Perez Leads Burbank Council Race With 14,613 Votes

Early Burbank returns show Nikki Perez atop a 13-candidate field, with Nolan Southerland narrowly ahead for the third council seat.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a modest municipal building facade with a tall flagpole and limp flag against a pale sky. — Early unofficial returns show Nikki Perez leading the 13-candidate Burbank City Council race with 14,613 votes, followed by Mike Van Gorder with 8,979. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support changing Burbank's council elections to district-based voting?

Nikki Perez received 14,613 votes to lead the 13-candidate Burbank City Council race, followed by Mike Van Gorder with 8,979 votes. Nolan Southerland led David Donahue by 481 votes, 7,621 to 7,140, for the third seat as of the unofficial count at 4:28 p.m.

Why it matters

The results will reshape a council in which Vice Mayor Mullins is not seeking another term and Mayor Tamala Takahashi trails Southerland by 1,381 votes. Voters also backed Measure C, which would raise the hotel and motel tax, and Measure CC, which would remove the City Charter's at-large election requirement.

The unofficial count shows Measure C passing with 78.21% yes (20,552 votes) and Measure CD failing with 77.30% no (18,976 votes). Measure CC led with 13,157 yes votes (52.98%), but final certified totals are not yet available.

The players

Burbank City Council

The five-member governing body of the City of Burbank, which sets local policy and oversees city services.

Burbank Unified School District

The public school district serving Burbank, which held a Trustee Area 3 race in the same election.

The details

Burbank voters are choosing council members in a 13-candidate field, with Nikki Perez leading and Mike Van Gorder second. Measure CD, which would switch council elections to districts using Map 130, was rejected, while Measure CC would remove the City Charter's requirement for at-large elections and is narrowly leading.

November 4, 2026: Unofficial vote count reported as of 4:28 p.m.
December 8, 2026: Certification of election results scheduled.
December 14, 2026: Council reorganization and swearing-in; new terms begin.
December 16, 2030: Current council, clerk and treasurer terms end.

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Political Context

Measure CC would remove the City Charter's requirement for at-large elections, while Measure CD, which proposed switching to district elections using Map 130, was rejected by 77.30% of voters. Opponents of the district approach and supporters of the charter change will weigh the outcome of these competing election-structure proposals.

If Measure C passes certification, the hotel and motel tax would rise from 10% to 12%, generating an estimated $3 million annually for city services. Residents will also see a new City Council take office in December if the leading candidates hold their positions.

The takeaway

Final certified results on December 8 will confirm which candidates take council seats and whether Measure C's hotel tax increase takes effect.

What happens next

Final vote totals are expected next week, and certification is scheduled for December 8, 2026, with council reorganization and swearing-in on December 14, 2026.