California Municipalities Appoint Candidates in Lieu of Elections Following Filing Deadlines

SACRAMENTO, CA — Multiple California city councils took formal action Wednesday to cancel municipal ballot contests and directly appoint nominated candidates to council, clerk, and treasurer offices following the closure of statutory candidate nomination windows.

California Elections Code Statutory Authority

Under California Elections Code § 10229, when the number of qualified candidates for an elected municipal office does not exceed the number of seats available at the close of filing, city councils are authorized to appoint the nominees or conduct an election only if formally petitioned by registered voters. The provision is designed to save municipalities significant election administration and county registrar ballot printing costs.

In Imperial County, the Brawley City Council voted in special session to appoint Eric Montoya Reyes and Clyde Richard Edgar Jr. to full four-year council terms. In Los Angeles County, the Signal Hill City Council adopted Resolution 2026-08-6962 appointing its unopposed slate, while Sonoma City Council in Sonoma County scheduled similar formalization for Districts 3 and 5.

Civic Governance and Fiscal Savings

Municipal clerks estimated that canceling uncontested municipal ballots will save individual towns between $35,000 and $120,000 in consolidated county ballot processing fees. However, good-governance advocates noted that uncontested filings highlight the need for broader civic engagement and candidate recruitment efforts in small and mid-sized cities.

County registrar offices across California will finalize official certified ballot proofs for contested districts ahead of the August 28 state printing deadline.

Swearing-In Schedules

Appointed council members and municipal officers will take their official oaths of office during regular reorganizational meetings following the November general election.