Santa Cruz, California Public Records

Santa Cruz's commitment to sustainability and outdoor recreation also helps with shaping its local economy, with industries such as renewable energy and outdoor gear manufacturing contributing to the city's economic vitality.

The deadline falls 15 days before any election, though conditional voter registration allows eligible citizens to register and vote during the 14-day period leading up to and including Election Day at designated locations. California also permits pre-registration starting at age 16, with active status beginning at 18. Municipal elections occur in even-numbered years for City Council seats and the Mayor position. The City Council comprises seven members including the Mayor, all serving four-year staggered terms. The next municipal election is scheduled for November 4, 2025, featuring council seats on the ballot. Following a 2020 transition from at-large elections, the city now uses district-based elections for six council seats representing Districts 1 through 6, while the Mayor runs citywide. Local candidates and ballot measures appear alongside county, state, and federal races. Voters can locate their assigned polling place or vote center through the County Elections Department's online Polling Place Lookup tool at www.votescount.us or by calling 831-454-2060. The county operates under the Voter's Choice Act model, establishing vote centers where any registered county voter may cast a ballot at any center during the voting period. Centers open 10 days before Election Day. California maintains extensive public election records including voter registration statistics by precinct and district, campaign finance disclosures through the California Fair Political Practices Commission for state candidates and through city and county websites for local candidates, candidate statements and filing information, and detailed precinct-level results. The county's elections website publishes results broken down by precinct, contest, and vote center. In the November 2024 presidential election, Santa Cruz County reported approximately 72% voter turnout, with over 130,000 ballots cast from approximately 180,000 registered voters—a reflection of strong civic engagement in the area. On November 3, 2026, voters will decide several significant races: the California gubernatorial election (Governor Gavin Newsom's term expires in 2027, with primaries in June 2026), all California State Assembly seats (the city falls within the 28th Assembly District), even-numbered State Senate districts, and county offices including Sheriff, District Attorney, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor, and County Supervisorial districts with seats up for election in even years. No U.S. Senate seat from California is scheduled for election in 2026, as both senators were elected in 2024 and 2022. California automatically sends vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters without requiring an application. Ballots are mailed approximately 29 days before Election Day and can be returned by mail if postmarked by Election Day, deposited in official drop boxes located throughout Santa Cruz County, or delivered to any vote center. The Elections Department website offers a ballot tracker called "Where's My Ballot?" that allows voters to monitor their mail ballot from mailing through counting.