HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC-7 - 26-298 - Resolutions Calling the 2026 Election - 6/2/2026CITY OF COSTA MESA
Agenda Report
77 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
File #:26-298 Meeting Date:6/2/2026
TITLE:
RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE CALLING OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
DEPARTMENT:CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE/CITY CLERK DIVISION
PRESENTED BY:BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK
CONTACT INFORMATION:BRENDA GREEN, CITY CLERK, (714) 754-5221
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,calling and
giving notice to conduct a General Municipal Election on November 3,2026 for the purpose of
electing a Mayor for the full term of two years;and election of three members of the City Council
from the Third, Fourth, and Fifth districts, for the full term of four years.
2.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,requesting the
Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the
Statewide General Election and to issue instruction to the Orange County Registrar of Voters
Elections Department to provide specific services in the conduct of the consolidated election.
3.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,adopting
regulations pertaining to Candidate Statements submitted to the voters at a General Municipal
Election to be held on November 3, 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Costa Mesa Municipal Code Section 2-14,the City’s General Municipal Elections are
held in November of even-numbered years,concurrent with the statewide elections.The purpose of
the 2026 election is to elect a Mayor to a two-year term,and three members to the City Council to a
four-year term, from districts Three, Four, and Five.
The state Elections Code requires the adoption of resolutions for the purpose of calling the election,
requesting that the County Board of Supervisors consolidate the proposed General Municipal
Election with the Statewide General Election,and for adopting regulations pertaining to candidate
statements.
The nomination period for the office of Mayor and Council Members is July 13,2026,through August
Page 1 of 3
File #:26-298 Meeting Date:6/2/2026
The nomination period for the office of Mayor and Council Members is July 13,2026,through August
7,2026,at 5:00 p.m.Costa Mesa will have no extended filing period,as all the incumbents are
termed out and prohibited from seeking reelection in their same office.
The Calling and Holding of a General Municipal Election also provides the process for determining
the outcome in the event of a tie vote (if any two or more persons receive an equal and the highest
number of votes for an office)as certified by the County of Orange Registrar of Voters (Registrar).
The City Council,in accordance with Election Code Section 15651(a),shall 1)set a date,time and
place;2)summon the candidates who have received the tie votes to appear;and 3)determine the tie
by lot (i.e., coin toss or drawing straws).
Resolution No.2026-xx regarding regulations for candidate statements pertains only to the
November 3,2026,election.The Election Code authorizes the City to require each candidate who
chooses to file a 200-word candidate statement in the voter information guide to pay in advance,at
the time of filing nomination papers,the pro rata share of costs to translate,print and mail a
candidate statement as a condition of having a statement included in the voter information guide.The
costs are determined by the Registrar based on printing and translation costs,and a projection of
total jurisdictional participation (number of registered voters).The cost for the candidate statement for
Mayor is $869.14,for District 3 is $527.84,for District 4 is $510.75,and for District 5 is $529.68.An
alternative option allows any candidate to submit an electronic candidate statement for $461.46 that
will not be printed in the voter information guide but will be available on the Registrar of Voters’
website.
ANALYSIS:
Elections are held in accordance with the provisions of the California Elections Code.The council
terms are staggered and,therefore,three seats are available during this election cycle,along with the
at-large Mayor’s seat.It has been a long-standing practice to consolidate the General Municipal
Elections with the County of Orange,along with the statewide elections held in the even numbered
years.Consolidation of the General Municipal Election with the County is cost-effective and reduces
the duplication of efforts and expenses.Once adopted,certified copies of the resolutions will be
forwarded to the County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Registrar of Voters’Election
Division.The appropriate legal notices will be published,and the nomination period will begin on
Monday, July 13, 2026, 8:00 a.m. through Friday, August 7,2026, at 5:00 p.m.
ALTERNATIVES:
No alternatives have been considered, as it is mandated by state code and the City’s Municipal Code
that the elections be held.
FISCAL REVIEW:
The City is required to reimburse the County of Orange for costs related to the City’s General
Municipal Election.The estimated cost of $250,000 for the General Municipal Election is included in
the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget in the General Fund (Fund 101).
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed the report and resolutions and approved them as to form.
Page 2 of 3
File #:26-298 Meeting Date:6/2/2026
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item is administrative in nature.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the following resolutions as required by the California
Elections Code in order to conduct the 2026 General Municipal Election:
1.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,calling and
giving notice to conduct a General Municipal Election on November 3,2026 for the purpose of
electing a Mayor for the full term of two years;and election of three members of the City Council
from the Third, Fourth, and Fifth districts, for the full term of four years.
2.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,requesting the
Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the General Municipal Election with the
Statewide General Election and to issue instruction to the Orange County Registrar of Voters
Elections Department to provide specific services in the conduct of the consolidated election.
3.Adopt Resolution No.2026-xx,to be read by title only and waive further reading,adopting
regulations pertaining to Candidate Statements submitted to the voters at a General Municipal
Election to be held on November 3, 2026.
Page 3 of 3