Half Moon Bay, California Public Records

California residents register to vote online at https://registertovote.ca.gov, the Secretary of State's official portal. New registrations must be submitted at least 15 days before an election, though same-day conditional registration is available at vote centers during early voting and on Election Day for those who miss the deadline. Eligibility requirements include U.S. Citizenship, California residency, being at least 18 years old by Election Day, not currently serving a state or federal prison term for a felony conviction, and not having been found mentally incompetent by a court. The state doesn't require voter ID; instead, signatures on ballot materials are verified against registration records. Municipal elections in Half Moon Bay occur in November of even-numbered years, when voters select City Council members and the Mayor. Five council members serve four-year staggered terms elected at-large. The next City Council election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, with candidate filing opening in July 2025. Information about local candidates, campaign finance disclosures, and city ballot measures appears on the city website at https://www.half-moon-bay.ca.us and through the County Elections Division. City Council meetings convene at City Hall, 501 Main Street, with agendas and minutes posted online as public records. Voters can locate their assigned vote center through the San Mateo County elections website at https://www.smcacre.org/elections or by calling the elections office. San Mateo County operates under California's Voter's Choice Act model, establishing vote centers that open 10 days before Election Day and remain accessible through Election Day itself. Unlike traditional precinct voting, residents can cast ballots at any center in San Mateo County rather than being restricted to a single location. Public election records in California include voter registration information showing name, address, party affiliation, and voting history - though never how someone voted. Campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees are available at https://www.fppc.ca.gov, along with candidate statements and filings, precinct-level election results, and ballot measure arguments. The County Elections Division makes these records available through their website. Individual ballot secrecy remains strictly protected. In the November 2024 presidential election, San Mateo County reported approximately 65% voter turnout with over 300,000 ballots cast out of approximately 460,000 registered voters. Half Moon Bay's turnout mirrored county averages, reflecting the strong civic engagement typical of Bay Area coastal communities. On November 3, 2026, voters in Half Moon Bay and San Mateo County will decide several significant races. California's gubernatorial election tops the ballot, as Governor Gavin Newsom's term expires in 2026, though term limits prevent him from running again. All 80 California State Assembly seats and 20 State Senate seats in even-numbered districts will be contested, including State Assembly District 21, which represents the area. No U.S. Senate seat from California is scheduled for election in 2026. San Mateo County offices on the ballot will include several Board of Supervisors seats, District 3, which includes the city, may be contested depending on the election cycle, along with countywide offices such as Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor-Clerk-Recorder, and other constitutional offices depending on term schedules. Voters should consult the County Elections website for the official list of contests and any local ballot measures as the election approaches. California operates as a universal vote-by-mail state, automatically sending every registered voter a ballot approximately 29 days before Election Day. Voters can complete and return their ballot by mail with no postage necessary, drop it in an official ballot drop box located throughout San Mateo County and available 24/7 until 8 PM on Election Day, or bring it to any vote center. In-person voting at a vote center during the early voting period or on Election Day itself remains an option. Military and overseas voters can request ballots electronically through the Federal Voting Assistance Program. Ballot tracking is available at https://wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov, where voters can confirm when their ballot was mailed, returned, and counted.