For Palo Alto City Council candidates, election dates and campaign filings, start with the City Clerk’s City Council Elections page. For the proposed 2026 Measure J tax, use the City Clerk’s Measure J page; for quarterly sales-tax summaries, use the City’s Sales Tax Digest Reports archive. These are separate resources for separate questions.
Find council election dates, seats and candidate information
The City Clerk’s City Council Elections page is the primary source for municipal council elections, candidate qualification and election contacts. The City says council elections take place in November of even-numbered years. Councilmembers are elected citywide, at large, to staggered four-year terms; the Council selects the Mayor and Vice Mayor annually.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For the November 3, 2026 election, the City lists three full-term council seats as scheduled. That is a schedule, not a candidate roster or election result. Check the live City Clerk page for current candidate filings, forms and deadlines.
Candidate qualifications and forms
The City Clerk’s election page links to the candidate guide and describes qualification steps, including Palo Alto voter registration, a nomination petition with signatures and a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700). Requirements and filing windows are deadline-sensitive, so use the current City Clerk guidance rather than relying on an older checklist.
#1 Best Overall
Look up campaign finance and Form 700 disclosures
From the City Council Elections page, follow the links to the eFile Public Portal for campaign statements and to the linked portal for Statements of Economic Interest. Campaign statements cover contributions and expenditures. California’s Political Reform Act sets filing requirements and deadlines for candidates and committees; the City also links to Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) filing schedules.
The City’s Municipal Elections hub explains the local roles: the City Clerk is Palo Alto’s municipal election official, while Santa Clara County’s Registrar of Voters facilitates voting. Use the official portals and schedules linked from the City for the filing period or record you need.
Find voting instructions and election results
The Municipal Elections hub points to voter registration and statewide election resources. For voting logistics, registration status, ballot return options and live ballot processing, consult the City and the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters; instructions and deadlines can change as an election approaches.
Recommended Free Tools
Distinguish preliminary counts from certified results. In its November 12, 2024 update, the City said the County was still processing ballots and that the City Clerk would certify official results in December. For a current count, use the County; for final municipal reporting or certification, check the City’s election pages and updates.
Check the proposed 2026 Measure J sales tax
The City Clerk’s November 3, 2026 Ballot Measure J page is the place to read the proposed ballot language and formal documents. The City Council voted on June 8, 2026, to place a 0.5% (half-cent) local transactions and use tax proposal on the November 3 ballot. The proposal requires majority voter approval. The City estimates it would generate approximately $15.6 million annually if approved; this is an estimate, not money already collected.
The page links to the resolution placing the measure on the ballot, the proposed ordinance, spending-guidelines resolution, impartial analysis, and arguments for and against. Read those documents for the formal terms and the arguments presented to voters.
What the City says about proposed uses
The City’s Community Safety/Services Measure overview says adopted spending guidelines identify Cubberley Community Center as a key priority. If voters approve Measure J, potential uses include acquiring seven acres owned by Palo Alto Unified School District and beginning Phase 1 of the Council-adopted Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan. These are conditional proposed uses, not completed purchases or expenditures.
Measure J is distinct from Palo Alto’s existing Transient Occupancy Tax (hotel tax) and Business Tax, which the City overview discusses separately. Do not treat those existing taxes as the proposed Measure J transactions and use tax.
Best Value
Find quarterly sales-tax reports
For recurring local sales-tax reporting rather than the ballot proposal, use the City’s Sales Tax Digest Reports page. It organizes city digest summaries by quarter and year; the reviewed archive included entries for 2023, 2024, 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. Open the relevant report for its period and figures, since a quarterly summary is not the same thing as the Measure J ballot terms.
Quick Recap
Choose the right Palo Alto source
| What you need | Best starting point | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| Council seats, candidate qualification and campaign disclosures | City Council Elections | Election cycle, scheduled seats, candidacy information and filing links |
| Registration, voting and ballot processing | Municipal Elections hub and Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters | City election resource directory and County voting administration |
| Measure J ballot language and documents | Ballot Measure J page | Proposed terms, adopted documents, analysis and arguments |
| Quarterly sales-tax summaries | Sales Tax Digest Reports archive | Quarterly digest reports grouped by year |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
