Title
Adopt a Resolution to Call for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election for the City of San Leandro and Request Consolidation with the Statewide General Election; and Adopt an Ordinance to Establish Election and Nomination Procedures for November 3, 2026
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to conduct the City's General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, the City Council must take these actions:
1. Adopt a Resolution calling for the holding of the General Municipal Election, requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election, and adopting regulations for candidates; and
2. Adopt an ordinance establishing candidate nomination procedures.
BACKGROUND
To provide the necessary authorization and direction to Staff to conduct the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, the City Council must approve two legislative documents. These documents and their purposes are listed below.
1. Resolution Calling for the Holding of the General Municipal Election
This Resolution provides for the holding of the General Municipal Election for the election of Mayor, City Councilmembers for Districts 1, 3, and 5 for full four-year terms each, and a partial term for the City Councilmember for District 2 of two years. It directs the City Clerk to perform the publications, postings and noticing for the election required by the California Elections Code.
Secondly, the Resolution requests the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to permit the consolidation of the City of San Leandro General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election; to direct the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to provide election services to the City; and to bill the City for the cost of conducting the election.
Lastly, this Resolution sets the following regulations for candidate statements:
• Establishes a maximum of 200 words for each candidate statement of qualifications;
• Disallows any additional candidate materials to be mailed with the Sample Ballot and Voter Information Guide;
• Sets a deposit amount of $1,325, to be paid by candidates at the time of filing nomination papers and candidate statements, for their pro-rata share of the costs of printing, handling, translating, and mailing the candidate statements. Following the election, candidates will be refunded any overage or billed for any additional costs.
2. Ordinance Establishing Election and Nomination Procedures
§ 610 of the Charter of the City of San Leandro states that the Council, by ordinance, may provide for the method of conducting municipal elections. This ordinance provides for the publication of the Notice of Election by the City Clerk, the method of nomination of candidates, filing dates for nomination papers, and time extension if an incumbent fails to file. It also sets provisions for the procedure to be used if no candidate files for an office and provides for the use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Pursuant to California Government Code § 36937(a), as this ordinance relates to an election, it is effective immediately upon adoption.
Financial Impacts
There are no direct fiscal impacts associated with this agenda item. The November 3, 2026 election is anticipated to cost approximately $629,887, including the cost of Ranked Choice Voting. Sufficient funds are budgeted in the FY 2027 budget to pay for the election.
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution Calling for the Holding of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
B: Ordinance to Establish Election and Nomination Procedures for November 3, 2026
PREPARED BY: Sarah Bunting, City Clerk, City Manager’s Office