Port Costa, California Public Records

The Elections Division maintains voter rolls, provides election information, processes candidate filings, and ensures compliance with California election law. Residents can register to vote online through the California Secretary of State's portal at https://registertovote.ca.gov/, which requires a California driver's license or ID card number. The registration deadline is 15 days before any election. California also offers conditional voter registration allowing eligible citizens to register and vote up through Election Day at designated vote centers. New registrants and those updating their registration receive confirmation by mail with polling place or vote center information. Voters must be U.S. Citizens, California residents, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not currently serving a state prison term for a felony conviction. Port Costa is an unincorporated community and does not hold municipal elections for mayor, city council, or other city offices because it has no incorporated city government. Residents vote in Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors elections (District 5 serves the area), California State Assembly (District 15) and State Senate elections, U.S. Congressional elections (District 8), statewide offices (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, etc.), and various special districts that may serve the community. Voters participate in all statewide ballot measures and county measures appearing on federal, state, and special election ballots. Residents can find their assigned polling place or vote center through the Contra Costa County Elections Division website at https://www.contracostavote.gov/ by entering their home address in the polling place locator tool. California has transitioned to a Vote Center model in many counties, allowing voters to cast ballots at any designated vote center in Contra Costa County during an extended early voting period rather than being restricted to a single precinct polling place on Election Day. California public records law makes several categories of election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists (without birth dates or driver's license numbers) are available to candidates, campaigns, and for election related purposes, though not for commercial use. Campaign finance disclosure statements for state and local candidates and ballot measure committees are searchable online through the California Secretary of State's Cal-Access database at http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/ and through Contra Costa County's campaign finance system. Candidate declarations, nomination papers, and statements of qualifications are public records available at the Elections Division office. Precinct-level election results showing vote totals by contest are published after certification at https://www.contracostavote.gov/results. Statement of Vote documents provide detailed breakdowns by precinct, city, and district. The small population here means precinct results may be aggregated with nearby areas for reporting purposes. California's Voters will elect members of the California State Assembly (District 15) for two-year terms and may vote for State Senate depending on district cycle. U.S. County Supervisor District 5 representing the area may be on the ballot depending on the election cycle. Voters will also decide on statewide ballot initiatives, potential county measures, and special district boards. California provides universal vote-by-mail, automatically sending ballots to all registered voters approximately 29 days before each election. Residents receive their ballots by mail at their registered address and can return them by mail (postage-paid), deposit them in official drop boxes located throughout Contra Costa County, or deliver them to any vote center or polling place in Contra Costa County. Voters can track their ballot status through the state's "Where's My Ballot?" system at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days to be counted, or deposited in drop boxes or at vote centers by 8:00 PM on Election Day.