • Natalie Rubalcava, incumbent (Anaheim City Councilmember)

City Council District 6

  • Natalie Meeks, incumbent (Anaheim City Council Member, District 6)

Ballot order is not a ranking. It comes from a randomized drawing conducted by the California Secretary of State on Aug. 13, which is why Renteria-Garcia appears ahead of incumbent Rubalcava.

The City's voting explainer says the District 2 and District 6 incumbents have no opposing candidates and that District 3 has two candidates on the ballot. Voice of OC's Oct. 26 report describes those races the same way.

What you will see depends on where you live

The City's explainer lays it out plainly:

  • Every Anaheim voter: "All city voters will see the mayor’s race on their ballot."

  • Districts 2, 3 and 6: "Races for districts 2, 3 and 6 will only appear for voters in those districts."

  • Districts 1, 4 and 5: "Seats for Districts 1, 4 and 5 are not on the Nov. 3 ballot and will appear on the 2028 ballot."

The City adds that council terms run for the next four years, starting in December.

How to find your district

Anaheim uses a by-district system with six electoral districts and a mayor elected at large. The City's Neighborhood Services page links to an interactive map for residents who are not sure which district they live in. The City's Publications & Reference Tools page lists the same tool as a council district lookup for a home or business.

For a rough sense of the three districts voting this year, the City explainer says District 2 covers part of west Anaheim, District 3 is in and around downtown, and District 6 covers east Anaheim.

Your ballot is also a quick check. If it includes a council race, you live in District 2, 3 or 6. If it shows no council race, you are in District 1, 4 or 5.

Where to read the official records

  • Candidate information: The City explainer points voters to Anaheim.net/votes.

  • Campaign filings: The candidate list page says Candidate Intention Statements and campaign financial disclosure statements are on the City's Public Portal.

  • City Clerk: Theresa Bass, CMC, (714) 765-5166, 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Room 217, Anaheim, CA 92805. The City's elections page lists hours as Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Context on the mayor's race

Voice of OC, whose reporting is cited in this section, states that Aitken's father, Wylie Aitken, chairs its board of directors. The outlet reports that Sharief is a physician and Rodriguez is a general manager at an environmental services company, and it has called them relatively unknown political newcomers.

The race has drawn attention since Aitken's chief of staff, Berenice Ballinas, filed a claim alleging derogatory remarks about ethnicity and sexual orientation. Aitken denies the slur allegations and has publicly acknowledged a drinking problem and a rehab stay, according to KFI and Voice of OC. The City hired an independent investigator. Voice of OC says that work is expected to take a few months, and KFI reports it will likely extend past the election.

Outside money is also in play. Voice of OC reported Oct. 26 that the Anaheim Police Association PAC, which suspended its Aitken endorsement in late September, later spent over $93,000 on polling and mailers against Aitken. The same report says a committee funded by leftover Disney and hotelier money gave $80,000 to a pro-Aitken committee. Those figures were as of the Friday before publication.

Also on your ballot

City seats are not the only local contests. The OC Registrar of Voters lists the Orange County Supervisor 4th District seat, which the City says covers parts of Anaheim, along with school board contests such as Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Areas 1 and 2 and Anaheim Elementary School District Trustee Areas 2 and 4. No Anaheim-specific measure appeared in the Registrar's measures list, A through O.

For vote centers, drop boxes and mail-in ballots, see the City's voting explainer.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Which Anaheim seats are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot?

Four city seats are on the ballot: mayor (at-large) and City Council Districts 2, 3 and 6, each for a four-year term.

Who is running for Anaheim mayor in 2026?

The City's official list shows, in ballot order, Ashleigh Aitken (incumbent), Imran Sharief and Alfredo Rodriguez.

Will every Anaheim voter see a City Council race?

No. Every city voter sees the mayor's race, but council races appear only for voters in Districts 2, 3 and 6. Seats for Districts 1, 4 and 5 will appear on the 2028 ballot.

Which Anaheim council races have more than one candidate?

Only District 3, where Elia Renteria-Garcia and incumbent Natalie Rubalcava are on the ballot. The City says the District 2 and District 6 incumbents, Carlos A. Leon and Natalie Meeks, have no opposing candidates.

How do I find my Anaheim City Council district?

The City's Neighborhood Services page links to an interactive district map. If your ballot includes a council race, you live in District 2, 3 or 6.