Laguna Beach election 2026 · Official ballot position 6 of 9 · Nonpartisan candidate profile

Edward Bayuk: Laguna Beach City Council Candidate 2026

Non-incumbentDoes not currently hold a Laguna Beach City Council seat.

Retired entrepreneurFormer art-museum trustee

Ballot position 6. Candidate for one of three at-large seats (every Laguna Beach voter may vote for these seats; they are not assigned to geographic districts) in the November 3, 2026 election.

Retired entrepreneur and former Laguna Art Museum trustee whose official statement emphasizes independent leadership, fiscal responsibility, emergency preparedness and environmental stewardship.

Campaign websiteEmail candidateCampaign phone: 949-607-7625

Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Official ballot position follows the City Clerk’s August 13, 2026 candidate list, published after the Secretary of State randomized alphabet drawing.

Reported and maintained by Michael Kovach for So Laguna. Editorial and sourcing standard · Submit a correction

Candidate dashboard

Edward Bayuk at a glance

Council statusNot on CouncilNon-incumbent — does not currently hold a Council seat
Ballot position6 of 9Three citywide, at-large seats
Positions tracked10Sourced issue categories
Latest financeForm 410 filedSep. 11, 2026 · Period totals pendingView filing
Voting recordNo Council recordNot currently on City CouncilView record
Public disclosureForm 700 on fileEconomic-interest filingView summary

Career background

A detailed professional résumé has not yet been published in a source So Laguna can verify.

Review experience

Top issues

Public safety and hospital access, Housing and land use, Traffic, parking and transit, Budget and capital projects, Environment,…

See sourced positions

Public appearances

2026 candidate forums and debates

The City currently lists nine forums hosted by independent community organizations. The hosts have affirmed that candidates were offered equal time and opportunity to appear. A listing does not establish that every candidate has confirmed attendance.

All currently listed forums have concluded. Past forum records remain available below.

Past forums9 completed
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Past forumOfficial organizer flyerVideo, answers and transcript · 2:15:58Searchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce

6:00–9:00 p.m. · Council Chambers
505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed October 15. Watch the 2:15:58 recording, explore 16 discussion topics and 80 indexed responses, and search the captions. Seven candidates participated; Sue Kempf and Mark Orgill were absent due to reported illness. The moderator read Orgill’s submitted statement.

Forum recordView official flyerWatch video, answers and transcriptSearch transcriptCandidate timestampsOfficial Chamber forum details

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Past forumVideo and answer indexSearchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

South Laguna Civic Association

6:00 p.m. (doors open 5:30 p.m.) · Laguna Beach Community Recreation Center (former St. Catherine’s School)
30516 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed October 6 at the Community Recreation Center. Watch the recording, compare 12 questions and eight candidates’ answers, and search the archived captions. Edward Bayuk was absent; the moderator read his submitted closing statement.

Forum recordWatch recording and compare answersSearch transcriptCandidate timestampsOfficial SLCA event details

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Past forumFull panel and closing statementsSearchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Laguna Canyon Conservancy

5:30–8:30 p.m. (panel 6:30–8:30 p.m.) · Bridge Hall at Neighborhood Congregational Church
340 St Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed September 28 at Bridge Hall. The Conservancy released the full panel and a separate closing-statements edit on October 1. Compare all nine candidates’ indexed environmental answers and statements with timestamp links, and search both locally archived automatic-caption transcripts. Caption gaps are identified explicitly.

Forum recordWatch videos, answers and transcriptsSearch transcriptCandidate timestampsOfficial event details

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Past forumFull video, answers and transcriptSearchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Laguna Beach Arts Alliance

9:00 a.m.–noon (reception 8:30 a.m.) · Forum Theater at Festival of Arts
650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed September 26. Watch the Arts Alliance’s full recording, compare all nine candidates’ answers to nine arts discussion questions and their opening and closing statements, and search the locally archived automatic-caption transcript. Tom Johnson moderated; LBArtsAlliance published the recording.

Forum recordOpen forum replaySearch transcriptCandidate timestampsArts Alliance information

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Past forumTwo full videosSearchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Greater Laguna Beach GOP

6:00–9:00 p.m. · Council Chambers
505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed September 23 at Council Chambers. Both parts of the recording are embedded below, with searchable local copies of automatic captions and selected, timestamped candidate answer summaries. All nine City Council candidates spoke. GLBGOP hosted; NimbleGov PAC uploaded the videos.

Forum recordOpen forum replaySearch transcriptCandidate timestampsGLBGOP event and viewing information

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Past forumVideo, answers and transcript · 2:06:21Searchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Advocates for Laguna Residents

6:00–8:00 p.m. · Council Chambers
505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Completed September 15. Watch the full recording, compare six timestamped topic summaries for each of the eight participating candidates, search the locally archived transcript and review Advocates for Laguna Residents’ current campaign-finance filing. Sue Kempf did not participate.

Forum recordWatch video, answers and transcriptSearch transcriptCandidate timestampsAdvocates for Laguna Residents website (currently Launching Soon)

Past forumVideo, answers and transcript · 1:59:24Searchable transcriptCandidate timestamps

Canyon Alliance of Neighborhoods Defense Organization (CANDO)

6:30 p.m. · Online via Zoom

Completed September 10. Watch the full recording, compare all seven answers from each candidate and search the complete transcript.

Forum recordFull forum videoSearch transcriptCandidate timestampsCANDO forum page

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Past forum

KXFM

5:30 p.m. potluck; 6:30 p.m. forum · Neighborhood Congregational Church, Bridge Hall
340 St Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

The KXFM forum was held September 8 as a joint City Council and School Board candidate program. KXFM later published a 10-question yes-or-no summary for eight participating City Council candidates and a short Facebook reel. So Laguna has not verified a complete replay of the full program.

Compare KXFM candidate answersKXFM forum page

KXFM has published a 10-question candidate-results summary and an official Facebook reel from the September 8 forum. So Laguna has not verified a complete audio or video replay of the full program.

Open the So Laguna events calendarVerify the City’s current schedule

Village Laguna forum · August 31, 2026

What Edward Bayuk said at the candidate forum

Five concise, neutral summaries link to the exact moments in the full recording. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each answer in context.

Watch the forum and search the transcript

CANDO forum · September 10, 2026

What Edward Bayuk said about Laguna Canyon

Seven concise, neutral summaries link to the candidate’s complete answers. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each response in context.

  • Use of a $10 million grantProposed improving the Hotel Laguna exterior, addressing sewage and electrical infrastructure and investing in emerging wildfire-response and emergency-communications technology.
  • Affordable housing locationsPointed to downtown conversions and sites distributed around the city, and suggested exploring a hospital-property partnership if that land becomes available.
  • Creek and wildlife corridorsEmphasized the historic role of the City, parks agencies and nonprofit organizations in preserving and educating the public about the canyon and supported continued coordination.
  • Small-scale and rural developmentSaid Laguna already has examples of roughly cottage-scale homes that can guide clearer standards for canyon neighborhoods and called for the City to organize and adopt those models.
  • Helping Community DevelopmentAttributed problems to turnover and lost experience, and supported better automation, training and clearer responsibility for applicants and decision-makers.
  • Residents and long-term stewardshipSaid campaigning revealed that many residents and downtown businesses feel unheard and called for Council members to listen more directly and respond to their concerns.
  • Open-space fundingOpposed committing $300,000 in City money and instead favored stronger grant writing and advocacy to obtain funds from state coastal, conservation and housing agencies.

Watch the CANDO forum and search the transcript

Advocates forum · September 15, 2026

What Edward Bayuk said at the Advocates forum

Six concise, neutral topic summaries link to the exact moments in the complete recording. They are not ratings, endorsements or a substitute for watching each answer in context.

  • Measure E and term limitsSupported term limits and argued that Laguna Beach needs leadership change on the hospital, canyon, downtown planning and sewage issues.
  • Hospital and emergency careFavored using eminent domain to preserve the hospital property for public health and safety, paired with a qualified operator such as Hoag or UCI.
  • St. Catherine’s propertySupported a mixed housing concept and argued that state housing-finance funding, rather than local taxpayer money, should help pay for it.
  • Capital projects and financial oversightCriticized the Promenade’s tree and sidewalk design, pointing to Seal Beach as a model, and urged the City to pursue outside grants for public projects.
  • Candidate priorityProposed a mobile emergency command center that could move among neighborhoods and questioned the City’s spending on a fixed emergency operations center.
  • Closing prioritiesCalled for new leadership, more effective pursuit of state grants and a different approach to downtown, the Promenade and other City projects.

Watch the forum and search the local transcript

Arts Alliance · September 26, 2026

What Edward Bayuk said at the Arts Alliance forum

Nine arts discussion rounds, plus opening and closing statements. These are attributed paraphrases with video timestamps; the recording remains authoritative.

Read nine answers and both statements

Opening statement

Describes his decision to run, his experience obtaining campaign registration information and his concerns about city management and the need for change.

Watch opening · 12:30 ↗
  • 1. About the Arts AllianceDescribes the Alliance as a strategic arts organization and discusses his former Laguna Art Museum board service and a disputed museum transaction.
  • 2. Arts involvement and recent eventsDescribes frequent Art Walk attendance and his museum board service. Returns to his account of a proposed museum transaction before the time limit.
  • 3. Parking in the arts districtSupports strategically located, privately operated structures without local taxpayer expense. Suggests behind the theater and discusses a previous neighborhood parking proposal.
  • 4. Why the arts matterSays Laguna’s long history as an arts colony offers other cities an example of art driving businesses, culture and community connection.
  • 5. Residents and visitorsProposes metered neighborhood streets with resident and guest permits, and strategic structures directing visitors into paid parking to support city services.
  • 6. Artist housing and workspacesSupports artist live/work spaces and housing for first responders and critical city employees. Suggests state housing financing without Laguna taxpayer expense.
  • 7. More use of the Festival groundsProposes opening the Pageant and exhibitor season earlier or extending it so more visitors can attend and support downtown businesses.
  • 8. New arts ideasSuggests popups for emerging artists downtown and on Festival grounds after the Pageant season, with quiet displays that also benefit restaurants.
  • 9. Arts on the PromenadeWould solicit resident ideas and share outdoor space with emerging artists, including temporarily moving restaurant tables indoors for art displays.

Closing statement

Emphasizes fiscal responsibility, better management, transparency, longer record retention, property and business rights, emergency preparedness and practical traffic and parking solutions.

Watch closing · 1:43:49 ↗

Compare all nine candidates and search the forum transcript →

Chamber forum · October 15, 2026

What Edward Bayuk said at the Chamber forum

Debate coverage updated October 16. Source-linked paraphrases; candidates answered different questions. Silence is not recorded as a policy position.

Read 12 indexed responses and statements

Opening statement

Cites public-board and business experience and emphasizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, public safety and infrastructure.

Watch statement · 10:58 ↗
  • 4. Financial accountabilityCalls for qualified CPA participation in financial oversight and respect for the treasurer’s role. Argues that independent professional review can help detect problems.
  • 5. Tourism and local spendingSupports combining Visit Laguna Beach and Chamber resources to promote businesses, citing dissatisfaction he says he heard from local business owners.
  • 6. Promenade lessonsQuestions the process for authorizing construction drawings and raises concerns about tree impacts from subsequent street work.
  • 8. Homelessness and outreachCalls for identifying individual needs and greater engagement with state officials over homelessness laws. His claims about organizations bringing people into Laguna are not independently verified by this index.
  • 9. Council term limitsUrges incumbent turnover and criticizes potential developer-related conflicts. Does not give a separate, direct yes/no answer to the term-limit measure in this exchange.
  • 10. Planning and building processOpposes shortening or changing record retention and says keeping property history helps protect residents and avoid mistakes.
  • 11. Efficiency ordinance and trail accessArgues that state coastal agencies have authority to address blocked access and supports pursuing an open trail connection, while acknowledging he does not know the full history.
  • 12. Construction, flooding and infrastructureUrges seeking state-agency funding and says earlier warnings about flooding should have received greater attention.
  • 13. Vacant storefrontsEmphasizes property rights but proposes an ombudsman or direct contact with landlords to help leasing. Calls for enforcement of property-maintenance requirements and separately raises a hospital-acquisition idea.
  • 14. City management and legal spendingOpposes bringing the City Attorney position in-house and raises concerns about liability and costs. These legal and cost claims are attributed rather than independently verified.
  • 15. Mayor selectionRaises allegations involving the absent mayor and private business litigation; the moderator cautions that accusations require evidence. The exchange does not establish a position on electing a mayor or verify those allegations.
  • 16. Civility and political harassmentCalls for mutual respect and grace, says leaders should address abusive conduct, and agrees that the individual discussed should not hold the City-connected role at issue.

Closing statement

Emphasizes transparency, professional audit participation, infrastructure and support for businesses, and says he will continue making recommendations regardless of the election outcome.

Watch statement · 2:13:37 ↗

Compare Chamber responses and search the transcript →

South Laguna Civic Association · October 6, 2026

Submitted statement from Edward Bayuk

Source-linked paraphrases from the published recording. Candidate claims are attributed; automatic captions may contain errors.

Read the submitted statement and attendance note

Edward Bayuk did not attend. Moderator James Henry read his submitted closing statement; no live answers are attributed to him.

    Submitted closing statement · read by moderator

    Absent from the forum; James Henry reads his submitted statement. Prioritizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, voting rights, infrastructure, beach services, emergency care, open space and public progress reports with costs and responsible staff identified.

    Watch statement · 1:45:35 ↗

    Compare candidates, review the questions and search the transcript →

    Laguna Canyon Conservancy · September 28, 2026

    What Edward Bayuk said at the Laguna Canyon Conservancy forum

    Paraphrased answer summaries with direct video timestamps, plus the candidate’s closing statement. Candidate claims are attributed statements; the recordings remain authoritative.

    Read 9 indexed answers and the closing statement

    Compare all candidates, watch both videos and search the transcripts →

    GLBGOP forum · September 23, 2026

    What Edward Bayuk said at the GLBGOP forum

    Selected question and answer highlights from the two-part recording. The links open the original video at the answer; these summaries do not cover every exchange.

    See 37 rapid-round answers

    Most admired person in politics: Ronald Reagan. Part 2 · 21:20 ↗

    Watch both parts and search the transcripts →

    Experience

    Career background and qualifications

    So Laguna has not yet located a sufficiently detailed professional résumé in an official or candidate-controlled source. The candidate may provide education, employment, management, public-service and relevant project experience for verification.

    Read the fuller biographical summary

    Bayuk’s official candidate statement describes more than 30 years in Laguna Beach, executive and entrepreneurial work in energy, communications, technology and real estate, appointments to three state or regional boards, and former service as a Laguna Art Museum trustee and board member. His stated priorities include independent leadership, fiscal responsibility, emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship and long-term planning.

    In Laguna Beach and beyond

    Local business and community roles

    Bayuk’s public biography describes an executive and entrepreneurial career in energy, communications, technology and real estate, along with former state-board and Laguna Art Museum service.

    Only current or clearly labeled former roles supported by public sources are included. A Form 700 income source is not treated as a candidate-owned business without additional evidence. Submit a correction or verification.

    Candidate-provided material

    From Edward Bayuk’s official candidate statement

    Read the official statement

    The following is So Laguna’s concise summary of the candidate’s own ballot statement. It describes the candidate’s claims and priorities; it is not an endorsement or independent verification.

    Bayuk emphasizes experience, independence, transparency, fiscal responsibility, public safety, emergency preparedness, environmental stewardship and long-term planning. He says his goal is to preserve Laguna Beach’s character while maintaining financial and environmental strength.

    View the statement background and priority list

    Background described in the statement

    Bayuk says he has lived in Laguna Beach for more than 30 years and held executive leadership roles in energy, communications and technology. He also cites appointments to three state or regional boards and service as a Laguna Art Museum trustee and board member.

    Priorities emphasized

    • Experienced and independent leadership
    • Transparency and fiscal responsibility
    • Public safety and emergency preparedness
    • Environmental stewardship
    • Thoughtful long-term planning
    • Preservation of community character

    Issues and positions

    Where Edward Bayuk stands

    A quick, source-linked summary of the candidate’s questionnaire responses, public statements and forum answers. Use the source chips to read the questionnaire or watch the answer at its exact timestamp. Tap an issue to open the summary.

    Public safety and hospital access

    Bayuk identifies public safety and emergency preparedness as priorities. His official statement does not address hospital access.

    Housing and land use

    At the Advocates forum, Bayuk supported a mixed housing concept at St. Catherine’s and argued that state housing-finance funding, rather than local taxpayer money, should help pay for it.

    Advocates · 1:01:19 ↗

    Traffic, parking and transit

    At the Village Laguna forum, Bayuk proposed broader paid parking paired with resident guest placards, using the added revenue for beaches, trash and public safety.

    Village Laguna · 1:23:28 ↗

    Budget and capital projects

    Bayuk emphasizes fiscal responsibility, financial strength and his experience with strategic planning and budgeting.

    Environment, beaches and wildfire

    At the CANDO forum, Bayuk supported continued coordination among the City, parks agencies and nonprofit organizations to preserve Laguna Canyon and educate the public about it.

    CANDO · 40:45 ↗

    Arts, business and village character

    Bayuk cites business leadership and Laguna Art Museum service and says he would preserve the city’s character.

    Transparency and participation

    He calls for experienced, independent and transparent leadership.

    Arts Alliance: arts-district parking

    Supports strategically located, privately operated structures without local taxpayer expense. Suggests behind the theater and discusses a previous neighborhood parking proposal.

    Arts Alliance · 50:01 ↗

    Arts Alliance: artist housing and studios

    Supports artist live/work spaces and housing for first responders and critical city employees. Suggests state housing financing without Laguna taxpayer expense.

    Arts Alliance · 1:13:25 ↗

    Arts Alliance: arts on the Promenade

    Would solicit resident ideas and share outdoor space with emerging artists, including temporarily moving restaurant tables indoors for art displays.

    Arts Alliance · 1:36:54 ↗

    Related civic records

    Meetings, budgets and topic guides

    Use these independent So Laguna guides to compare candidate positions with source-linked government records.

    Meeting archiveCity budgetEmployee compensationIssue topic guidesDemographics

    Official election records

    Edward Bayuk candidate filings

    These records are published by the Laguna Beach City Clerk. Campaign-finance totals below are summarized separately so amendments and reporting periods are not double counted.

    Public financial disclosure

    Form 700 summary

    The filing reports membership interests in several business entities and a real-estate investment held through one of them.

    So Laguna summarizes these public filings to identify relevant business, employment and property interests. Reported ranges are not estimates of net worth or proof of a conflict, and residential addresses and private third-party names are omitted.

    View reported business, property and investment details

    Businesses and income

    • Terlingua LLC — member; $0 to $499 gross income reported.
    • Virsenet LLC — member; $0 to $499 gross income reported.
    • Snowshoe Petroleum Inc. — member; $0 to $499 gross income reported.
    • Snowshoe Properties LLC — member; $0 to $499 gross income reported.
    • MAXTMAX LLC — member; $0 to $499 gross income reported.

    Real-property interests

    • No direct Schedule B real-property interest is attached.

    Investments and other disclosures

    • MAXTMAX LLC reports an underlying real-estate investment valued at $100,001 to $1 million. The filing does not identify a Laguna Beach location for the listed entities or investment.

    Filing reviewed: August 7, 2026 candidate Form 700 · View the official City eFile record

    Public questions

    Ask Edward Bayuk a question

    Submit a policy or public-service question. So Laguna moderates submissions for relevance and civility, and clearly labels candidate replies after verification.

    How this works: Questions are reviewed before publication for relevance, civility, privacy and duplication. So Laguna may edit for length or clarity and will mark substantive edits. Published answers identify whether they came from the candidate, campaign or So Laguna editor.

      1. From Edward Bayuk:

        I would have voted against the Forest Avenue Promenade project as designed. I would have supported restoring parking while retaining smaller, carefully designed outdoor dining parklets for restaurants.

        My decision would have reflected common sense, sound judgment, fiscal responsibility, and care for Laguna Beach’s character—including its mature trees. I have read enough tree books and how to care for them and digging up the entire street was the wrong thing to do and that was common sense.

        Residents offered ideas for combining parking with smaller outdoor dining areas. I would have asked staff to bring those alternatives forward for a public comparison of costs, access, business needs, and tree protection before approving construction. It seems haste makes waste occurred in my eyes of what was done on Forest Avenue.

        Protecting mature trees should have been a priority from the beginning. Excavation and changes to pavement can damage roots and affect tree health. I would have required an independent arborist’s assessment and a clear tree-protection plan before approving work near those roots.

        Forest Avenue should be welcoming, attractive, and practical for residents and businesses. I would have favored an approach that preserved parking, supported outdoor dining, protected our trees, and used public money responsibly.

        Edward Bayuk
        Cell 949-607-7625

        Reply

    Ask Edward Bayuk a public question

    Your email will not be published. Questions appear only after editorial review. Do not include private addresses, phone numbers or allegations without primary documentation.

    Campaign finance

    Edward Bayuk campaign finance

    This live module displays only figures reviewed against official Laguna Beach campaign filings.

    Campaign committee registrationEdward Bayuk City Council 2026 · FPPC ID 1497047

    Initial statement of organization identifying committee 1497047, with Edward Bayuk as treasurer and principal officer. Secretary of State receipt stamp: September 11; City receipt stamp: October 6, 2026. Form 410 does not report contributions, spending, cash or debt.

    Read official Form 410 · 3 pages
    Latest official filingForm 410 filed September 11, 2026

    A complete reporting-period summary has not yet been published.

    View City filing record

    Form 410 registers a committee and reports no campaign-finance totals. Contributions, expenditures, cash and debt remain pending until a reviewed financial statement is available.

    Campaign-finance figures are compiled from public filings submitted to the City of Laguna Beach. Filings can be amended and recent transactions may not yet appear in periodic reports. So Laguna omits residential street addresses and links summaries to the original record.

    Public voting record

    Edward Bayuk voting record

    No record in this office.

    Edward Bayuk is not currently a member of the body they are seeking to join, so they have no incumbent voting record for this race. This is not a judgment about other public or appointed roles.

    Laguna Beach City Hall, where the City Council conducts public meetings
    Laguna Beach City Hall. So Laguna links candidate records to official City filings, minutes and election information.

    Record and accountability

    Public record and verification

    This candidate does not have a Laguna Beach City Council voting record. So Laguna will add verified public-service records and questionnaire answers when relevant.

    Search official campaign filings · City Clerk election information

    Primary sources

    Sources used for this profile

    Quick answers

    Frequently asked questions

    Is Edward Bayuk running for Laguna Beach City Council in 2026?

    Yes. Edward Bayuk qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot and appears in position 6 of nine candidates for three at-large City Council seats.

    Is Edward Bayuk an incumbent?

    No. Edward Bayuk is running as a non-incumbent candidate.

    What businesses and community organizations is Edward Bayuk connected to?

    Bayuk’s public biography describes an executive and entrepreneurial career in energy, communications, technology and real estate, along with former state-board and Laguna Art Museum service. Each listed role includes its supporting public source.

    What economic interests did Edward Bayuk disclose?

    The filing reports membership interests in several business entities and a real-estate investment held through one of them. The complete filing is available through the City’s public eFile system.

    How does So Laguna verify this profile?

    So Laguna prioritizes official City records, campaign-controlled pages, public filings and dated primary-source statements. Unknown positions are labeled rather than inferred.

    Where can I compare every candidate?

    Use the Laguna Beach election voter guide for the live candidate comparison and campaign-finance table in official ballot order.

    Editorial method: This is a neutral voter-information profile, not an endorsement. Candidate claims are attributed, material corrections are dated, and private personal information is excluded. Read the editorial and sourcing standards.