Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Subject: Consolidation and Authorization of Election Services for the November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution:
A) Consolidating the Statewide General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (“November 2026 General Election”) with elections called by local governing bodies that have requested their respective elections be consolidated with the Statewide General Election; and
B) Calling a special election on the Regional Transit Measure and consolidating the special election with the November 2026 General Election; and
C) Authorizing the County’s Chief Elections Officer to provide specified election services and supplies in conjunction therewith.
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BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Elections Code Section 10002, the governing body of any city or district may request the Board of Supervisors to permit the County’s Chief Elections Officer to provide specified services or supplies relating to the conduct of an election. Subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors, these services and supplies shall be provided by the County’s Chief Elections Officer.
When elections are to be held on the same day and in or within the same territory upon the order of the governing body or bodies calling the election, the Board of Supervisors may consolidate those elections to be conducted and the returns canvassed by the County’s Chief Elections Officer in all respects as if they were one election pursuant to Elections Code Sections 10400-10418.
The following local governing bodies have requested that their respective elections be consolidated with the November 2026 General Election:
County of San Mateo-Charter Amendments
School Districts-San Mateo County Board of Education; Bayshore Elementary School District; Belmont-Redwood Shores School District; Brisbane School District; Burlingame School District; Cabrillo Unified School District; Hillsborough City School District; Jefferson Elementary School District; Jefferson Union High School District; La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District; Las Lomitas Elementary School District; Menlo Park City School District; Millbrae Elementary School District; Pacifica School District; Portola Valley School District; Ravenswood City School District; Redwood City School District; San Bruno Park School District; San Carlos School District; San Mateo County Community College District; San Mateo-Foster City School District; San Mateo Union High School District; Sequoia Union High School District; South San Francisco Unified School District; Woodside Elementary School District.
Cities and Towns-Town of Atherton; City of Belmont; City of Brisbane; City of Burlingame; Town of Colma; City of Daly City; City of East Palo Alto; City of Foster City; City of Half Moon Bay; Town of Hillsborough; City of Menlo Park; City of Millbrae; City of Pacifica; Town of Portola Valley; City of Redwood City; City of San Bruno; City of San Carlos; City of San Mateo; City of South San Francisco; Town of Woodside.
Special Districts-Bayshore Sanitary District; Broadmoor Police Protection District; Coastside County Water District; Coastside Fire Protection District; Colma Fire Protection District; Granada Community Services District; Highlands Recreation District; Ladera Recreation District; Menlo Park Fire Protection District; Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District; Mid-Peninsula Water District; Montara Water and Sanitary District; North Coast County Water District; Peninsula Health Care District; San Mateo County Harbor District; Sequoia Healthcare District; West Bay Sanitary District; Westborough Water District; Woodside Fire Protection District.
Advisory Councils-Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council and Midcoast Community Council.
The Public Transit Revenue Measure District (“the District”) was established under Senate Bill 63 (“SB 63”). Its jurisdiction encompasses the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara and the City and County of San Francisco.
SB 63 authorizes the District Board or qualified voter initiative to propose a retail transactions and use tax throughout to the entire district for a duration of 14 years, in an amount of 0.5% in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and 1% in the City and County of San Francisco, subject to voter approval at the November 2026 General Election.
Under Government Code 67740, if the District Board or a qualified voter initiative proposes a measure for the approval of a tax ordinance adopted pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 67730), the board of supervisors of each county must call a special election on the tax ordinance. The special election must be consolidated with the November 2026 General Election, and the tax ordinance shall be submitted to the voters of each county comprising the district.
On July 24, 2026, the District adopted a resolution requesting that counties call a special election for the transactions and use tax measure, titled the Regional Transit Measure.
DISCUSSION:
The Board is required to call a special election for the Regional Transit Measure and consolidate the election with the November 2026 General Election.
The consolidation requests of the above-mentioned governing bodies are proper, the County’s Chief Elections Officer is agreeable to providing the specified election services and supplies as requested, and all related costs will be reimbursed by the requesting local jurisdictions to the extent authorized by law.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the Resolution.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measures |
FY 2022 Actual |
FY 2026 Projected |
|
Number of Registered Voters |
432,707 |
447,000 |
|
Percentage of Voters who Voted |
58% |
75% |
The numbers used in the performance measures in FY 2026 are drawn from the similar Statewide General Election held on November 8, 2022 (“November 2022 General Election”). For the November 2026 General Election, there are a few high-profile incumbents who are terming-out due to applicable term limits, specifically the office of Governor. As a result, the turnout for the November 2026 General Election is anticipated to be higher than the November 2022 General Election due to increased public interest.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Approving this resolution ensures that all registered voters in San Mateo County have the opportunity to have their voices heard through the democratic process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
All costs for election services and supplies incurred by the County will be reimbursed by the above-mentioned local jurisdictions to the extent authorized by law.