Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executivew
Subject: Resolution Calling, Proclaiming, and Ordering a Special Election to Fill an Anticipated Vacancy on the Board of Supervisors for the Fifth Supervisorial District
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution calling, proclaiming, and ordering a special election to fill the anticipated vacancy on the Board of Supervisors for the Fifth Supervisorial District resulting from the resignation of Supervisor David Canepa, requesting that said special election be consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held on November 3, 2026, and requesting services of the County's Chief Elections Officer.
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BACKGROUND:
Supervisor David Canepa was elected to a third term as Member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for the Fifth Supervisorial District in November 2024, with a term ending January 8, 2029. Supervisor Canepa was subsequently elected to the office of San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder at the June 2, 2026 election. On July 2, 2026, Supervisor Canepa submitted an irrevocable letter of resignation from the office of Member of the Board of Supervisors for the Fifth Supervisorial District to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, with a deferred effective date of January 4, 2027.
Article II, Section 203 of the San Mateo County Charter ("Charter") governs vacancies on the Board of Supervisors. Section 203 provides that if a vacancy occurs at any time on or before October 15th of the third calendar year of a term, the Board shall, within 30 days of the effective date of the vacancy, order the calling of a special election to fill the vacancy. Section 203 further provides that where, as here, a member submits an irrevocable written letter of resignation with a deferred effective date, the process to fill the vacancy may commence immediately on the date the resignation is filed,...
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