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City elected office

Riverside City Council Member, Ward 2

This office represents Ward 2 on the Riverside City Council.

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Data coverage
Government
City of Riverside
Public body
Riverside City Council
Electoral area
Ward 2
Boundary of Riverside City Council Ward 2
City Council ward
i
Ward 2 boundary from the City of Riverside's adopted ward geography.

Representation and ward facts

Ward 2 stats

The seat, its responsibilities and the history of its boundaries.

Ward representation1councilmember elected by Ward 2 voters
City Council wards7one elected councilmember per ward
Regular term4 yearsthe current transition term runs 2021–2026
Permanent precincts64assigned to Ward 2 in the February 2026 county file

City responsibilities

What your councilmember does

The office votes on city ordinances, budgets, land use, public services, and other matters before the City Council.

City Council responsibilities

Ward elections

How the seat is elected

Ward 2 voters elect one councilmember in a nonpartisan election. A majority wins the first round; if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to a runoff.

The June 2026 election advanced two candidates to the November 3 runoff.

See Ward 2 elections →

Election history

How Ward 2’s boundaries changed

City’s boundary-change announcement
  1. June 13, 2023

    New boundaries adopted

    The City Council adopted a revised seven-ward map through the Reshape Riverside process.

  2. July 13, 2023

    Ordinance took effect

    The new plan became effective, with representation changing as each ward held its next election.

  3. 2026 election

    Ward 2 uses the new map

    The revised Ward 2 electorate first votes under these boundaries in 2026. The 2021 election used the previous ward map.

Compare the old and new ward boundaries

Earlier ward boundaries and the original election system are still being researched; an earlier at-large arrangement has not been confirmed.

Next City Council Meeting · 3:00 p.m. Art Pick Council Chamber, Riverside City Hall 3900 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92522 Full agenda on the City Page →

Current officeholder

Who currently holds this office?

Current service, election dates and past officeholders.

Past officeholders1 past officeholder listed

Succession history

Explore prior service

Andy Melendrez immediately preceded Clarissa Cervantes. Earlier officeholders will be added as their service records are confirmed.

Portrait unavailable

Ward 2 councilmember

Andy Melendrez

Served through July 2021

Service documented
By 2006–07
Service ended
July 2021
Succeeded by
Clarissa Cervantes
Office
City Council, Ward 2
Report of the July 2021 succession

The city’s 2006–07 budget lists Melendrez as the Ward 2 councilmember. His precise first election and swearing-in dates remain to be confirmed.

Ward 2 elections

November 3, 2026 election

Upcoming election

Runoff electionRiverside City Council

Ward 2

November 3, 2026

2 candidates · 1 seat

Open Election Page →

Candidates on the ballot

Past elections

Public records

Records connected to this office

Open the official records used to follow the work, decisions, or disclosures connected to this office.

Council proceedings

City Council agendas and meeting records

Review agendas, staff reports, minutes, and other records of City Council proceedings.

Open official record

City records

City Clerk online documents

Browse council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, campaign statements, and other public records maintained by the City Clerk.

Open official record

Campaign finance

City campaign filing portal

Search candidate and committee disclosure filings maintained for City of Riverside elections.

Open official record

News and Press Releases

Updates from this office

Read independent reporting, official updates, and other public-source coverage connected to this office. Follow each link to the original publisher.

Thomas R. Hatch, interim City Manager for the City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City Council action

City Council appoints Thomas R. Hatch interim City Manager

The Council unanimously appointed Hatch to oversee city operations while Riverside conducts its search for a permanent City Manager.

Official sourceRead official update
Miranda Evans, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City appointment

City appoints Miranda Evans to lead Community and Economic Development

Evans was appointed to oversee economic development, planning, building, housing, code enforcement, and real-property services.

Official sourceRead official update
Nathan Mustafa, Public Works Director for the City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City of Riverside
City appointment

City names Nathan Mustafa Director of Public Works

Mustafa was selected to lead services that include streets, traffic, waste collection, parking, trees, and the water quality control plant.

Official sourceRead official update

Records and reference material

Sources

City government, elections, officeholder history and the maps used on this page.

Data coverage noteHistory incomplete

Current records are available, but a full account of at least the past ten years has not yet been assembled.

Officeholders, elections, vacancies or appointments, and changes to seats, election rules and boundaries must be documented throughout that period. Earlier history remains incomplete. Small boundary discrepancies and community-college trustee-area overlaps still need confirmation.

Page review September 8, 2026
Sources used on this page18 sources in 6 categories
City government and history1 source
City of Riverside

16 records from this source are used on this page.

Official website
Candidate list and ballot informationCandidate list and ballot informationCity election scheduleSchedule and runoff information for Ward 2.Riverside City CouncilThe council’s membership and responsibilities.June 8, 2021 city election resultsClarissa Cervantes’s first election to Ward 2.September 15, 2026 City Council agendaMeeting date, time, location and full agenda.Ward 2 councilmember biography and contact informationCurrent officeholder, portrait, contact information and July 2021 swearing-in.City Council agendas and meeting recordsCity Council agendas and meeting recordsCity Clerk online documentsCity Clerk online documentsCity Council action: City Council appoints Thomas R. Hatch interim City ManagerCity Council action: City Council appoints Thomas R. Hatch interim City ManagerCity appointment: City appoints Miranda Evans to lead Community and Economic DevelopmentCity appointment: City appoints Miranda Evans to lead Community and Economic DevelopmentCity appointment: City names Nathan Mustafa Director of Public WorksCity appointment: City names Nathan Mustafa Director of Public WorksOfficial logo used when an update does not publish a reusable imageOfficial logo used when an update does not publish a reusable image2023 ward boundary changesAdoption on June 13, 2023; effective July 13, 2023; first Ward 2 election under the new boundaries in 2026.Reshape RiversideRedistricting records and adopted ward map.Old and new ward comparisonOfficial comparison of the prior ward boundaries and the 2023 plan.2006–07 City budget: personnel detailAndy Melendrez listed as Ward 2 councilmember in 2006–07.
Maps and district boundaries7 sources
City of Riverside GIS

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary source for Ward 2Boundary source for Ward 2
California Department of Education

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary: Moreno Valley Unified School DistrictGeographic intersection with the current Ward 2 boundary.
U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary: Assembly District 58Geographic intersection with the current Ward 2 boundary.
California Citizens Redistricting Commission

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary: Board of Equalization District 4Geographic intersection with the current Ward 2 boundary.
Riverside County GIS

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary: Riverside County Supervisor District 1Geographic intersection with the current Ward 2 boundary.
Riverside County Office of Education GIS

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Boundary: County Board of Education Trustee Area 2Geographic intersection with the current Ward 2 boundary.
Riverside County precinct GIS

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Permanent precinct boundariesThe February 26, 2026 permanent precinct boundaries assigned to Ward 2.
Campaign records1 source
City of Riverside campaign disclosures

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
City campaign filing portalCity campaign filing portal
Officeholder history1 source
The Raincross Gazette

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
The new face of Ward 2Contemporaneous reporting of the July 2021 transition from Andy Melendrez to Clarissa Cervantes.
Elections and registration2 sources
Riverside County Registrar of Voters

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Certified June 2026 Statement of VotesWard 2 candidate votes, percentages and advancement to the runoff; worksheet 44.
California Secretary of State

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Voter registration deadlinesRegistration information for the November 3, 2026 election.
Related officeholders6 sources
Riverside County Supervisor District 1

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Jose MedinaOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Riverside County Supervisor District 1.
Riverside County Office of Education

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Ben Johnson IIOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with County Board of Education Trustee Area 2.
California State Assembly

3 records from this source are used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Leticia CastilloOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Assembly District 58.Official profile: Dr. Corey A. JacksonOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Assembly District 60.Official profile: Natasha JohnsonOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Assembly District 63.
California State Senate

2 records from this source are used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Sabrina CervantesOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with State Senate District 31.Official profile: Kelly SeyartoOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with State Senate District 32.
California State Board of Equalization

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Mike SchaeferOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Board of Equalization District 4.
U.S. House of Representatives

1 record from this source is used on this page.

Official website
Official profile: Mark TakanoOfficeholder identity and portrait displayed with Congressional District 39.
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