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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON CALLING FOR AND CONSOLIDATING THE JUNE 2, 2026, PRIMARY MUNICIPAL ELECTION WITH THE RESPECTIVE STATEWIDE DIRECT PRIMARY ELECTION; AND REQUESTING ELECTION SERVICES FROM THE SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council adopt a resolution authorizing the following actions:
1. A municipal election to be ordered to be held on June 2, 2026, for the purpose of electing members of the City Council and/or submitting measure(s) to the voters of the City.
The offices to be filled are:
Council District 1
Council District 3
Council District 5
Each candidate will be nominated and elected by District.
Candidate Statements will have a maximum word county of 200 with the cost of Candidate Statement to be paid by the candidate to the City at the time of submission of nomination paperwork.
If no candidate for Councilmember receives a majority of votes cast in the Primary Election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes for their district will continue to a runoff at the General Election November 3, 2026.
2. Requesting the San Joaquin Registrar of Voters to provide election services for the above offices and does not request submission of measures. The City has not experienced boundary changes since the last election.
The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Joaquin is hereby requested to:
a. Consolidate the city’s election with any other election on the same date.
b. Authorize and direct the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters to provide necessary election services, at the cost of the city.
3. Notice & Filing:
This resolution shall serve as the Notice of Election and Election Order and shall be filed in accordance with Elections Code deadlines.
4. Authorizing and directing the City Clerk to certify the adoption of this Resolution and to transmit a certified copy to the Board of Supervisors of San Joaquin County and to file a certified copy of said Resolution with the County Registrar of Voters of San Joaquin County.
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Summary
Adoption of the recommended resolution as required by the Elections Code authorizes the City Clerk to call for the election consolidation, sets the Candidate Statement regulations, coordinates the deadlines for arguments with the San Joaquin Registrar of voters, and authorizes the fee as set by the San Joaquin Registrar of Voters.
DISCUSSION
The terms for the incumbent Council Members in Districts 1, 3, and 5, will end in December of 2026. Pursuant to established procedures and in accordance with Stockton City Charter Article VII, Section 702, the Office of the City Clerk is calling for the municipal elections to be held in accordance, except as otherwise expressed in the City’s Charter, with provisions of the Elections Code of the State of California.
Pursuant to the California Election Code, the charges to the candidate for printing and handling of the Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications are estimated by the San Joaquin Registrar of Voters. By adopting this Resolution, the Council will affirm the fee will be paid by the candidate to the City at the time of submission of nomination paperwork.
The following filing provisions are applicable to candidates and remain consistent with the California Elections Code:
1. Each Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications shall be limited to 200 words, and the candidates shall pay in advance the estimated pro rata share of costs for handling, printing, etc., at the time nomination papers are filed. The fees are estimated and set by the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters.
2. Exemption from advance payment for the candidate’s statement shall be provided for candidates proving indigence. Candidates proving indigence will be allowed additional time to pay for the candidate’s statement. Proof of indigence is based upon the candidate’s federal income tax report. Nonpayment at the specified time will cause the statement to be deleted before the voter’s pamphlet is printed.
3. Candidates who do not wish to include a Candidate Statement in the voter’s pamphlet will not be charged the fee.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The overall cost of the Primary and General Municipal Elections are billed post-election dates and are funded by the City’s General Fund Non-Departmental Election Costs account.