TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Pamela Coleman, City Clerk/City Clerk Services Director
Nathalie Adourian, City Attorney
1. Subject
title
Consideration of resolutions pertaining to the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election
body
2. Summary
The proposed resolutions initiate the process for conducting the City’s General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the purpose of electing a Mayor and three Councilmembers from District Nos. 1, 4, and 6.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Adopt Resolution No. 11669. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange calling and giving notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to General Law cities.
2. Adopt Resolution No. 11671. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidates’ statements submitted to the voters at an election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 11673. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date pursuant to Elections Code Section 10403.
end
4. Fiscal Impact
The estimated expense to hold the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election is $244,356 and will be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund (100) budget.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
This action does not correlate to any of the adopted strategic plan goals; however, Elections Code § 12001 requires the governing body of the local agency to adopt a resolution calling the election.
6. Discussion and Background
The General Municipal Election to elect members of the Orange City Council is held in November of even numbered years. The November 3, 2026, General Election, held in conjunction with the Statewide General Election, shall be for the election of a Mayor for the full term of two years; and three Councilmember seats in Districts 1, 4, and 6, all for a full term of four years.
Prior to June 15, 2026, the City Council must adopt a resolution calling and giving notice of the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election, request consolidation with the Statewide General Election, and set regulations pertaining to candidate statements.
The candidate filing period for the November 3, 2026, election will open at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, and close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026. If an incumbent does not file by August 7, 2026, the nomination period is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for non-incumbents only.
Resolution No. 11671 establishes regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidate statements submitted to the voters. Only candidates wishing to submit a candidate statement will be charged to cover the cost of printing the statement in the voter information guide. The statement may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than 200 words of the candidate’s education and qualifications.
Adoption of the attached resolutions are required to initiate the process for conducting the City’s General Municipal Election and consolidate with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date.
It should be noted that ballot measures may still be placed on the ballot by separate resolution, provided the resolution calling for the measure to be placed on the ballot is adopted by City Council no later than July 14, 2026, and filed with the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Registrar of Voters no later than July 17, 2026.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution No. 11669
• Resolution No. 11671
• Resolution No. 11673