MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Election Day is Nov. 3, and Manhattan Beach voters will choose two City Council members while helping elect California's next governor, members of Congress and state lawmakers.
Four candidates are competing for the two council seats, including incumbent Amy Howorth, two former council members seeking a return to office and a former Planning Commission member. Three candidates have also qualified for three seats on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees, although that contest is uncontested.
Residents will additionally decide two Los Angeles County charter amendments and 14 statewide propositions covering housing, taxes, elections, medical research and environmental regulations. Unlike some neighboring communities, Manhattan Beach has no city-specific ballot measure in November. City officials considered asking voters to overhaul the business license tax system but ultimately declined to place the proposal on the ballot.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has encouraged residents to return their ballots early. "Voting in California is secure, reliable, and part of California's tradition of encouraging participation in our democracy," Weber said. "I encourage Californians to return their completed ballot as soon as possible, using one of several safe and secure options available to them. Fulfill your civic duty early – vote now, and have your voice heard."
Los Angeles County began mailing vote-by-mail ballots in early October. Every active registered voter automatically receives a ballot, which can be returned by mail, deposited in an official ballot drop box or delivered to a participating Vote Center.
According to the City of Manhattan Beach's official election information, two local ballot drop boxes are available 24 hours a day during the election period:
The city has also identified a four-day Vote Center at Marine Avenue Park, 1625 Marine Ave., open Oct. 31 through Nov. 3.
The Marine Avenue Park location will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Other participating Los Angeles County Vote Centers open Oct. 24, allowing residents to vote before the final four-day period.
Residents can find additional locations through the county's Vote Center locator and official ballot drop-box locator. California also provides an early voting location search.
Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by county election officials no later than Nov. 10. Ballots deposited in official drop boxes must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The regular voter registration deadline is Oct. 19. Eligible residents who miss that deadline can use California's conditional voter registration process to register and cast a ballot through Election Day. The Los Angeles County election portal provides personalized sample ballots, registration information, candidate statements and ballot tracking.
Manhattan Beach City Council
Four candidates are competing for two seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council in a nonpartisan election. According to the city's official list of qualified candidates, they are:
Voters may select up to two candidates.
Howorth is seeking another term on the five-member council, while Montgomery and Burton previously served on the council and are seeking to return to office. Montgomery served four terms, from 2005 to 2013 and again from 2017 to 2023. Burton served from 2013 to 2017 and previously held the mayor's position, which rotates among council members.
Ungoco has served two terms on the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission and has previously run for City Council. The election will determine two of the five seats on the council, which oversees municipal spending, development, public safety, infrastructure and other local government services.
The winners are scheduled to take the oath of office at the City Council's Dec. 15 meeting. Residents will have several opportunities to hear from the candidates before Election Day.
According to the city's election calendar, the Senior Advisory Committee will host a forum Oct. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Joslyn Community Center. The Downtown Business and Professional Association has scheduled a forum Oct. 18 from 8:15 to 10 a.m. at Culture Brewing, while the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach will host another Oct. 19 from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. at the Westdrift Hotel.
Additional information is available through the Manhattan Beach City Clerk's election webpage.
Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board
Three candidates qualified for three seats on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees, leaving the contest uncontested.
According to Los Angeles County's candidate filing records, the candidates are:
Shivpuri and Weinstein are seeking additional terms, while Rosen would be a newcomer to the board. Rosen has been involved in parent organizations at Pennekamp Elementary School and Manhattan Beach Middle School and has served on the executive board of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation.
Incumbent trustee Jen Fenton did not seek another term. With three candidates qualifying for three positions, the district has no contested school board race this year. Residents should consult their personalized county sample ballot to determine whether the uncontested contest appears on their ballot.
The five-member school board oversees district policy, finances, educational programs and the superintendent.
No City Ballot Measure In November
Manhattan Beach voters will not decide a city-specific ballot measure in November, despite earlier discussions about changing the city's business license tax. City officials spent much of 2026 examining a proposal to modernize the tax structure, including changes intended to simplify the system and address differences in how businesses are taxed.
The proposal ultimately selected for consideration was projected to generate approximately $550,000 in additional annual revenue. However, the City Council declined to advance the measure at its Aug. 4 meeting, leaving the proposal off the November ballot.
The city's Business License Tax Modernization Plan and Aug. 4 staff report provide additional background.
U.S. House Of Representatives, 36th Congressional District
Lieu is seeking another term representing the district, which includes Manhattan Beach and other South Bay and Westside communities.
California State Senate, 24th Senate District
The two Democrats are competing to succeed state Sen. Ben Allen, who is running for California insurance commissioner.
California State Assembly, 66th Assembly District
Seo, the mayor of Rancho Palos Verdes, and Deen, a Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District board member, are competing to succeed term-limited Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. The district includes Manhattan Beach and other South Bay communities. Voters should consult their personalized Los Angeles County sample ballot to confirm the races appearing at their address.
Two proposed amendments to the Los Angeles County Charter will also appear on Manhattan Beach ballots.
Measure A: Public Safety Labor Disputes
Measure A would establish an impartial binding arbitration process for certain labor disputes involving county public safety employees, including firefighters and sheriff's personnel. It would also prohibit strikes by specified county employees, including district attorney investigators, medical examiner personnel, lifeguards and certain civilian public safety workers.
The measure would reaffirm existing requirements for good-faith labor negotiations. A simple majority is required for approval.
Measure E: County Ethics And Community Investment
Measure E would revise the county charter to provide greater independence and structure for the Los Angeles County Ethics Commission, Office of Ethics Compliance and ethics compliance officer. The changes would address appointment procedures, qualifications, terms, duties and responsibilities, while continuing the county's commitment to community investment and alternatives to incarceration.
A simple majority is required for approval. Voters can review the full ballot language, fiscal impact statements and impartial analyses for both measures through the Los Angeles County election information portal.
Millions of Californians will vote in November to decide who will occupy the governor's office and several other statewide positions.
Governor
Democrat Xavier Becerra, a former U.S. secretary of health and human services, faces Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News commentator, in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. The contest follows a crowded June primary that saw former Rep. Eric Swalwell leave the race amid sexual assault allegations.
California has not elected a Republican to statewide office since 2006, when Arnold Schwarzenegger won another term as governor. Registered Democrats substantially outnumber Republicans, although polling has also found widespread voter concerns about the economy and the state's direction.
Hilton has made affordability a central campaign issue, including a proposal to reduce gasoline prices to $3 a gallon. Becerra has emphasized his experience in state and federal government.
"I've never said it's going to be easy," Hilton told The Associated Press. "It's obviously an uphill battle. I still see this as a winnable race."
Read more: 'Creepy, Weird, Disturbing' Campaign Ad By Candidate For CA Governor Draws GOP Condemnation
Attorney General
Incumbent Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat and former state lawmaker, faces Republican Michael E. Gates, a deputy U.S. attorney and former Huntington Beach city attorney. Bonta was appointed attorney general after Becerra joined President Joe Biden's administration and later won election to a full term.
The attorney general oversees California's Department of Justice, directs state law enforcement efforts and represents the state in legal proceedings.
Insurance Commissioner
Democratic state Sen. Ben Allen faces Republican attorney Jane Kim in the contest to lead California's Department of Insurance. The office regulates an insurance industry facing mounting pressure from wildfire-related losses, rising premiums and the withdrawal of major insurers from some markets.
Allen has emphasized stabilizing the insurance market, protecting policyholders and addressing problems involving California's FAIR Plan. Kim has called for stronger oversight of insurers that deny claims following disasters.
Related: Santa Monica Sen. Ben Allen Picks Up Major Endorsement In Insurance Race
Secretary Of State
Incumbent Democrat Shirley Weber faces Republican Orange County Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. Weber, who was appointed after Alex Padilla became a U.S. senator, has overseen California's universal vote-by-mail system and emphasized election security.
Wagner has supported voter identification requirements and greater cooperation with federal election investigations. The secretary of state oversees California's elections, business filings and other government records.
Read more: The Race For Secretary Of State
Controller
Incumbent Democrat Malia M. Cohen faces Republican Herb W. Morgan. The controller serves as California's chief fiscal officer, overseeing state accounting, financial reporting and certain auditing functions.
Read more: The Race For CA Controller
State Treasurer
Democratic Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis faces Republican Jennifer Hawks in the contest to oversee California's investments and debt financing. Kounalakis is seeking to exchange offices with State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who is running for lieutenant governor.
Read more: The Race For CA Treasurer
Lieutenant Governor
Democratic State Treasurer Fiona Ma faces Republican Gloria Romero, a former state senator. The lieutenant governor serves as acting governor when necessary and sits on several state boards and commissions.
Read more: The Race For CA Lieutenant Governor
Voters will decide 14 statewide propositions addressing housing, taxation, elections, medical research, health care and environmental regulations.
Proposition 1: Affordable Housing Bonds
Proposition 1 would authorize California to issue $11.25 billion in bonds for affordable housing, homeownership assistance and veterans' housing programs. Of that amount, $10 billion would support affordable rental housing and homeownership programs, while another $1.25 billion would fund housing assistance for veterans.
The proposal is expected to help finance approximately 40,000 new homes or apartments while providing homeownership assistance to another 40,000 people.
Read more: CA Proposition 1: Bonds For Housing Affordability Programs
Voters can find the complete text, fiscal analyses and arguments for and against the statewide propositions in the California Secretary of State's official voter information guide.
For additional election information, including registration, voting locations and ballot tracking, visit LAVote.gov or the Los Angeles County election information page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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