MEETING DATE:
JUNE 9, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NOS. 2026-9606 & 2026-9607 - CALLING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTION WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO REGISTRAR OF VOTERS WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION; AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT resolutions calling the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, requesting consolidation with the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters of the City’s General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election; and regulations for candidate statements.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable
Executive Summary
In accordance with the City Charter, the next General Municipal Election in the City of San Marcos will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The purpose of the election is to elect one Mayor and two members for City Council Districts 1 and 2, to a four-year term, and to present any measures that may qualify for the ballot.
The California Elections Code requires the adoption of resolutions for the purpose of (1) calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and requesting that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors consent to the consolidation of the election with the Statewide General Election; and (2) adopting regulations pertaining to candidate statements of qualifications and the cost thereof.
Discussion
Calling and Consolidating the Conduct of the General Municipal Election
The General Municipal Election falls on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing the positions of Mayor and Council Member for City Council Districts 1 and 2, to a four-year term, and any measures that may qualify for the ballot.
The terms for Mayor Jones and Councilmembers Nunez and Sannella are set to expire at the end of the year.
The City of San Marcos has consolidated its General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election since 1968. It is appropriate at this time to adopt the proposed resolutions to (1) call and give notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, and (2) request that the San Diego County Board of Supervisors consent to the consolidation of the City’s election with the Statewide General Election and provide the necessary election-related services.
Consolidation services include but are not limited to: hiring poll workers; establishing Vote Centers; translating, printing and mailing the voter’s sample ballot pamphlet; and canvassing the ballots. The City and the Registrar are also charged with the minority language translation requirements imposed by the Federal Voting Rights Act with respect to certain election notices and materials provided to voters. The County of San Diego and the City of San Marcos are required to support English, Chinese, Filipino, Spanish and Vietnamese languages.
The nomination period for the office of Councilmembers is July 13, 2026, 8:00 a.m. through August 7, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Per Section 10225 of the Elections Code, if an incumbent for the office of Councilmember who is eligible for re-election does not file a declaration of candidacy by August 7, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., there will be a 5-day extension allowed for any person other than the incumbent to file a declaration of candidacy for such office. If the nomination period for the office of the Councilmember is extended, the filing period for that office will end August 12, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Regulations for Candidate Statements
Pursuant to the Elections Code and the Federal Voting Rights Act, and based upon the demographics of the City of San Marcos, the City is required to translate and publish the sample ballot, which includes candidate statements of qualifications, in the five required languages listed above. This requirement is carried out by the Registrar of Voters through consolidated election services.
The Elections Code authorizes the City to require each candidate who chooses to file a statement to pay a deposit in advance, at the time of filing nomination papers, for the estimated pro rata share of costs to translate, print, and mail a candidate statement as a condition of having his or her statement included in the sample voter pamphlet. The estimated costs are determined by the Registrar based on printing and translation costs, and a projection of total jurisdictional participation based on the number of registered voters. Advance payments are held by the City pending final billing by the Registrar after the election. Once actual costs are determined by the Registrar, candidates may be billed for additional expenses or refunded any excess paid. The City Council has historically approved a 200-word limit to minimize the cost borne by the candidate. The filing of a candidate statement is optional.
In past election years, the Registrar has provided pro rata estimates for candidate statements. The Registrar has acknowledged the disparity between the estimate and actual pro rata costs and is taking steps to provide more realistic projected costs.
The Registrar’s pro rata cost estimate for the November 3, 2026 election is $1500 for a 200-word statement. Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution, which limits candidate statements to 200 words and requires each candidate to be responsible for all pro rata costs associated with his or her candidate statement. Following the election, candidates will be refunded for any amounts paid in excess, or billed for additional actual expense, depending on the final actual cost as provided by the Registrar.
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost for the election for City Council Mayor and Districts 1 and 2 are estimated to be $115,000 and is budgeted in the City Clerk’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
Attachment(s)
Resolution Calling and Consolidating the November Election
Resolution Candidate Statement Regulation
Prepared by: Phillip Scollick, City Clerk
Approved by: Michelle Bender, City Manager