City of Simi Valley
Staff Report
J
une 8, 2026
To: Cit
y Council
Fr
om: Office of the City Manager
Lucy Blanco, City Clerk
Subj
ect: A doption of resolutions calling and giving notice of holding a general municipal election , requesting that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors consent to the consolidation of the general municipal election with the statewide general election to be held on the same date, requesting that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors permit the County Elections Official to render election services and supplies to the City; Approval of the contract for election services and supplies with the County of Ventura and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract; and C onfirming regulations pertaining to materials submitted to the electorate Sta
ff Recommendation
I
t is recommended that the City Council:
1. A
dopt R esolution No. 202 6-22 ( Attachment A ) calling and giving notice of the holding of a general municipal election on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three City Council Members , and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura to consolidate this election with the statewide general election to be held on the same date;
2. A
dopt Resolution No. 202 6-23 ( Attachment B ) requesting the County Board of Supervisors to permit the County Elections Official to render services to the City for the General Municipal Election to be held on the day of the Statewide General Election;
3. A
pprove the contract for election services and supplies with the County of Ventura (Exhibit A of Attachment B) and authorize the City Manager to execute the same contract; and
4. R
etain regulations for candidates pertaining to the resolution of tie votes by lot as set forth in Resolution No. 2010-52 (Attachment C) adopted on August 2, 2010.
Ba
ckground
O
n March 14, 1983, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 530 requiring that the City's general municipal election be held on the same day as the statewide general elections, thereby changing the election date from April to November in even- numbered years.
Agenda Item No.
Consent (13)
Accordingly, the Elections Code (E.C.) of California governs the consolidation of elections by requiring the City to file resolutions with the Board of Supervisors of Ventura County, to include the following:
• Calling and giving notice of the holding of a general municipal election and requesting consolidation with the statewide general election to be held on the same day, and acknowledging the consolidated election will be held and conducted in the manner prescribed in Election Code Section 10418 (E.C. 10403);
• Authorizing the County elections official to canvass the returns of the consolidated general municipal election. Authorization shall ensure that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election and that only one form of ballot be used (E.C. 10411);
• Requesting the Board of Supervisors to issue instructions to the County elections official to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated general municipal election; and
• Agreeing to reimburse the County for costs it incurs by reason of the consolidation.
Resolutions calling for and giving notice of the Election of one Mayor and three City Council Members and for the provision of services by the Ventura County Elections Division for the election are attached. Staff recommends the City Council adopt the appropriate resolutions for the November 3, 2026, election.
Discussion
The Consolidated General Election to be held on November 3 , 2026, will be conducted as a general municipal election for the mayoral seat for a term of two years and three City Council Member s, one for District 1 for a term of two years (due to the two year appointment of Council Member Ayala, February 24, 2024), one for District 2, and one for District 4 each for a term of four years.
Elections Code Section 10220 governs the nomination period for elections consolidated with a regularly scheduled election. Accordingly, the candidate filing period commences on July 13, 2026, and closes at the end of the business day on August 7, 2026. However, if an incumbent fails to file nomination documents by the closing deadline, the nomination period will be extended (E.C. 10225) to the end of the business day on August 12, 2026, to allow additional time for voters to nominate candidates other than the incumbent. A list of important dates associated with the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election is attached (Attachment E).
District Elections
On November 26, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1292 implementing by- district elections. Accordingly, District 1 will be up for election again on the November 2 2028 ballot along with District 3 to fill the City Council Member Districts 1 and 3 seats for a four-year term. Residents of Districts 2 and 4 will vote to fill their City Council Member district seats, also for a four-year term, during the November 2030 election. All residents will continue to vote for a Mayor at-large every two years and the Mayoral seat will not be selected by District.
District Elections means that registered voters of a district will elect a City Council Member from their district. Only those registered voters residing in Districts 1, 2, and 4 will receive ballots for this City Council Member election. Individuals desiring to run for City Council must reside in the eligible districts and be a registered voter of that district during the nomination period. Registered voters of all four districts will receive a ballot for the election of Mayor..
The City Clerk’s Office has created a tool which may be found at www.simivalley.org/findyourdistrict to assist residents in identifying which District they live in. Residents can contact the City Clerk’s Office for assistance or additional information.
Candidates’ Statements
As specified in E.C. 13307, candidates for elective office may prepare a Candidate’s Statement for inclusion in the combined Sample Ballot and Voter’s Information Pamphlet.
The Statement may include the candidate’s name, age, occupation, and a brief description of the candidate’s education and qualifications expressed by the candidate.
E.C. 13307 also authorizes the City Council to determine the word limitation on Candidates’ Statements, to estimate the total cost of printing, handling, and mailing Candidates’ Statements, and to require each candidate filing a Statement to pay their estimated pro rata share of the total cost in advance, as a condition of including the Statement in the Sample Ballot.
Costs
The Ventura County Elections Division estimates the total cost of services and supplies provided to the City in conjunction with the election of a Mayor , three City Council Members, and a Citywide Ballot Measure at $120,900, as outlined in Attachment I. The estimated cost for District 1 is $18,200, the estimated cost for Dist rict 2 is $16,400, the estimated cost for District 4 is $18,200, and the estimated cost for Mayor is $68,100. This estimate includes costs for coordination of polling places within Simi Valley, direct clerical support, printing of all Candidates’ Statements, the cost of printing and mailing the Sample Ballot, and preparation of the Official Ballot.
To initiate the election process, the City Council must adopt the attached resolutions calling and giving notice of the holding of a general municipal election and authorizing the County elections official to render services for the conduct of the election . The Ventura County Elections Division will invoice the City for its share of the election costs.
Pursuant to Elections Code 13307, the City Council established in Resolution No. 86-103, a 200-word count limitation for the Candidates’ Statement and that candidates are 3 required to pay their pro rata share of all costs associated with the printing, handling, and mailing of Candidates’ Statements. The Ventura County Elections Division recommends a deposit of $2, 000 per candidate submitting a Candidate’s Statement for Council Member District 1, a deposit of $1,900 for Council Member District 2, a deposit of $2,000 for Council Member District 4 and $4,600 for Mayor. This cost includes translation of the Candidates’ Statements into Spanish, in compliance with the Federal Voting Rights Act.
Although deposit amounts have all decreased from the last election, they are still significant, and according to the Elections Division, this is due to the costs from staff salaries, translation, printing and system upgrades. It also takes into account changes to the number of registered voters. The City’s elections official will collect a deposit when a candidate files a Candidate's Statement with their nomination papers. Based upon the final computation of costs following the election, the City’s elections official will either bill candidates for costs in excess of the deposit or refund any unused portion of the deposit to candidates within 30 days following receipt of the invoice from the County.
Fi
nancial Impact
T
he estimated cost is $120,900 plus legal publication costs. The total amount is subject to change and may increase or decrease once the election has been completed.
F
unding for these expenditures has been requested in the City Administration section of the FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget. The estimated cost for the Mayoral and City Council Member positions will be reduced by any deposits collected for Candidates’ Statements.
In the event that the cost of the Candidates’ Statements exceeds their deposit, the candidates will be invoiced for the excess . If the cost of the Candidate Statements is below the deposit amount, candidates will receive a refund for the difference.
C
ity Council Priority
T
his item supports the Excellent City Government pillar of excellence as outlined in the City Council priorities.
S
uggested Motion
I
move to:
1. A
dopt Resolution No. 2026-22 calling and giving notice of the holding of a general municipal election on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three City Council Members, and requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura to consolidate this election with the statewide general election to be held on the same date;
2. A
dopt Resolution No. 2026- 23 requesting the County Board of Supervisors to permit the County Elections Official to render services to the City for the General Municipal Election to be held on the day of the Statewide General Election; 4 3. Approve the contract for election services and supplies with the County of Ventura and authorize the City Manager to execute the same contract;
4. R
etain regulations for candidates pertaining to the resolution of tie votes by lot as set forth in Resolution No. 2010-52 adopted on August 2, 2010.
Summa
ry
The Consolidated General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, will be conducted as a general municipal election for the mayoral seat for a term of two years and three City Council Members, one for District 1 for a term of two years (due to the two year appointment of Council Member Ayala February 24, 2024), one for District 2, and one for District 4 each for a term of four years. It is recommended that the City Council adopt the various Resolutions to call and give notice of the holding of a general municipal election for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three City Council Members, request the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura to consolidate this election with the November 3, 2026, statewide general election; to request the Board of Supervisors to permit the County Elections Official to render services to the City for the General Municipal Election to be held on the day of the Statewide General Election; approve the contract for election services and supplies with the County of Ventura and authorize the City Manager to execute the same contract ; and r etain regulations for candidates pertaining to the resolution of tie votes by lot as set forth in Resolution No. 2010-52 adopted on August 2, 2010.
Prepared by: Lucy Blanco, City Clerk
Attachments:
Attachment A - Resolution No. 2026-22 - Calling and Giving Notice of Election Attachment B - Resolution No. 2026-23 - Requesting County elections official to render services
Attachment C - Resolution No. 2010-52 (tie votes by lot) Attachment D – Election Cost Estimate
Attachment E – Election Dates
5 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE
HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE
HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026 , AND TO
REQUEST THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE
COUNTY OF VENTURA TO CONSOLIDATE THIS
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION WITH THE
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE
SAME DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE
ELECTIONS CODE
WHEREAS, by this Resolution, t he City Council of the City of Simi Valley (“City”) calls and gives notice of a general municipal election in the City to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purposes of electing a Mayor for a term of two years and three City Council Members, one from District 1 for a term of two years, one from District 2 and one from District 4, each for a term of four years; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to consolidate the general municipal election with the statewide general election to be held on the same date and that within the City, the precincts, polling places and election officers of the two elections be the same, and that the County Clerk of the County of Ventura canvass the returns of the general municipal election and, further, that the statewide general election and general municipal election be held in all respects as if they were only one election.
THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to the requirements of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities, the City Council calls for and orders a consolidated general municipal election of the qualified electors of the City of Simi Valley, County of Ventura, State of California (“City”) to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing a Mayor at-large for a term of two years, and three City Council Members, one from District 1 for a term of two years, and one from District 2 and one from District 4, each for a term of four years.
SECTION 2. T he vote center locations and hours of operations, ballot drop box locations and hours of operations, vote- by-mail procedures and timing, the election officers, and all other persons and procedures for the g eneral municipal election must be the same as those utilized by the County of Ventura and in compliance with the California Elections Code. In addition, the polls/ vote centers for the election must be open at 7:00 a.m. of the day of the election and must remain open continuously from that time until 8: 00 p.m. of the same day when the polls must be closed, pursuant to Election Code § 10242, except as provided in Elections Code § 14401. 6 Attachment A
Res. No. 2026-22
S
ECTION 3. Pursuant to the requirements of
Elections Code § 10403, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura (“Board of Supervisors”) is requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of the general municipal election with the statewide general election to be held in the same territory on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
SECTION 4. The City acknowledges that the consolidated election will be held and conducted in the manner as required by applicable law, including, without limitation, Elections Code § 10418.
SECTION 5. The County Clerk of the County of Ventura (“County Clerk”) is authorized to canvass the returns of the City’s general municipal election to be held on November 3, 2026, which is requested to be consolidated with the statewide general election on the same date, and these elections must be held in all respects as if there were only one election and only one form of ballot must be used.
SECTION 6. The Board of Supervisors is requested to issue instructions to the County Clerk to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of above-mentioned consolidated general election.
SECTION 7. The City recognizes that additional costs will be incurred by the County of Ventura (“County”) by reason of this consolidation and agrees to reimburse the County for any such costs.
SECTION 8. Pursuant to Elections Code § 13307, the City Council affirms the 200-word count limitation for Candidates Statements.
SECTION 9. The City Clerk is directed to forward to Board of Supervisors and to County Clerk each a certified copy of this resolution.
SECTION 10. Notice 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 11. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk. ///
///
///
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7 Res. No. 2026-22
PASSED
and ADOPTED this 8th day of June 2026.
Attest:
______
___________________________ _________________________________ Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
______
___________________________ ______
___________________________
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager 8 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF VENTURA COUNTY TO PERMIT THE COUNTY
ELECTIONS OFFICIAL TO RENDER SERVICES TO THE CITY
FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
THE DAY OF THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, a general municipal election is to be held in the City of Simi Valley on the day of the statewide general election for the purpose of electing a Mayor for a term of two years and three City Council Members, one from District 1 for a term of two years, one from District 2 and one from District 4, each for a term of four years; and WHEREAS, t he City of Simi Valley (“City”) wishes to have the County of Ventura (“County”) elections official render specified services to the City relating to the conduct of the election.
THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to the Elections Code, the City Council requests that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura (“Board of Supervisors”) permit the County elections official to render specified services with respect to the conduct of the general municipal election to be held in the City on the day of the statewide general election, as shown on Exhibit A, attached hereto and made a part hereof; and that any and all other such services be rendered as may be necessary to complete such election.
SECTION 2. T he City agrees to pay the reasonable costs for the services and supplies to be rendered by the County elections official.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to forward to the Board of Supervisors and to the County elections official each a certified copy of this resolution SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 8th day of June 2026.
Attest:
_________________________________ _________________________________ Lucy Blanco, City Clerk Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Mayor of the City of Simi Valley, California
Approved as to Form: Approved as to Content:
___
______________________________ ___
______________________________
Algeria R. Ford, City Attorney Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager 9 Attachment B
MICHELLE ASCENCION
Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters
Elections Division
VENTURA COUNTY
REQUEST FOR SPECIFIED ELECTION SERVICES
MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES
TO: MICHELLE ASCENCION, Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters FROM: 4
City Name City Clerk
ELECTIO
N: Statewide General Election DATE: November 3, 2026 _
SERVICE OPT
IONS Place a check mark next to the desired service (one selection per item):
ITEM #1 PUBLICATIONS
_____ A. County elections official is requested to publish: Notice of Election for Offices, Nominees, and Vote Centers.
_____ B. City will publish and send proof of publication to Elections.
ITEM #2 CANDIDAT
E CERTIFICATES AND OATHS OF OFFICE
_____ A. County elections official is requested to furnish completed Certificates and Oaths of Office.
_____ B. City will provide its own Certificates and Oaths of Office.
ELECTION
S DIVISION SERVICES PROVIDED
CANDIDATE FO
RMS: Elections Division provides electronic copies to City.
SIGNATURE V
ERIFICATION: Elections Division verifies signatures submitted on nomination petitions attempting to qualify for the ballot.
CANDIDATE STAT
EMENT: Maximum number of words permitted for each Candidate Statement will be 200 words. The City will be billed the cost of processing, translating, and printing the Candidate Statements.
VOTER INF
ORMATION: Elections Division provides an electronic file of registered voters.
TRANSLATIO
NS: Elections Division provides all translations pursuant to Elections Code Section 13307.
City of Simi Valley Lucy Blanco
X
X
Exhibit A
10 Res. No. 2026-23
PRINTING OF COUNTY VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE: Elections Division prints Candidate Statements, Sample Ballots, and Vote Center/Ballot Drop Box lists in the County Voter Information Guide for each election.
VOTE
BY MAIL BALLOTS: Elections Division processes all Vote By Mail ballots.
VOTE C
ENTERS/PRECINCT ASSIGNMENTS: Ventura County Elections Division determines precinct boundaries and number of Vote Centers.
ELE
CTION RESULTS: Elections Division posts results and regular updates on its website:
Vote.VenturaCounty.gov.
LIST DECISION-MAKERS ON CANDIDATE STATEMENTS AND FINAL BALLOT PROOFS:
Name:
_______________________________
Emai
l: _______________________________
Phone: _
_____________________________
The unders
igned requests the above election services to be performed by the Ventura County Elections Division and pursuant to Elections Code Section 10002, agrees to reimburse the County in full for all services requested upon presentation of the invoice.
Name
of City: _________________________________________________ Pri
nt Name & Title: _________________________________________________ Signat
ure: _________________________________________________ Date:
_________________
Rev.
4/10/2026
Lucy Blanco
[email protected]
(805) 583-6813
City of Simi Valley
Samantha C. Argabrite, City Manager
11 Res. No. 2026-23
C)
c )
)
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-52
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SIMI VALLEY ADOPTING REGULATIONS PERTAINING
TO DETERMINING THE RESOLUTION OF TIE VOTES BY
LOT PURSUANT TO STATE ELECTIONS CODE SECTION
15651 (A) -
WHEREAS, Section 15651 (a) of the Elections Code of the State of California provides if two or more persons receive an equal and highest number of votes for an office to be voted for, the determination of tie votes will be determined by lot and that a special runoff election shall be held only if the City Council chooses to adopt the provisions of the Elections Code section 15651 (b) prior to the conduct of the election resulting in the tie vote; and WHEREAS, the City Council fmds and determines that the resolution of a tie. vote by lot is preferred pursuant to the provisions of Section 15651 (a) of the Elections Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SIMI
V ALLEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to Section 15651 (a) of the Elections Code of the State of California, if any two or more persons receive an equal and the highest number of votes for an office to be voted for within the City, the City Council of the City of Simi Valley authorizes the Board of Supervisors to utilize criteria set forth in Elections Code Section 15651 (a) and resolve the tie vote by lot.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall.apply at the next ensuing general municipal election and at each municipal election after that time.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 2nd day of August 2010
Attest:
(Wendy K.reen
Assistant City Clerk
Paul Miller, ayor of the City of
Simi Vall ,California
9-09
Attachment C
12 ·4
(j
Approved as to Form:
Tracy M .. oonan, City Attorney
(j
Approved as to Content:
y~~ ..
Mi'e SedeU, City Manager
RES. NO.
2010-52
- I ~(/J ~ fh-,-'\-.. , c..*-
Daniel B. Paranick
Assistant City Manager
-2-
13 ()
, ) <
RES. NO. 2010-52
I, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Simi Valley, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2010-52 was regularly introduced and adopted by the City Council of the City of Simi Valley, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 2nd day of August 2010, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
NAyS:
ABSENT:
Council Members Foster, Sojka, Williamson,
Mayor Pro Tern Becerra and Mayor Miller
None
None
ABSTAINED: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Simi Valley, California, this 3rd day of August 2010. -3-
':P?2~
Wendy K. Green
Assistant City Clerk
14 Attachment D
15 Attachment E
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATES
JULY 13 - NOMINATION PERIOD
AUGUST 07 Candidates commence with the nomination process.
AUGUST 5 - 24 HOUR REPORTING
NOVEMBER 3 During this period, any contribution received or independent expenditure made of $250.00 or more must be reported within 24 hours via personal delivery, guaranteed overnight delivery, email or fax.
AUGUST 8 - EXTENDED NOMINATION PERIOD
AUGUST 12 Five-day extension of nomination period if an incumbent fails to file.
AUGUST 10 WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS
5:00 P.M. Last day for withdrawal of statements.
AUGUST 13 WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS
11:00 a.m. Last day for withdrawal of statements if filing period is extended.
SEPTEMBER 24 FIRST PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Last day to file first pre- election campaign statement with the City Clerk.
(G.C. 84200.5, 84200.8)
OCTOBER VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS MAILED
County elections official commences mailing of the vote by mail ballots (E.C. 13303, 13304)
OCTOBER 19 VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Last day to register to vote or change registration to be eligible to vote. (E.C. 2102, 2107)
OCTOBER 22 SECOND PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN STATEMENT DEADLINE Last day to file second pre-election campaign statement with the City Clerk. (G.C. 84200.5, 84200.8)
NOVEMBER 3 ELECTION DAY
Poll hours officially extend from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters in line at 8:00 p.m. will be permitted to vote. (E.C. 14212)
DECEMBER 3 CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF RESULTS
Last day for the County elections official to prepare and submit a certified statement of the election results to the City Council and Secretary of State. (E.C. 15372)
16