Only one Livermore City Council seat is actually on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot: District 2 in northeast Livermore, where incumbent Ben Barrientos faces physician Narayan Tadimeti for a four-year term running through November 2030.

Why it matters: If you live outside District 2, you will not see a Livermore mayor or council race on your ballot. The city canceled those elections because nobody ran against the incumbents.

Why there's no mayor race

On Aug. 20, the City Council voted 4-0 to appoint Mayor John Marchand to another two-year term and District 1 Councilmember Evan Branning to a second four-year term instead of holding uncontested elections, the Livermore Vine reported. The move is allowed under the California Elections Code when only one candidate qualifies, and was estimated to save the city at least $250,000. Without an election, there is no route for write-in candidates.

Livermore Valley Arts board director Jean King warned the council against what she saw as taking away residents' right to vote. Vice Mayor Kristie Wang said the outcome could not have been different and the city should save the money.

Ben Barrientos

  • Retired educator, first elected in 2022; lives in Springtown and is president of the Livermore Lions Club, according to The Independent.
  • First ran with the "Save the Hill" campaign against the size of the Garaventa Hills development, which shrank from roughly 140 homes to 40.
  • The state Fair Political Practices Commission advised him in 2023 not to vote on that project over a possible conflict of interest. He cast the lone no vote in November 2024, which drew a formal FPPC inquiry; its status is unclear, The Independent reported.
  • Wants flashing pedestrian beacons on North Vasco Road near Christensen Middle School, I-580 overpass improvements at Vasco Road and Springtown Boulevard, and a Springtown community park with gardens.

Narayan Tadimeti

  • Board-certified physician in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine, currently taking a break from practice, the Livermore Vine reported. He has lived in Livermore with his family for more than seven years.
  • Priorities on his campaign site: "smart growth" and infrastructure, attainable housing, community safety and emergency readiness, and fiscal responsibility, while protecting open space and vineyards.
  • "I want to bring a physician's discipline, thoughtful decision-making, and practical leadership to Livermore government," he wrote.

Also on Livermore ballots

Livermore Valley Joint Unified has contested trustee races; see our LVJUSD board guide. Alameda County's 10-day vote centers open Saturday, Oct. 24. Every race and measure is in our Election 2026 guide.