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July 14, 2026
ITEM TITLE
City Election: Recite the Fact of the Primary Municipal Election Held on June 2, 2026, and Declare the Results, Call a General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, and Adopt Candidate Statement Regulations
Report Number: 26-0226
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: City Clerk
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Therefore, pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3), no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt the following resolutions:
A. Reciting the fact of the primary municipal election held on June 2, 2026, declaring the results thereof, and other related matters
B. Calling a general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect a Mayor, a City Attorney, and two City Councilme mbers, representing Districts 1 and 2, 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 C. Adopting regulations for candidate statements of qualifications
SUMMARY
The Registrar of Voters has transmitted the certified results of the primary municipal election held on June 2, 2026. Elections Code Section 10262(b) requires the City Clerk, as the City elections official, to certify the results of the election to the City Council, and requires the City Council to adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election.
Adoption of the resolutions will declare the results of the June 2, 2026, primary municipal election; call and consolidate the November 3, 2026 general municipal election with the statewide election to conduct runoff elections for Mayor and City Council Districts 1 and 2 and to elect a City Attorney; request the County of San P a g e | 2
Diego Board of Supervisors to permit the Registrar of Voters to provide election services; and adopt regulations governing candidate statements of qualifications.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and it has been determined that the 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.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
June 2, 2026, Election Results
An election was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the purposes of conducting a primary municipal election for Mayor and Districts 1 and 2 City Councilmembers. Pursuant to Resolution No. 2026-046, the City Attorney seat was removed from the June 2026 ballot because only one qualified candidate timely submitted nomination papers for the office and the qualified candidate shall instead appear on the ballot for the November 2026 general municipal election in accordance with the Chula Vista Charter and State law.
Elections Code Section 10262(b) requires the City Clerk, as the City elections official, to certify the results of the election to the City Council, which shall adopt a resolution reciting the fact of the election. Certified results of the election are attached as Exhibit 1.
The total number of votes received by each candidate is listed below:
Number of Votes Percentage of Votes Cast
MAYOR
John McCann 30,921 56.08%
Francisco Tamayo 21,801 39.54%
Yair Gersten 2,413 4.38%
CITY COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT 1
Carolina Chavez 7,130 43.43%
Greg Martinez 3,927 23.92%
Joy Emmanuel 2,916 17.76%
Sergio C. Vargas 1,344 8.19%
Chuck Sanfilippo 1,099 6.69%
CITY COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT 2
Jose Preciado 6,300 48.63%
Angelica S. Martinez 3,526 27.22%
Russ Hall 1,750 13.51%
Jesse Navarro 1,379 10.64%
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Request for Consolidation for November 3, 2026
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.
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 general election for the Mayor, two Councilmember seats, and City Attorney, including consolidating the election and other administrative costs, are estimated to be $441,250.
The estimated costs are included in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget and are expected to be sufficient to cover the general 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 deposi t 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.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1 – Certified Results of the June 2, 2026, election Staff Contact:
Audrey Malone, Deputy Director, City Clerk Services and Kerry K. Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk