Solana Beach, California Public Records

California residents can register online at registertovote.ca.gov up to 15 days before an election, or take advantage of conditional voter registration to vote provisionally through Election Day itself. Registration requires a name, residence address, date of birth, and either a California driver's license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The state's motor voter law automatically registers eligible citizens when they obtain or renew a driver's license unless they opt out. As an incorporated city, the community holds municipal elections for City Council seats and mayor. The City Council consists of four members plus a directly elected mayor, all serving staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections typically occur in November of even-numbered years, consolidated with statewide general elections to maximize voter participation. The next City Council election is scheduled for November 2026, when two council seats will appear on the ballot. Candidates must file nomination papers with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters during the filing period, typically running from July through August before the November election. Local ballot measures addressing zoning changes, bond measures, or citizen initiatives may also appear and require either majority or two-thirds approval depending on the measure type. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting sdvote.com and using the "Find My Polling Place" tool with their home address. San Diego County operates under California's Voter's Choice Act model, meaning all registered voters automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot beginning 29 days before Election Day. Voters may return ballots by mail using postage-paid envelopes, drop them at any ballot drop box throughout San Diego County, or vote in person at any Vote Center during the early voting period (typically beginning 10 days before Election Day) or on Election Day itself. Vote Centers provide same-day registration, ballot replacement, accessible voting equipment, and multilingual assistance. Public election records in California include voter registration files, excluding confidential information like birthdates and driver's license numbers, available for purchase for political purposes under Elections Code Section 2188. Campaign finance reports for local candidates and ballot measure committees are filed with the City Clerk and searchable at the city's website or through the California Fair Political Practices Commission's Cal-Access database at cal-access.sos.ca.gov. Candidate statements, nomination documents, and precinct-level election results are public records available through the County Registrar and city clerk. In the November 2024 presidential election, San Diego County reported approximately 67% voter turnout among registered voters, with over 1.1 million ballots cast out of approximately 1.65 million registered voters. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, local voters will decide several significant races. California does not have a U.S. Senate seat up for election in 2026 (the next Senate races are in 2028), but all statewide constitutional offices will be on the ballot including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Controller, Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. The entire California State Assembly (all 80 seats) will be elected to two-year terms, along with 20 of the 40 State Senate seats. The city is part of Assembly District 77 and Senate District 38 (subject to redistricting). County voters will also decide offices including Board of Supervisors District 3 (which includes the community), District Attorney, Sheriff, and Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk. Two City Council seats will be contested. Voters should monitor the city website and the County Registrar for candidate filing information beginning in summer 2026.