Salinas voters to decide on housing-related ordinances in 2026 election.

After nearly two hours of discussion and public comment on a referendum effort seeking to restore four housing-related ordinances in Salinas, the Salinas City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday, Sept. 23 to add the referendum to the November 2026 ballot. 

The council had three options: repeal their vote from earlier this year, avoiding an election; or letting voters decide at the polls, either at a special election or the general election in November 2026.

Councilmembers on Tuesday deliberated between two options: repealing the ordinance, or letting voters decide in November of next year. Mayor Dennis Donohue and Councilmember José Luis Barajas—who led the way in repealing the four renter-protection ordinances, and instead proposing a path of rental assistance and other initiatives—voted in the minority to avoid an election, and instead take the step of repealing the ordinance. They were joined by Councilmember Tony Barrera who has previously supported the ordinance, and who helped members of the group Protect Salinas Renters gather signatures for the referendum petition. They were outvoted 4-3.  

The ordinances that have divided Salinas residents into two factions include rent stabilization, with a 2.75-percent annual rent increase cap; tenant protection and just cause eviction; tenant anti-harassment; and a rental registry. All were approved by previous council with a different composition of voting members. 

The new council, with five members elected in November 2024, voted in June to reject all the ordinances. That decision triggered a referendum effort. The petition for a referendum drew about 200 volunteers who collected about 10,000 signatures. 

Several people on both sides of the aisle, for and against the housing-related ordinances, expressed a preference to let voters decide in 2026. 

“The Salinas Coalition of Property Owners, Property Managers, and Residents—a broad alliance of property owners, managers, business and public-safety leaders and residents—urges the City Council to place the repealed rental registry ordinances on the November 2026 general election ballot to ensure maximum participation and a clear mandate,” the coalition statement on Monday, Sept. 22 on a press release. 

Leaders from Protect Salinas Renters, the volunteer-led organization responsible for the referendum, have shown the same interest since the group began gathering signatures in June. 

Since the voters will decide the fate of the referendum, the ordinances will remain in place, and the June repeal will remain suspended until voters have their say.