Coachella Council Race: Zamora and Zapata Lead, Just Nine Votes Apart in Early Returns

COACHELLA, California — November 4, 2026. Coachella’s City Council ballot is closely divided among the two top vote-getters in the first reported results from Riverside County, while voters are also deciding the separate mayoral race.

Candidate totals in the council contest

Results compiled from Riverside County’s overnight election returns show Vicente Zamora with 833 votes (29.1%) and Yavonne Zapata with 824 (28.8%), only nine votes apart. Juan M. Martinez followed with 654 (22.9%), Ambar De La Herran with 411 (14.4%), and Andrew Gallegos with 136 (4.8%).

These figures are candidates’ shares of votes cast for the council contest, not the percentage of all residents voting. They reflect an early reporting snapshot and could move as additional ballots are counted.

Mayor is a different contest

Coachella voters also cast ballots for mayor. In the same county snapshot, Denise Delgado led the four-candidate mayoral field with 705 votes, followed by Frank Figueroa with 607, Jesus “Kino” Gonzalez with 583, and Francisco “Frankie” Molina with 148. California58 already covers the mayoral race separately; this article concentrates on council representation.

Not certified

Neither the 9-vote gap nor the ranked council totals are final. Riverside County will continue the canvass of valid ballots, so the order can change. Readers should distinguish an unofficial lead from an elected official taking office.

Sources: Riverside County results compilation, updated November 4 at 4:23 a.m. PT; Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

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