Walnut Creek, California Public Records

Conditional voter registration remains available through Election Day at vote centers for those who miss the regular deadline. Registration requires a California driver license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The city holds municipal elections in November of even-numbered years, with the next contest scheduled for November 2026. That election will feature three City Council seats from the five-member body, where members serve staggered four-year terms. The mayor is directly elected, and ballot measures addressing city governance, taxes, or zoning may also appear. No elections occur in odd years. Residents can locate their assigned polling place through Contra Costa County's lookup tool at contracosta.ca.gov/elections or by calling the Elections office, though California's Voter's Choice Act permits any county voter to cast a ballot at any vote center during early voting and on Election Day. Public election records include voter registration rolls, available with restrictions to candidates and political organizations under California Elections Code. Campaign finance reports for local races are filed with the city clerk, while state race filings go to the California Fair Political Practices Commission and can be searched at fppc.ca.gov. Candidate statements and filings are available from the Elections Division, and precinct-level results appear on the Contra Costa County website after certification. In the November 2024 presidential election, Contra Costa County recorded approximately 67% turnout with over 480,000 ballots cast from roughly 720,000 registered voters. The city typically exceeds the county average, often surpassing 70% in presidential cycles. For the November 3, 2026 general election, voters will decide several significant races: all of California's 52 U.S. House seats (the city falls in Congressional District 10), all 80 California State Assembly seats (residents vote in Assembly District 15), and half of the 40 California State Senate seats (District 7 is up in 2026). County offices on the ballot include Board of Supervisors seats for Districts 2 and 4, the Contra Costa County Sheriff, District Attorney, and Assessor, along with potential judicial seats. The city's three City Council seats will also be contested. The California Governor and U.S. Senate seats are not up in 2026, with those races next occurring in 2028 and 2024 respectively. California operates as a universal vote-by-mail state, automatically sending mail ballots to all registered voters beginning 29 days before each election. Ballots can be returned by mail if postmarked by Election Day, dropped at official boxes throughout the city and county, or submitted at any vote center. Vote centers open 10 days before Election Day for in-person early voting and same-day registration. Voters track their ballot status at california.ballottrax.net.