Citywide and statewide choices
- Mayor
- At-Large Councilmember
- Pacific Grove Measure R
- PGUSD Measure K
- 14 California propositions
NOVEMBER 3, 2026 • PACIFIC GROVE
Know your whole ballot
before it arrives.
Local races, ballot measures, statewide propositions and the official documents behind them—organized for Pacific Grove voters without telling anyone how to vote.
Guide statusCity, county and PGUSD election records rechecked September 2, 2026 at 11:20 a.m. PDT; statewide summaries retain direct official source links
Monterey County's official local-measures list confirms PGUSD Measure K for the November 3 ballot. An earlier version of this guide incorrectly labeled the parcel tax unconfirmed and retained pre-deadline candidate-filing language. Both errors have been corrected in place; this page's permanent URL is unchanged.
LOCAL MEASURES2one city, one school-district measure
STATEWIDE14qualified propositions
CITY RACES5Pacific Grove offices
Local ballots include Pacific Grove's Measure R and PGUSD's Measure K. Measure K proposes an $85 annual parcel tax for five years and requires two-thirds approval.
How to read your ballotOffices, voting rules & ballot basics
01WHAT WILL BE ON MY BALLOT?
District and school-board contests
City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5 and PGUSD Trustee Areas 1, 3 and 5 are scheduled in this election. Your residential address determines which district contests appear.
Find my council district ↗School-board field updated. Filing has closed. Monterey County lists Charles “Chuck” Brinker, Dan Miller and Stephen Bennett on the Area 1 ballot; Nicole Michel Rivera in Area 3 and Jennifer McNary in Area 5 are appointed in lieu of election. Use the County's current candidate list for the controlling election status.
02PACIFIC GROVE CANDIDATES BY OFFICE AND AREA
Find the city heading that will matter on your ballot.
All names below are listed as qualified by the Pacific Grove City Clerk. They are grouped by contest for clarity; the order shown here is not certified ballot order and is not an endorsement.
ABOUT THE SHORT BIOS: These are plain-language summaries of candidate-submitted statements or required city disclosures. They identify background and experience, but MyPG.news has not independently verified every biographical claim.
01
CITYWIDE
Mayor
Every Pacific Grove voter2-year term • one seat
This race appears on every Pacific Grove city ballot. The mayor is elected by voters across the entire city.
MEET THE CANDIDATES2 qualified candidates
- Luke ColettiQualified August 3
A former Pacific Grove councilmember and public-policy advocate. In his candidate statement, Coletti says he has worked on local-government accountability for more than a decade and authored the citizen referendum on the mayor and council pay increase.
Source: candidate-submitted statement - Nick SmithQualified July 27
Pacific Grove’s incumbent mayor and a former councilmember. Smith’s statement describes him as the father of three PGUSD students and highlights work on the city’s climate plan, housing element, district-election transition, budgeting and capital projects.
Source: candidate-submitted statement
02
CITYWIDE
At-Large Councilmember
Every Pacific Grove voter2-year term • one seat
This race also appears citywide. An at-large councilmember represents the entire city rather than a single council district.
MEET THE CANDIDATES2 qualified candidates
- Lori McDonnellQualified July 27
An incumbent councilmember and researcher who serves on the Community Human Services and AMBAG boards. McDonnell reports an MA in psychology and research experience at NASA, the Veterans Administration and Stanford School of Medicine.
Source: candidate-submitted statement - James OgleQualified August 5
Ogle identifies his occupation as artist and reports no prior public office. His required city disclosure lists education or training at the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Oregon’s architecture program, the University of Alabama and Monterey Peninsula College.
Source: required Charter Article 8 disclosure
03
DISTRICT 1
District 1 Councilmember
Only voters who live in District 14-year term • one seat
This contest appears only on ballots for addresses inside District 1. The winner represents District 1 on the City Council.
MEET THE CANDIDATES2 qualified candidates
- Cynthia GarfieldQualified July 20
A current appointed councilmember who previously served an elected council term from 2016 to 2020. Garfield reports master’s degrees in business/entrepreneurship and social-work administration, along with nonprofit-board and community volunteer service.
Source: candidate-submitted statement - Kevin HanleyQualified July 27
A former mayor and councilmember in Auburn, California, and a former naval officer. Hanley’s statement also lists work as a California Legislature health-policy consultant, Chamber of Commerce CEO and economics instructor; he says he moved to Pacific Grove six years ago.
Source: candidate-submitted statement
04
DISTRICT 3
District 3 Councilmember
Only voters who live in District 34-year term • one seat
This contest appears only on ballots for addresses inside District 3. The winner represents District 3 on the City Council.
MEET THE CANDIDATES3 qualified candidates
- Tara LewelingQualified July 23
An Air Force veteran of nearly 22 years, including service at the White House, and a former senior financial-services executive. Leweling owns a local strategic advisory firm and says her connection to Pacific Grove began while stationed at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1999.
Source: candidate-submitted statement - Susan GoldbeckQualified July 30
A Pacific Grove resident of more than 30 years, former city councilmember and former planning commissioner. Goldbeck reports having operated a law practice and The Beacon newspaper in Pacific Grove.
Source: candidate-submitted statement - Andrew KubicaQualified August 4
A 20-year Pacific Grove resident, current Planning Commission chair, former Traffic Commission member and CERT volunteer. Kubica reports an aerospace-engineering degree from Notre Dame and several decades in systems engineering at Lockheed Martin.
Source: candidate-submitted statement
05
DISTRICT 5
District 5 Councilmember
Only voters who live in District 54-year term • one seat
This contest appears only on ballots for addresses inside District 5. The City Clerk currently lists one qualified candidate for the seat.
MEET THE CANDIDATES1 qualified candidate
- Chris ThomasQualified July 20
A retired and relatively new Pacific Grove resident who previously led a condominium association in Chicago. Thomas reports a BA in economics from the University of Texas, an MBA in finance from the Wharton School and experience with budgets, reserves and capital projects.
Source: candidate-submitted statement
HOW TO USE THIS SECTION
Start with the two citywide races, then find your council district. Read the short introductions, open each available filing, and compare candidates seeking the same office. More source-linked information—including forums, interviews, campaign finance and issue positions—can be added as it becomes available.
03CONFIRMED LOCAL BALLOT MEASURES
PLACED ON BALLOT BY CITY RESOLUTION 26-023Official designation: Measure R
Preserving General Services Measure
“Shall the measure…establishing a 0.375% transactions and use (‘sales’) tax, providing approximately $1,000,000 annually for 10 years, with independent audits, and all money locally controlled, be adopted?”
IF YOU VOTE YES
You are voting to establish the 0.375% local transactions-and-use tax for ten years under the terms in the measure.
IF YOU VOTE NO
You are voting not to establish this proposed local tax.
What would change
A 0.375% local transactions-and-use tax would be added for ten years.
City revenue estimate
Approximately $1 million per year, according to the ballot language.
Stated purpose
General city services, including streets, sidewalks, beaches, parks, facilities, fire, paramedic, crime prevention and 9-1-1 response.
Oversight in the measure
Independent audits and local control of the revenue are stated in the measure.
WHY IT MATTERS
Voters are deciding whether to raise the local sales-tax rate for a fixed ten-year period. This is a general-services tax—not revenue legally dedicated to only the examples named. The official text is the best source for its legal terms, duration and accountability requirements.
Primary recordResolution 26-023 and full measure text ↗Official analysisCity Attorney impartial analysis ↗Campaign argumentPrimary argument in favor ↗Election statusPacific Grove City Clerk election page ↗
CURRENT DOCUMENT STATUSCity Attorney impartial analysis filedPrimary argument in favor filed; the City Clerk says no argument against was submittedPrimary-argument public review ended August 24Rebuttal deadline passed August 20City-listed rebuttal public review ended August 31; no rebuttal document link appeared at the September 2 review
The City Attorney analysis is an official government document. The argument in favor is campaign advocacy. MyPG.news labels them separately. The absence of a posted rebuttal link does not by itself establish that nothing was filed; the guide will add any document the City Clerk publishes.
CONFIRMED ON MONTEREY COUNTY'S LOCAL-MEASURES LISTOfficial designation: Measure K
Pacific Grove Unified School District parcel tax
The County's ballot summary asks PGUSD voters whether to approve an $85 annual parcel tax for five years, estimated to raise approximately $800,000 each year. Two-thirds voter approval is required.
IF YOU VOTE YES
You are voting to adopt the $85-per-parcel annual tax for five years under Measure K's terms.
IF YOU VOTE NO
You are voting not to adopt the proposed PGUSD parcel tax.
Tax and duration
$85 per parcel each year for five years.
Revenue estimate
Approximately $800,000 annually, according to the County ballot summary.
Passage threshold
Two-thirds voter approval.
Stated purposes
Reading and math programs, services for students with disabilities, affordable before- and after-school programs, and student mental-health counseling at six campuses.
ACCOUNTABILITY LANGUAGE
The County summary says the money may not be used for administrator salaries, pensions or benefits and calls for full spending disclosure. Read the full measure and impartial analysis for the legal terms.
04ALL 14 QUALIFIED CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS
OFFICIALLY NUMBERED JUNE 29, 2026
Statewide choices on every Pacific Grove ballot.
The short explanations below summarize the California Secretary of State’s official digest or Attorney General title and summary. They are not campaign arguments. Open the official record before deciding.
PROPOSITION1
Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026
Authorizes $11.25 billion in state general-obligation bonds: $10 billion for affordable rental and homeownership programs and $1.25 billion for veterans housing assistance.
WHY IT MATTERSVoters are deciding whether the state should borrow for housing programs and repay the bonds from the General Fund.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial amount: $11.25 billion in bonds.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION2
Save for California’s Future Act
Changes state reserve rules, raises the Budget Stabilization Account cap from 10% to 20% of estimated General Fund tax proceeds, and revises how certain volatile revenue is divided between reserves and liabilities.
WHY IT MATTERSIt changes how California saves during strong revenue years and when reserve money may be used during budget emergencies.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYChanges reserve transfers and the state spending-limit calculation.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION3
Permanent funding for schools and healthcare
Makes permanent the 2012 voter-approved income-tax rates on high-income Californians that otherwise expire in 2031. Education revenue is allocated 89% to K–12 schools and 11% to community colleges.
WHY IT MATTERSIt would continue an existing tax indefinitely rather than allow it to expire, affecting education, healthcare, reserves and other state programs.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: maintains $5–$15 billion in annual state income-tax revenue.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION4
California Fair Elections Act of 2026
Allows state or local public-financing systems for campaigns if participating candidates meet eligibility and spending rules. It also changes penalties for prohibited foreign contributions and expenditures.
WHY IT MATTERSIt changes California’s constitutional restriction on using public money for campaigns but does not itself create a specific local financing program.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYProgram costs would depend on any future state or local system created.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION5
Recall process for state officers
Eliminates the simultaneous successor contest in a state recall. If a governor is recalled, the lieutenant governor generally becomes governor for the remainder of the term, subject to specified special-election timing.
WHY IT MATTERSIt changes who replaces a recalled statewide officer and how voters choose a successor.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYElection-administration effects depend on future recalls and special elections.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION37
Middle-income new-home loan program
Authorizes up to $25 billion in bonds for fixed-rate mortgages covering up to 17% of the purchase price of certain newly built or converted homes for eligible middle-income buyers.
WHY IT MATTERSIt creates a state-backed home-finance program with eligibility, price and occupancy rules.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial summary says homeowner payments—not the state—would repay the bonds, with no direct state or local costs.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION38
Bonds for immunology research
Authorizes $8.4 billion in state general-obligation bonds for immunology and immunotherapy research, split between a qualifying UC-affiliated institute and a grant program.
WHY IT MATTERSVoters are deciding whether to borrow for medical research and accept long-term General Fund repayment costs.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: about $500 million annually for 25 years to repay bonds.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION39
Voter identification and citizenship verification
Requires government-issued identification at polling places or the last four digits of an identification number for voting by mail, state-issued voter ID cards on request, and county citizenship-verification reporting.
WHY IT MATTERSIt would add new identification, reporting and administrative requirements to California elections.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: tens of millions in one-time costs and potentially tens to low hundreds of millions annually.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION40
One-time tax on certain individuals and trusts
Imposes a one-time tax of up to 5% on covered assets over $1 billion, excluding real property and some retirement assets; allocates 90% to healthcare and 10% to food assistance or education-related programs.
WHY IT MATTERSIt would create a one-time wealth tax and earmark the proceeds while potentially changing future income-tax collections.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: tens of billions over several years, with likely ongoing income-tax losses of hundreds of millions or more annually.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION41
Audits and limits for new state special taxes
Requires pre-election and recurring audits for programs funded by certain new state special taxes and bars new state taxes whose revenue is excluded from the voter-approved state spending limit.
WHY IT MATTERSIt changes the rules for proposing, auditing and accounting for future state special taxes.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial fiscal effect is unknown and depends on future measures, audits and resulting savings.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION42
Limits on new personal-property and retroactive state taxes
Prohibits new state taxes on ownership or control of personal property and certain taxes applied retroactively, with limited exceptions, for taxes enacted or effective on or after January 1, 2026.
WHY IT MATTERSIt places new constitutional limits on what kinds of taxes the state may adopt in the future.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial summary: future tax revenue could be lower.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION43
Two-thirds approval for local special taxes
Beginning January 1, 2027, requires two-thirds voter approval for local special taxes, including taxes proposed through the local initiative process, with specified exceptions and limits.
WHY IT MATTERSIt changes the passage threshold for voter-initiated local special taxes and could affect future city, county and district funding proposals.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYFuture local revenue effects depend on which measures are proposed and approved.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION44
Community-clinic program spending requirement
Requires nonprofit federally qualified health centers to spend at least 90% of revenue on program services, allows limited waivers, and creates reporting and enforcement provisions.
WHY IT MATTERSIt sets a statewide spending ratio for qualifying safety-net clinics and may affect clinic operations and oversight.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: up to the low tens of millions annually for enforcement, largely covered by fees and penalties.
Read the official state summary ↗PROPOSITION45
Environmental review for certain projects
Changes CEQA review for specified housing, transportation, water, healthcare and clean-energy projects by setting deadlines and limiting some alternatives analysis and court review.
WHY IT MATTERSIt could accelerate covered projects while changing the scope and timing of environmental and judicial review.
OFFICIAL FISCAL SUMMARYOfficial estimate: tens of millions annually in early implementation; long-term net effects are uncertain.
Read the official state summary ↗What comes next: The state’s complete online Voter Information Guide—containing analyses, full texts and selected arguments—is scheduled for September 4. MyPG.news will add direct proposition-document links and clearly separate official analysis from arguments for and against.
Election deadlines & watch listDates, pending information & next steps
05SCHOOL BOARD AND OTHER OFFICES
The current official election record.
County election status controls this ballot guide. District roster pages remain useful context, and any conflict between official pages is labeled plainly.
PGUSD Trustee Areas 1, 3 and 5
Area 1 — on ballot: Charles “Chuck” Brinker, Small Business Owner; Dan Miller, Parent; Stephen Bennett, Parent/Systems Technician. Area 3 — appointed in lieu: Nicole Michel Rivera, Parent. Area 5 — appointed in lieu: Jennifer McNary, Incumbent. The County list is the controlling election record.
PGUSD Area 3 roster
PGUSD's current Board page lists Area 3 as open, while its Trustee Elections page still names Elliott Hazen. Monterey County's election list separately names Nicole Michel Rivera as appointed in lieu for Area 3. MyPG.news is linking all three records without treating the older trustee-page roster as the current ballot field.
Source rule: Monterey County's local-measures and candidate pages control qualification and election status. PGUSD's roster pages provide governance context; conflicts remain visible until the district records agree.
Election sourcesOfficial documents & election offices
06FOLLOW THE OFFICIAL RECORD
Read beyond the summary.
Pacific Grove City ClerkLocal election notices, candidates and city ballot-measure documentsMonterey County ElectionsCandidate list, local measures, county voter guide and resultsCurrent candidate listOfficial candidates and filing status for city, school and district officesCounty local measuresOfficial Measure K and Measure R ballot statusCalifornia propositionsOfficial numbering, titles, summaries and fiscal estimates for all 14California general electionOfficial statewide election hub and voter resourcesPGUSD Board rosterDistrict's current governance rosterPGUSD Trustee ElectionsDistrict trustee-area information and candidate guidanceCampaign disclosuresPacific Grove FPPC filings and campaign-finance resources
Editorial rule: MyPG.news does not advocate for or against a candidate or measure. Official analyses, candidate statements, campaign arguments and newsroom explanations are labeled separately. This guide will be corrected and expanded as official election documents are filed.