CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: AUGUST 20, 2026 BUSINESS & LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL SEAT AND CANCELING THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 2 SCHEDULED FOR
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Brenda Pree, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
As of the close of the nomination period on Friday, August 7, 2026, only one person filed nomination papers to fill the City Council Office for Electoral District 2 that is up for election at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. Therefore, there are not more candidates than offices to be elected for in Council District 2.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF JEFFREY BERNSTEIN TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL FOR DISTRICT 2, THAT WAS TO BE ELECTED ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026; AND CANCELING THE ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.”
2) Direct the City Clerk to present the “Certificate of Appointment In Lieu of Election” to Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein; and,
3) Direct the City Clerk to swear the appointee into office, with term officially beginning after the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; OR
4) Direct the City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for City Council District 2.
BACKGROUND:
Resolution No. 25398 was adopted by the City Council on May 27, 2026, calling a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect Councilmembers for Districts 1, 2, and 3. The nomination period opened on July 13 and closed on August 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. During the nomination period, only one resident for District 2 was officially
City Council Staff Report
August 20, 2026 -- Page 2
Consideration of Resolution Appointing Candidate for District 2 City Council Seat and Canceling the General Municipal Election for District 2 Scheduled for November 3, 2026 1 1
5 6
nominated, meeting the requirement of the nomination papers signed by at least 80 qualified registered voters. The qualified candidate for this office is Jeffrey Bernstein.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
On August 10, 2026, pursuant to California Elections Code § 10229, a “Certification That There Are Not More Candidates Than Offices To Be Elected” was forwarded to the members of the City Council by the City Clerk. In accordance with the Elections Code, a notice of these facts was published in the City’s newspaper of general circulation on August 14, 2026, for at least five days prior to this meeting.
Under these circumstances, the City Council may either appoint the nominated candidate(s) and cancel the election for District 2 or direct that the election nonetheless be held. If the election is not canceled, the Office of the City Clerk will accept write-in candidates during the period of September 7 through October 20, 2026.
If the City Council chooses to appoint the nominee and cancel the election for Council District 2, it is appropriate to direct the City Clerk to present the appointee with a ‘Certificate of Appointment’ and swear him into office, with the official term beginning after the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
For reference, the City Council encountered this scenario during the Election of November 3, 2020. On August 20, 2020, the City Council elected to proceed with the election rather than appoint the sole nominee. Further details can be referenced in Attachments C and D. In the 2024 Election, Council District 5 remained uncontested; however, the city was precluded from canceling the District 5 election due to a citywide ballot measure (Measure “J”).
Since this is the second time the City Council has considered the possible cancellation of an election and appointment, it may be useful to know what other agencies are doing.
According to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, two other cities in Riverside County, Temecula and Calimesa, are currently faced with a situation where there is only one candidate for certain elective offices.
The City of Temecula is scheduled to conduct a special meeting on August 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM, to consider canceling the election for two City Council seats. The City of Calimesa canceled the election for two City Council seats at its City Council meeting of August 17, 2026. For other local agencies, such as school districts, healthcare districts and community college districts, State law does not give the local governing body the option to cancel the election, but instead the election is canceled automatically by the County.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Not applicable.
City Council Staff Report
August 20, 2026 -- Page 3
Consideration of Resolution Appointing Candidate for District 2 City Council Seat and Canceling the General Municipal Election for District 2 Scheduled for November 3, 2026 1 1
5 6
FISCAL IMPACT:
General Municipal Election costs for District 2 are estimated at approximately $22,000.
Canceling the District 2 election would result in these savings.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Brenda Pree
Deputy City Manager: Jeremy Hammond
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Certification That There Are Not More Candidates Than Offices To Be Elected B. Resolution
C. August 20, 2020 Staff Report and Meeting Minutes
D. August 20, 2020 Meeting Video Link:
https://palmspringsca.new.swagit.com/videos/74959?ts=1860