The General Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, November 3, and with five candidates contesting two available council seats plus three measures on the ballot, there’s plenty to consider.
Measure YV asks voters to consider an amendment to the City Charter to lower the voting age to 16. This is the second time that this measure has been on the ballot; last time it failed to pass by the narrowest of margins, just 16 votes.
At the City Council meeting on the evening of Monday, June 22, Action Item A1 read in part: “Adoption of a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Culver City on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 to Elect Two Council Members to the City Council, Each for a Full Term of Four Years, and to Place on the Ballot One Proposed Charter Amendment Regarding Lowering the Voting Age to 16 for City and School District Elections.”
That item passed 3-2, with Council Members Albert Vera and Dan O’Brien voting against.
Measure AA is, according to the city, “An Initiative Ordinance to the Culver City Municipal Code to Enact a Special Parcel Tax of forty-eight cents ($0.48) per square foot, subject to a tax cap, for 10 years, generating approximately $18,000,000 annually to benefit Culver City public schools.”
Finally, Measure T asks voters to consider, “An Ordinance to Increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) paid by hotel/motel guests from 14% to 15% until March 1, 2028 and then to 16% until ended by Voters.”
Current Mayor Freddy Puza is the only sitting council member who is up for reelection in November,with four new candidates: Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin, Franklin Carvajal, Thomas Aujero Small, and Kimberley Griffin.
“I’m running for City Council to enhance Culver City’s quality of life by improving parks and neighborhoods, making our city more affordable, addressing homelessness, creating safer streets, sidewalks, intersections, and routes to school, work, and play; reducing traffic congestion; supporting schools, local businesses, and creative economy; and providing fiscally responsible, leadership that listens, and ensures every neighbor has a voice,” said Wisnosky Stehlin in a statement.
“I am running for Culver City Council because local government should deliver results that improve residents’ everyday lives,” said Carvajal. “My priorities are simple: a Culver City that is safe, clean, quiet, beautiful, and accountable. That means responsive public safety, clean streets and parks, peaceful neighborhoods, thoughtful development and green spaces, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, transparent government, and a City Council that listens to residents.”
“Effective government depends on understanding how every decision affects the whole city. I believe Culver City deserves leaders who connect the dots linking housing to transportation, infrastructure to economic opportunity, and planning to everyday outcomes,” said Aujero Small.
“Culver City is a remarkable city with an engaged and caring community,” said Griffin. “I am committed to preserving what makes our neighborhoods special while planning responsibly for the future. It would be an honor to earn your vote and serve as your representative on the Culver City City Council.”
Finally, Mayor Puza said, “Under my leadership, City Council adopted our first balanced budget in three years while investing in the basics that matter most: repairing sidewalks, resurfacing roads, and expanding tree canopy maintenance to make our neighborhoods greener and more livable.”
For more information, visit https://www.culvercity.gov/City-Hall/Election-Information-Updated/Upcoming-Election-Information