Your local guide to navigating the November 2026 General Election
Voter Guide 2026
Get to know the candidates and measures on your ballot with The Almanac’s 2026 Voter Guide, including in-depth profiles, issue comparison grids and campaign finance coverage.
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Latest Election Coverage
League of Women Voters hosts Menlo Park candidate forum Tuesday night
Candidates for three seats on the Menlo Park City Council will field questions at a forum Tuesday night hosted by the League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County.
Monday is last day to register to vote online
If you aren’t already registered to vote, state officials are reminding residents that Monday is the last day to register online to cast a ballot in the upcoming Nov. 3 General Election.
Guest opinion: Measure N property transfer tax is wrong for Portola Valley
On the Nov. 3 ballot, Portola Valley voters will decide whether to make the town a charter town and authorize a real property transfer tax. William Urban and Danna Breen make the case against Measure N.
Guest opinion: Portola Valley should vote yes on Measure N
On the Nov. 3 ballot, Portola Valley voters will decide whether to make the town a charter town and authorize a real property transfer tax. Jeff Aalfs and George Savage make the case in favor of Measure N.
USPS investigates theft of mail-in ballots from San Mateo County post office
The U.S. Postal Service is investigating after vote-by-mail ballots for San Mateo County were stolen from a Daly City post office, the county’s Registration & Elections Division said Thursday, Oct. 15. The Elections Division said it was notified Oct. 14 of the mail theft that reportedly included mail-in ballots. The…
Menlo Park City School Board: Jed Scolnick
Jed Scolnick first joined the board in 2022 and is seeking reelection to continue working with the district as it faces declining enrollment, delivering Measure U-funded projects transparently and protecting long-term financial health.
Election Resources
Election Day — Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day
- In-person ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
- Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received within seven days following the election
Key Dates & Deadlines
- Oct. 5: Start of the early voting period. County election officials will begin mailing ballots to voters. Ballot drop boxes open and early voting begins at the Redwood City, San Mateo and South San Francisco, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote with a standard ballot. (Note: Conditional voter registration is available in-person through Election Day, which involves the use of a provisional ballot.)
- Oct. 24: San Mateo County Registrar of Voters office Vote Centers open daily across the county.
- Oct. 27: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot replacement by mail.
- Oct. 31: Additional vote centers open in the county.
- Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In-person ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and received within seven days following the election.
Check your voter registration
Make sure your registration is current. Voters should re-register if they change their name, political affiliation or residence.
Vote by mail
Get details about the process of voting by mail, including information on the different ways to return your ballot.
Vote in person
Find vote center locations, hours and information about early in-person voting.
Track your ballot
Sign up for the state’s “Where’s My Ballot?” tool. You will then receive notifications on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot, including when it’s mailed, received and counted.
More Election Coverage
Menlo Park City School Board: Sherwin Chen
Over his past two terms, Chen has helped the district navigate students returning to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, ending years of budget deficits and…
Menlo Park City School Board: Andrew Barnes
Barnes is the parent of a Laurel School and Hillview graduate and is the chairman of the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee for Measure U. He…
Menlo Park City School Board: Maya Herstein
Herstein has served on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan committee, co-chaired Hillview’s service team and volunteered with the Parent Teacher Organization.
Guest opinion: No on Menlo Park’s Measure P to preserve local control over housing
The League of Women Voters of South San Mateo County argues that Measure P could jeopardize affordable housing plans, expose Menlo Park to legal and…
Guest Opinion: Measure P stands for Menlo Park, vote yes
Measure P proponent Van Kouzoujian says the ballot measure reflects Menlo Park’s commitment to downtown.
The Almanac hosts Menlo Park City Council candidate forum
The Almanac is hosting a forum tonight, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. featuring all six candidates running for seats on the Menlo Park City Council.
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