Election and Voter Information
2026 General Election - November 3, 2026
Election Results
The November 3, 2026 Statewide General Election has ended. San Mateo residents voted for City Council representatives in Districts 1, 3, and 5, as well as on local ballot measures and other federal, state, and county contests.
The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is responsible for counting ballots and reporting election results.
Election results are unofficial until certified. Results will continue to be updated as additional ballots are processed and counted.
View the unofficial election results for San Mateo County.
View the unofficial election results for California.
Voter Information
Residents can register to vote, check their voter status, or learn how to vote on the California Secretary of State website.
Local Campaign Contributions and Voluntary Expenditure Limits
Contributions cannot exceed $1,000 (for individuals and organizations). Additionally, a candidate cannot personally make a loan to their campaign in an amount which exceeds $15,000. Municipal Code 2.80.030 LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
Voluntary Expenditure Limits
The City of San Mateo is committed to preserving integrity and openness in the political process as a matter of the highest public interest. To this end, the City has adopted a local campaign finance ordinance which sets mandatory campaign contribution limits and voluntary campaign expenditure limits for City Council candidates, codified at San Mateo Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 2.80. SMMC Section 2.80.055(d) requires the calculation of a voluntary campaign expenditure limit and publication of the amount for each Council district on the City website and in a newspaper of general circulation.
For the November 3, 2026 City Council election, the voluntary campaign expenditure ceiling is $2.63 per resident in each electoral district, rounded to the nearest $100. Residency of each electoral district has been determined by the latest decennial census population figures available for each district, as illustrated below:
| Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limits for November 3, 2026 City Council Elections | |||
|---|---|---|---|
District 1 | District 3 | District 5 | |
District Population Based on 2020 U.S. Census | 21,572 | 21,061 | 21,709 |
Maximum voluntary campaign expenditure limit (District population, x $2.63, rounded to nearest $100) (See Ordinance Ord. No. 2023-9.) | $56,700 | $55,400 | $57,100 |
A candidate who agrees to abide by the voluntary campaign expenditure limit shall receive the following benefits and incentives at no cost to themselves:
- The City's website will clearly identify which candidates have agreed to the voluntary expenditure limit.
- The City will publish in its regular digital newsletter which candidates have agreed to the voluntary expenditure limit. This will be published twice.
- The City will publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation the candidate who agreed to the voluntary expenditure limit.
- The City will publish on its website a written statement up to four hundred words. The statement will appear exactly as submitted and shall conform to candidate statement guidelines provided by the City Clerk and Elections Code section 13307(a)(1), as amended.
Initiatives, Referendums and Recalls
The City Clerk's Office cannot interpret laws or offer legal advice, and, if applicable, we strongly suggest seeking legal counsel to ensure that your actions are in full compliance with California Elections Code.
Ballot Initiatives and Referendums
California Elections Code outlines the process for circulating petitions for ballot initiatives and referendums. The requirements may differ based upon the type of legislation to determine what applies to the situation, for more information, please consult California Elections Code Sections 9200-9226 and California Elections Code Sections 9235-9247.
Recall Initiatives
The California Secretary of State offers a detailed description of the process for initiating a recall for local officials.
Role of the City Clerk
The City Clerk is responsible for the administration of all municipal elections by:
- Serving as Elections Official and issuing nomination papers to potential candidates;
- Serving as Elections Official for the initiative and referendum process;
- Serving as Filing Officer for Campaign Statements and Statements of Economic Interests as required by the Political Reform Act and administered by the Fair Political Practices Commission.
- Maintaining the City’s election history.