Hercules, California Public Records

Residents can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov, with applications requiring a valid California driver's license or ID card number. California offers same-day registration through conditional voter registration during early voting and on Election Day itself. The standard deadline falls 15 days before any election. Eligibility requires U.S. Citizenship, California residency, being at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not currently serving time for a felony conviction. Young residents aged 16 and 17 can pre-register and will be automatically registered once they turn 18. City council elections in Hercules take place in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections. The five-member council serves four-year staggered terms, with members selecting the mayor from among themselves. These officially nonpartisan races will next occur in November 2026, when two or three seats will appear on the ballot depending on the cycle. Candidate information, campaign finance filings, and local ballot measures can be found through the Contra Costa County elections website and the City of Hercules website at www.ci.hercules.ca.us. Finding a polling place is simple. Residents can use the lookup tool at www.contracosta.ca.gov/elections or call 925-335-7800. Under California's Voter's Choice Act, Contra Costa County operates as a universal vote-by-mail jurisdiction, meaning every registered voter automatically receives a mail-in ballot before each election. Ballots can be returned by mail with no postage required if mailed by Election Day, dropped in secure boxes throughout the city and county, or brought to any Vote Center during early voting or on Election Day. These centers also offer in-person voting, same-day registration, replacement ballots, and language assistance. Election transparency runs deep in California. Public records include voter registration rosters showing names and addresses, campaign finance disclosure reports from candidates and committees, candidate statements and filings, precinct-level results, and cast vote records. The county elections office and the California Secretary of State maintain these records, with campaign finance data searchable at http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Individual voter history—whether someone voted, not how they voted—is also public and available for purchase. The November 2024 presidential election saw approximately 65% turnout among Contra Costa County's registered voters, with over 440,000 ballots cast from roughly 680,000 registered voters. Precincts in Hercules generally track county-wide patterns, with presidential years drawing strong participation. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring consequential races to local voters. The ballot will feature California's Class III U.S. Senate seat, all State Assembly seats including District 14 which covers the city, and multiple statewide offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and other constitutional positions. County races include some Contra Costa Supervisor seats, along with County Sheriff, District Attorney, and other county offices. Two or three Hercules City Council seats will also be decided. Statewide propositions and any local measures addressing taxes, development, or municipal ordinances will round out the ballot. Candidate filing for the June 2026 primary begins in early 2026, with the top-two primary system determining November matchups. Requesting a mail-in ballot requires no action—registration alone ensures delivery under current law. Voters needing replacements or who haven't received their ballot can request one through the Contra Costa County elections website, by calling 925-335-7800, or at any Vote Center. Military and overseas voters access ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program and can receive them electronically.