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December 22, 2025, Item #3
AGENDA REPORT CityofPoway
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
CONTACT:
SUBJECT:
Summary:
December 22, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
Call a Special Municipal Election on June 2, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
At the December 16, 2025 Regular City Council meeting, Council directed staff to return with a report and resolution to call for a Special Municipal Election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the purpose of electing one (1) Councilmember from District 2 for the remainder of the four (4) year term expiring November 2028. Adoption of the recommended resolutions is required to commence the election process in conformance with the State of California's election laws.
Recommended Action:
It is recommended the City Council adopt the Resolutions.
Discussion:
On November 4, 2025, the City of Poway conducted a Special Municipal Recall Election in consolidation with the State of California Special Election for the purpose of submitting a question to the voters of whether Anthony (Tony) Blain should be recalled (removed) from the Office of District 2 as Councilmember of the City of Poway. On November 5, 2025, after unofficial election results showed over 80% voting in favor of the recall, former Councilmember Blain resigned effectively immediately.
On December 16, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-053 declaring the result of the Special Municipal Recall Election, in which residents of District 2 voted in favor of the recall/removal of the former Councilmember.
In accordance with Poway Municipal Code Section 2.24.010, the City's 2026 Special Municipal Election is scheduled to be held on June 2, 2026 for the purpose of electing one (1) Councilmember from District 2 to fill the vacancy left upon former Councilmember Blain's resignation and subsequent recall, for the remainder of the current four (4) year term expiring November, 2028.
The candidate filing period for the June 2, 2026, election is Monday, February 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. to 2 of 10
December 22, 2025, Item #3
Friday, March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Due to the absence of an incumbent, there will be no extended nomination period. The City of Poway follows the candidate nomination process established in the California Elections Code.
In accordance with California Elections Code section 10403 and Poway Municipal Code Chapter 2.24, the City is requesting the San Diego County Board of Supervisors consolidate the City's Special Municipal Election with the Statewide Primary Election to be held on June 2, 2026. The resolution to the staff report (Attachment B) requesting consolidation agrees to reimburse the San Diego County Registrar of Voters Office (ROV) for costs associated with the election services provided to the City.
This long-standing partnership is cost-effective, reducing duplicity in both effort and in costs.
The California Elections Code provides for candidate reimbursement for the cost of printing and mailing their respective candidate statements in the Voter Information Pamphlet. The Federal Voting Rights Act requires voters' pamphlets for San Diego County be translated into Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, and Vietnamese languages.
The candidate statement is a voluntary statement for candidates seeking a specific elective office and may include the name, age, occupation, education and qualifications of the candidate. Historically, a 200-word statement has been designated by Council. Candidates who opt for this printing are required to pay a $1,000 deposit when the nomination paper and forms are filed with the City Clerk.
The resolution to the staff report (Attachment C) establishes reimbursement of the cost for a candidate statement based on a 200-word statement. Final payment is due upon receipt from the San Diego County ROV following the election. Candidates will be billed or refunded the difference in cost based on the actual number of candidates filing statements.
Environmental Review:
This action is not subject to CEQA review.
Fiscal Impact:
Although the actual costs of the election are likely to vary depending on how many jurisdictions participate, the estimated cost projection of the election is between $10,000 -$25,000. This cost includes one (1) candidate seat for District 2. The appropriation of funds for this expenditure is included in the revised FY 2025-26 Budget (account 101010-49100) with $25,000 appropriated solely from the General Fund, Unassigned Fund Balance (F1000).
Public Notification:
Upon approval of this item, staff will publish the Notice of Election on the City's website and in the following newspapers:
• El Latino
• Epoch Times
• Nguoi Viet Today
• San Diego Union Tribune
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December 22, 2025, Item #3
• The Filipino Press
Attachments:
A Resolution Calling the Election
B. Resolution Requesting Consolidation Services from the County Board of Supervisors C. Resolution Adopting a Fee and Regulations for Candidate Statements Reviewed/Approved By:
Assistant City Manager
Reviewed By:
Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
Approved By:
c~
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 25-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
POWAY, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A
SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY,
JUNE 2 , 2026 , FOR THE ELECTION TO FILL A COUNCIL
VACANCY AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS
OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW
CITIES
WHEREAS, a vacancy on the Poway City Council was created by the resignation and subsequent successful recall of Anthony (Tony) Blain.
WHEREAS, the term of office in which the vacancy exists ends November 2028.
WHEREAS, under the provisions of the laws relating to General Law Cities in the State of California, a General Municipal Election shall be held on June 2, 2026, for the election of one municipal officer.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Poway as follows:
SECTION 1: P ursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities, there is called and ordered to be in the City of Poway, California, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 , a Special Municipal Election for the purpose of electing one (1) Councilmember from District 2 for the remainder of the four (4) year term expiring in November 2028.
SECTION 2: The ballots to be used at 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 San Diego Registrar of Voters 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: T he Voting Centers (polls) for the election shall be open at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the election and shall remain open continuously from that time until 8:00 p.m. on the same day when the Voting Centers (polls) shall be closed, pursuant to Elections Code section 10242, except as provided in section 14401 of the Elections Code of the State of California. Voting Centers (polls) as designed by the California Voter’s Choice Act will be open up to ten (10) days prior to Election Day.
SECTION 5: I n all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections.
SECTION 6: N otice 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: T he City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
4 of 10 ATTACHMENT A December 22, 2025, Item #3
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December 22, 2025, Item #3
Resolution No. 25-
SECTION 8: The City Council authorizes the City Clerk to administer said election and all reasonable and actual election expenses shall be paid in full by the City upon presentation of a properly submitted bill and that this City agrees to indemnify and save free and harmless the County, its officers, agents and employees from expense or liability, including reasonable attorneys' fees, as the result of an election contest arising after conduct of this general municipal election, so long as the basis for any such claim arises from the conduct of the City or as a result of the reasonable reliance by the County upon information provided by the City.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Poway, California on the 22nd day of December, 2025 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
DISQUALIFIED:
Steve Vaus, Mayor
ATTEST:
Carrie Gallagher, CMC, City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT B
December 22, 2025, Item #3
RESOLUTION NO. 25-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
POWAY, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO
CONSOLIDATE A SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026, WITH THE STATEWIDE PRIMARY
ELECTION TO BE HELD THAT DATE PURSUANT TO §10403 OF
THE ELECTIONS CODE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Poway called a Special Municipal Election to be held on June 2, 2026, for the purpose of election of one (1) Councilmember from District 2; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable that the Special Municipal Election be consolidated with the Statewide Primary Election to be held on the same date within the City, the Voting Centers (polls) and election officers of the two elections be the same, and the Registrar of Voters Office of the County of San Diego canvass the returns of the Special Municipal Election and the election be held in all respects as if there were only one (1) election.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Poway as follows:
SECTION 1: Pursuant to the requirements of §10403 of the Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of a Special Municipal Election with the Statewide Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the purpose of the election of one (1) Council member from District 2 for the remainder of the four (4) year term expiring in November 2028.
SECTION 2: The Registrar of Voters Office of the County of San Diego is authorized to canvass the returns of the Special Municipal Election. The election shall be held in all respects as ifthere were only one (1) election, and only one (1) form of ballot shall be used. The election will be held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of law regulating the statewide election, pursuant to section 10418 of the election code.
SECTION 3: The Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the Registrar of Voters Office to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated election.
SECTION 4: The City of Poway recognizes additional costs will be incurred by the County by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the County for those costs.
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 San Diego.
SECTION 6: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
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December 22, 2025, Item #3
Resolution No. 25-
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Poway, California on the 22nd day of December, 2025 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
DISQUALI Fl ED:
Steve Vaus, Mayor
ATTEST:
Carrie Gallagher, CMC, City Clerk
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ATTACHMENT C
December 22, 2025, Item #3
RESOLUTION NO. 25-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
POWAY, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR
CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO
CANDIDATES STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT
AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026
WHEREAS, § 13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California provides that the governing body of any local agency may adopt regulations pertaining to materials prepared by any candidate for a municipal election, including costs of the candidate statement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Poway as follows:
SECTION 1: General Provisions.
That pursuant to §13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California, each candidate for elective office to be voted for at an election to be held in the City of Poway on June 2, 2026, may prepare a candidate's statement on an appropriate form provided by the City Clerk. Such statement may include the name, age and current principal profession(s), vocation(s) or occupation(s) of the candidate and a brief description of no more than two hundred (200) words of the candidate's education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself.
Such statement shall not include party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations. The statement shall be filed in typewritten form in the Office of the City Clerk at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. The statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until five o'clock (5:00) p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period.
SECTION 2: Foreign Language Policy.
A. Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act, candidate statements will be translated into all languages required by the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters Office. The County is required to translate candidate's statements into the following languages:
Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
B. The Registrar of Voters will print and mail sample ballots and candidate statements in Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, and Vietnamese to only those voters who are on the County voter file as having requested a sample ballot in a particular language. The Registrar of Voters will make the sample ballots and candidates statements in the required languages available at all polling places, on the County's website and in the Election Official's office.
SECTION 3: Payment.
Translations: The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the candidate's statement into any required foreign language as specified in Section 2 pursuant to Federal and/or State Law.
Printing: The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidate's statement in English and the required languages, as specified 9 of 10
December 22, 2025, Item #3
Resolution No. 25-
in Section 2, in the sample ballot pamphlets and any language the candidate requests as an option by the candidate.
The City Clerk shall estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating and mailing the candidate's statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred as a result of complying with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (as amended), and require each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the local agency of his or her estimated pro rata share of $1,000 for the seat of Councilmember from District 2 as a condition of having his or her statement included in the voter's pamphlet. The estimated amount is just an approximation of the actual cost that varies from one election to another election and may be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements. Accordingly, the Clerk is not bound by the estimate and may, on a pro rata basis, bill the candidate for additional actual expense or refund any excess paid depending on the final actual cost. In the event of underpayment, the Clerk shall upon receipt from the Registrar of Voters following the election, require the candidate to pay the balance of the cost incurred. In the event of overpayment, the Clerk shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess amount paid upon receipt from the ROV following the election.
SECTION 4: Miscellaneous.
A. All translations included in the voters' pamphlet shall be provided by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters translation vendor.
B. The City Clerk shall comply with all recommendations and standards set forth by the California Secretary of State regarding occupational designations and other matters relating to elections.
SECTION 5: Additional Materials.
A. No candidate will be permitted to include additional materials in the sample ballot package.
SECTION 6: The City Clerk shall provide each candidate or the candidate's representative a copy of this Resolution at the time nominating petitions are issued.
SECTION 7: All previous Resolutions establishing council policy on payment for candidate's statements are repealed.
SECTION 8: This Resolution shall apply only to the election to be held on June 2, 2026 and shall then be repealed.
SECTION 9: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage an adoption of this Resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
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December 22, 2025, Item #3
Resolution No. 25-
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Poway, California on the 22nd day of December, 2025 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAINED:
ABSENT:
DI SQUALi Fl ED:
Steve Vaus, Mayor
ATTEST:
Carrie Gallagher, CMC, City Clerk