From Congress to city hall, five races on the November 3, 2026 ballot will decide who speaks for the Sierra Nevada. The region supplies much of California’s water and powers local economies through tourism and outdoor recreation, so the choices these leaders make on clean water, clean air, and public lands affect families far beyond the mountains. EnviroVoters recommends Ami Bera for Congressional District 3, Dr. Richard Pan for Congressional District 6, Lisa Edelheit for Mariposa County Supervisor, Kelley Davis for Auburn City Council, and John Friedrich for South Lake Tahoe City Council.
In this guide:
- Ami Bera for Congressional District 3
- Dr. Richard Pan for Congressional District 6
- Lisa Edelheit for Mariposa County Supervisor, District 1
- Kelley Davis for Auburn City Council
- John Friedrich for South Lake Tahoe City Council
Why the 2026 Election Matters for the Sierras
The Sierra Nevada is one of California’s biggest sources of water and carbon storage. As an upstream provider, the Sierra Nevada is a natural-resource-rich region that contains wonders of the world such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Mammoth Lakes, which are constantly under federal attack. The beauty and landscapes of this region are also the economic engine of local communities, especially rural communities. With millions of tourists a year, and accessible to all Californians for a natural escape, the Sierra Nevada is a place all Californians should care about: everyone should be paying attention to who is running in local races to protect the places they love.
Congressional District 3: Ami Bera
| Covers | Parts of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Nevada counties, from the Folsom area to Truckee and Lake Tahoe |
|---|---|
| EnviroVoters endorses | Ami Bera (D), physician; currently represents Congressional District 6 |
| Also on the ballot | Robb Tucker (R), Nevada County Supervisor |
| Why it matters | Prop 50 redrew this district to stretch from Sacramento's suburbs to Lake Tahoe, bringing new Sierra communities under one representative. |
Congressman Ami Bera is EnviroVoters’ choice to lead the newly drawn District 3, which was redrawn after the passing of Proposition 50 in 2025. (For more on Prop 50 redistricting, check out our blog.) This new district contains Lake Tahoe, and Congressman Bera is uniquely equipped to lead this region due to his consistent support of natural resources and federal regulation of pollutants. He holds a 95% lifetime score from the League of Conservation Voters, proving his leadership on climate and democracy. This district needs a climate champion who will advocate for rural communities and national forests and stop public land sell-offs.
Congressional District 6: Dr. Richard Pan
| Covers | Parts of Sacramento, Placer, and Yolo counties, including West Sacramento, Natomas, East Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Roseville, and Rocklin |
|---|---|
| EnviroVoters endorses | Dr. Richard Pan (D), pediatrician and former state senator |
| Also on the ballot | Kevin Kiley (I), incumbent |
| Why it matters | One of California's most closely watched House races under the new Prop 50 district lines. |
Dr. Richard Pan is equipped to lead the newly drawn District 6, running against Congressman Kevin Kiley. Dr. Pan is passionate about keeping communities healthy, especially in the Sierra foothills, which are at risk of polluted air and water. His experience in the state legislature has proven his commitment to affordability and local business opportunity.Â
Mariposa County Supervisor District 1: Lisa Edelheit
| Covers | Communities in Mariposa County's District 1, including Yosemite Valley |
|---|---|
| Sierra Protection PAC endorses | Lisa Edelheit, labor leader working with Yosemite National Park residents and employees |
| Also on the ballot | Stanley Bissmeyer |
| Why it matters | An open seat after three terms. Edelheit's priorities include workforce housing, fire-safe communities, and affordable fire insurance. |
Lisa Edelheit has built her life around Yosemite National Park, and is now running for the district representing Yosemite Valley. Edelheit has built her career in the labor movement, working for residents and employees of the park, making their sustainability her number one issue. Amidst federal attacks, EnviroVoters’ local league in the Sierras, the Sierra Protection PAC, is endorsing Edelheit because we need a Supervisor in Mariposa who stands up for her jurisdiction, local communities, and the beauty that attracts business.
Auburn City Council: Kelley Davis
| Covers | City of Auburn, Placer County |
|---|---|
| Sierra Protection PAC endorses | Kelley Davis, incumbent, running for a second term |
| Also on the ballot | Bridget Powers and newcomers Stephanie McKenzie and Erik Robb |
| Why it matters | As the gateway to the Sierra Nevada, Auburn's council decisions shape recreation access and local sustainability. The four candidates running are competing for three open seats on the council. |
Kelley Davis is running for her second term on Auburn City Council to continue her work supporting her diverse community. Davis has built her career in nonprofit and community work, creating allyships across the city to build sustainable initiatives and equitable access to the Sierra. Auburn is a recreational city and the gateway to the Sierra Nevada, and it needs a City Council that understands its environmental responsibility.
South Lake Tahoe City Council: John Friedrich
| Covers | City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County |
|---|---|
| Sierra Protection PAC endorses | John Friedrich, clean energy professional and former League to Save Lake Tahoe program director |
| Also on the ballot | Dyna Boen, Erika Gonzalez, Heather Horgan, Grant McCracken, Gantt Miller, Kelly O'Haire, Nick Piliae, Dina Ramaha, Scott Robbins, Doug Williams, Aimi Xistra |
| Why it matters | The twelve candidates running are competing for three open seats on the council. Friedrich is running on affordable workforce housing, road repair, and a transition to 100% clean energy. |
John Freidrich, who is an incumbent on South Lake Tahoe City Council, is running for a second time to bring more climate resilience into local actions. South Lake Tahoe has a shared priority of protecting one of the clearest and deepest lakes in the world, and needs a sustainable and environmental leader to advocate for traffic protections, pollutant regulations, and business sustainability.Â
How to Vote in the Sierra Nevada in 2026
Voting in California is easier than you might think, and you have more time and more options than you probably realize. Here’s how to make your voice heard in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Every active registered voter in California is automatically mailed a ballot, so you can vote from your kitchen table, drop it in a box on your way to work, or vote in person.
- Check that you’re registered. Confirm your registration and make sure your address is current at the California Secretary of State’s voter status page. The deadline to register online or by mail is October 19, 2026. But even if you miss that date, you can still register same-day and vote in person on Election Day.
- Get your ballot. Ballots are mailed to every active registered voter between Tuesday October 6 and Friday October 9. Fill yours out at home, on your own time. Do your research to make sure you’re picking the best candidates—resources like EnviroVoters’ voter guide can be a great place to start! We recommend talking to friends and family about their voting plans and researching together.
- Return it your way. Mail it back (the state says it must be postmarked by November 3, but we recommend putting it in the mail before October 31 to be safe), drop it at an official ballot drop box, or hand it in at any voting location. Prefer to vote in person? Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, and you can find your polling place here.
However you choose to vote, your ballot is your power to protect clean air, safe water, and an affordable future for the Sierra Nevada.
What else is on your ballot?
We’ve spotlighted our five key races in the Sierra Nevada above, but your ballot will have plenty more on it—statewide offices, local seats, and ballot measures that all shape the climate future of your community. To see every candidate we’ve endorsed statewide and in your area, check out our EnviroVoters Endorsements page.Â