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January 6, 2026
ITEM TITLE
City Election: Call an Election on June 2, 2026, to Conduct a Primary Election for Mayor, City Councilmembers for Districts 1 and 2, and City Attorney, and Adopt Regulations for Candidate Statements
Report Number: 26-0015
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Clerk
G.C. § 84308 Regulations Apply: No
Environmental Notice: This activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt resolutions:
A. Calling an election on June 2, 2026, for the purposes of conducting a primary municipal election for Mayor, two City Councilmembers, representing Districts 1 and 2, and City Attorney, consolidating the election with the statewide election, and requesting the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors to permit the Registrar of Voters to perform certain services for the conduct of the election; and B. Adopting regulations for candidate statements of qualifications.
SUMMARY
Approval of the item will call an election to be held on June 2, 2026, for the purpose of holding a primary municipal election to determine which candidates will be the runoff candidates in the November 2026 general election for Mayor, two City Councilmembers who will represent Districts 1 and 2, and City Attorney. Approval of the item will also establish regulations related to candidate statements.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that th e activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
June 2026 Primary Election
The Mayor, District 1 and District 2 City Councilmember, and City Attorney seats will be voted on in 2026 to fill each seat for a full, four-year term commencing in December 2026. The Chula Vista Charter requires that primary municipal elections be scheduled in conjunction with statewide primary elections. The next statewide primary election will be held on June 2, 2026. Pursuant to Charter section 901, the two candidates for each seat who receive the highest and second-highest number of votes cast in the June election will be the candidates in a runoff election to be held on November 3, 2026. For regular elections, the Charter requires a runoff, even if one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast in the primary election.
If only two qualified candidates file nomination papers to participate in the primary municipal election for a particular seat, no June election will be held for that seat, and the two candidates will be the candidates at the runoff election in November.
The period for filing nomination documents for the June 2026 primary election is February 9 through March 6, 2026, during normal office hours, as posted, in the Office of the City Clerk.
Request for Consolidation
California Elections Code section 10403 requires the City Council to adopt a resolution requesting the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to consolidate Chula Vista’s election with the statewide general election and to permit the Registrar of Voters to perform certain services in conjunction with the City’s election.
Regulations for Candidate Statements of Qualifications
California Elections Code Section 13307 provides that the local agency must adopt regulations pertaining to the materials prepared by candidates and the costs associated with them. Historically, the City has allowed each candidate to submit a candidate statement of no more than 200 words. Candidates who choose to file a candidate’s statement will be required to pay a deposit at the time their statements and nomination papers are filed with the City Clerk. Should the actual cost be less than the amount of the deposit, the balance will be refunded to the candidates, and should the actual cost be more, the candidates will be billed for the difference.
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DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the real property holdings of the City Councilmembers do not create a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware and has not been informed by any City Councilmember of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Expenses for the primary election for the Mayor, two Councilmember seats, and City Attorney, including consolidating the election and other administrative costs, are estimated to be $656,950.
Funds were budgeted as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 annual budget process and are expected to be sufficient to cover the primary election.
The estimates are the best available at this time, as provided by the Registrar of Voters. Actual costs may vary. County of San Diego Administrative Code Section 439.1 requires that the City provide a deposit of the estimated election cost at least 60 days before the election. Upon the Registrar’s reconciliation, typically within six months of the election, a final bill (if costs were higher than anticipated) or a refund (if costs were lower than anticipated) is issued to the City.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There are no ongoing costs associated with conducting the election . Costs related to the November 2026 runoff election will be presented as part of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 annual budget process.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contacts: Kerry Bigelow, City Clerk, and Audrey Malone, Deputy Director of City Clerk Services