Fort Bragg, California Public Records

Those seeking to connect with the business community or learn about local economic initiatives can visit the chamber at www.mendocinocoast.com, where resources highlight the diverse enterprises that contribute to the area's economy.

California residents can register online through registertovote.ca.gov up to 15 days before any election, though conditional registration remains available through Election Day at the Mendocino County office or designated vote centers. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, California residency, age 18 by Election Day, and no current state prison sentence for a felony conviction. The city's five-member Council serves staggered four-year terms, with municipal elections held each November in even-numbered years. The next city election arrives November 3, 2026, when three council seats will appear on the ballot. Rather than electing a mayor directly, residents choose council members who then select a mayor and vice mayor from among themselves. Information about local candidates, ballot measures, and campaign finance disclosures comes from both the City Clerk's office and the Mendocino County elections office. Voters can locate their polling place through the California Secretary of State's lookup tool at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov or by contacting the Mendocino County office directly. Many California counties, including Mendocino, now use the Vote Center model, allowing residents to cast ballots at any designated location during early voting periods rather than being restricted to a single precinct. In the November 2024 presidential election, Mendocino County saw approximately 58-62% turnout with roughly 30,000 ballots cast from about 50,000 registered voters. Coastal precincts in the Fort Bragg area generally matched or slightly exceeded those participation rates. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters throughout Mendocino County and city will decide several significant contests. While California has no U.S. Senate seat up that year, all 52 U.S. House seats including the district serving the area will be contested. Governor Gavin Newsom's term extends through 2026, with the next gubernatorial election scheduled that same year. All 80 California Assembly seats and 20 of 40 State Senate seats will appear on the ballot. Mendocino County voters will elect countywide offices including Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor-Clerk-Recorder, Auditor-Controller, and positions in the five County Supervisor districts depending on term schedules. The Fort Bragg City Council races will also be decided. Under current California law, all registered voters automatically receive mail ballots, though residents can still request vote-by-mail ballots through applications submitted to the Mendocino County office online, by mail, or in person. Public election records available in California include voter registration rolls (accessible with restrictions for campaign and election purposes), campaign finance reports filed through the California Fair Political Practices Commission at fppc.ca.gov, candidate statements and filings, precinct-level election results, and official canvass reports. These records can be obtained through the Mendocino County office or the Secretary of State's website at sos.ca.gov.