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Your Voice. Your Vote. | La Verne Daily News
Illustration of La Verne voters raising their hands beside a ballot box and voting check marks

La Verne election guide · Nov. 3, 2026

Your Voice.
Your Vote.

Local decisions shape daily life. Ask the questions that matter to you, meet the candidates and make a plan to vote.

See who’s running
Election DayLa Verne, CA
NOV032026

City Council Districts 1, 3 & 4

Register byOct. 19
Ballots mailedOct. 5
Early voting startsOct. 24
Election DayNov. 3

Make your plan

Three ways to vote

Choose the option that works best for you. No postage is required for mail ballots.

01

Vote by mail

Every registered Los Angeles County voter will receive a ballot. Mailing begins Oct. 5. Return it by mail, at an official drop box or at any Vote Center.

Learn about voting by mail
02

Vote early

Eleven-day Vote Centers open Oct. 24, with additional four-day locations opening Oct. 31. You may vote at any Vote Center in L.A. County.

Find a Vote Center
03

Vote on Election Day

Vote Centers are open Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you may cast a ballot. Same-day voter registration is available.

See in-person voting information

First things first

Check your voter registration

Confirm your address, party preference and registration status before Oct. 19.

Check my status

Save the date

Candidate Forums & Events

Meet the candidates and hear where they stand on issues affecting La Verne.

Sept. 30, 2026
6-8 p.m.

Meet Your Candidate

Brought to you by the La Verne Chamber of Commerce

Join the conversation. Be part of the dialogue that shapes La Verne. Come connect, ask questions, and hear firsthand about the vision, plans, and priorities that impact La Verne. What to expect: Open Q&A session, personal introductions, community discussions.

La Verne Community Center
3680 D. St., La Verne

For more information, call
(909) 593-5265 or email info@lavernechamber.org

From La Verne Daily News

Latest Election News

Follow the latest reporting on La Verne’s 2026 local elections.

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On your local ballot

Meet the candidates

La Verne voters elect one City Council member from the district where they live.

Qualified La Verne City Council candidates
DistrictCandidate
District 1Steve Johnson
District 1Thomas Allison
District 3Meshal “Kash” Kashifalghita
District 3Richard Bowen
District 4Tim Hepburn

Candidate list reflects qualified candidates published by the City of La Verne as of Aug. 11, 2026. Candidate profiles and responses will be added as reporting continues. View the City’s election page.

Map of La Verne's five City Council districts
La Verne is divided into five City Council districts. Districts 1, 3 and 4 are on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.

How local representation works

Why does La Verne have five districts?

The California Voting Rights Act is meant to prevent a citywide election system from weakening the voting power of minority communities.

In La Verne, voters once elected all City Council members and the mayor citywide. The City moved to five voting districts in 2021 so communities with shared interests — including minority populations — would be less likely to be divided among several districts and would have a stronger voice in choosing a representative. Residents now vote for one council member from their district, and council members select a mayor on an annual basis.

The law does not guarantee that a minority candidate will win. It is intended to give minority voters a fair opportunity to influence who represents them, according to the California Elections Code and the City of La Verne.

The City Council began the districting process in July 2021 when it unanimously adopted Resolution No. 21-47. The initial proposal called for five City Council districts and a mayoral position that would rotate among council members.

The Council also considered a four-district system with a mayor elected citywide. The City’s demographer, National Demographics Corporation, evaluated both options, but the City ultimately determined that a five-district map more closely met the goals of the state Voting Rights Act.

On Dec. 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1107, establishing the five-district election system beginning with the June 2022 election.

Read the City’s Districting FAQ

Community-powered election coverage

Candidate Q&As

Your Voice. Your Vote. is a nonpartisan, community-powered election project designed to help La Verne residents make informed decisions in the November local election—and it starts with your questions.

La Verne Daily News will use community questions and input to guide reporting, candidate questionnaires and election coverage because I believe local elections should reflect the voices of the people who live here.

What will La Verne Daily News publish?

Candidate responses will only be edited to correct spelling errors. Questions and responses from each candidate will be published on La Verne Daily News’ website and in its email newsletters.

What happens if a candidate declines to answer questions?

I will send questions in written form to all La Verne City Council candidates and publish their answers as received. If they decline to answer a question, the space will be left blank and marked “No response.” If they do not respond at all, their name will be listed with a note indicating that no responses were received.

Have a question or suggestion about local election coverage? Email staci@lavernedaily.org .

Questions were emailed to City Council candidates the week of Sept. 7. We hope to share their responses in early October.

What residents want to know

Candidate Questions

Roads &
Infrastructure

  1. Which streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure projects should the City prioritize—and how will it pay for them?
  2. Will you support expanding bike lanes and bus service so our children and disabled neighbors can get around town safely?
  3. What will you do to enable kids to walk and bike safely to school, activities and local businesses?

Public Safety

  1. Would you ever consider outsourcing public safety to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or Los Angeles County Fire Department?
  2. How would you handle the City’s relationship with the La Verne Firefighters Association? What changes or actions would you support for the City’s firefighters?
  3. Would you support an unarmed mental health response team working with the La Verne Police Department?
  4. Would you support more frequent or daily police patrols in La Verne?
  5. How would you address homelessness in the City?
  6. What should the City do to improve public safety while maintaining trust and accountability?
  7. Would you consider ending La Verne’s Flock Safety camera program because of privacy concerns?

Development

  1. How should La Verne balance the need for housing and development with residents’ concerns about traffic, density and neighborhood character?
  2. What should be done to bring more restaurants and stores to La Verne—and keep existing businesses open?
  3. What kind of land use would you support for the former Lutheran High School site?
  4. Would you support using Sierra La Verne or other golf course properties in the City for housing?

City Finances
& Budget

  1. What plans or ideas do you have for addressing rising power bills for residents? Would you consider joining the Clean Power Alliance or a similar program?
  2. How would you help seniors and other residents who are struggling to keep up with rising water bills?
  3. How should the City balance its budget and set spending priorities without placing an unreasonable burden on residents?

Other

  1. Do you support returning to at-large voting?
  2. How are you planning to represent the City as we approach the 2028 Olympics?
  3. What ideas do you have for addressing the City’s coyote population?

Coming soon

Not sure where the candidates stand?

Answer a few questions to compare your priorities with the candidates’ positions on local issues.

Help me compare candidates

Also on the November ballot

Three Valleys Municipal Water District

Three Valleys Municipal Water District is a wholesale water agency that helps local water providers secure a water supply. According to the district’s website, it supplies water to 13 member agencies, including the City of La Verne, and is part of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The district is governed by a seven-member board. Each director represents one geographic division and serves a four-year term. Divisions 1, 3 and 5 are up for election in November.

Division 3 covers La Verne and Claremont and has been vacant since June 3, 2026. La Verne voters will choose among three candidates for the seat.

Candidates for Three Valleys Municipal Water District Division 3
DivisionCandidateBallot designationIncumbent
Division 3Monica Aleman GibbsWater Consultant/EducatorNo
Division 3Jeff HanlonPolicy ScientistNo
Division 3Sherry ShawRetired Manager EngineerNo

Candidate information is from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s candidate list, last updated Aug. 14, 2026. View the official candidate list.

Local school governance

Bonita Unified School District Board of Education

The Board of Education is the elected governing body for Bonita Unified School District, which serves students in La Verne and San Dimas. Its five members are elected by trustee area to represent their communities while making decisions for the district as a whole.

The board sets district policy and priorities, approves the budget and educational plans, adopts curriculum and instructional materials, oversees facilities and staffing policies, and hires and evaluates the superintendent. The superintendent and district staff manage day-to-day school operations and carry out the board’s direction.

Current board member Jim Elliot, who represents Trustee Area 3, did not run for re-election. His term expires in December 2026.

Bonita Unified School District Board of Education Election Results
Board members will be sworn in in December 2026./caption>
Trustee areaCandidateBallot designationRace
Trustee Area 2Derek BahmanouIncumbent and current board presidentUnapposed. Re-elected
Trustee Area 3Selina GarciaCommunity VolunteerUnopposed. Elected.

Candidate information is from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s candidate list. View the official candidate list.