Santa Cruz County, California: 2026 ballot

Registering to vote

Not registered yet? You can still register and vote on Election Day in California. You'll register in person and will usually need ID and proof of where you live. Where to go (your polling place, a vote center or the election office) depends on your county.

From NASED's official 2026 deadlines. See vote.gov or your county election office for the rules where you live.

Key dates after you vote in California

• Mail ballots sent by mail must arrive by Nov 10 (ballots arriving after Election Day must meet the state's postmark rules).
• Mail ballots returned in person are due by Nov 3.
• If there's a problem with your mail ballot (a missing signature, for example), you can fix it until Nov 25.
• Results are certified by counties by Dec 3 and by the state by Dec 11. Until then, results are unofficial.

Dates from NASED (the National Association of State Election Directors), compiled from state election calendars and checked by state election officials. Your county election office has the final word on your ballot.

City (7)

• City of Capitola City Council Member · 5 candidates
• City of Santa Cruz Mayor · 2 candidates
• City of Scotts Valley City Council Member · 3 candidates
• City of Watsonville City Council Member, District 3 · 1 candidate
• City of Watsonville City Council Member, District 4 · 1 candidate
• City of Watsonville City Council Member, District 5 · 2 candidates
• City of Watsonville City Council Member, District 7 · 2 candidates

School board & local (8)

• Cabrillo Community College District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 6 · 3 candidates
• Pajaro Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 1 · 3 candidates
• Pajaro Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 4 · 2 candidates
• Pajaro Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 5 · 3 candidates
• Pajaro Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 7 · 2 candidates
• San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 4 · 2 candidates
• Soquel Union Elementary School District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 4 · 2 candidates
• West Valley-Mission Community College District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 7 · 2 candidates

Special districts (2)

• Felton Fire Protection District Director · 4 candidates
• Scotts Valley Water District Director · 4 candidates

Next elections here

• 2028 U.S. Senate California general election · Who's running so far, from FEC filings
• How to run for Congress in California in 2028 · Requirements, filing deadlines and fees
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings