City Council Staff Report Page 1 of 4 May 26, 2026
Staff Report
Agenda Item No. 4.3
DATE: May 26, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election, Requesting Election Services from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, and Establishing Regulations for Candidate Statements
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The election will allow voters to elect three (3) City Council Members, one from each of Districts 2, 3, and 4, each for a full four-year term.
The proposed resolution also requests that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors consolidate the City’s General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election scheduled for November 3, 2026, pursuant to Section 10002 of the California Elections Code. Consolidation allows the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to administer the City's municipal election.
Additionally, the resolution establishes regulations governing candidate statements for inclusion in the Alameda County Voter Information Guide.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This item does not directly align with the Strategic Plan and is required to call a Municipal Election in accordance with the California Elections Code.
BACKGROUND
The City of Union City conducts its General Municipal Elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years, pursuant to Ordinance No. 630-04 and the California Elections Code.
Agenda Item No. 4.3
City Council Staff Report Page 2 of 4 May 26, 2026
In 2019, the City transitioned from at-large council elections to a district-based electoral system. Under this system, the Mayor continues to be elected at-large, while Council Members are elected from four geographic districts.
Under the City’s district-based election cycle:
• District 1 is elected in 2024 and every four years thereafter • Districts 2, 3, and 4 are elected in 2026 and every four years thereafter Accordingly, the next General Municipal Election for Union City will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. At this election, voters will elect:
• One (1) Council Member representing District 2
• One (1) Council Member representing District 3
• One (1) Council Member representing District 4
Each office carries a four-year term beginning December 8, 2026, and ending December 10, 2030.
The nomination period for candidates will open on July 13, 2026, and close at 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2026. If an eligible incumbent does not file nomination papers by the close of the nomination period, the filing deadline will be extended to August 12, 2026, for nonincumbent candidates.
Pursuant to Section 10002 of the California Elections Code, the City intends to request that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors consolidate the City’s General Municipal Election with the statewide election occurring on the same date. Consolidation allows the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to administer the election using the same precincts, vote centers, election officers, and voting systems used for the statewide election.
The deadline for submitting the consolidation request to the County is 88 days prior to the election.
DISCUSSION
Pursuant to Section 10402 of the California Elections Code, the City Council must adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of the General Municipal Election. The resolution also requests that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters conduct the election on behalf of the City and establishes regulations for candidate statements to appear in the Voter Information Guide.
Specifically, the proposed resolution accomplishes the following:
1. Calls and gives notice of the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
2. Requests consolidation of the City’s election with the Statewide General Election to be conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters pursuant to Elections Code Section 10002.
3. Requests election services from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to Agenda Item No. 4.3
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administer the election, including the use of vote centers, ballot processing, canvassing, and certification of election results.
4. Establishes regulations for candidate statements that may appear in the Alameda County Voter Information Guide pursuant to Elections Code Section 13307.
Consolidating the City’s election with the statewide election administered by Alameda County ensures that the election is conducted efficiently and in compliance with all applicable provisions of the California Elections Code. This approach allows the City to utilize the County’s election infrastructure, including vote centers, ballot processing systems, and canvassing procedures.
The proposed resolution also establishes the parameters for candidate statements submitted by candidates seeking election. Candidates may submit a statement of qualifications of up to 200 words, which will be printed in the Voter Information Guide at the candidate’s expense. The City requires candidates to submit a deposit to cover the estimated cost of printing, translating, and distributing the statement. Any overpayment will be refunded, and candidates will be billed for any additional costs following the election based on the actual expenses reported by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
If the City Council does not adopt the resolution requesting consolidation, the City would be required to conduct the municipal election independently or enter into separate contractual arrangements for election services, which would significantly increase administrative responsibilities and costs. Consolidation with Alameda County is the most efficient and cost-effective method for conducting the City’s municipal election.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City of Union City contracts with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters to administer municipal elections when consolidated with statewide elections. According to cost guidance provided by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, the estimated cost for jurisdictions participating in a Countywide Consolidated General Election ranges from approximately $5 to $7 per registered voter.
As of the most recent registration report, Union City has approximately 41,363 registered voters citywide.
Based on this estimate, the projected cost to conduct the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election is approximately:
• Low Estimate: Approximately $206,800
• High Estimate: Approximately $289,500
Including unanticipated and miscellaneous expenses, staff estimates the total cost of the election to be approximately $210,000 to $290,000, depending on voter turnout, ballot length, and administrative factors.
Although the municipal offices on the ballot include City Council Districts 2, 3, and 4, the City anticipates that a citywide ballot measure may also be placed on the November 2026 Agenda Item No. 4.3
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ballot.
Actual costs will be determined following the election, based on the final accounting provided by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. If necessary, staff will return to the City Council with a request for additional appropriations to cover any difference between the adopted budget and the final election costs.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026; Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda to Consolidate the Election with the Statewide General Election; Requesting Election Services from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters; and Establishing Regulations for Candidate Statements.
Prepared by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Submitted by: Thai Nam Pham, City Clerk
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution