REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Election of Councilmembers from Districts 1, 3 and 5; Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; and Providing Regulations for Candidates' Statements
Report
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale will hold a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of filling elective offices for City Councilmember Districts 1, 3 and 5. Pursuant to the State Elections Code, the Council must adopt a resolution calling the election and requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and requesting the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to provide election services.
At the March 3, 2020, election, Sunnyvale voters approved Measure B, changing the Sunnyvale electoral system from seven at-large Councilmembers to a system with six district-based Councilmembers and a Mayor elected at-large.
The nomination period for the November 3, 2026, election opens Monday, July 13, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.
In addition to calling the General Municipal Election, the resolution requests that the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors permit the County Registrar of Voters to provide all general election services for the City of Sunnyvale’s general municipal election. The City will be responsible for issuing, receiving and processing candidate nomination papers and statements; forwarding candidates’ statements to the County for translation, printing and mailing to voters; forwarding any vote by mail applications and write-in declarations received by the Office of the City Clerk to the Registrar of Voters; and publishing notices of election and notices of nominees.
EXISTING POLICY
Section 1400 of the Sunnyvale City Charter requires that the General Municipal Election to fill City elective offices be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 2.28.020 provides that Districts numbered 1, 3, and 5 shall be filled at the General Municipal Election held in 2022, and every fourth year thereafter.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County Registrar of Voters estimates the cost of publishing candidate statements at $3,350 for each District 1 candidate, $3,300 for each District 3 candidate and $3,300 for each District 5 candidate, which includes the cost of sample ballot printing in five languages. This cost is paid by each candidate who chooses to have their candidate statement published in the voter information pamphlet unless waived pursuant to Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 2.28.030, which provides that the City will pay the full cost if the candidate submits 100 valid signatures or prorated cost for candidates who submit fewer than 100 valid signatures.
Santa Clara County estimates that the cost of conducting the 2026 General Municipal Election for City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5 will be $194,127. Additional costs for the November 2026 election may be incurred if the Council chooses to place one or more measures on the ballot at an estimated cost of $$278,987 for the first 6-page measure and $$158,857 each additional 6-page measure. The estimated cost of the first measure is greater than additional measures because the first measure would expand the number of voters beyond City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5 to include all Sunnyvale voters. Project 835020 (Sunnyvale Biennial Elections) includes $2,310,163 for all items placed on the November 2026 ballot, mandated translation, and legal noticing costs, along with any City covered candidate statement costs.
It should be noted that Council is separately considering one or more Charter amendment ballot measures for placement on the November 2026 ballot. $1,599,103 of the Project 835020 (Sunnyvale Biennial Elections) amount was added to cover up to five Charter amendment ballot measures, including polling prior to placing measures on the ballot and for voter information regarding any measures placed on the ballot.
Following the election, the County will determine the actual costs and will bill the City for its pro-rata share. Should costs exceed the approved budget amount, staff will return to Council to request additional funds via a budget modification. Unspent funds will be returned to the General Fund.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the City Hall reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution calling a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Election of Councilmembers to Districts 1, 3 and 5; requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; and providing regulations for Candidates’ Statements.
Levine Act
LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act (Gov. Code Section 84308) prohibits city officials from participating in certain decisions regarding licenses, permits, and other entitlements for use if the official has received a campaign contribution of more than $500 from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant in the previous 12 months. The Levine Act is intended to prevent financial influence on decisions that affect specific, identifiable persons or participants. For more information see the Fair Political Practices Commission website: www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html
An “X” in the checklist below indicates that the action being considered falls under a Levine Act category or exemption:
SUBJECT TO THE LEVINE ACT
___ Land development entitlements
___ Other permit, license, or entitlement for use
___ Contract or franchise
EXEMPT FROM THE LEVINE ACT
___ Competitively bid contract*
___ Labor or personal employment contract
___ Contract under $50,000 or non-fiscal
___ Contract between public agencies
_X_ General policy and legislative actions
* "Competitively bid" means a contract that must be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Tim Kirby, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution calling a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of Councilmembers to Districts 1, 3 and 5; Requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; and Providing regulations for Candidates’ Statements.