What’s on the ballot in Lake Forest — November 3, 2026
28 of the 60 offices that govern Lake Forest are expected on the 2026 General Election ballot. Here is every race, who holds the seat today, and what the office actually controls — each links to its full plain-English dossier.
Races marked “expected” come from the county forecast and the state election calendar — the formal notice of election has not been published yet. We show who holds each seat today, not who is running; candidates appear here as we verify the . Candidate filing for this election is open through August 7, 2026.
Your city
Your schools
School Board (SVUSD) · Trustee Area 1expectedDan Walsh holds this seat today
School Board (SVUSD) · Trustee Area 5expectedBarbara Schulman holds this seat today
Community College Board · Trustee Area 2expectedT.J. Prendergast III holds this seat today
Community College Board · Trustee Area 4expectedTerri Rydell holds this seat today
Community College Board · Trustee Area 5expectedMarcia Milchiker holds this seat today
Your water
Water District Board · Division 2expectedSteve LaMar holds this seat today
Water District Board · Division 3officialDoug Reinhart holds this seat today- DOUG REINHARTDirector, Irvine Ranch Water District, Division 3
Water District Board · Division 5expectedPeer Swan holds this seat today
Water District BoardofficialKathryn Freshley holds this seat today- MIKE GASKINSDirector, El Toro Water District
- WYATT MCCLEANAppointed El Toro Water District Director
Water District BoardofficialMike Gaskins holds this seat today- MIKE GASKINSDirector, El Toro Water District
- WYATT MCCLEANAppointed El Toro Water District Director
Water District BoardofficialWyatt McClean holds this seat today
Water District BoardofficialGlenn Acosta holds this seat today
Water District BoardofficialEdward Mandich holds this seat today
Water District BoardofficialMichael Safranski holds this seat today
Your state
State Assembly · District 72expectedDiane Dixon holds this seat today
Governor of CaliforniaexpectedGavin Newsom holds this seat today
Lieutenant Governor of CaliforniaexpectedEleni Kounalakis holds this seat today
Attorney General of CaliforniaexpectedRob Bonta holds this seat today
Secretary of State of CaliforniaexpectedShirley N. Weber holds this seat today
California State ControllerexpectedMalia M. Cohen holds this seat today
California State TreasurerexpectedFiona Ma holds this seat today
California Insurance CommissionerexpectedRicardo Lara holds this seat today
California State Superintendent of Public InstructionofficialTony K. Thurmond holds this seat today
Board of Equalization · District 4expectedMike Schaefer holds this seat today
Washington
How voting works for this election
- October 5, 2026Ballots go out. Every registered Orange County voter is mailed a ballot automatically — no need to request one.
- October 19, 2026Registration closes. Register, or update your address, by this day. Not sure you’re registered? Checking takes a minute. registertovote.ca.gov · voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
- October 20, 2026Missed the deadline? You can still vote. From October 20 through Election Day, you can register and vote in one visit — “conditional registration” — at any vote center.
- October 24, 2026Vote centers open. Orange County has no assigned polling place — you can vote at ANY vote center in the county. More locations open October 31. find vote centers & drop boxes
- November 3, 2026Election Day. Return your mail ballot — postage-free by mail, at an official drop box, or at any vote center — or vote in person.
Dates verbatim from the official record: OC Registrar of Voters — 2026 General Election Condensed Calendar (PDF) · OC Registrar of Voters — Voting in Orange County · CA Secretary of State — Same-Day Voter Registration (retrieved July 7, 2026).