San Mateo County Measure U — Charter Amendment: Reapportionment of Supervisorial Districts

What it does

Shall the San Mateo County Charter be amended to require that supervisorial districts be reapportioned following each federal decennial census by an independent redistricting commission pursuant to applicable provisions of the California Elections Code?

A YES vote means

San Mateo County's supervisorial districts would be redrawn after each federal census by an independent redistricting commission under the California Elections Code.

A NO vote means

San Mateo County's charter would not require an independent redistricting commission.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors placed four separate charter amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot by Resolution No. 081882 and Ordinance No. 4920; the ordinance was introduced at the Board's May 19, 2026 meeting, according to the resolution.

The resolution notes that state law lets a county establish an independent redistricting commission by resolution, ordinance or charter amendment; this measure would amend Charter Section 202 and add a section requiring the five supervisorial districts to be redrawn after each federal census by an independent redistricting commission as defined in the California Elections Code.

Under the amended Section 202 text, supervisors would continue to serve four-year terms and be limited to three consecutive terms; the measure takes effect only with a simple majority.

Put on the ballot by San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, 2026 (Resolution No. 081882; Ordinance No. 4920, introduced May 19, 2026).

From official source.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on San Mateo County ballots

• San Mateo County Measure L — Charter Amendment: Extreme Weather Events
• San Mateo County Measure AA — Charter Amendment: Affirmation of Rights
• San Mateo County Measure J — Charter Amendment: Extension to Call a Special Election or Appoint

All San Mateo County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on San Mateo County Measure U mean?

San Mateo County's supervisorial districts would be redrawn after each federal census by an independent redistricting commission under the California Elections Code.

What does a NO vote on San Mateo County Measure U mean?

San Mateo County's charter would not require an independent redistricting commission.

How many votes does San Mateo County Measure U need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on San Mateo County Measure U?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.