General Municipal Election - November 3, 2026

Elections

The City Clerk is the elections official for the City of South San Francisco, responsible for conducting municipal elections and providing election support to officeholders, candidates, proponents and opponents of ballot measures.

The City of South San Francisco is a General Law City and was incorporated on September 19, 1908. South San Francisco's elections are held in November of even-numbered years. South San Francisco has five City Councilmembers elected to district-level seats by each of the City’s five (5) districts, serving four-year terms on a staggered biennial basis. Councilmember terms are staggered to maintain continuity as the City Council transitions from one term to the next. 

Members are rotated in order of the district number they represent. With the advent of district elections, it is important to ensure that every district has an equal chance at representation through the Mayorship. If new councilmembers are elected and begin their term in their district’s “Mayor year,” they must start their first year as Councilmembers, then the subsequent year as Vice Mayors, and the third year as Mayors.

The order will temporarily skip that district’s new councilmember and move them to the next in line until that new Councilmember is in their third year, at which point they will have some experience to serve more effectively. The order will resume following the temporary displacement. A councilmember does not have to be Vice Mayor in the year immediately preceding their Mayoral year. The voters do NOT elect the Mayor.

The following offices are up for election on November 3, 2026:  

  • Councilmember District 1: 4-year term 
    Current Term Ending: Mayor Addiego 
  • Councilmember District 3: 4-year term 
    Current Term Ending: Councilmember Nicolas 
  • Councilmember District 5: 4-year term 
    Current Term Ending: Councilmember Flores 
  • City Clerk: 4-year term (at-large) 
    Current Term Ending: City Clerk Acosta 
  • City Treasurer: 4-year term (at-large) 
    Current Term Ending: City Treasurer Risso 

2026 General Municipal Election

The City Council adopted Resolution No. 65-2026(PDF, 2MB), calling for and giving notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, for the office of City Council Districts 1, 3, and 5, City Clerk (at-large), and City Treasurer (at-large). The City of South San Francisco consolidates its General Municipal Election with the County of San Mateo. As the City's Election Official, and in compliance with the California Elections Code, the City Clerk oversees the administration of municipal elections and election services. 

Notice of Election(PDF, 134KB)

Notice of Election - Spanish(PDF, 351KB)

Notice of Election- Tagalog(PDF, 352KB)

Notice of Election - Simplified Chinese(PDF, 724KB)

City Council Compensation 

Each member of the City Council shall receive a salary in an amount not to exceed the maximum amount allowable under Government Code Section 36516. The current monthly salary amount is $1,400, per South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 2.12.020.  

Qualifications for Office

Candidates must be 18 years of age, residents, and registered voters of the City of South San Francisco at the time nomination papers are issued and, if applicable, reside within the district. Candidates running for a Council District seat must reside and be registered to vote in the respective district. This requirement also applies to those who sign a candidate’s nomination petition. Locate your district here. 

Nomination Period and Candidate Filing Information 

The nomination period (California Elections Code § 10220) opens on July 13, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on August 7, 2026. Candidates must wait until the nomination period begins to obtain a nomination packet. The City Clerk's Office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m) Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Appointments are required to receive and file nomination papers. 

Individuals who are eligible and interested in running for office should contact the City Clerk's Office at (650) 877-8518 or email all-cc@ssfca.gov to schedule an appointment. No filing fee is required. A fee may apply if the candidate elects to publish a Candidate Statement in the voter information guide. The fee for statements is set by the County of San Mateo Elections Office; the fee will be discussed when nomination papers are issued. Candidates are encouraged to file as early as possible so that any deficiencies in the filing may be identified and corrected before the deadline. 

Receiving Candidate Filing Documents (Electronically)

While candidates will still have the opportunity to meet in person, they may request to receive candidate filing documents electronically by using the San Mateo County Candidate Registration Form. Upon receiving the written request and establishing eligibility, the City Clerk or Assistant City Clerk will email all the candidate filing forms to the candidate in fillable PDF format. Please note: Under EC § 8028, the Declaration of Candidacy form must be completed in our office or picked up by a designee with the candidate's written authorization.

Completing Candidate Filing Forms

Once the candidate forms have been received, we can provide assistance via email, via phone, or via online video conference (Zoom). Candidate oaths may be executed in the presence of the City Clerk or designee via Zoom. The oath CANNOT be done by phone. If the candidate is unable to video conference, they must go to a notary or the Office of the City Clerk to take the oath in person. 

Returning Candidate Filing Forms

IMPORTANT: Candidates MUST print all the completed filing forms, sign each form, and mail or drop off completed hard copy documents with original (wet) signatures to the Office of the City Clerk by the close of the Candidate Filing Period on August 7, 2026, or, when applicable, August 12, 2026, for extended offices. 

If the Office of the City Clerk does not receive the completed documents with original signatures from the candidate by the filing deadline, the candidate will NOT be considered qualified, and the candidate’s name will NOT be on the ballot.

Candidate Seminars

The San Mateo County Elections Office will host informational seminars for local candidates and those considering running for elected office. These hybrid meetings will be held via Teams and at the Elections Office, 40 Tower Road, San Mateo, at 10 a.m. on:

  • Wednesday, June 24, 2026
  • Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Interested individuals can RSVP through our website at https://smcacre.gov/elections/november-3-2026-statewide-general-election

Extended Nomination Period 

If an eligible incumbent does not file nomination documents for re-election by the close of the nomination period on August 7, 2026, the nomination period for that office shall be extended to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for non-incumbents only.

Candidate Intention Statements (FPPC Form 501) received, listed below:  

  • Buenaflor Nicolas (District 3) 
  • Aysha Pamukcu (District 1) 
  • Rosa Govea Acosta (City Clerk) 
  • Eddie Flores (District 5)
  • Sophia Maria Cyris (District 3) 

City Council Candidate Status 
*Candidate Names are listed in the order in which Nomination Papers are issued. 

Candidate Name       District             Nomination Papers Issued           Nomination Papers Filed               Qualified  
Buenaflor Nicolas  3 07/14/2026    
Aysha Pamukcu  1 07/16/2026    
         

 

City Clerk Candidate Status 
*Candidate Names are listed in the order in which Nomination Papers are issued. 

Candidate Name              Nomination Papers Issued         Nomination Papers Filed           Qualified    
 Rosa Govea Acosta 07/15/2026    
       
       

 

City Treasurer Candidate Status 
*Candidate Names are listed in the order in which Nomination Papers are issued. 

Candidate Name           Nomination Papers Issued           Nomination Papers Filed             Qualified     
       
       
       

 

Campaign Finance Disclosures 

Campaign finance is governed by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). All candidates for local office and any committee formed to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure are required to file campaign disclosure statements. The FPPC has campaign disclosure manuals that provide information on campaign disclosures in addition to Manual 2: Information for Local Candidates. It is the responsibility of the candidate and/or committee to file the required campaign disclosure statements in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please consult the FPPC at 1-866-ASK-FPPC (866) 275-3772. 

Candidates running for local office are required to file Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests). Investments, interests in real property, and business positions held on the date of filing your declaration of candidacy must be reported.

For more information, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (650) 877-8518 or email all-cc@ssfca.gov.

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