Agenda Item: 9
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: May 12, 2026
SUBJECT: GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
PRESENTER: Melody Bartlette
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
1. Adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held November 3, 2026, and requesting consolidation with Los Angeles County’s General Election.
2. Adopt a resolution for candidate statement regulations.
3. Authorize the City Manager to reimburse Los Angeles County for costs of services performed.
BACKGROUND
The procedures for conducting a General Municipal Election are established by state law.
Pursuant to these requirements, the attached resolution calls and gives notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing three City of Santa Clarita (City) Councilmembers for a term of four years each.
As the result of a settlement agreement, on April 22, 2014, the City Council adopted Ordinance 14-03 moving the date of the City's General Municipal Election from April of even-numbered years to November of even-numbered years and requesting that the County of Los Angeles (County) approve consolidation with the Statewide General Election conducted by the County in November of even-numbered years. On March 24, 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the City’s request. Therefore, whenever an election is called by the City, Section 10403 of the Elections Code requires that the City Council adopt and file a resolution requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election, and file a copy of the resolution with the BOS and the County Elections Official (Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorder/County Clerk).
Pursuant to a second settlement agreement, the City Council adopted Ordinance 23-4 on June 13, 2023, creating a by-district election system and dividing the City of Santa Clarita into five districts. The City continues to operate staggered elections, and regular elections continue to be consolidated with Statewide General Elections in November of even-numbered years to fill expired City Council terms. The City’s first districted election was held on November 5, 2024, when Districts 1 and 3 seats were elected; therefore, three seats will be up for election on November 3, 2026: District 2, District 4, and District 5. In the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, registered voters within District 2, District 4, and District 5 may cast one vote for an eligible candidate residing within their same district. Following the County’s certification and the City Council's ratification of election results, expected in December 2026, the City will be fully districted.
Candidates in the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election will file nomination papers with the Local Elections Official (City Clerk). The Candidate Filing Period will open on Monday, July 13, and close on Thursday, August 7. If an eligible incumbent whose term expires in 2026 does not file by this deadline, the filing period is extended until Thursday, August 12, when candidates, other than incumbents, may file within that district. The extension does not apply where there is no incumbent eligible to be elected.
Section 13307 et seq. of the Elections Code sets out regulations for the preparation and form of candidate statements. As such, each candidate may prepare an optional candidate statement. This optional statement may be printed in the Official Sample Ballot Booklet for a fee as set by the County. This section of the Elections Code also authorizes the City Clerk to estimate the cost of candidate statements and require each candidate filing a statement to pay a deposit in advance for his or her pro-rata share as a condition of having the statement included in the Official Sample Ballot Booklet. Any overpayment shall be refunded within 30 days following the election. In the event of underpayment, the candidate will be billed for his or her pro-rata share of actual costs.
The County-set fees were not available at the time of the posting of this agenda, but will be made available to candidates when pulling nomination papers.
Based on the Election Cost Estimate Calculator provided by the Los Angeles County Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk, the estimated cost of services to be provided by the County for the consolidated election is $392,253.99 (as of April 20, 2026). The estimated cost is based on certain factors, including, but not limited to, the number of seats being voted upon, the number of measures, and the number of registered voters at the time of the election. This cost estimate includes three seats and no measures.
Section 10262 requires that the County Elections Official conducting the election shall also conduct the canvass, and Section 15372 requires the Elections Official to prepare a certified statement of the results of the election and submit it to each jurisdiction within 30 days of the election. The Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is tentatively scheduled to certify the election results on December 3, 2026. The City Clerk shall certify the results to the City Council no later than the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting, or at a special meeting called for this purpose, to declare the results and to install the newly elected councilmembers.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
No alternative actions have been identified by staff.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, adequate funds will be appropriated to conduct the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution Calling the Election and Requesting Consolidation Resolution Adopting Regulations for Candidates Pertaining to Statements