Seaside, California Public Records

California permits same-day voter registration through Election Day at vote centers and county elections offices under conditional voter registration provisions. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, California residents, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not currently serving a state prison sentence for a felony conviction. Online registration requires a California driver's license or ID number; those without You can register by mail using a paper form. The standard registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day for pre-registration, though conditional registration extends this through Election Day itself. Registered voters receive a county-issued Voter Information Guide before each election containing ballot measures, candidate information, and polling location or vote center details. Seaside operates under a councilmanic form of government, holding municipal elections for Mayor and City Council. The City Council consists of five members elected at-large to staggered four-year terms, with council members electing the Mayor from among themselves. Following California Voting Rights Act considerations, the city transitioned to by-district elections in recent years, establishing geographic districts for council representation. Municipal elections typically occur in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections to increase turnout. The next City Council elections are scheduled for November 2026, when certain council seats will appear on the ballot. Candidate filing for city offices takes place in July and August before the November election, with candidate statements, campaign finance reports, and nomination papers filed with the Monterey County Elections Department, which administers the election on behalf of the city. Local voters can find information about candidates, ballot measures, and city election results on both the city website (https://www.ci.seaside.ca.us) and the Monterey County elections website. Residents find their assigned polling places or vote centers by visiting https://www.montereycountyelections.us and using the "Find My Polling Place" or "Find My Vote Center" tool, which requires entering a residential address. The county has transitioned to the Voter's Choice Act model, replacing traditional precinct polling places with vote centers open for multiple days before and on Election Day, allowing voters to visit any center countywide. Vote centers typically open 10 days before Election Day, with all centers open on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voters can also check their voter registration status, sample ballot, and polling information using the state's online tool at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. California election records are extensively public. Voter registration lists are available for purchase by candidates, political committees, and the public under California Elections Code § 2188, though personal information like birth dates and driver's license numbers are redacted. Campaign finance records for city, county, and state candidates are searchable online through the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) at http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov for state candidates and through local filing with the Seaside City Clerk for municipal candidates. Candidate declarations, nomination papers, and statements are public records available for inspection at the County Elections office. Precinct-level election results, voter turnout statistics, and historical election data are published by the Monterey County Elections Department after each election and are available on their website. In the November 2024 general election, Monterey County reported approximately 62% voter turnout among registered voters for the presidential election, reflecting strong engagement typical of presidential election years. Turnout in the city mirrored countywide trends with participation in federal and state races. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, Seaside and Monterey County voters will decide several significant races. At the federal level, California voters will elect members of the U.S. House of Representatives; the city is located in California's 19th Congressional District, and this seat will be on the ballot. At the state level, voters will elect a Governor (Gavin Newsom's term ends in 2027, making this a gubernatorial election year), statewide constitutional officers including Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Insurance Commissioner, as well as all 80 seats in the California State Assembly and half of the 40 seats in the California State Senate. The area is represented in the State Senate and Assembly by districts covering the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley. At the Monterey County level, several Monterey County Board of Supervisors seats representing specific districts will be on the ballot, along with countywide offices such as Sheriff-Coroner, District Attorney, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder, Auditor-Controller, and Treasurer-Tax Collector, depending on term schedules. City Council seats for Districts within the community will also appear on the November 2026 ballot. Voters should consult the Monterey County Elections website beginning in summer 2026 for confirmed candidate filings and local ballot measures. California offers universal vote-by-mail; all registered voters automatically receive a ballot in the mail approximately 29 days before Election Day under the Voter's Choice Act. Voters can complete and return mail ballots by postage-paid mail (must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days), by dropping them in official ballot drop boxes located throughout Monterey County (available 29 days before Election Day and until 8:00 PM on Election Day), or by delivering them in person to any vote center. First-time voters who registered by mail may need to provide identification when voting. California also offers accessible voting options for voters with disabilities at all vote centers. For more information, residents should contact the Monterey County Elections Department at 866-887-9274 or visit https://www.montereycountyelections.us.