Laguna Beach election 2026 · Official ballot position 4 of 5 · Nonpartisan candidate profile
Elizabeth Bates: Laguna Beach School Board Candidate 2026
Non-incumbent; LBUSD graduate, parent and businesswoman
Ballot designation: Fiduciary/Businesswoman/Mother. Candidate for one of three at-large LBUSD Board seats in the November 3 election.
Last reviewed August 28, 2026. Official order and designation follow the Orange County Registrar of Voters candidate list.
Candidate dashboard
Elizabeth Bates at a glance
Public appearances
2026 candidate forums and debates
The KXFM listing includes both City Council and School Board candidates. 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.
KXFM
5:30 p.m. · Neighborhood Congregational Church, Bridge Hall
340 St Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Open the So Laguna events calendarVerify the City’s current schedule
Who they are
Background and experience
LBUSD graduate and parent of four district students; licensed real-estate professional who served on the LBUSD Facilities Master Plan Committee and advocated for Irvine Bowl graduations.
Voter case
Why voters may consider Elizabeth Bates
- Perspective as both a district graduate and current parent
- Facilities-planning and real-estate experience
- Detailed platform on curriculum, special education, food and fiscal transparency
This is a neutral summary of potentially favorable qualifications, not an endorsement.
Due diligence
Questions voters may want answered
- What is her position on the Glass separation and superintendent transition?
- What evidence and costs support her curriculum and screen-time proposals?
- How would the joint Roots and Results campaign affect independent Board decisions?
Candidate priorities
What Elizabeth Bates emphasizes
- Classical foundations and less screen time
- Special-education and anti-bullying support
- Whole-food kitchens
- Math, science, technology and AI
- Fiscal transparency
Summarized from candidate-controlled materials and the supplied campaign announcement; wording is condensed and attributed, not independently validated policy analysis.
May 2026 Glass separation
Vote or candidate status
No Board vote. Bates was not a trustee when the May 12 separation agreement was approved. So Laguna has not yet located a citable, candidate-controlled statement giving her position on that vote.
Campaign finance
Elizabeth Bates campaign disclosures
LBUSD candidates file through Orange County. Candidates who raise or spend at least $2,000 use Form 460; candidates remaining below that threshold may use Form 470. The first pre-election deadline is September 24, followed by the second committee report on October 22. Certain contributions of $1,000 or more are reportable within 24 hours during the election period.
Search official Orange County campaign-finance records · Official FPPC schedule
Public voting record
Elizabeth Bates voting record
Elizabeth Bates 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.
Sources
Records used for this profile
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is Elizabeth Bates running for Laguna Beach School Board in 2026?
Yes. Elizabeth Bates appears in ballot position 4 of five candidates for three at-large LBUSD Board seats.
Is Elizabeth Bates an incumbent?
Elizabeth Bates is not currently an LBUSD Board member.
How did Elizabeth Bates vote on the May 2026 Glass separation?
No Board vote. Bates was not a trustee when the May 12 separation agreement was approved. So Laguna has not yet located a citable, candidate-controlled statement giving her position on that vote.
How does So Laguna verify this profile?
So Laguna separates official records, candidate-controlled statements and independent reporting. Unknown positions are labeled rather than inferred, and source links are provided for readers to check.