Rancho Cordova, California Public Records

For those researching the city's past or conducting genealogical work, the California State Archives at https://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/collections/ houses historical records and documents related to the region's development from its agricultural and stagecoach days through incorporation.

California residents can register online through the Secretary of State's website at registertovote.ca.gov using a California driver's license or ID card number. The registration deadline falls 15 days before each election for standard online and mail registration, though conditional voter registration allows eligible citizens to register and vote provisionally through Election Day at designated locations. 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. As an incorporated city, Rancho Cordova holds municipal elections for Mayor and four City Council seats. Council members serve four-year staggered terms, with elections held in November of even-numbered years alongside statewide general elections. The city transitioned from at-large to district-based elections in 2018. The next municipal election is scheduled for November 2026, when two City Council seats will appear on the ballot. Candidate filing information, campaign finance disclosures, and local ballot measures specific to the city can be accessed through the City Clerk's office at cityofranchocordova.org and through the County Elections Office. Voters can find their assigned polling location using the lookup tool at elections.saccounty.net or by checking the county voter information guide mailed before each election. California now operates as a universal vote-by-mail state, automatically sending every registered voter a mail ballot for each election, though in-person voting remains available at vote centers during early voting periods and on Election Day. Mail ballots can be returned by mail if postmarked by Election Day, deposited in official drop boxes throughout Sacramento County, or delivered in person to any vote center. In the November 2024 presidential election, Sacramento County reported approximately 58% voter turnout with over 450,000 ballots cast out of roughly 780,000 registered voters. On November 3, 2026, residents will decide several significant races including the California gubernatorial election with Governor Gavin Newsom's term expiring in 2027, one U.S. Senate seat with Class III currently held by Alex Padilla, State Assembly and State Senate seats representing local districts, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for District 3 which covers much of the city, Sacramento County Sheriff, District Attorney, and other county offices, plus the Mayor and City Council seats, local school board trustees, and any local ballot measures. Publicly accessible California election records include the voter registration roll with names and addresses but not birthdates or driver's license numbers, campaign finance reports filed through the California Fair Political Practices Commission at fppc.ca.gov and local jurisdictions, candidate statements and filings, precinct-level election results, and historical election data. The County Elections Office provides detailed results by precinct and vote center on its website following each election.