Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: JUNE 16, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, CITY CLERK
PREPARED BY: LUCINDA WILLIAMS, CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
SUMMARY
The proposed resolutions call the November 2026 election for candidates in Districts 3 and 5, request consolidation with the County of Orange for election services and adopt candidate statements regulations.
PROPOSED MOTION
Adopt the following resolutions:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026–XXX - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR HOLDING A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 TO ELECT CERTAIN OFFICERS AS REQUIRED BY STATE OF CALIFORNIA LAWS RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES RESOLUTION NO. 2026–XXX - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026 WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON THE DATE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10403 RESOLUTION NO. 2026–XXX = A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATE’S STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS FOR THE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Adopt resolution allowing 400-word Candidate’s Statements Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
None.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENTS
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Orange County Registrar of Voters estimates cost to consolidate the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election for two City Council district races totals between $69,375 - $83,813. The estimated cost includes labor and overhead supplies, services and other expenditures incurred during the election, calculated as follows:
$54,233 - $68,179 to consolidate election (anticipated 30,990 registered voters at $1.75 to $2.20 cost per voter) $6,155 - $6,647 vote by mail return envelope paid postage (AB 216 adopted in 2019) $8,987 2019-20 new election equipment cost recovery.
The proposed FY 2026-27 budget includes appropriation for the November 2026 election. Staff will also incur expenses for election supplies and campaign report filing software.
DISCUSSION
Call Election
The City will hold a General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026 for one Member of the City Council residing in District 3 and one Member of the City Council residing in District 5. State law requires City Council adopt resolutions to call the election of candidates, request consolidating the election with the County of Orange and establish candidate’s statement regulations.
Consolidation
California Elections Code Section 10403 allows General Law cities to adopt a resolution requesting consolidating the General Municipal Election with a statewide election at the same time the City adopts a resolution calling the election. The consolidation resolution would authorize the Orange County Registrar of Voters to conduct the election on behalf of the City and canvass the election results. Consolidation provides the most cost effective and practical solution for conducting municipal elections.
Filing Period
The candidate nomination period begins Monday, July 13, 2026 and ends at the close of business on Friday, August 7, 2026. Candidates must be registered voters in the District at the time they pull nomination papers. If an incumbent eligible to run for office does not file nomination papers for re-election, the filing deadline automatically extends for five days to August 12, 2026.
City of Fullerton Ordinance No. 1932, adopted in 1973, establishes a $25 fee for filing nomination papers for candidates in municipal elections.
Candidate Statements
Candidates may submit an optional candidate statement when filing to run for office. The minority language provisions of the Voting Rights Act require translating candidate statements into Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. The City has historically required candidates to pay the cost of printing candidate statements. The Registrar of Voters provided the following estimated candidate statement costs:
Fullerton Voting District
200 Word Statement
400 Word Statement
District 3
$547.28
$751.09
District 5
$566.31
$789.16
City Council has the option to authorize 200-word or 400-word statements. City Council traditionally authorizes a 200-word statement. Staff recommends City Council adopt a resolution authorizing 200-word candidate statements and require each candidate submitting a statement to pay a deposit equal to the Registrar of Voters estimate at the time of filing. The City would either refund or invoice the candidate for the actual pro-rata cost of printing determined by the Registrar of Voters following the election. Many factors determine the actual cost of printing including the number and type of candidate statements printed in the Voter Information Guide.
The Registrar of Voters must canvas the votes and certify the election no sooner than November 27, 2026 and no later than December 3, 2026. City Council must declare the results of the election, seat newly elected members and select a Mayor and Mayor Pro no later than the first regular meeting following canvas of returns. Staff has tentatively agendized the election certification and installation of newly elected officers for the December 15, 2026 City Council meeting.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft Resolution No. 2026-XXX Calling Election Attachment 2 – Draft Resolution No. 2026-XXX Consolidation Attachment 3 – Draft Resolution No. 2026-XXX Candidate Statements cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
Call November 3, 2026 Election
June 16, 2026 - Page 3