El Cerrito, California Public Records

California residents can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov, by mail, or in person; the deadline is 15 days before any election, though conditional voter registration allows eligible citizens to register and vote through Election Day at designated locations. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, California residents, at least 18 by Election Day, and not serving a state prison term for a felony conviction. A valid California driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number, is required. El Cerrito holds municipal elections for Mayor and four City Council members using district-based elections following implementation of the California Voting Rights Act, with councilmembers serving four-year staggered terms. The next municipal election is scheduled for November 2026, when certain City Council seats will appear on the ballot alongside county, state, and federal races. Residents can locate their polling place and view their sample ballot at https://www.contracostavote.gov by entering their address, or by checking the sample ballot mailed approximately one month before each election. As a universal vote-by-mail state, California automatically sends every registered voter a ballot prior to each election. Ballots can be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day), dropped in official ballot drop boxes throughout Contra Costa County, or surrendered at any Vote Center or polling place on Election Day in exchange for an in-person ballot. Public election records accessible in California include voter registration lists (available to candidates and campaigns with restrictions), campaign finance disclosure reports searchable at https://cal-access.sos.ca.gov for state candidates and at local jurisdictions for city candidates, candidate statements and filings, ballot measure text, and precinct-level results published by the Elections Division after each election at https://www.contracostavote.gov/past-elections. In the November 2024 presidential election, Contra Costa County reported approximately 64-66% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 440,000 ballots cast countywide. El Cerrito's turnout typically runs slightly higher than the county average. On November 3, 2026, voters will decide numerous important races. California does not have U.S. Senate seats up in 2026, but residents will elect a Governor (Gavin Newsom's term expires in January 2027, making the gubernatorial race significant), all statewide constitutional officers including Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Insurance Commissioner, all 80 State Assembly seats (including District 14 or 15 covering the area), half of the 40 State Senate seats, U.S. House of Representatives seats (the city is in California's 12th Congressional District), Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors seats representing the local district, county offices such as District Attorney, Sheriff-Coroner, and Assessor, the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education, and El Cerrito City Council and Mayor depending on rotation, plus numerous county and local ballot measures. Absentee and vote-by-mail ballots are automatically mailed to all active registered voters beginning 29 days before each election. Voters who don't receive a ballot or need a replacement can request one online at https://www.contracostavote.gov, by phone at 925-335-7800, or in person at the Elections Division office through Election Day.