NEWPORT BEACH
City Council Staff Report
CITY OF
September 18, 2026
Agenda Item No. 1
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Lena Shumway, City Clerk
PREPARED
BY:
Lena Shumway, City Clerk
TITLE: November 3, 2026 Special Municipal Election – Implementation Update
SUPPLEMENTAL STAFF REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file this supplemental update regarding implementation of the November 3, 2026 Special Municipal Election.
BACKGROUND
The Superior Court issued a writ directing the City to conduct an election on the three Charter amendment initiative measures on November 3, 2026. The Court directed that the election either be consolidated with the County or, if consolidation could not be accomplished, be conducted by the City as a standalone election.
The County advised that it would not consolidate the election. The City Council subsequently authorized City staff to take the actions necessary to comply in good faith with the Court’s order and conduct a standalone election.
Since receiving that direction, City staff and the City’s election consultant have been working on an expedited basis to implement the November 3 election. Because of the compressed schedule, numerous election- administration activities are occurring simultaneously.
The following provides an update on several significant developments.
MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS
September 19, 2026, is the 45- day deadline for transmission of ballots to qualifying military and overseas voters who have requested ballots by that date.
The City’s election consultant has processed the voter data provided by the Orange County Registrar of Voters and, today, informed the City Clerk that the file does not include voters whose registration records are confidential.
As a result, the information presently available to the City does not identify whether any confidential Newport Beach voter is also a military or overseas voter.
November 3, 2026, Special Municipal Election Status Update Page 2
The City has requested immediate assistance from the County to identify an appropriate mechanism for identifying and serving any eligible confidential Newport Beach military or overseas voters.
The City and its election consultant are also working to establish a process for identifying and serving any other eligible confidential Newport Beach voters before the general ballot mailing.
BALLOT PRODUCTION
California election regulations require certain State assignments and releases in connection with production of official ballot cards, including ballot tint and watermark assignments and ballot-card releases.
The City has contacted the State regarding the requirements necessary to produce ballots for the November 3 standalone election. So far, the City has not secured State official ballot cards or ballot-card releases.
Staff and the City’s election consultant continue to work with the Secretary of State and election vendors to complete these requirements.
SIGNATURE VERIFICATION
The City must establish a process for obtaining the voter -registration information necessary to verify signatures on returned vote-by-mail ballots.
The underlying voter -registration records are maintained by the County. The City has asked the County and Registrar of Voters for assistance with this and other election matters. To date, the County and the Registrar of Voters have not agreed to provide assistance.
BALLOT PRINTING VENDOR
On September 17, ProVote Solutions advised the City and its election consultant that it could no longer provide election printing services because of the compressed production schedule and outstanding information.
ProVote identified four outstanding matters: ballot tint and watermark, a business reply mail permit, language requirements, and voter pamphlet content.
Following ProVote’s withdrawal, staff and the City’s election consultant identified a replacement vendor and election preparations are still moving forward.
Attachment A- Orange County Response
November 3, 2026, Special Municipal Election Status Update Page 3