REPARED BY: CASEY ERLENHEIM DATE OF MEETING: 6/15/2026
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO (1) CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA; AND (2) REQUESTING AND CONSENTING TO CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTIONS, AND SETTING SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ELECTION ORDER
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
This a Municipal Code and State Elections Code requirement although it is not a specific policy item included in the adopted City Council Priority Workplan.
BACKGROUND
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, is the date set for the State of California General Municipal Election and for the election of municipal officers at a General Municipal Election pursuant to San Pablo Municipal Code section 1.20.010. Should the City Council wish to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the State of California General Election as a cost-saving measure, the City Council must adopt a resolution requesting the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to allow consolidation of both elections and set forth certain specifications for the municipal election.
The attached Resolution gives notice of the holding of a General Municipal Election in San Pablo, requests the Board of Supervisors to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and sets forth the specifications for the municipal election.
The following positions are open in the November 2026 election:
Two (2) Council Members (four-year terms)
One (1) City Clerk (four-year term)
One (1) City Treasurer (four-year term)
Based on the requirements of Elections Code Sections 10220 and 10224, the nominating period for these positions opens on Monday, July 13, 2026, and all nominating papers to be a candidate for any of these positions must be filed with the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours not later than the 88th day before the election, August 7, 2026.
Because the 88th day before the election falls on a Friday and City Hall offices have been closed on Fridays since July 2011, the deadline for filing papers to be a candidate for the City of San Pablo will be Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.
All candidates are encouraged to make an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office to file their Nomination Papers. As required by Elections Code section 10225, if an incumbent fails to file for reelection by the August 6, 2026, deadline, the period for filing Nomination Papers for non-incumbent candidates will be extended to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
There is a $25 Filing Fee for a candidate to file Nomination Papers with the City Clerk. Candidates are not required to publish a Candidate’s Statement, but if they chose to do so, it is recommended that the candidate pre-pay the costs of publication estimated to be $432, in addition to the $25 filing fee. This estimated cost is based on the recommended limit of a 250-word statement that will be printed in English and Spanish, as required by State law. The County Elections Division will notify the cities of its estimated cost as the date nears the nomination period, and the City reserves the right to modify the amount to be collected for the candidate statement when the exact amount is determined by the Elections Division. The final cost will be provided by the Contra Costa County Elections Division in July, prior to the nomination period opening on July 13, 2026. The difference between the estimate and the actual cost will be invoiced or refunded based upon determination of the actual cost by the County. Indigent individuals unable to pay the cost of the Candidate’s Statement may file for a waiver with the City Clerk’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
As of the writing of this staff report, there are 13,196 registered voters in San Pablo according to the Secretary of State’s Report of Registration dated May 18, 2026. If the municipal election is consolidated with the statewide General Election, the Elections Division estimates the cost of the election to the City to be approximately $4.50-$5.50 per registered voter. This estimate includes the cost of two measures, and four city council seats for a total of six contests to be placed on the ballot. Therefore, the estimated cost to the City to conduct a consolidated election on November 3, 2026, will be between $59,382 to $72,578, which is included in the proposed FY 2026-27 City Council budget (100-1330-43600).
The estimated cost for a stand-alone election is $9 - $14 per registered voter or approximately $115,740 - $179,760.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att A - Resolution