Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling for the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to Tabulate and Report the Results of the November 3, 2026 City of San Leandro General Municipal Election for Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 in Accordance with a District-Based Election System as Required by Measure F
Staffreport
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommend the City Council adopt the Resolution calling for the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to Tabulate and Report the Results of the November 3, 2026 City of San Leandro General Municipal Election for City Council Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 in accordance with a district-based election system as required by Measure F.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
On June 16, 2025, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-009 to change the City’s election method from a hybrid method where Councilmembers were nominated from a Council district but elected at-large, to a district-based election method in which the candidate must reside within an election district that is a divisible part of the City and is elected only by voters residing within that election district, while the Mayor is nominated and elected by all voters citywide. Ordinance No. 2025-009 established the City Charter amendment process for the City’s transition to a district-based election system, adopted a map describing the boundaries for each district, and determined the sequence of district elections.
On February 2, 2026, the City Council subsequently adopted Resolution No. 2026-011 to call for a special municipal election for the City Charter amendment ballot measure to convert to a district-based election method to be consolidated with the June 2, 2026 Statewide Primary Election conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. The County accepted the consolidation, and assigned the letter “F” to the City’s ballot measure to amend the City Charter to change to the district-based election method. Measure F passed overwhelmingly with 87.33% in favor to 12.67% opposed.
The Registrar of Voters certified the June 2, 2026 election results on June 26, 2026. The City Council declared the results of the June 2, 2026 Special Municipal Election on July 6, 2026 by adopting Resolution No. 2026-094. Measure F went into effect July 1, 2026, which provided sufficient time for it to be in effect for the November 3, 2026 General Election.
On June 15, 2026, the City Council passed Resolution No. 2026-084, as required by California Elections Code §10002 and §10403, to call for the City’s general municipal election and request consolidation with the Statewide November 3, 2026 General Election conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
It is clear that the ballots for the November 3, 2026 election are for an at-large election. To address this anomalous situation, it is proposed that the City Council pass a Resolution that calls for the Registrar of Voters to tabulate and report the results of the November 3, 2026 General Election by-district for the elections of Council Members for Districts 1, 3, and 5 for the full four-year terms and the election of the Council Member for District 2 for the partial two-year term. This would allow the City Council to declare the results of the November 3, 2026 General Election in accordance with the City Charter, as amended by Measure F. The City has been and will continue to be in communication with the Registrar of Voters to work through this matter.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney drafted the proposed Resolution as a potential solution, which will preserve all of the City’s legal options. It is, however, beyond the time that ballots can be changed, amended, and/or resent by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, so a solution that complies with the City Charter must involve tabulation and reporting that is accomplished by-district. The election for Mayor is unaffected because the Mayor is elected at-large.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this juncture. Staff will inform the Council if any subsequent or follow-up action incurs a fiscal impact requiring City Council review and approval.
ATTACHMENT
A: Draft Resolution Calling for the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to Tabulate and Report the Results of the November 3, 2026 City of San Leandro General Municipal Election for Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 in Accordance with a District-Based Election System as Required by Measure F
PREPARED BY: Richard Pio Roda, City Attorney, City Attorney’s Office