To:
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
FROM:
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk
DATE:
SUBJECT:
June 2, 2026
Adoption of Resolutions Calling, Ordering, and Giving Notice of the General Municipal Election and Requesting Consolidation with the County of Orange Statewide Election
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-1527, Calling, Ordering and Giving Notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the Election of one (1) Member of the City Council from District 2, and one (1) Member of the City Council from District 4, each for a full term of four (4) years; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-1528, Requesting that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange Consolidate the City of Laguna Niguel's General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, pursuant to Elections Code Section 10403.
BACKGROUND
The General Municipal Election for the City of Laguna Niguel will be held on November 3, 2026. On January 16, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2023-226, which established by-district elections within the City and sets the schedule for elections within those districts, with 2026 being Districts 2 and 4. The subject resolutions provide the required notice for the election and its consolidation with the Statewide General Election.
ANALYSIS
The Elections Code requires the City formally call, order and give notice of General Municipal Elections. Resolution No. 2026-1527 (Attachment A) adheres to the requirements set forth in the Elections Code and calls, orders and gives notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the election, by district, of two members of the City Council (Districts 2 and 4 ), each for a full term of four years.
Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Section 2-1-1 provides that the City's General Municipal Elections be consolidated with the statewide elections held in November of even numbered years. The Orange County Registrar of Voters has requested that all cities, at the time they adopt resolutions calling and giving notice of their general elections, also
adopt a resolution requesting consolidation of each specific election with the Statewide General Election. Resolution No. 2026-1528 (Attachment B) requests the Orange County Board of Supervisors agree to consolidate the City's November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
No alternatives are recommended. State law requires the adoption of certain resolutions regarding the conduct of municipal elections.
FISCAL REVIEW
The City is required to reimburse the County of Orange for costs related to the City's General Municipal Election. The cost for the November 2026 election is estimated to be between $42,879 - $51,803. Sufficient funds have been budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 operating budget to pay for this expense.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney's Office has approved this report as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-1527, Calling, Ordering and Giving Notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the Election of one (1) Member of the City Council from District 2, one (1) Member of the City Council from District 4, each for a full term of four (4) years; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-1528, Requesting that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange Consolidate the City of Laguna Niguel's General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, pursuant to Elections Code Section 10403.
~ Jd~
City Manager
Attachments:
A. Resolution No. 2026-1527
B. Resolution No. 2026-1528
Scott C. Smith
City Attorney
Page3
ATTACHMENT A
Resolution No. 2026-1527
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-1527
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING
NOTICE FOR THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026,
FOR THE ELECTION OF ONE (1) MEMBER OF THE CITY
COUNCIL FROM DISTRICT 2, AND ONE (1) MEMBER OF THE
CITY COUNCIL FROM DISTRICT 4, EACH FOR A FULL TERM
OF FOUR (4) YEARS
WHEREAS, under the provisions of the laws relatirig to elections in general law cities and under the provisions of Ordinance No. 2023-228, adopted on January 16, 2024, a General Municipal Election shall be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election, by district, of two (2) Members of the City Council for the full term of four (4) years (Districts 2 and 4); and
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel is required to hold the General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, and to give notice of that election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to elections in general law cities, there is called and ordered to be held in the City of Laguna Niguel, California, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a General Municipal Election for the purpose of electing one (1) Member of the City Council from District 2, and one (1) Member of the City Council from District 4, each for the full term of four (4) years.
Section 2. The ballots to be used in the election shall be in form and content as required by law.
Section 3. The City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to coordinate with the County of Orange Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter, and all supplies, equipment and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election.
Section 4. The vote center locations and hours of operations, ballot drop box locations and hours of operations, vote-by-mail procedures and timing, the election officers, and all other persons and procedures for the General Municipal Election shall be the same as those utilized by the County of Orange and in compliance with the Elections Code of the State of California. In addition, the polls/vote centers for the election shall be open. at 7:00 a.m. of the day of the election and shall remain open continuously from that time until 8:00 p.m. of the same day when the polls shall be closed, Resolution No. 2026-1527 Page2
pursuant to Election Code § 10242, except as provided in § 14401 of the Elections Code of the State of California.
Section 5. In all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections.
Section 6. Notice of the time and place of holding the election is given and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form and manner as required by law.
Section 7. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, which shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of June 2026.
Gene Johns, Mayor
Attest:
Marissa J. Asistin, CMG, City Clerk
Page4
ATTACHMENT B
Resolution No. 2026-1528
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-1528
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF ORANGE CONSOLIDATE A
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 3, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
TO BE HELD ON THE DATE PURSUANT TO § 10403 OF THE
ELECTIONS CODE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel called a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of the election, by district, of two (2) Members of the City Council (Districts 2 and 4); and WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General Municipal Election be consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date and that within the City, the precincts, polling places and election officers of the two elections be the same, and that the Registrar of Voters of the County of Orange canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election, and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to the requirements of §10403 of the Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of the City of Laguna Niguel's General Municipal Election with the Statewide General election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of the election, by district, of two (2) Members of the City Council (Districts 2 and 4) for the full term of office of four (4) years.
Section 2. The Registrar of Voters Office of the County of Orange is authorized to canvass the returns of the City of Laguna Niguel's General Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, and only one form of ballot shall be used. The general election will be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the statewide election.
Section 3. The Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the Registrar of Voters Office of the County of Orange to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated election.
Section 4. The City of Laguna Niguel recognizes that additional costs may be incurred by the County of Orange by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the County of Orange for any such costs.
Resolution No. 2026-1528 Page2
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution with the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters Office of the County of Orange.
Section 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, which shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APROVED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of June 2026.
Gene Johns, Mayor
Attest:
Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk