COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donna G. Schwartz, Chief Deputy City Clerk
DATE: June 2, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of Resolutions for the General and Special Municipal Election to be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Description:
The City Council will consider adopting Resolutions to call a General and Special Municipal Election, submission of a question to voters, request consolidation and election services from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, set regulations for Candidates’ Statements, providing for the conduct of a Special Runoff Election in the event of a tie vote, setting priorities for written arguments regarding a general sales tax measure and directing City Attorney to prepare an impartial an alysis, and providing for filing of rebuttal arguments regarding measure.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution calling and giving notice for the holding of a General Municipal Election and a Special Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain municipal officers and filling a vacancy, as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California and for the submission to the voters a question relating to adding Chapter 3-8B imposing a transactions and use tax; and
2. Adopt a Resolution requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara to consoli date and render specified services to the City related to the conduct of a General Municipal Election and Special Municipal Election both to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026; and
3. Adopt a Resolution adopting regulations for candidates for elective offic e pertaining to Candidates’ Statements submitted to the voters; and
4. Adopt a Resolution providing for the conduct of a Special Runoff Election for Elective Offices in the event of a tie vote at any Municipal Election; and
5. Adopt a Resolution setting priorities for filing written arguments regarding a city measure and directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis; and
6. Adopt a Resolution providing for the filing of rebuttal arguments for city measure submitted at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
2 BACKGROUND:
Every two years, the City of Santa Maria conducts a General Municipal Election to elect officers to represent its residents. The Mayor, four members of the City Council, and the ceremonial positions of City Clerk and City Treasurer are all elected for four -year terms.
The terms of the four members of the City Council are staggered with only two seats up for election every two years to provide continuity and stability on the City Council. The positions of Mayor, City Clerk, and City Treasurer only appear on the ballot every four years.
The City’s General Municipal Election is always held in conjunction with the Statewide General Election in November of every even year pursuant to the Santa Maria Municipal Code. The City consolidates with the Santa Barbara County Elections Division which then conducts the election, tallies the results, and supplies the City with certified election results.
The costs for the election are borne by the City with th e exception of the Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications. Candidates pay any costs associated with publishing their statements in the Sample Ballot pamphlet.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Santa Maria will conduct a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to elect one member of the City Council for District 3, one member of the City Council for District 4. This year the terms of Councilmember Aguilera and Councilmember Soto will expire.
The City of Santa Maria will conduct a Special Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to fill a vacancy in the office of Councilmember District 1, which was created by the resignation of Councilmember Carlos Escobedo on March 3, 2026, effective immediately. The term of the office in which the vacancy occurred ends November 2028.
The City Council also desires to submit to the voters a question relating to Adding Chapter 3-8B Imposing a Transactions and Use Tax. Recent polling shows that a large majority of residents expressed high satisfactio n with the City’s delivery services; however, residents are also concerned with housing affordability, crime, homelessness, and cost of living as top issues facing Santa Maria. The City remains committed to delivering high- quality services to the community and must sustain adequate staffing to ensure services and to address issues important to Santa Maria residents. On May 5, 2026, the City Council provided direction to place a one -half cent general sales tax measure on the November ballot, seeking approxim ately $13 million annual in locally -controlled funding to support the City’s efforts to sustain and enhance the full-range of city services, including but not limited to, public safety, parks and recreation, library, public works, and community development.
The City will be requesting that the County Board of Supervisors consolidate its General Municipal Election and a Special Municipal Election both with the Statewide General Election. The County will then bill the City for its pro-rata share of the costs. 3 The costs for printing the Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications in the Sample Ballot are recovered from the candidates. If a candidate decides to submit a Candidate’s Statement, a deposit is required when the candidate submits their nomination pape r. If the actual printing costs are less than the deposited amount, the balance is refunded to each candidate. Should the cost be more, the candidate is billed for the additional amount.
Santa Barbara County has been designated as a bilingual county fo r election purposes.
This means that all ballots, all information in the Sample Ballot, and all information submitted to voters must be published in both English and Spanish. To ensure cost recovery for the translation and printing of a Candidate’s Statem ent, staff is proposing a deposit amount of $1,008 – $1,105 for District Councilmember seats.
Six Resolutions are required to initiate this year’s election process. These Resolutions must be adopted and submitted to the County for consolidation by June 25, 2026. The nomination period for candidates will run from July 13 through August 7, 2026. Should any of the incumbents choose not to run for re -election, the nomination period for that particular office will be extended to August 8 through August 12, 2026.
Fiscal Considerations
Sufficient funds to cover the cost of the election have been included in the FY 2025-26 Budget. Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications will be paid by the candidates.
Impact on the Community
Providing the opportunity for regis tered voters of the City to run for office and to elect municipal representatives is a privilege afforded by both the Federal and State Constitutions. The process allows the community to have a voice in municipal affairs, the growth and development of the City, and the policies and laws that govern the City.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of a General Municipal Election and a Special Municipal Election both on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Election of Certain Municipal Officers an d Filling a Vacancy, as Required by the Provisions of the Laws of the State of California and for the Submission to the Voters a Question Relating to Adding Chapter 3-8B Imposing a Transactions and Use Tax Exhibit A – Proposed Text of the Measure Ordinance
B. Resolution Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara to Consolidate and Render Specified Services to the City Related to the General Municipal Election and the Special Municipal Election
C. Resolution Adopting Regulations Pertaining to Candidates’ Statements D. Resolution Providing for the Conduct of a Special Runoff Election in the Event of a Tie Vote
E. Resolution Setting Priorities for Filing Written Arguments Regarding a City Measure and Directing the City Attorney to Prepare an Impartial Analysis F. Resolution Providing for the Filing of Rebuttal Arguments for City Measure Submitted at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.