Sonoma, California Public Records

Registration requires a California driver license or ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. The city's five-member City Council governs under a council-manager system with municipal elections held in November of even-numbered years. Council members serve four-year terms on rotating schedules. The next Sonoma City Council election arrives in November 2026, when two or three seats will appear on the ballot depending on which terms expire. Mayoral duties rotate annually among sitting council members rather than through separate election. Polling place information and vote center locations can be found at vote.sonoma-county.org/voter-information, where entering an address pulls up assigned locations and hours. As a vote center state, California now allows Sonoma County voters to cast ballots at any county vote center during the early voting period—typically 10 days before Election Day—or on Election Day itself. The November 2024 presidential election saw roughly 72% turnout among Sonoma County's 285,000 registered voters, with approximately 205,000 ballots cast countywide. City precincts typically match or slightly exceed these county averages. On November 3, 2026, residents will decide several key races. While California has no U.S. Senate seat up that cycle, voters will elect a Governor as Gavin Newsom's term expires, plus all 80 State Assembly seats, 20 of 40 State Senate seats, and statewide constitutional officers including Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Certain Sonoma County Supervisor districts will also be contested alongside City Council seats. State and local ballot measures are expected. California now provides automatic vote-by-mail status to all registered voters unless they opt out. Ballots mail approximately 29 days before Election Day and must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days, or deposited in official drop boxes by 8 p.m. On Election Day. Public election records include voter registration rolls available for purchase for political purposes under Elections Code § 2184-2194, campaign finance filings searchable at cal-access.sos.ca.gov for state races and through the City Clerk for municipal contests, candidate statements, and precinct-level results published after certification. The Registrar posts unofficial results on election night and certifies final counts within 30 days.